is that fair? i don't care

étienne preston. i'm a tough son of a bitch, and a pretty one at that.

[primevalpreston]

Doesn't it bother you that Rose is sleeping around? Between Jefferson, Eliza, and Ari...

I don’t think I have any room to judge anyone on sleeping around.

Besides, I don’t think she’s slept with all those people.

[stagehandsheridan]

Three people you wouldn't mind going on a date with?

Well, oh... I mean, I wouldn’t want to make anybody uncomfortable? I think... wouldn’t it be strange, or rude, you know... sharing those things online? An invasion of other peoples’ privacy? Which isn’t to say I won’t answer it, of course. I mean, I know lots of very beautiful girls, boys too- people of all genders, I mean. I’m not picky- no! Wait, not that I’m not picky, that sounded bad, but I just mean... more factors into things than looks, of course? Take Eliza, for example. She’s very beautiful, and sweet, very funny, too! She... Well, I think she’s so intelligent, and so interesting, and she makes me laugh, and I enjoy her company so much, so I think if I ever took her on a date it would be such fun, you know? Because we get along. I think. I assume she also enjoys my company- which I shouldn’t do, really? I shouldn’t assume. Maybe she doesn’t, I don’t know. But of course that’s just one person! I mean- well, Ariadne, of course. She’s a good friend, and she’s beautiful. I don’t think Ariadne does dates, but... But, of course there’s also Olive? She’s a pretty girl that works in the florist, actually. We’ve only met a handful of times- I was buying Lillies for my neighbour, and she went on to tell me how they’re some of her favourite flowers, and- well, yes. Um, Preston? He’s a good friend, handsome too! I don’t know, is it the same thing if we’re friends? I- I don’t know, perhaps... I don’t know. I think I over answered this, didn’t I? And I said too many people.

[primevalpreston]

Oh, Henry, sweetheart. You are much too good for me. Pleased to have made the cut though. 

[primevalpreston]

What's your biggest regret?

I dunno. Last night’s bottle of Whiskey? Not making up with my Dad before I left home? Losing friends. I don’t know. You start thinking about regrets and it’s one big, vicious circle.

[primevalpreston]

Are you in love with anybody right now?

Maybe. I’m not sure if we can call whatever we have love anymore.

[primevalpreston]

DM: @ROSEBELLEFLEUR

@rosebellefleur: Yes? Yes, you're my friend. I think? If you want. I don't know.

@rosebellefleur: I hope so?

@rosebellefleur: That's good... I wasn't, by the way. I wasn't jealous, if that's what you think...

@privatepreston: I do want? I think, I think we're friends, yeah?

@privatepreston: Oh no, I didn't think you were jealous... not at all. Why would I think that?

[primevalpreston]

DM: @ROSEBELLEFLEUR

@rosebellefleur: You were my friend ever before anything. Of course there's something worth saving.

@rosebellefleur: She didn't think I was being weird? Or some stupid jealous ex?

@privatepreston: Am I still, like, are we friends?

@privatepreston: No? I promise. She's not like that.

[primevalpreston]

DM: @ROSEBELLEFLEUR

@rosebellefleur: Of course I can read. I was teasing. :)

@rosebellefleur: Yes, well... I mean, we can't change the past now, but. We can only try and fix what we do have? And hold onto that.

@rosebellefleur: So, you told her that I thought you were together? And she wasn't upset?

@rosebellefleur: I'm not mad! I'm not. It's fine. I'm fine.

@privatepreston: I guess I'm just glad you think there's something worth saving here.

@privatepreston: No? Nothing really phases Patricia much.

[primevalpreston]

TEXT: PATRICIA

Patricia: Ask Charlie, I'm sure he'd be happy to help ;)

Preston: Oh, screw you.

[primevalpreston]

DM: @ROSEBELLEFLEUR

@rosebellefleur: Maybe next time don't dance around it talking about crushing candies and asking if I've met kids before?

@rosebellefleur: Or... we could just avoid there being a next time at all.

@rosebellefleur: Well, thanks... hehe.

@rosebellefleur: Nose stuck in a book? No, no, I can't read. You have the wrong girl, I think.

@rosebellefleur: Hey, it's okay. You know, I think we'll always be a part of each other's lives, somehow. It's okay, we'll be okay.

@rosebellefleur: Just, please don't tell Patricia I asked all of those questions about the two of you. I feel a little silly.

@privatepreston: I thought it was important to provide context?

@privatepreston: You can't read? Surely that's not the Rose that I know?

@privatepreston: It's good to know you feel that way. I... that's kind of what I always hoped.

@privatepreston: Uhhh, full disk closure? I did mention that you thought we were... you know. She felt bad and she was texting to make sure I was smoothing things over and it might have... slipped out?

@privatepreston: Don't be mad don't be mad

[primevalpreston]

TEXT: PATRICIA

Patricia: He really didn't do much, lovebug. But I appreciate your belief in him?

Preston: Still... I have to figure out one of those passcode things now.

[primevalpreston]

DM: @ROSEBELLEFLEUR

@rosebellefleur: It's okay. I appreciate it. Just, next time be up front, I suppose?

@rosebellefleur: Étienne!!! You shouldn't say that. That's naughty.

@rosebellefleur: I'm sorry, too. I let my emotions get the better of me.

@rosebellefleur: Yes, as it happens. Once or twice? :)

@privatepreston: I tried! ...After fifteen minutes of first trying to report the account?

@privatepreston: Hey, it's true!

@privatepreston: We're pretty good at that, you and me.

@privatepreston: Hm, remind me? Dark hair, nose always stuck in a book? That you?

@privatepreston: Really though, I'm sorry about all the mess, Rosie. I just hope we can move past this.

[primevalpreston]

TEXT: PATRICIA

Patricia: I mean it. Or I'll set Chipper on you again.

Preston: You need to get him into one of those fancy computer schools, Tish.

[primevalpreston]

DM: @ROSEBELLEFLEUR

@rosebellefleur: I do think you're nutty, but it has nothing to do with this.

@rosebellefleur: Look, I was alarmed. Confused. A little freaked out? A little upset when I thought you were sharing them with a girlfriend, but. You know me, still the same insecure Rose.

@rosebellefleur: He would not! Maybe you need to have better control over your phone. Or, perhaps, learn to use it?

@rosebellefleur: Are you saying you're shiny?

@privatepreston: Well, thank fuck.

@privatepreston: I'm sorry it freaked you out. Tish got locked out of her account, but the minute she's back in she's gonna delete the pictures. I'm really sorry.

@privatepreston: Besides, I would never show pictures of you around. That'd just be cruel to any potential future girlfriends. They'd never live up to you :)

@privatepreston: Noted. Some shit is getting password protected.

@privatepreston: Um, have you met me?

[primevalpreston]

TEXT: PATRICIA

Patricia: BEHAVE.

Preston: FINE FINE FINE

[primevalpreston]

DM: @ROSEBELLEFLEUR

@rosebellefleur: And how did you think I was going to react? Besides blocking you?

@rosebellefleur: It's not pathetic. And I'm not scared of you, love.

@rosebellefleur: And, for what it's worth, I keep photos too.

@rosebellefleur: I don't post them on instagram, or pass them off to small children, but I have them.

@privatepreston: Well, in all honesty, sweetheart, I thought you'd think I was nutty.

@privatepreston: I hope not.

@privatepreston: Okay, I didn't PASS them off. The little bugger hacked me! He'd hack you too! Kids are REALLY good with technology now, Rose!

@privatepreston: If you really do have photos of me, he'd have them in seconds. He loves shiny things. Like a magpie.

[primevalpreston]

TEXT: PATRICIA

Patricia: Preston.

Preston: Patricia.

[primevalpreston]

DM: @ROSEBELLEFLEUR

@rosebellefleur: Which part freaks you out? How I'm going to react? How others perceive you?

@rosebellefleur: Oh. Right.

@rosebellefleur: Yes? Why wouldn't you have? You could have anybody.

@privatepreston: The first bit.

@privatepreston: I'm just not ready. Maybe that sounds like the most pathetic thing you ever heard. I don't know. And I don't want to scare you more, Rose...