EYES WIDE SHUT

down the streets i'm the girl next door, i'm the fox you've been waiting for.

[nightdance]

𝙽𝙸𝙶𝙷𝚃𝙳𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴 / sherry rios . 27 years old. tattoo artist . biker. miss cherry bomb. / when i'm all over your mouth am i making you sick...

HISTORY . THREADS . PINTEREST .

[ivrykeys-deactivated20250923]

Admiring the other's commitment, Nick indulges further — especially considering he just so happened to know the films referenced. "Oh, definitely High Plains Drifters. That's the one with Clint Westwood, right?" The mistakes were easy ones to make, but someone who'd truly worked on the film would obviously catch them right away. From the pluralization on the title to the incorrect director's name. He wondered if she'd let herself be caught by her lack of recognition, or if she was as good as this little game as it seemed she was. "Upcoming film? You're so busy. Tell me about it, I'd love to catch it while it's playin' at the Drive-In."

[nightdance]

“so you have seen high plains drifter,” which is simply her way of saying that he needs to try harder if he wants to keep up with her game. “certainly, i was not the main star of that movie, but just the opportunity to work alongside mr. eastwood was pure magic. i suppose i'm not a woman destined for western films,” sherry says, leaning closer, her one hand strategically placed under her delicate chin for support. “i could get sued if i spoil too much, but it's about love. somehow all stories are. it's also about one woman and all the affairs in her life. she's a little scandalous and shameless and gets whatever she wants, but... ” she lets the words linger in the air as she pulls back, using suspension as a tightrope to walk on. the one thing that's left for the crowd to do is hold its breath. “forgive me, i've already said too much.”

[bellstrum]

"No, no— laugh all you want. It's funny." He sighs, picking up the bucket and placing it on the floor, upright. "I've been finding this past week absolutely hilarious." Benny sighs, placing his hands on his hips. He was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed with all the tasks at hand but found some slight relief in Sherry's offer. He only had one brush, borrowed from Ruby's when they needed a paint job a long time ago. It was dull and frayed, so he couldn't be more thankful. "Actually, that'd be really great," he grins, taking a few steps forward. Now noticing her stance in the doorway, Benny lights up, forgetting to invite her in. "—Oh shit, sorry. Please, come in," he waves, gesturing for her to stand or sit wherever she wants. "Safe?" Benny ponders, resting the cabinet he placed in the center of the living room. "It's alright— people yell sometimes, and some like to do donuts outside. If you haven't noticed," he chuckles, nodding towards the front door. "It's been about... six or so years for me. So, I've grown to love it. But... you know, beggars can't be choosers. I really needed a place, and this was the first thing I could afford, and you can't beat that. "

[nightdance]

there's always been a certain distance between sherry and the people that she meets, formed either by giving them faux names or false hopes, but with benny, she supposes that it's different. how much distance can there truly be between two people that share a wall together? “yeah, actually, i should probably go get the brushes. it's going to take me about fifteen to twenty minutes to find them. you know how it is with moving and cardboard boxes. sometimes it's just easier to stack them in a corner somewhere.” the brushes are under her kitchen sink, it's just going to take her twenty minutes to change into something more comfortable that she doesn't mind staining with paint. “well, thank you for telling me. like i said, i'll be back in twenty and i do hope you have some ladders around, mr. empire state building,” she says, her one hand clutching the door frame as she takes another step backward. “i'd like to borrow them.”

[billie-hawkins-deactivated20240]

who: @nightdance (closed)

when: a tuesday night

where: sherry's place

Of course Billie had seen Sherry around town. She would dance into Billie's peripheral vision then just as quickly vanish as though she'd never been there. It was an odd, long forgotten feeling that hadn't shown itself in years - sure, there was the spark whenever she would approach women in dingy bars and nightclubs, the excitement whenever they agreed to leave with her, but once everything was said and done nothing lingered. They went on their way, Billie on hers, and she usually never saw them again, which was just the way she had come to like it. She didn't do relationships, or even crushes, but it seemed that she had finally developed one and wasn't sure how to shake the feeling. She had convinced herself that if she were to just talk to the woman then surely these feelings would subside and she could go on about her every day life as though nothing had happened at all. Just the way she liked it.

In 1969 she'd joined a caravan of other nomadic self-proclaimed hippies on their way to Woodstock and it was there that she had drunkenly agreed to have a stranger (who had been just as drunk) litter the back of her hand and much of her wrist in stick-and-poke tattoos. They were a truly awful collection of mostly faded ink: a lopsided moon, a deflated sun, something that faintly resembled a lit joint. It was an assortment of terrible doodles and she absolutely loved them, but ever since she had been itching to get some professional work done that other people could appreciate as well as herself.

Or, maybe she had gotten the sudden need to get a tattoo from the fact that she had recently learned that Sherry was a tattoo artist. Whatever the real reason for it, she had found herself at the front door of Sherry's place, to which she had been pointed by a neighbor, and took a deep breath, contemplated all the reasons why it was a terrible idea for her to show up out of no where, and knocked on the door. Standing there like a deer in headlights, she hoped that an answer came soon or else she might take off into the setting sun and abandon her faulty plan altogether.

[nightdance]

it lulls her, the calmness of the hour before closing, the soft humming of the radio station that she hardly ever bothers to switch, the nearly silent scribbling of her apprentice in a corner somewhere, but sherry's not quite asleep yet, not truly ready to say goodbye to the sketch before her. she's been working on it for the past hour or so, drawing, composing, highlighting; irrevocably hungry for something new, something that would last, something to outlive her. certainly, the ink pushed into the skin of her clients will always be an ode to her originality, and yet, as selfish and narcissistic as it may sound, sometimes it feels like wasted potential.

so she cracks her knuckles, cranes her neck, closing one almond-shaped eye so that the other could center with better focus on the sketch, the stark contrast between black and white, with only a splash of red — but now she's painfully aware that she should've used another colour in lieu of the crimson shade. she looks up only when her apprentice turns to address her, pointing to the girl outside and compelling her to rise from her seat. she makes her way to the door, detangling herself from the disarray, thankful for the distraction at hand. “hey, you know you don't have to wait outside. it's just me and my apprentice tonight. do you have an appointment with us??”

[psychedelicsunflwr]

Although the mention of leaving first caused Phoenix's heart to sink, it wasn't long before she realized she would be able to convince her friend to stick around. Nodding excitedly, she reached out to grab the brunette's hands before pulling her back toward the crowd of festival-goers, all dancing along to the band of the hour.

"Well, good. Then you'll be primed and ready to show me your best moves!" Phoenix teased before releasing the other woman from her grasp. What energy Sherry lacked, Phoenix always seemed to make up for and vice versa. Like yin and yang, their differences made them the perfect match. "Rough day?"

[nightdance]

“you know i have the best dance moves, nix. do you think they'll let me join them on the stage? i could be a nice backup dancer,” she says, still clinging to the redhead's arm as she points to the band in question, displaying no hesitation when it comes to her own ludicrous idea. “you could even join me. we'd give this town quite a show,” as subtle as a wave crashing against rocks, she's never been the one to quaver before a challenge or a moment she'll live to regret, but when it comes to phoenix king, sherry can't quite gauge whether or not the two of them were cut from the same cloth. “not really. this is just boring i guess. remind me to one day take you to a real celebration. besides that, i've always preferred winter, and goodbyes are, after all, overrated.”

[ivrykeys-deactivated20250923]

Amusement flashed across Nick's expression. He knew, unquestioningly, that he wouldn't have recognized any sort of picture star, considering he didn't frequent the movies enough. Too absorbed in his music and reading and working to be fascinated by much of anything else. But it would be far too much fun to give up the jig now, right?

"Ah, of course, of course. I really liked you in your most recent film. What was the name of it, again?" he pressed, wanting to see just how far his counterpart could take the ruse.

Now finished with the new and still slightly experimental drink, he placed it on the bar top in front of the brunette, with a glimmering if not slightly mischievous smile. "It's a tequila sunrise, for the movie star."

[nightdance]

“are you referring to high plains drifter or messiah of evil? one came out in april, the other in may.” something tells her that he's not truly buying the story that she's trying to sell, but his willingness to play along only seems to amplify her effort, and so, she extends her hand, nearly pale and certainly soft, the type of hand that one could hardly envision gripping a clutch lever. “i'm marianna.” laura, juliana, michelle, but she's hardly ever sherry, the girl who knows that it's best to never walk into the same room twice, or else you risk being recognized. “well that looks stellar. thank you. and now — ,” she pauses, lifting the glass in his direction for a fleeting second before taking a slight sip. “to my bartender and my upcoming movie.”

[sirbennett]

Shopping was a pastime everyone in Roger's family enjoyed immensely although their interests ranged considerably: for his grandfather it was boats and well bred horses, his father enjoyed cars and rare art, but Roger had picked up more from his mother when it came to the way he preferred to spend his money. Clothes, accessories, fancy colognes, and overpriced shoes were the way to his heart, and after a particularly long day he felt that he deserved to spoil himself with a new bracelet or ring from the mall.

He was deep in thought as he contemplated three options when his trance was broken by the sound of someone speaking nearby. He looked over and smiled at the young woman, then his eyes fell upon the necklace in question. "Marilyn Monroe, what a true inspiration. That song could play on a loop for hours and I would never tire of it." He leaned forward and nodded. "Of course they're real, I wouldn't be wasting my time at this counter if this wasn't genuine. Will you be buying it?" He turned his attention back to the jewelry he still hadn't decided on, once again trying to pick just one. "It would be absolutely breathtaking on you."

[nightdance]

“you like marilyn?” sherry says in lieu of a more formal question, raising an eyebrow as if in disbelief. “then i must admit you have good taste.” she could see it in the way he dresses and carries himself, and his unequivocal self-assurance only seems to prove her point further. “it's good to know then that i'm not wasting my time, and well, to answer your question, i don't know.” it's not the necklace that's the issue per se, but the price tag that's attached to it. after all, it's one thing to look at it and revel in her imagination and envisage it around her neck — but another to intentionally squander away her paycheck. at his effortless compliment, however, one of her hands instinctively finds its way to her collarbone, compelling her to realize just how bare it is. “please,” she grins, refraining from scoffing at him. “flattery doesn't work on me.”

[nourfk]

Nour wasn't really one to fall in love with materialistic things. She had been taught all her life, and even more before she came to America, to spend wisely. Still, it was tough not finding solace in even the tiniest of trinkets that made her heart sing. She wasn't sure what it was about shopping, lately, that seemed to capture her every attention. Gifts, she'd excuse, for her family. As though they haven't received a 'Stillwater, California' t-shirt already. Her mother's birthday was in a few months, but she wasn't sure what she would think if buying her something as precious as a gem. Nour was well aware her family would understand that it was within her budget— well, a nurse's budget. Still, she found herself staring at the rock before her, enamored in every way. If not her mother... someone she thought of, would look beautiful wearing it. Nour almost misses the person beside her speaking, taking a look around her to ensure the raven-haired woman is speaking to her. "We'd be none the wiser," she says without much thought. "And it would be absolutely awful if that were true." She smiles softly, looking over at her. "I could believe it. I mean, can something so beautiful actually exist?"

[nightdance]

“i believe it's just an expression, though it is about love and wealth and the luxury of it all,” sherry remarks, knowing that it's not something she wishes to dwell on nor dispute, especially not with a woman she's never seen before. “i'm just a fan of monroe's movies.” straight to the point, like a gulp of finely distilled brandy, she returns the woman's smile, recalling all the nights she had snuck out and gone to see reruns of the classics at local theaters, the same ones they had played on tv during her childhood. it's always been a well-kept secret, discovered only by her two sisters, that sherry loves to indulge in glamour, all the melodrama of lovelorn romances and fated kisses on screen, from a safe distance, that is. “well, some say that there's beauty in everything.” things, places, people, though it's a sentiment that nearly forces her to roll her eyes. “but perhaps the most beautiful things come with quite a nice price tag too. regardless, you should get the ring that you were looking at just a moment ago.”

[fruityrpmemes-blog]

send me a # to learn an unusual hc about my muse!

bonus points if you ask me to randomize it !

what’s your muse’s favorite album of all time / favorite artist?

how do they listen to their music? ipod, mp3, computer, cd, records, etc?

do they take baths or showers? do they prefer one over the other?

do they wear their hair down when they sleep, or tied up / braided?

how many blankets / pillows do they like to have on their bed?

what do they normally dream about? nightmares or nonsense?

do they wake up groggy or alert? do they like mornings?

what do they sleep in? pj’s, normal clothes, nothing?

what do they smell like? do they use perfume or cologne?

what shampoo scent do they like the best and why?

bar soap or liquid? do they like loofahs?

do they prefer sleeping alone or with someone else?

do they like the room cold or hot when they sleep?

do they stay up too late? do they like staying up?

do they know how to drive? do they like to drive?

do they prefer taxis / buses / subways, etc? or none of the above?

do they have pets? what kind? dogs, cats, etc?

do they prefer cats or dogs? or neither?

what are their phobias? do they have any at all?

what do they hate being teased about? are they teased often?

did they have any fears growing up that they’ve since conquered?

do they have a fear they want to conquer, but haven’t yet?

how do they show fear? sweating, shaking, blankness, anger, etc?

do they have a short temper? what’s most likely to set it off?

do they get scared easily? does loud noises, shouting, etc, scare them?

what are they most passionate about? what could they debate about for hours?

what do they never, ever want to speak of, ever?

do they have kids? do they want kids? if so, how many?

is there something they’d like to change about themselves physically?

is there something about their personality they want to change?

do they have good fashion sense? or do they just wear whatever?

do they critique others easily? do they judge from afar?

are they too hard on themselves over the little things?

are they the jealous type? what are they most likely to be jealous of?

are they possessive over their things? or over other people? both?

would they rather be alone or in a relationship?

what do they think about polyamorous relationships? would they do it?

do they have parents / parental figures? do they have a good relationship with them?

do they have siblings? if so, how many? do they like them?

do they have a big family or a small family? no family?

where would they want to live if they could live anywhere? why?

are they happy in their current living situation? why or why not?

do they like living alone or with another person / other people?

did they go to college, or are they attending? did / do they like it?

what’s their dream job / profession? do they have one?

if they could control one thing in the world, what would it be?

do they like tv shows or movies? or neither?

do they have social media? do they like it or hate it? obsess over it?

do they have a creative outlet? if so, what is it?

where do they see themselves in 2 / 5 / 10 years?

[psychedelicsunflwr]

closed starter for @nightdance location: birch bay boardwalk

It was difficult to believe that summer had almost come to an end. And while the California heat was promised to linger up until the winter months, there would be a change in the overall feel of the town. The season for tourism was dying out, and kids would soon be back in school. Not to mention the fact that Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all seemed to be right around the corner.

As Phoenix waded through the crowds and back up to the bar for another round of drinks, she spotted her favorite brunette standing nearby and couldn't resist the urge to approach her. Since moving to Stillwater, Sherry had easily become one of her closest friends and she would always treasure the time they were able to spend together. Whether it was planned or not.

"Well, well, well, look who it is! Isn't this thing great? I've been helping Roger out at the merch booth for a few hours, but he's finally released me. Please tell me you'll be here for the rest of the night!"

[nightdance]

“well, hello miss arizona,” she interjects with a smile, abandoning her overly sweet and half-empty drink on one of the benches to get a proper look at the redhead before her, perpetually fascinated by her auburn locks. “ah roger,” pausing for a moment as if to recall the man's countenance, she lets the name echo within the dome of her skull only to realize that she doesn't truly know who she's talking about. “i believe i only met him recently. he seems like a cool guy though.”

“as for the rest of my night...” sherry stretches the words like bubblegum within her mouth, buying herself enough time to come up with a decent explanation. “i actually wasn't planning on staying, but perhaps the right redhead would be able to persuade me to change my mind.”

“that is, if she decides to join me for a dance. i find that sitting around and drinking is a little tedious — which is what i have been doing for the past hour, arizona.”

[bellstrum]

"Sherry," he repeats, a habit he developed to help remember names. "You too." At her question, Benny first raises his brows at the term 'forever remodeling,' relaxing into an easy grin after he lets out a chuckle. "I'm having a good week, funny enough." He means it sarcastically. The endless amount of work he had been coming across bothered him to no end. Still, how could he ignore any of it now that he's noticed? It was simply unnoticeable. "Well, I was about to paint the walls— but then the coffee table..," he trails off, assuming she'd know what it was like to start one thing, then get caught up in another. "I think it's good, though," he adds, walking towards it again to place the paint bucket back on. —THUD. Benny grimaced, looking back up as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I thought it was."

[nightdance]

“paint the walls you say? well,” she pauses, uncertain whether she should stay close to the door or trail after him without an invite, but she sidles closer anyway, waging a war between her left and right foot and sauntering like an alley cat that only ever moves when others aren't looking. just as she's about to open her mouth again, the little mishap with the paint bucket forces her to laugh as she meets his eyes, her initial thoughts momentarily forgotten. “i'm sorry, it wasn't my intention to laugh, it's just that these sorts of things only ever happen in comedies.” falling silent for a moment, sherry takes another step forward as if to meet him halfway. “as i was going to say, i'm not a house painter per se, i'm just a painter, but i do have a couple of brushes that were pretty costly and that i never use, so i could bring them over to you. perhaps painting corners around doors and windows might be just a little easier,” she emphasizes the last part with a smile, canting her head to one side. “in exchange, you could tell me more about the neighborhood. like is it safe? how long have you lived here? and do you like it?”

[ivrykeys-deactivated20250923]

The rather direct response had caught Nick off guard; he'd taken a moment to recover and then — brow arched, he eased on a smile. "Right on, I know just the thing." While he set out to make the first drink that had come to mind, he glanced up at his patron. She looked familiar, in that way that most people who lived here did, but he was having a hard time placing her face.

"Am I trippin', or do I know you from somewhere?"

He let the question hang in the air, while his palm curved around the shaker currently employed in making the other's drink. He shook, and thought. And still came up empty. Hopefully they hadn't met under some sort of embarrassing circumstance.

[nightdance]

“oh well...” she trails off in that instant, her voice fading like a song that's coming to an end; it's a stark contrast in comparison to her initial approach. heedlessly, she slips into a new role, as if it's her favourite old coat, tailored to fit the very measurements of her limbs and body. she's done it before, a thousand times, before her parents, policemen, store clerks. “i'm not supposed to be telling you this, but...” it's almost breathy, close to a conspiratorial whisper as she leans back and turns her head to check if anyone else is sitting beside her, close enough to hear her following words. “i suppose, like most people, you too must know me from the movies,” she says, her inscrutable smile now turning into a testament to her ingenuity. “for the sake of my privacy, i beg you not to tell anyone since i'm currently shooting a film here.”

[divinefcmine]

open starter | @swstarters​ where: outside the tastee freeze. when: around lunch.

“free palm reading while you wait for your lunch?” marjorie called over to the person. she had been sitting there eating a banana split but it had melted too much and she didn’t want to make conversation with herself. so, the next best thing was try conversing with a stranger.

[nightdance]

“all right, as long as it’s not some classic scam story about true love and meeting the right one that people sell, or in this case, offer for free.” with a half smile at the corner of her mouth, sherry turns and extends her hand towards the other woman, unwilling to abandon the cigarette between her sleek fingers despite the smoke that twines itself around them; wafting slowly and, as if on purpose, close to her face. “you can take a puff if you want.”

[bluen3hey]

1996  Stealing Beauty

[nightdance]

                       TASK ONE: ABOUT ME .

        [...] and behind all the myths and masks; / her soul, which is always alone.

𝙱𝙰𝚂𝙸𝙲𝚂

full name: sherry luna rios  

nickname: whatever someone gives her, but she may not always like them. her sisters used to call her sherrub.

gender:  cis woman

pronouns: she/her  

sexual and romantic orientation: unlabeled

birthdate: december 22nd

birthplace: st. petersburg, florida. / but grew up in oakland, ca.  

neighborhood: willowdale

occupation: tattoo artist

ethnic background:  colombian, syrian, lebanese, palestinian

religious views:  grew up in a predominantly catholic household with some mixture of sunni islam, but is an agnostic

language(s)spoken: english, spanish, some basic arabic

𝙿𝙷𝚈𝚂𝙸𝙲𝙰𝙻𝙸𝚃𝚈

face claim: sofia carson

hair color: dark brown/black

eye color: hazel

height:  162 cm, 5'3 ft

build:  mesomorph

tattoos: only has a few and not in visible places. you wouldn’t guess that she’s a tattoo artist just by looking at her.

piercings: standard lobe and orbital conch

style/aesthetic: black leather/or jeans regardless of temperature, miniskirts, thigh-high boots, even some see-through shirts, but when she wants to look more professional or put together, she’ll go for a classic elizabeth taylor look. she was once told that she looks like liz ( her younger sister had said it ) and she still believes in it.  

usual expression: xx

distinguishing features: her long hair that basically reaches her hips, the fact that she’s never seen without heels ( unless she’s at home ) and if you look into her eyes long enough, you’ll see that they have just a little bit of green in them.

𝙷𝙴𝙰𝙻𝚃𝙷 & 𝚆𝙴𝙻𝙻𝙽𝙴𝚂𝚂

physical ailments: none

neurological conditions: none?

allergies: none

sleeping habits: sleeps a lot during the day. probably can’t sleep much at night.

 exercise habits: dancing, roller skating  

emotional stability: too emotionally closed off  

sociability: is quite social/may come off as flirty.  

body temperature: too hot on most occasions  

addictions: cigarettes?  

drug usage: weed? she technically won’t say no to other drugs too, but most of the time, she tries to stay clean for the sake of her job/she needs a steady hand.  

alcohol usage: a bit too often, especially when in company.

𝙿𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙾𝙽𝙰𝙻𝙸𝚃𝚈

positive traits:  adventurous, confident, sympathetic

negative traits:  strong-willed, blunt, destructive

goals/desires: making something out of herself. while a little unreachable, she would want her art to at least leave some sort of mark.  

fears: being forgotten by the world and those that know/knew her, the notion that her parents were right and that she's done nothing good with her life.

hobbies: painting, stargazing, astronomy, surfing, devouring geographical facts  

habits: twirling a ring around her finger

𝙵𝙰𝚅𝙾𝚁𝙸𝚃𝙴𝚂

season: winter  

color: red

music: nina simone, queen, janis joplin, the doors

movies: cleopatra ( 1963 ) truly her obsession,  how to steal a million ( 1966 )

food: red velvet cake  

beverage: cola  

animal: cat

𝙵𝙰𝙼𝙸𝙻𝚈

father: diego rios  

mother: nawal saab rios

sibling(s): lilly rios ( 22 years old ) , jazmin rios ( 17 years old ), elias rios ( 15 years old )  

children: none.

pet(s): every stray that she feeds

family financial status: middle to lower class  

relationship: single

𝙴𝚇𝚃𝚁𝙰𝚂

astrological placements: capricorn sun, aries moon, gemini rising  

MBTI: xxxx

enneagram: xxxx

moral Alignment: chaotic neutral  

primary vice: pride  

primary virtue: charity/generosity  

element: fire or earth

[nightdance]

𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: oakbury mall 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡: open

wasting a good portion of her afternoon on mindless purchases has, as of late, turned into a blithe pastime rather than a necessity, becoming a nearly regular occurrence whenever sherry's leather wallet felt heavy enough to sustain the damage of her frivolity. sinfully short skirts, indiscreetly strong perfumes, any type of heeled boots,  she found herself often buying more than she needed and saving the rest for her sisters. continuing to weave through a throng of eager shoppers with sable hair reaching down to the small of her back, she takes a moment to glance at the reflective glass to inspect any wayward strands, only to be beckoned to come closer by the glimmer of jewelry on display. from the gentle curves and shapes to the way it catches the light under the right angle, not even she can dare to resist the siren call of precious stones. “you know, i think i'm beginning to understand what marilyn monroe meant when she said that diamonds are a girl's best friend.” with her voice dropping down to a mere whisper, she cranes her, unable to avert her gaze. “do you think that those are real?”

[bellstrum]

When & Where: Benny's... midday! (flashback)

🎨 @nightdance

Benny was sure there was a name for spontaneous remodeling, but even if there wasn't, he found himself buried in random tasks he encountered the past week. At first, it was the kitchen cabinet hanging by a single screw; next, the back porch and that loose plank he had meant to get to months ago. Today was for painting. After realizing how grimy his walls looked two nights ago, Benny had dedicated himself to painting his living room, starting his morning with all the necessary prep work. He had fully intended to focus solely on this and nothing else— that is, until he placed the paint bucket on his coffee table, pausing to see it wobble. Unfortunately, Benny couldn't let it go and abandoned the paint job for what he thought was a 'quick task.' But after twenty minutes in, he wondered if this was some sort of antique that hammering couldn't fix. Hearing footsteps from the porch, Benny looks up to see a figure nearing his door. Placing the hammer on the table, he raises his brows to see it isn't wobbling. Alright... he nods with a grin. "Hey!" he calls out to grab her attention, walking toward his screen door. "You just moved in, right? I'm Benny," he greets, rubbing his hand against his jeans before offering it for a shake.

[nightdance]

in the comfortable, newly furnished bedroom of her apartment, sherry finishes getting dressed after nearly an hour of preening before her framed mirror, drenched in her favorite fragrance that most would deem more suitable for dismal winter months than a glaring, balmy high noon. impervious to the sight of the sun still perched high in the sky like a glistening jewel, she steps outside with only one destination in mind — the mall. it's, however, the strident sound of hammering that pulls her attention with surprising ease, and it's the clacking of her heels along the porch that betrays her first, compelling her to pivot and change direction. she can't just walk away now. not when he's already seen her. “sort of, yeah.” a confirmation is offered in lieu of a proper greeting as she takes a step forward and shakes his hand before allowing a slight — and yet — jocose smile to crease her countenance. “i'm sherry. it's good to meet you, benny.” she says, her voice like velvet, softer than it usually is. “so tell me, are you like one of those 'forever remodeling' types of neighbors?” posing the query as she lowers her hand, the dark-haired girl almost laughs, wondering if there's ever a right time to meet someone or if she has been denuded of such fortuity her entire life. “and what exactly is your current project?”