Saoirse Byrnes

From our dreams

[coulbymcgrath-blog]

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[katieskeep]

[katiemcunf]

New Sunday Independent outtakes

[mrsdoppelganger]

The Vampire Diaries + 1920s

[declanbbe]

99 Problems | Saoirse & Declan

It was early — well, early for someone like Declan Byrnes who kept odd hours running a bar. The sun was still shining outside, which meant only the lonely drunkards would be spilling into Paddy’s. Declan wasn’t a particularly neat or organized person, in general, but he was when it came to his bar. 

Of course, he would say that liberally — his bar — he would forever be paying it off to Connogahan (and no doubt his successors) and he knew that, no matter how hard he worked, it could always be taken away just as quick as it had been given. 

Still, it was his now, and he had shown that he could be responsible (if only in one area of his life). 

He had hired staff and the bar had been doing well enough that he did not have to be there every night anymore, but he wanted to be. It wasn’t much like work to him. And even the time before they opened: the sweeping of the floors and the balancing the cash drawer — wasn’t so bad. 

He was behind the bar, now, drying out the glasses for the night ahead when he heard the door open. 

"I’m always up for the eager customers, but we aren’t quite open yet,” He said, his back turned,  ”But take a seat, and I’ll be with you in— ” He stopped short when he saw who it was. It took a real shock to take the words away from Declan Byrnes, and for a moment, he didn’t know what to say or even how to feel. "Saoirse?"

His sister standing there with her bags in her hands, without any kind of warning, worried him. He was beyond happy to see her, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something must be terribly, terribly wrong. “What are you doing here? You’ll be likely to give me a heart attack, showing up like this,” He scolded, but he was smiling. 

He hopped up over the bar like he was still twelve years old and ran over to embrace her. “Everything’s okay back home?” He asked, “Da and Grannie — nothing’s …. nothing’s happened?”

[saoirsebbe]

The window pane felt chilly against her forehead but Saoirse liked the distraction of it. She preferred to think of the glittering city passing around her (which she watched from the window opposite) than what she'd left behind. I made the right decision, she told herself. I did the best I could. The States seemed so foreign. Even the streets seemed different. Everything here dwarfed their counterparts at home - unnecessarily. There was no kaleidoscope of eras filtering through here, though the Americans apparently considered this an old city: it was all so very new. Nothing organic here, whatsoever, she thought, but she smiled anyway. Foreign, afterall, was precisely what she needed. "This is the place, Miss," said the taxi driver, slowing to a halt. He was a middle aged gentleman, medium build, a buzzcut. The only thing that really stood out about him were his bright blue eyes and they were kind. "Perhaps I could take you somewhere else," he said, suddenly. "You might not know," he added. "This perhaps...isn't the safest place..." Saoirse smiled softly. "That's kind," she said, "But I'm almost home. My brother lives here." The man nodded slowly and offered a slight, if unconvinced smile. "Right." "I don't suppose you know where Paddy's bar is?" All he did was chuckle softly and point. Saoirse stood out front in the spitting rain for a moment before coming in. She took a few quick moments to check that her teeth didn't have anything in them, to comb her hair with her fingers, straighten her outfit. Always put your best foot forward. Besides, she didn't need to go worrying him straight off the bat, she told herself...though she knew well enough the suddenness would, most likely, do that for her. Afterall, Saoirse wasn't usually the impulsive one...at least, not in this respect. He didn't need to worry, she told herself. That cad was never forth it, to begin with. The door swung open beneath her fingertips easily enough. She didn't spot him immediately, but Declan's familiar voice floated across the room to her almost instantly, eliciting a soft smile. It quickly grew bemused as he continued. Her bags hung by her sides busily but Saoirse ignored them, grinning at her brother's back as he busily continued his duties. Quickly, she scanned the place. It was a great deal more tidy than she'd imagined - certainly, spacious (but that ought not have surprised her, everything was bigger in this country, so far). "I've come a very long way for a drink," she teased, cocking her head. "But I'm afraid I just spent the last dollars I got from the airport. Can I interest you in Euros?" She dropped the bags with a thud as Declan's arms enveloped her, laughing she pulled him into a tight hug. "God, I missed you, Declan," she whispered, resting her head on his shoulder. Her brows contorted and Saoirse couldn't help but internally laugh at herself as she realized she was on the verge of tears. Wasn't the point of this to avoid wasting tears on that ass? but she knew these were different tears. "So much." Pulling apart, after a moment, she blinked the tears away and tilted her head. "I have to admit," she said, quickly diverting attention by gesturing around her. "I pictured fewer mops and more cowboys." When he said she was likely to give him a heart attack, she laughed. "I'll believe that when I see it," she teased, Declan never having been the responsible one. "Although I will, no doubt, put a wrench in your social life," she admitted, only half teasing. "I do apologize for that but not for the concern because it's only paying me back my years of worry while you've been off...here," she added, glancing around her. "So, the States, eh?" Saoirse frowned, growing contrite. "Oh, no, no, no, nothing like that," she said, quickly. "Everyone's just fine. But you're not the only one who needs a change of scenery from time to time," she admittedly, frowning. "I just, um..." Saoirse shrugged. "I needed to get away for a little while. I don't suppose...I don't suppose I might stay with you for a little while?" She favored him with her most winning smile. "You won't regret it," she promised before allowing herself a soft laugh. "Though, I don't need to warn you how much trouble the Byrnes are."

[saoirsebbe]

OOC | Saoirse & Cait

[caitbbe]

So I don’t think that Declan would want Saoirse working there b/c of obvious reasons, haha. But he wouldn’t want it to seem like he doesn’t want her working there, either, b/c SHE CAN’T BE SUSPICIOUS AT ALL. So like, he probably would have casually offered like ~hey do you wanna work at Paddy’s TEMPORARILY until you find something else? So maybe she could work there for a little while so she could a) meet peeps and b) Declan can freak out. ;DDD

Anyway, that sounds good!! :D And also when Cait finds out that she’s Declan’s sister, she’ll be a little concerned, too, like having someone from the outside working/living so closely to where they work isn’t good and that could definitely put a strain on things, too. 

Okay, so yes! I do think we are ready to start IC. Do you want to start, or should I? (I’m totally cool either way, as always) 

[saoirsebbe]

Ok, that totes makes sense/works v well for general plotting HAHAHAHAHA Sooooo YES!! I mean, in the long run, idk that she won't feel suspicious at all, buuuuut HAHAHAHAHA I feel like she can be a little too ~curious for her own good tbh. ALSO THE FREAK OUT IS SOMETHING I NEED <333333 HAHAHAHAAH Cait probs is v sensible on this count tbh???? I feel like this will def backfire...for everyone????? I'm totes cool with either of us starting, tbh. Ummm, how do you think they'd meet? Probs the bar?

[saoirsebbe]

Cripples, Bastards, Broken Things | Saoirse & Sophie

[sophiebbe]

It wasn’t unusual for Sophie to stop into Paddy’s at what would be considered by most people an ‘inappropriate’ time for a drink or two. Two pm… Noon… Depended on how terrible of a day she’d had and, if she was honest, how much she missed seeing Declan from the day before. She told him and everyone else it was because she could always coerce Declan into making her lunch for free. It was all excuses, though. Anyone with eyes could tell.

Today wasn’t much different for Sophie. Frustration turned over and over in her gut as she had yet again been shut out of another meeting with her father. He and the Donovan boys were locked in that meeting room again, muttering platitudes to each other and preaching peace. A goddamned waste of fecking time, Sophie would tell them if given half a chance. Which, of course, would never come if her father continued to have his way, as he always did.

So when a new voice brought Sophie out of her furrowed-brow thoughts, it was a shock to her system. Those blue eyes that had tempted Saoirse into calling her fey, amazon, other-worldly, fell upon the other woman with interest and amusement.

"You’re Saoirse, aren’t you?" She said, a small smile flitting across her lips as she slid into her usual seat. Sophie put her chin in her hand and examined the young woman across the bar. She’d noticed her earlier, ever since Declan had finally accepted that his sister would have to work the bar for a little while. It was fun to watch the heart attacks roll over the barman as he tried to keep Saoirse from talking too much with the crooks and thieves whose money flowed through Paddy’s doors every night. Poor lamb. It’d only be a matter of time before everything was revealed.

Even now Sophie could tell that Saoirse was keener than she was given credit for, something Sophie herself knew all too well.

"I don’t think we’ve officially met yet.." Sophie sat up then, holding a hand out the the woman. "I’m Sophie Connoghan. It’s a pleasure to finally speak to you. I apologize for the lack of a welcoming party; I’d have introduced myself earlier, but your dear brother tends to monopolize my time whenever I’m here." She laughed a little, shrugging her shoulders and releasing Saoirse’s hand from her firm grip.

"I’m sure Declan has told you though, that I’m quite intent on having both of you over to my apartment for a party this weekend?" Sophie raised an eyebrow, honestly curious if and how Declan had approached the subject of the resident mafia princess inviting them both to her place. "I’ve been coming here for years and he never mentioned you until you arrived on his doorstep, so I couldn’t help but be interested." Another small smirk twisted up the corner of her lips as Sophie’s fingers traced the scratches on the bar as they always were wont to do. "I’m a big believer in treating family well, so how could I resist extending the party invitation to my favorite bartender’s sister as well? Wanted to make sure you felt welcome on you first visit here to Boston."

She turned her gaze back upon the other woman, her stare watchful and curious.

"And are you? Feeling welcome, I mean?"

[saoirsebbe]

"Guilty as charged." Saoirse's smile was wide, one eyebrow arching softly. "The most terrible allegation of which, being that I am, in fact, related to my unfortunate brother," she joked, her tone fond. Though their relationship was, in many ways, topsy-turvy in terms of traditional sibling patterns (the elder sibling generally being inclined towards responsibility, etc), Declan remained the most precious figure in Saoirse's life. Even when Saoirse had spent her days in the blissful ignorance of believing her fiancée was actually dedicated to her, it had felt odd and unbalanced to live without Declan there. "Sophie," she repeated. As the blonde introduced herself, Saoirse stretched out her hand. "What a lovely name." It means 'knowledge,' she thought, inanely, utterly unaware of the balance of knowledge between them. "Oh, please, no apologies necessary, whatsoever. I think I rather gave poor Declan half a heart attack appearing so suddenly on his doorstep," she laughed. "I know I wasn't at all expected - I didn't really plan it, so how were you supposed to do so?" Saoirse big her lip and quickly continued on, not wishing to dwell on her reasons for leaving. Hadn't that been the whole point, afterall, in leaving? Saoirse laughed. She had certainly noticed the blonde's rapt attention towards her brother. Saoirse considered it a good thing that Declan might have prospects. Afterall, he had left Ireland behind - he had to make a home for himself, here, now. And he could certainly do worse than the ravishing woman who sat before her. But Saoirse wasn't about to say any of that aloud. "I've seen you two chatting late into the night. I think it lovely that Declan has made lasting friendships," she said, instead. "Oh, you know Declan, I'm sure. He can be oddly dodgy. And often a bit...absent minded," she began, in reference both to his failure to communicate to Sophie Saoirse's existence as well as his failure to mention said invitation to Saoirse. His sister labored under the belief that Declan's erratic behavior had more to do with covering up his past (being that he fled Ireland for fear of being incarcerated), rather than his actual intention of concealing the fact that he'd left that life of crime behind...to embrace one far worse. She cleared his throat. "Suffice it to say, he failed to mention your invitation," continued Saoirse with a small smirk. "But rest assured he shall be thoroughly beaten," she joked. "Please," she added. "Tell me all about it. I can't speak for my brother, but I'm sure I would love to attend. Boston is full of delights and, besides, I'd be lying if I said I didn't wish to get better acquainted with my brother's friends." Saoirse's smile warmed at the sound of Sophie's last question. She didn't fail to notice the interest Sophie seemed to take, the way her eyes searched Saoirse's face, lips parting in question ever so slightly, causing Saoirse to feel that she was looking for something particular - but what that might be, Saoirse could not guess. "Absolutely. I've never been to the US at all, before, you know. It's been...quite the experience." She laughed. "It's also taught me to speak more slowly and annunciate more carefully," she added, grinning, her accent having been thick enough to be something of a barrier, early on.

[jackdbbe]

ooc | Saoirse & Jack

[jackdbbe]

(that metaphor tho. a+++ i will use it always)

BUT OKAY JACK WILL BE SO CONFUSED. Although I feel like he’ll see Declan over Saoirse’s shoulder trying to communicate with his hands for Jack to just play along haha. And Jack will be like “wtf do I say, I know nothing about groceries??” 

But yeah, he’s gonna be so bipolar w/ her b/c like headcannon that his dead girlfriend looked like Keira Knightley, and so he’s like ~dead when he sees Saoirse and I feel like she had the same kind of mannerisms as Saoirse and like he does’t have it in him to be cold/distant to her and then he remembers 1) remember what happened last time and 2) she’s not actually your dead girlfriend but it still hurts and then when isn’t sure if she knows something AND DYING. Like I feel like Jack will one minute be more friendly than he ever is ever and treating her like he’s known her forever and then does a 180 and is like wth I don’t wanna even look at you. AND SAOIRSE WON’T BE CONFUSED AT ALLLLLLL

[saoirsebbe]

CRYIN BOUT IT omg Saoirse is pr laid back so I feel like fortunately she'll just kinda go with it but she'll still be like, "Was it something I said??????????" But she will probs think that he is just capricious by nature and just be like, "Whatever, that's just Jack?????" ALSO THE FACT THAT HIS DEAD GF LOOKED LIKE KK AND HAS KATIE MCGRATH MANNERISMS FIRST OFF WHOA PERFECT ANGEL SECOND NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Also will never be over the grieving!Jack visual aid EVER and WHY DO THE DONOVANS SUFFER SO MUCH?????????????? Esp Jack. Like he legit gets over one thing and then his life gets worse???? For instance, recover from your gf's death, get a girl who reminds you of her thrown in your face. And meanwhile Saoirse is completely oblivious like, "I really like you sometimes! And other times I'm a little scared ngl" basically. Ok, so if I'm not mistaken, I think we might actually be ready to start them? Thoughts?

[saoirsebbe]

OOC | Saoirse & Sonny

[sonnybbe]

Hmmm. Okay so I don’t know if this would work but I might have a way that these two could meet? So Declan owns a bar? Does Saoirse maybe work there sometimes?

Because I totes talked to Lizzy about Lucy’s death and she said that should be happening soonish (Lizzy’s a genius and already had that in the next round of plots, hahaha) so maybe when Lucy dies Sonny finds out ALL THE THINGS about her life and her past and he goes to Boston to find Sarah and he happens to go to Declan’s bar and boom, meets Saoirse? I can actually see these two getting on pretty well and maybe becoming friends or something like that?

Which would probably make things even worse when Saoirse finally learns about Declan’s mafia ties because OH WOW. FRIENDS WITH THE ENEMY ALL ALONG AND DIDN’T EVEN KNOW IT O.O And, you know, that’s always fun, ahaha.

So, thoughts? Would that, um, even work? XDD

[saoirsebbe]

CRYIN BC THAT IS BEAUTIFUL HAHAHAHAHA Oh, God, Saoirse is in for sooooo many surprises. *facepalm* But yes! She does sort like idk part-time work there? But she's about to meet Sarah at the 20s party, so she could even point him in the right direction and oh man. She really likes people and basically I can totes see her and Sonny being friends!! She'd just kinda be like, "He has pluck and says what he means," and she'd respect that...and take it totally at face value (sweet summer child that she is). THAT AWK MOMENT WHEN YOU REALIZE YOUR BRO IS CAUGHT UP IN THE MIDDLE OF A GANG WAR AND YOU'VE BEEN ENTERTAINING THE ENEMY. Sooooo awkward...amongst other things... ;DDDDDDD Ok, so in that they're not meeting yet and, when they do, it'll be for the first time, idk if we actually have that much more to discuss until we get to ic stuff?

[saoirsebbe]

Cripples, Bastards, Broken Things | Saoirse & Sophie

If there was one thing Saoirse liked about Boston, it was the change of pace. There was always something to do, somewhere to go, something to see which meant, most of all, no time to stop and think. Dwelling had done Saoirse no good: she'd known that before she'd started. It was the reasoning behind her impulsive trip and, so far, it'd done her good. The last thing she needed to do was think, think about him, about what she'd hoped and what she'd lost. Besides, she knew she could be useful. Afterall, it hadn't been long at all and she was already learning the rhythm of the bar, slowly but surely. She was even beginning to recognize regulars. Today was hot, the fan above them spinning at an alarming pace - half of Saoirse expected it to pull free of the ceiling and crash on their heads at any moment. The bar was quiet, almost no one there and, in fact, even Declan had stepped into the back for something. That was when she walked in. Her skin seemed to glow as the sun filtered in behind her, illuminating her pale hair and sparkling in her blue eyes. She walked with authority as if she'd been born to rule but Saoirse couldn't help but notice the sadness that sometimes flickered deep in her eyes when she thought no one was looking. Saoirse recognized this woman - the amazon she'd teasingly called her to Declan: a beautiful woman warrior, indeed. Saoirse stood by the comparison but she knew her grandmother would have said something else. 'Fand,' Saoirse could almost hear her voice. 'Avenging faerie queen.' But Saoirse shakes her head. No, she thinks. Roiling goddess of the sea. Saoirse had never chanced to hear the amazon's name, but she'd seen her here enough times, often leaning into the bar, her eyes dancing as she spoke to Declan. Smirking to herself, Saoirse pushes forward. "Declan's just stepped into the back," she said, smiling warmly at her. "Perhaps I can make you a drink to get you started?"

[saoirsebbe]

OOC | Saoirse & Sonny

So Saoirse is basically an innocent bystander atp. Her brother's involved, but she isn't. In any case, idk if/how they'd meet but anyway...this is Saoirse. She's from Ireland, coming to visit her big bro, Declan, in Boston (unaware of what she's stepping into), having just suffered a devastating break up. so...yeah. Idk HAHAHA

[saoirsebbe]

OOC | Saoirse & Cait

[caitbbe]

I agree???? Like Cait can be like WHOA sometimes especially b/c she works two stressful full time jobs and WHAT IS A SOCIAL LIFE WHAT IS SLEEP these are questions she asks and has no answer for. Like she’s very particular and a perfectionist and work is everything ?? But at the same time, she does have a more fun/laid back side that comes out when she has time for it??? Like, I like to think that she does go to Paddy’s about once a month to just ~chill so they could potentially meet there. And then I guess it just depends how Cait’s day has gone ?? 

[saoirsebbe]

Oh, yeah! They could def meet at Paddy's!!! Btw, do you think Saoirse would work there or do you think Declan'd wanna keep her out of that side of things bc hello actual torture chamber etc hahahaha Either way, she's def around the bar alot and even in an unofficial capacity, likes to help her bro out imo. In any case, do you think we should just start them and see where it goes?

[saoirsebbe]

OOC | Saoirse & Cait

Did we talk about these two? Bc like idk I can either see them getting along great or just like not getting each other at ALL but not much in between tbh???????? You?

[jackdbbe]

ooc | Saoirse & Jack

I AM LAUGHING I AM CRYING. 

[saoirsebbe]

Exactly what Saoirse would like to know about Jack!!! ;DDDDD Jk, jk. But I think she is not in over her head but like basically at the bottom of the freaking ocean in all of this and basically thinks she's in a skyscraper and like idk i'm getting confused by this metaphor BUT SAOIRSE IS SCREWED AND DOESN'T EVEN KNOW IT. HAHAHAH And omg that awk moment when she meets Jack. Also weird comments like, "Are all American grocers this messy? Come on, let's give your hands a good wash." Like first of all, soooo confusing for Jack and secondly HAHAHAHAHHAHAHA no.

[saoirsebbe]

OOC | Saoirse & Sophie

[sophiebbe]

RIGHT?! RIGHT?!

Sophie and Saoirse as the comic relief for ALL OF THE PAIN FOREVER.

Ugh. But fer reals. They will be the cutest ever and best buddies and will terrorize Declan and slip out from O’Sullivan’s watchful eye and go party. It’ll be amaze. <3

I think we don’t really need to talk much more about these two, unless you have anything to suggest?

[saoirsebbe]

I don't have any tbh. I feel like we're pretty set!! Would you like to star or shall I?

[saoirsebbe]

OOC | Saoirse & Declan

[declanbbe]

HAHA but no it probs does, especially since Connoghan basically uses his storage room all the time for interrogations, like Declan will be like HAHAHA BUT CAN YOU GET A HOTEL ??? ;D Hah, no he’ll def have her there but basically running interference ALL THE TIME and be like … oh, yeah … those Donovan boys work grocery delivery and that’s def not blood. We use a lot of tomatoes ???? TOMATOES ON EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME. 

And ahhhh, Declan will be soooooo surprised like idek like MIND BLOWN IS THIS A DREAM ??? IS THIS RL HE DOESN’T KNOW ANYMORE. (Also like he won’t want to introduce her to any of his friends b/c they are alll in the Irish mob and like he’ll make excuses for them and then it’ll make convos really awkward when she meets them and is like “OMG IS YOUR GRANDMOTHER OKAY???? HOW DID THE HEART TRANSPLANT GO?” And they are like “… ???!?!?!” 

And Declan will just be like OKAY BUT WHO WANTS DRINKS ON ME B/C NO MORE TALKING ABOUT ANYTHING. 

[saoirsebbe]

OMMMMGGGGGG THIS IS ALL TOO BEAUTIFUL EVEN FOR WORDSSSS I legit cannot. I totes agree with EVERYTHINGGGGG. Also the tomatoes and the Donovans as grocers THESE ARE TEARS. Also, I feel like there are lots of beautiful convos along the lines of: Saoirse: Declan, last night, did you hear- Declan: You def dreamed that. Saoirse: I didn't even tell you what it was yet????? basically every morning probs. ;DDDDDDD No, but I actually feel like we might be ready to start 'em????? Do you agree? If so, who should start? :DDDD

[saoirsebbe]

OOC | Saoirse & Sophie

BASICALLY SOPHIE AND SAOIRSE ARE THE SAME PERSON AND WILL BE IN LOVE WITH EACH OTHER SO MUCH. BEST LADY FRIENDS FOREVER.

FORGET DECLAN, SAOIRSE WILL QUICKLY BECOME SOPHIE’S FAVORITE BYRNES. ;DDD <333

Oh man, we should start when they meet, though. Because Sophie can be all like: “hmm. so ~you’re why Declan disappeared for days. Who are you, what are you doing here, why did you steal away my barman?!” And basically be all protective!Sophie for a minute and silly banter until they both start slamming Jameson and obviously become bffs 5ever.

[sophiebbe]

THAT IS BEAUTIFUL AND DEF SOMETHING IM HERE FOR. I need this. Esp bc we have so much angst on the horizon ughhh These two will give a little life for now <333333333 Saoirse will be all ~laugh/teasing "And should I be concerned that some gorgeous blond calls Declan 'my barman,'" basically. ;DDDDDD So, would you like to start, or shall I?