WRISTS LIKE STEEL

"I feel like a window, maybe a broken window. I am a glass human. I am a glass human disappearing in the rain. I am standing among all of you waving my invisible arms and hands. I am shouting my invisible words . . . I am disappearing. I am disappearing but not fast enough.”

[peytonolds]

indiwilliams:

“Speaking of being awful, this conversation is awful so let’s drown it out with drinks and talking mad shit about people we see. I ain’t one to get mushy, and I talk enough to a therapist that I don’t need another one.”

“That’s fair.” Peyton shrugged, turning as she spoke to look around the room. Surely something at least semi interesting was bound to catch either of their attention. “So, if you had to pick a person in this room to spend the rest of your life with based only on looks, who’d ya pick?”

[evieislovesick]

Candice 😍😍😍

[peytonolds]

blakewakefield:

“There’s not enough money in the world, my dear,” Blake says with a cheeky grin, but he was never one to really turn his back on people. He stuck, through thick and thin, although he supposes that if they ended up being a murderer, he’d have to sort that out real quick. “Already working on it as we speak, in a manner of speaking at least,” there was a list growing in his brain and he’d sure that he’d spend far too much time later focusing in on it. “I could never say no to good food,” he wasn’t even one to say no to a good street taco, “Anything in mind or are we playing diner roulette?”

“I’m sure you’ve got a price. Everyone does.” Peyton shrugged though the comment was lighthearted for the most part. “You’re not going to share any of your findings with me?” They asked, raising their brows at him. At his following question, they pursed their lips, thinking about it. “Not like there’s many options in Lanford in the first place. But I am in the mood for Italian.” 

[peytonolds]

isabellalvna:

“You haven’t been able to turn it off since yesterday?” Isabella asked them with a furrow of her brow since that seemed like an odd issue for a car. “That’s weird.” The girl commented and began to put her seatbelt on, shrugging slightly since it didn’t seem that hot now given that the car hadn’t been turned on. “Are you thinking of bringing it to the mechanic?”

“No, even when I turn on the AC it just blows out warm air anyway. I’m sure there’s a solution that I just don’t know at all.” They shrugged. “Yeah, I’m going to tomorrow since it’s my one day off.” Peyton looked over at the girl making sure she’d put on her seat belt before they started the car and headed toward the restaurant. “I always wish I knew more about cars in situations like these but then they pass and I forget all about it.” 

[peytonolds]

blakewakefield:

“Probably why I haven’t gotten bored yet,” he tells them with a soft laugh. People changed, that’s what people do. God knows when he was younger he acted like a rich twat who thought the world owed him something because of the luck he had of being born in to wealth. But to him that’s a good change, he was so happy to leave that boy behind and see the world for what it actually was, for better or worse. “Maybe this is another diversion, maybe something else is happening that none of us are seeing Peyton,” he starts to muse, brain flying off in a million directions now. “I was going to stand here all night, maybe some folk will think I’m one of those moving statues and start to leave coins at me feet.”

“One of the few.” Peyton laughed softly despite the fact that technically it was true. So many of their friends had skipped town, never to be heard from again. At times they couldn’t help but think that it had been their fault but they didn’t dwell too much on those thoughts. They were busy, anyway. “Maybe. Isn’t that kind of your thing? Wouldn’t you enjoy figuring that out?” They watched him with a grin as he answered their following question. “Well, not that this might sound better than your original plan but --- do you want to go grab dinner with me?” 

[peytonolds]

charlotterenolds:

Charlotte nodded her head towards the other. “I have too many stories, but unfortunately, I’m bound by law to keep those stories to myself.” The brunette paused and shrugged her shoulder. “I wouldn’t be a good shrink if I did.” Slowly, a smile overcame her lips and she eyed the brunette. “But I’m not, so I can shift some things around to protect their identity. Do you want to know the guy who was cheating on his wife with their bedframe and got stuck, or things a little more twisted nd depressing.”

They figured they should have been more concerned with how easy it was to convince her to tell the stories but it wasn’t as if Peyton was going to go around and retell them so they supposed it did not matter in the grand scheme of things. “More twisted and depressing for sure but after the bed frame story because I do not think I can go on without hearing it.” 

[peytonolds]

indiwilliams:

“It’s a common thread, ‘spose. Lots of people feel that way. My mom gave me up when I was a baby, washed her hands of me and expected this kid to raise me, my dad wasn’t even out of highschool yet,” her eyes narrow at the thought. She wanted to find the woman and give her what she deserves, “Weird to see my dad with someone who treats me like I’m her kid too.” Like for once she was welcome somewhere, welcome in someone else’s home whenever she needed or wanted to and Maria hadn’t been scared away by the sight of seeing Indiana have meltdowns, which had happened a few times but she had shied away from the other kids involved. It was something only Kent and Maria saw. “You don’t know me,” she sing songs, “But that’s life, innit? Some people are just bad.”

Peyton thought about their own father remarrying and how he’d found love in another man instead of a woman this time. As if that meant anything but they couldn’t feel that sometimes it did mean something. As if by saying that their parents simply weren’t meant to be due to preferences would be easier than just admitting that their mother hated them and their father. “Yeah, you’re right. Sometimes people are awful. Sometimes people just suck.” Peyton shrugged. They’d never been much for making people feel better and they weren’t going to push her further. “But if you dwell on it, too, then that’s just pointless.” 

[peytonolds]

adamxharper:

Adam laughed. “Maybe I’ll get there someday, but I know they’ll get there about naps. I have’t met many adults whwo are like, no, you know what? I don’t think I get enough sleep.” They laughed and shook their head. “No, I think I just look younger than I am. None of that Benjamin Button stuff. God, at least I hope not. Can you imagine?”

“I used to have the worst sleep schedule when I was in college but I think that’s just a normal college thing.” Peyton laughed softly. “That’d be pretty terrifying, I’ve got to say. That movie was kind of freaky even though it was supposed to be moving or whatever but I guess now people can walk around in their daily lives thinking about it.”

[peytonolds]

june-monroe:

“So, uh… We’re closing soon,” June said, traveling the familiar floor in even strides to pause in front of the last remaining customer of the evening. “The kitchen’s already closed, but if you want anything from the bar, I would be happy to get it for you.” People who stuck around this late usually didn’t do it for the food anyway, not always for the bar either, but just to avoid something. June wasn’t particularly skilled at figuring out who did what however, so she tried not to assume anything.

“Is that what you say to people when you discreetly want to kick them out of the restaurant? Like, when someone overstays their welcome at your house and you don’t know how to get rid of them?” Peyton asked, their face completely serious for a moment before they grinned softly at her. “I’m just kidding. I was actually waiting for someone who obviously never showed but I can get out of your hair now if you bring me my bill.” 

[peytonolds]

blakewakefield:

“I’d pay you per sarcastic but endearing remark,” Blake tells them with a grin, “But I could never bark at you to get me my coffee. Thieves are getting smarter these days,” even if he had been hit up, he’s sure he would have been ok in the end. But plenty of folk who were stolen from won’t be ok, and he just.. wants to help everyone, as stupid as that may be. “If you need anything, let me know.”

“Sarcastic but endearing that’s my brand nowadays.” Peyton remembered a time where they were tough as nails and people were afraid to even speak to them for fear of getting on their nerves but time had made them soft. Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing, they hadn’t quite figured out yet. “Yeah, that’s very true. Especially North End of all places. People barely get by as it is and to have this happen to them is evidently atrocious.” They nodded, smiling softly at him. “Thanks. --- Uh, so were you just going to stand around all night or are you headed somewhere?” 

[peytonolds]

julian--alexander:

“Don’t worry. There’s no way we will let this food go to waste. We’re both too cheap for that.” He chuckled as they arrived to his car. He fumbled with the keys in his pocket for a second until he finally got the trunk of his car to open. He began to put the bags as he spoke. “I don’t get why some people want a zombie apocalypse to happen. That would be so shitty. I’d probably be one of the first to die. Listen, if there ever is a zombie apocalypse, promise you wont be a dick and get yourself killed before I do.”

“That’s fair.” Peyton laughed, shaking their head as they helped him put away the bags of all the things that they’d purchased. “Oh, I promise. I don’t want to live to see the end of one but I definitely want to participate in some zombie ass kicking. Although I never understood that concept since zombies are supposed to be slow, weaker, diseased filled humans so...why you would fight one is beyond me but I’d look good doing it.” 

[peytonolds]

jasonluca:

“Sounds like you’ve got a lot figured out, though.” Which, he could respect because when it came to a career, he was always floating. “Seems like a good side job, potentially turned to your main job. What’s stopping you from doing it?” There had to be something, right? Or she’d just go for it. That’s what always happened to him.

“I guess.” Peyton shrugged. “Time mostly. I have my main job which also involves a lot of side jobs and constantly coming up with new projects plus the commute from Lanford to the city that I have to take at least three times a week. Mostly, I think that it’s because if I do make it a blog and make it my own thing then it’s all on me and that’s a lot of responsibility especially in a world such as video games where it is definitely male dominated. I hardly doubt anyone wants to actually hear the opinions of a black non-binary person on any of it.” 

[peytonolds]

indiwilliams:

“People come and go, no sense in being attached,” she says with a shrug, “Sometimes you’re friends with someone but they move or you move and you fall apart. Sometimes you date someone but someone cheats on you with someone better looking than you and you fall apart. Sometimes your mom hates you. You move on, no sense in crying over it. We all have shit going on.” She shrugs, “I ain’t one who wants to drag people down like that anymore. If I don’t feel needed or wanted, I ain’t extending the offer. She’s busy and I’m trash, it’s simple to me.”

“I won’t argue with you there. People are always leaving.” Peyton shrugged because that was definitely something they could relate to her on. “I guess we have more in common with each other than I thought.” They told her softly, mostly thinking about the comment about her mother hating her. Definitely something they could relate to despite the fact that they wished they couldn’t. Eventually, they had become numbing to caring or thinking about their mother at all. “I don’t think you’re trash, Indi. But if she’s busy then you’re right --- she’s busy.” 

[peytonolds]

blakewakefield:

“No, only under the crippling weight of a friend or acquaintance,” Blake says back, cheery as ever. “It could be. It’s not good, when the smoke clears and each one of those names ends up being clean, then it’s someone’s job most likely.”

“That’s true. You would have to pay me in order for it to fall under the assistant title.” They shook their head and chuckled softly. “I guess I hadn’t thought about it that way. I hadn’t thought about it at all, if we’re being honest. I got called into question at the station but I don’t even know anything I just went with one of my friends to the Valentine’s event because she was scared it was going to be something creepy. Turns out it was just a distraction.” 

[peytonolds]

blakewakefield:

He’s standing on the street, eyes trained on a tv in the window, a tv listing off names of everyone that’s a person of interest and he’s… interested. In the sense that he knows this is all wrong, that there is something different about the new chief. Something that made him happy that it’s been a few years since he stopped being a cop, because he knows that this would have made him snap if he were to witness it first hand.

“I need to remind my assistant to send each of them an offer to defend them,” he muses, but he finds himself funny because he refuses to get an assistant, and likes working alone. But maybe with the right person, he’d think otherwise. “Actually, remind me to get an assistant. This might be big,” he says with a soft laugh, knowing that he’s mostly speaking to himself, looking like a crazy loon in the streets.

“If I remind you to get an assistant doesn’t that on some level fall under the work of an assistant in the first place?” Peyton asked him, stepping closer once they were sure that they had his attention. “You really think this is huge? I honestly assumed for the most part that it was going to blow over in a couple weeks. Guess I’m already wrong about that, though.” 

[peytonolds]

adamxharper:

“Oh, wow, you definitely should feel cheated,” Adam said, laughing. “The kids always act like they don’t want to take a nap, but within ten minutes, everyone is asleep. They’ll appreciate it when they’re older. Which is what people tell me about looking younger than I am.”

“I mean, I can’t relate to either of those statements but I hope that your kids enjoy their naps and appreciate them when they’re older and I hope that you appreciate the baby face you have when you’re older as well.” Peyton laughed. “As long as you’re not one of those people who do look fifty but also look like they’re babies at the exact same time. That kind of freaks me out.” 

[peytonolds]

charlotterenolds:

“I mean, it’s long enough that the honeymoon phase is bound to wear off soon.” Charlotte said with a shrug, not really knowing from experience but more from stories told. After all, she was married to her work and they’ve been going strong for a while, but she was sure it was because she fucking hated her job — but the money was good. Much like a loveless marriage with great sex. “Perfect. I know a place in walking distance. We’ll make it in our heels.”

“Ah, right. They honeymoon phase.” Peyton smiled softly, they’d always found that whole phrase amusing. They nodded in response to her saying that they could get their in their heels and waited for her to gather her things before they were off. “Do you have any juicy stories you’re allowed to tell? Since I’m sure you get told a lot?”