OPHELIA GWENDOLYN QUEEN. 28.âMadness, mayhem, erotic vandalism, devastation of innumerable souls - while we scream and perish, History licks a finger and turns the page.â RUSSIAN HILL. MAYORâS DAUGHTER AND OWNER OF VAGABOND. ( )
     "I think I may have to take a breather anyway. Not only because of work.â Juliet started, grimacing lightly. She hadnât brought Martin up yet, knowing her sister too well to just blurt it out,  âYouâll never guess who surprised me after work the other day. And when I say you will never guess it, you actually wonât be able to because even I canât get myself to believe it actually happened.â Rambling was good right? Always better than to get to the actual point of the conversation,  âBut thatâs also the reason why I canât leave town at the moment. Gracie is going to meet Martin.â
      Unfortunately (and to her great dismay), Effie wasnât as blissfully unaware as Juliet assumed. âOh, I donât think Iâd need very many tries.â The confession muttered so low underneath her breath that she was sure she couldnât be heard, and whether or not she was right didnât even matter. Not a second or two later her sister finally spilled over with what was so difficult for her to say. Effieâs suspicions? Officially confirmed. âSo youâre just going to let him waltz back in then?â There wasnât necessarily judgement or condemnation in her tone, but by the pinch between her brows it was clear she wasnât very pleased. âI know I donât need to tell you this,â she attempted with a gentler approach, âand I know itâs not my place, but... itâs been four years, Jules. Whatâs he done to even earn the right?â
Martin studied the wooden figurine in his hand. Heâd stayed up late the night before carving it, adding all the finer details - the swoop of the mane, the precision of the hooves, the twist of the horn⊠Heâd wanted to make sure it was perfect. And yet - âFour year old girls like unicorns, right?âÂ
      Is this actually happening right now? Effie didnât want to believe what was in front of her, but there he was--- devoted to a wooden carving far more than sheâd seen him devote any amount of time to his actual child over the last four years. âIâd say they like consistent fathers who exist outside the realm of imagination a hell of a lot more, Martin.â Spat out like something dirty, his name alone prompted splotches of red to migrate from Effieâs chest to her cheeks. âCanât say Iâm surprised youâd think to offer her something straight out of a fantasy, though, considering - for Gracie - thatâs all youâve ever been.â Which lead to one very important question... âWhat are you doing here?â
âOh, Iâm definitely not qualified to teach anyone anything. Thatâs why Iâm in charge of your rope at the gym. Just waiting to see you fall on that perky butt of yours.â Marlo teased right back with a cocky smile and her head dropping to one side as Effie put an arm around her. Fully aware that the raindrops that had caught mustâve left a wet mark on her, she tried not to transfer them onto her friend. âThat window wouldâve been a better date than the last one I went on.â Marlo mused with a chuckle before nodding her head once. âBut I wonât say no to something warm. "Bumping her hips against hers, she showed off a toothy grin. "And if we cuddle some more, youâll be in need of one too.â
      âIn that case, itâs a good thing youâve also already taught me how to fly.â Alright, so skydiving was entirely different in every which way (and wouldnât really do her much good in this case), but that didnât stop a small grin from popping onto Effieâs lips. âIf those lessons fail me Iâll just have to hope this killer ass does the saving, instead.â Or... you know... that she wouldnât be on the wrong end of a nasty fall in the first place. Common sense said that was the ultimate outcome all the way around. Still linked together, paying no mind to the damp seeping from Marloâs rain-soaked clothes to her own, Effie stepped into line. âTwo cups of something warm and a spill sesh?â Her proposition came equipped with another smile. âIf a window makes a better date than the last one youâve been on, I need to hear the story.â
Genevieve truly had no idea how she ended up at that particular party. Well, she did â it was an event her father was invited to. He couldnât attend, however, as he was trapped in the Boston office dealing with an all hands on deck type of case. Once upon a time, this was everything she saw in her future. Now, it just wasnât her scene. Nevertheless, he had asked her to attend in his place, so she did. The night was one of the ocurrences in which she was absolutely sure she made the right choice. It was a complete bore, at least not until someone made it interesting. âHi honey, Iâm sorry Iâm late! Can you come here for a second, thereâs some people Iâd like you to meet.â Addressing the womanâs companions with a smile, Genevieve excused them.
     With her upbringing, Ophelia shouldâve been more adept at making a diplomatic exit on her own, but when her patience wore thing all those life lessons seemed to go out the window. Bored and impatient, sheâd settled for the easiest out. While a brighter smile curved wider across her lips, she hooked an arm through the blondeâs. âOf course I can.â To be honest, sheâd agree to almost anything if it meant a clean getaway. Side by side the pair made their escape to the other side of the room. âYouâre an actual living saint,â Effie breathed on a laugh once theyâd taken up new positions, hopefully out of view from her earlier companions. âIf I had to suffer another second of that conversation Iâm not even sure what wouldâve happened.â Nothing good, she was sure. âThis kind of partyâs never been my scene but, unfortunately, I had no choice but to come.â
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8TH, 2018.
» at OCEAN BEACH with @mascnchandler.
     There used to be a time when Effie often found herself in Masonâs jeep with bare legs thrown over the open side and a windswept head in his lap. That night, although she still cradled a requisite bottle of beer in her hands, she kept the passenger seat warm instead of sharing the back in a lazy tangle of limbs. Sometimes it crept up and startled her--- that distinct difference between then and now. âDo you remember what we used to call that one?â Hazel hues drifted away from a sky full of constellations and landed on his face. "It was something so ridiculous I thought for sure Iâd never forget, but...â time changes everything. Without permission, the smile on her lips dimmed until it was nothing more than a wistful hint. She needed to get it together. The whole point of a ânight outâ was to have fun, not to dwell on a decadeâs old something. âAnyways,â after a push up from her slouch, Effie knocked back a sip of warming ale, âItâs been awhile since weâve done this. Been awhile since Iâve seen you at all, actually.â That was mostly her fault, but--- âWhat gives? Too busy bandaging kittens for old friends?â
âDo I get a friendship discount?â Valeria asked jokingly with a smirk, taking a sip of her drink. âI did, it was a conference so it was mostly work and very little play, but I loved every minute of it. It was for young women of color in politics,â Valeria replied. âBut of course, I did do some of the typical tourist things, like go to a Broadway show and visit the 9/11 Memorial. But enough about me, whatâs new with you Effie? I can only imagine that the holiday season is a busy one for you.â
      âIf I gave out discounts to all of my friends Iâd never make a dime,â Effie tittered while she followed suit and reached for her latte, âbut come to think of it--- that would sort of support the overall concept of feeling like youâve just shopped your best friendâs closet.â Fingertips lazily drummed a beat along the side of her paper cup while she seemed to actually contemplate that. With a spark gleaming in her eyes, Effie turned a look back at Val, but whatever she meant to say next disappeared under the sudden eruption of a scoff. âYouâve all but said it there. The store itself has been going nonstop from open to close, and on top of that Iâm trying to arrange a few buying trips and this new idea into development. Basically, itâs been a chaotic shit show. I love it.âÂ
Natasha smiled and pointed to each dish, naming them all. âPierogi, borscht, lapsha, blini.â A perfectly balanced meal? Not necessarily. But she was feeling particularly homesick that day, and was desperate for some good food. âIs Russian.â She explained. âGood food.â She pointed inside the restaurant. âGood people.â She said, meaning the family who ran the establishment. âEat.â
     One by one, Effie followed along with the explanation of different dishes lined up across the table. By name alone she still couldnât tell what they were actually made up, but for someone like her that hardly mattered. Sheâd try anything twice--- once, to see if she liked it, and twice to make sure she was right. âI donât doubt it,â while she piled a few of what looked like some kind of dumpling onto her plate, she flashed a smile, âlittle places like this are my favorite. Thereâs something personal about them that always ends up being better than the chain restaurants, you know? They cook with passion-- you can taste it.â Curious, she added, âI take it youâre Russian, too?â
She shouldâve recognized Opheliaâs jaw-line immediately; that or her cheeks, her forehead, even the angle of her brow was distinct enough that Anais had no excuse to speak to one of her few patrons as if they were a stranger. If she had been another woman, she mightâve felt embarrassed. As it was, Anais simply gave a bemused little smile and nodded in the direction of the offending shoe, âIt was, actually.â A fresh page was uncovered before she set graphite to paper and fought the urge to laugh at the absurdity of the whole situation. It was better that she ran into Ophelia, she supposed, than someone she knew beyond work and shopping.Â
âSeems like youâve had a rough night.â The statement wasnât meant to be insulting, though she supposed it could have been taken as such. âThereâs Advil in my bag. Front pocket.â To solidify the genuine nature of her offer, she pushed the toe of her shoe into a canvas bag and pushed it in Opheliaâs direction. âNo water, Iâm afraid. No shoes either.â That wouldâve been a miracle.Â
âAre we headed to the shop this morning or straight back home?â Fleeting glances were taken here and there as she assessed Opheliaâs posture, her clothing and face, but Anais poured her attention to her sketchpad and the quick outline that unfolded beneath her pencil.Â
      âI thought so!â Effieâs bare toes, hardly concealed by the sheer stocking that covered her from knee to foot, gave a triumphant wiggle. âI think it goes without saying that the missing shoe has been a real conversation piece today.â Silent conversations that consisted of little more than confused (or oftentimes critical) stares, but still. With each new lingering glance she made a little game out of wondering what they might be thinking to themselves, and the comedic twist to most of her imaginings was enough to keep any ounce of embarrassment at bay.
      âIâm pretty sure I had the best night,â from what bits and pieces she could remember, âbut it was this morning that turned rough. Hangover headaches and the sun donât really mix well.â Expressing her gratitude through a smile, Effie bent to the floor. If she thought it was odd to be wrists deep in Anaisâ purse, she certainly didnât show it. Not a moment later sheâd popped a few into her mouth and swallowed them dry.
     Once sheâd settled back into her little corner of the bus seat, one leg drawn to her chest (if only to spare her shoe-less foot the dingy floor), she began curiously following the strokes of Anaisâ hand. âHeaded home for now, then to work later. I need to fix myself first.â For whatever reason, she got a kick out of the fact that this was how her day would be immortalized, though. âHow am I looking so far? Divine and disgraceful?â
     âOr you get really into the complaining and get moody and your whole day gets affected by it. Which is the case for me ninety-nine percent of the time.â She shot her sister a look, grinning lightly before letting herself relax in her seat, âI love the law way too much to quit it. Although I do need to take a step back sometime soon.â
      âAnd so what if you do?â Effie challenged, although the smirk never really dissipated from her lips. âYouâre allowed to have an off day and, quite frankly, the more you hold it in the more likely you are to inevitably explode.â That was her running theory, at least. There was next to nothing that Effie actually kept locked inside, but what little she did had a habit of eating away at her. Right now she wasnât the subject of their conversation, though. âIâm actually so glad you say that because I have proposition to make. Iâm going out of town next week... and I think you and Gracie should come with me.â
Sofia: You don't remember when I was in that little studio apartment and you spent some random nights on my couch?
Sofia: Ummmm wait, what boots? HAHA
OPHELIA: I barely remember a lot of nights on a lot of couches, but I'll take your word for it sweetie đ
OPHELIA: They were these silver glitter Jeffrey Campbell boots? Chunky heel, platform sole? Garish and kind of gross in all the best ways tbh
OPHELIA: I'd never be caught dead in them now, but I'd love to have them back for sentimental reasons. Or ya know. To beat Indi over the head. Anyways. Doesn't matter! I have other boots for THAT.
OPHELIA: Is pizza and wine still on the table? Bc I'm half starved and despairingly sober.
     Attending parties were never something William had liked. The people were rather boring, the topics were too important to be discussed at a party and everyone always seemed to want to flatter him. Now, however, he found them amusing, if anything. He didnât really have a clue about how big companies worked or how they were structured and yet, he found himself pretending to be interested in the gibberish the people around him were talking about. What he had was a decent understanding of how to manage people, which really was all he needed for these events. Still there were many other things William would have liked better than to be in the middle of this, but he figured he had to play the part his sisters so fabulously came up with. He was a guy with a lot of money, always looking to invest in companies. Heâd just managed to stop a yawn when none other than Ophelia, his lovely neighbor came sprinting over to him. Muttering a quick âexcuse meâ to the guys, who were trying to get him interested in, - what was it again? 3D printed jewelry? - William met Ophelia in the middle,  âLovely to run into you at such a.. nice gathering.â
     Now that she knew Will was there, Effie was decidedly less amused that sheâd spent so much time entertaining--- whoever the hell that was. By no real intention of her own sheâd already forgotten the guyâs name. God willing, sheâd be spared his company for the rest of the night, anyway, and her little oversight wouldnât even matter. âDonât be rude, Wills,â she paused just long enough to touch upon his shoulders and kiss both cheeks, âTell the truth and admit itâs awful. You know weâre both thinking it.â Actually, she rarely knew what he was thinking; that was part of the draw. Like a puzzle delivered straight to her lap (or to the townhouse next door, as it was) she was constantly trying to figure him out. So far she hadnât experienced much luck, but Ophelia Queen was nothing if not determined. For now, however, she was just glad to have someone she actually enjoyed in the vicinity. âIâm happier to see you than you realize, though. I thought Iâd have to stab a cake fork in my eye just to liven this place up.â Grotesque as it was, Effie only grinned. âI was actually trying to map an escape route before I noticed you across the room. Have you been here long?â
Best date: If you can consider it a âdateâ, Effie would say the time she spent three weeks road tripping across the country on the back of somebodyâs bike. It was that spur of the moment, flying by the seat of their pants, âthe only plan is there is no planâ kind of fun and she relives those days frequently.Â
Worst date: That one time she woke up in Vegas as a newly married woman. Although she still sends him a tasteful (read: ridiculous) Christmas card each year, Effie has no intention of ever seeking a second date
Best memory: An impulsive trip around Europe during her college years
Bonus best memory: The days that both Gracie, her niece, and Brenna, her goddaughter, were born. Effie may not have an interest in having children of her own, but those little girls are her entire world.
Worst memory:Â Her father finding out about said impulsive European trip and the fact that it made her miss finals week
Bonus worst memory: The day her father told her sheâd be better off marrying well rather than trying to succeed on her own. As someone whoâs always supported him, despite being fully aware of his ways, Effie expected the same in return. She played it off as if it didnât matter, but deep down it still bothers her to this day that he has such little faith in her.
     âOh, yeah. That sounds really... wow.â Effieâs eyes glazed over despite the fact that she still wore a smile. She didnât mean to be rude, but my god. There were only so many times she could hear something about an âacquisitionâ or âmergerâ before fleeing the country for a guaranteed escape. With a sigh threatening to breach her lips she took a desperate glance around. There, standing at the other side of the room--- they were her ticket out. With barely a parting word to her former company, Effie scampered off. âOhmygod, hi! Iâm so glad to see you!â
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4TH, 2018.
» at EFFIEâS OTHER HOME with @collinsindiana.
      âBrenna---â Effie mock whispered--- âplease tell your mother that if sheâs somehow found a way to introduce anything that even remotely sounds like kale into those cookies, Iâm filing for divorce.â With their chins balanced on folded arms and their heads conspiratorially tipped together, she flashed her god daughter a cheeky smile. To Indi, she yelled, âMessing with a six hundred calorie count classic during the holidays is sacrilegious!â Like two children (instead of just the one) they shared a muffled giggle before Effie straightened up to wander over. âIâd offer to help, honey, but reaping rewards and appreciating damn fine views is so much more my style.â One playful slap to her best friendâs ass and a pinch of cookie dough later, sheâd hopped up to perch on the counterâs edge. âYou can just consider me quality control.â
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