we're only alive if we bruise

Sebastian Augustus Smythe. Sébastien Auguste Smythe Born in Marseille, France to Nicolette and Andrew Smythe approximately 23 years ago. Though I may be part of a set of three, I can assure you -- I am the only one worth taking the trouble to get to know. Now, I suppose this is where I'm supposed to spill a few random facts about myself? Alright, sure. Recent graduate of Columbia university, Pre-Law, alcohol enthusiast, admirer of classical music, and an Advanced Dominant here at Dalton Institute. Of course there's always more than meets the eyes, but that's the beauty of discovery-- where would be the fun if all of the details were in the first chapter? Happy hunting. “My face doesn’t match my personality. Maybe it would if, instead of a mouth, I had an asshole in its place.
” - Jarod Kintz

[sebaasshole]

Private || Sebarley

MARLEY: I've been alright, Sir. Some days are better than others, you know? But I'm all healed from the Black Friday incident.

SEBASTIAN: I'm glad to hear that you've been having mostly good days. Black Friday seems to be rather disastrous all along. There's a reason why I tend to stay far away from the public when they're all crawling over each other to try to score a sale.

[ryanxrose]

Really? I find that hard to believe, Sir! Not in the sense that you’re inattentive, but I feel like the second Halloween is over, everyone is already in the throws of Christmas excitement. Stores are playing music, streets are decorated – it’s hard to escape! I hope your schoolwork is going well, though.

Thank you! I‘d like to think we’re all close and supportive of one another, so spending the holidays together just makes sense. It’s nice to get some time off, too. Hopefully, you’ve managed to do the very same?

Now, the question remains – will it be normal egg nog, or will you spike it, Sir? My Mom bought a smaller bottle of alcoholic egg nog for me and my sisters, sine we just turned 21, but I’ve yet to actually try it. I’m afraid it won’t be any good.

[sebaasshole]

That’s why it’s so easy to forget when exactly the holiday is actually upon you. People tend to start celebrating two or three months before the actual holiday so the days tend to slip by without one even noticing. I thought it was still early December up until a few days ago. I’ve had a lot of time lately to focus on school and my tutoring sessions so, yes, I’d say that things are going well. Less distractions... or at least, an attempt at having less distractions. I’ve been rather successful so far but one never knows what the future holds. How are things going for you?

I’ve left myself two or three days with nothing planned, so I suppose I’ll get a bit of a vacation. I don’t really like having too much free time. I’d much rather be productive. I can’t say that our family is overly close so I don’t really feel the need to head home over the holidays. I’d much rather get a head start on those readings. As for the eggnog... I’d say it goes without saying that it’d need to be spiked. I don’t think I’ve ever had it without rum and I don’t intend on starting anytime soon. 

I can’t speak for the pre-spiked bottles that you can buy in the stores but mixing it with a dark rum has always tasted rather good to me. It’s worth a shot, anyway, if you aren’t too fond of the pre-mixed selection.

[sebaasshole]

TEXT || NOEL

( A BEAT, SMILING )

NOEL: YOU WANNA GO ON A DOUBLE DATE WITH ME AND EV, DON'T YOU??

NOEL: assuming this tiny human is your new bae, which she probably is, but you know

NOEL: we saw it opening night, duh, but i'll go see it again. it was /so good/

NOEL: you have to see the other ones to know what's going on, tho

NOEL: methinks another movie marathon is in the works [ sunglasses emoji ]

SEBASTIAN: No. No I don't want to.

SEBASTIAN: Plus, it's not a date. It's... complicated, to say the least. We're just friends. You two are on a date. That's the difference. It's just an outing.

{ a pause }

SEBASTIAN: ...how many is there? Will I ever see the light of day again if we try to watch them all?

[ryanxrose]

Happy holidays from Virginia!

Mom was really happy to see me, and I have to say that I felt the very same about her. If there’s anything that sucks about being in New York all the time, it’s that I’m not with her. But! Since I’m giving her the money I earned at Dalton, I’m happy to say that she’s in a much better place, financially, and that she’s supporting herself in a way I never thought would be possible. It’s honestly the only thing I could ask for this Christmas.

For now, we’re taking it easy – the trees up, and there’s cocoa flowing, so I expect that things’ll be really fine down here. I hope everyone else experiences the very same!

[sebaasshole]

Oddly enough, I’d completely forgotten that the holidays were amongst us until you mentioned that you were down in Virginia. I decided to get a jumpstart on the assigned readings for next semester and then suddenly December was practically over. It’s amazing how quickly time passes when you have a lot of things balanced on your plate.

I’m happy to hear that your mother’s doing well. I think you’ve mentioned in the past how close the two of you are -- not to mention how close your entire family has always been. I’m sure it’ll be rewarding to spend the holidays together.

I fully intend on drinking as much eggnog as I can get my hands on so I can say, without a doubt, that my holiday will be a good one. After all, how can you go wrong with assigned readings, eggnog, and chinese takeout? 

[sebaasshole]

TEXT || NOEL

SEBASTIAN: Have you and your boyfriend seen that godawful nerd movies about the light brite weapons yet?

{ a pause }

SEBASTIAN: Otherwise known as Star Wars.

{ a long, long, pause }

SEBASTIAN: I've got a friend that wants to see it, but doesn't have anyone to go with who actually knows what the hell they're all about. I don't quite grasp the concept. She doesn't bite and she's one of your fellow tiny humans, so I'm sure you'd find something to talk about.

{ a pause }

SEBASTIAN: ...this is my long, roundabout, way of asking if you wanted to go see it with us.

{ a pause }

SEBASTIAN: And yes, I do already regret asking. I'm sure you'll never let me live it down.

[sebaasshole]

INSTAGRAM || NOEL

@noelhummel: i'm a lot of things, but i'm not /that/ dumb. goodness. [ tongue emoji ]

@noelhummel: besides, i'm a tiny human. do you think going out when it's cold without a scarf is safe for someone like me?

@sebasshole: You're not dumb, no, but I'm not above classing you as accident prone. [ smirk emoji ]

@sebasshole: Safe? Probably not. You could always layer up and waddle out the front door though, I suppose. That could be key to your survival.

@sebasshole: Speaking of survival, please tell me that you and your vertically inclined boyfriend have wrangled someone tall to head to that nerdfest on Friday. Rumor has it that people are already starting to camp out in front of the theater to get themselves a good place in line. It would be rather unfortunate if you got trampled after I went to the trouble of getting you a Christmas gift.

[sebaasshole]

Private || Sebarley

MARLEY: Heh, good! I figured it was the least I could do to make your day.

SEBASTIAN: I appreciate the thought. Thank you.

SEBASTIAN: How have you been, by the way? We haven't really had a chance to properly catch up lately, aside from sessions.

[sublanderson]

I suppose it just comes back around to the debate of Baby Boomers s. Millennials, and what we’re expected to be doing versus what we’re actually doing. Shying away from all the great opportunities that fall into our laps isn’t how you progress, and sometimes, the ‘old fashioned way’ is outdated because of it. There’s nothing wrong with that – I just prefer to get my knowledge in the best – and most inclusive – way possible. Plain and simple.

You haven’t figured out how to watch TV while you’re asleep? For shame, Sir! Hah – I’m only kidding, of course, but still. I didn’t take you as the reality TV sort of person, regardless of if it serves as background noise or not. I imagined some Mozart, or Beethoven.

[sebaasshole]

Once again, I’d have to agree with you. Unfortunately most of our generation is too busy taking selfies and swiping left to really make much of a difference. That’s why it’s important for people to actually come up for air from their social media accounts and actually take notice of things. Sure, some do, but is it enough? Donald Trump’s poll numbers rising would reflect that maybe not enough people in our generation are paying attention to what’s going on around them. Technology and the like is all good in moderation as long as you’re not missing the bigger picture. 

Sadly, no. I’ve attempted to master the skill but haven’t quite made any ground as of yet. Given time, however, I’m sure I’ll find a way to do it. I can appreciate classical music, don’t get me wrong, but I find it’s almost more distracting than reality tv when it’s playing in the background. I suppose I’d just rather listen to it than do whatever it is that I’m working on. Catch 22.

[masemmccarthy-blog]

Nope. It doesn’t really help when sometimes I still confuse my left and right. Kind of dangerous when driving, you know? Those are always fun to figure out. You ever get it pieced together? Without asking someone else? 

At least someone else thinks so. That’s always good. 

[sebaasshole]

Use your hands. When you hold them up in front of you, your left hand clearly makes an ‘L’ shape between your thumb and your first finger. It’s how Father used to try to get it through to my brother when he was younger. Perhaps it’ll help you. 

Normally I’m rather independent and like to do things on my own... however, IKEA furniture will always be the exception to the rule. It took three of us to get it built and I’m more than certain at least one person smacked themselves with the thumb at least once or twice. 

[britishbellecrawford]

Sir! I’ve missed you but no, there is no British equivalent that I can think of. We have May Day but it is nothing special any more. I think back in older times it probably was but now it is just a day we get off.

It’s perfectly fine to create your own traditions if you don’t enjoy ones that have been created. Personally a traditional Thanksgiving sounds pretty amazing to me. I did my own small version of it by having Turkey sandwiches and enjoying a bottle of wine with some good music. Nothing like what some people seemed to be doing though. Sir Everett is offering me some of his mothers cooking though so I am excited about that.

[sebaasshole]

I can’t say that I’ve ever heard of May day. I can’t say that it sounds overly eventful, however... what does one even have to celebrate in May? 

Judging from how vocal he’s been about how good it is, I have a feeling that you won’t be disappointed with the leftovers. Personally, I think the best way to spend the holidays is by drinking enough alcohol in order to not remember them the next day. It’s how I fully intend on spending my Christmas... possibly even the New Year. We’ll see. I hear Cabo is nice this time of year.

[sebaasshole]

moving backwards || solo

TAGGING: Sebastian Smythe

LOATION: New York, NY

TIME: December 2nd, 2015

SUMMARY: Sebastian makes a series of bad decisions. Unsurprisingly, he regrets none of them.

Life hadn’t exactly panned out the way that Sebastian had expected it to over the past couple of weeks. Between the shock of seeing his ex-girlfriend Amara again, the fight with the man who’d been his submissive (for all intents and purposes) and his subsequent leaving, it had been a trying time to say the least. While his default reaction would have usually been drinking himself to death, or submerging himself in his work, he was left with too many questions that needed answering... and now, without the distraction that had been blissful happiness with someone that he cared about, he had nothing but time to focus on it. Therefore, when Amara shot him a second message and asked him to meet up with her, he agreed without giving it much thought. Worst case scenario, she’d leave him with more questions than answers... and honestly, in the grand scheme of things? He could deal with that. 

Now that the time had come for them to meet up, however, he was starting to have second thoughts. They were meeting for dinner -- a restaurant that they’d both enjoyed when they’d been together years ago, and the whole thing felt a little too surreal for him. Perhaps the past was best left in the past and there was no need to re-open that can of worms. He’d just about decided to turn and leave when she came into view, hand raised in a half-wave as she approached him. She looked good -- hair swept off to the side and clipped, red dress that clung to every curve, and heels that clicked against the tiles as she walked towards him. It was like absolutely nothing had changed. 

They found their way to their table without any issue, and he held the chair out for her to take as he settled in across from her. Small talk was surprisingly easy and flowed without any awkward pauses. She talked about the art classes she was taking, the milestones that her daughter had passed over the last few months, and her plans to go back to school when she was a little older. Amara showed him a couple of pictures and he couldn’t help but notice how familiar she looked. His mind didn’t put the pieces together -- not yet, anyway. Maybe it was willful negligence or maybe it was fear of the unknown. He didn’t think about it. Four hours later -- of conversation, fingers grazing each other in an attempt to grab for the salt shaker, and ankles knocking under the table, and Sebastian was sure that he was about to make a bad decision. He could always tell, feel it springing up deep inside of him. Usually he didn’t care too much about those feelings -- after all, it was easier to apologize than to ask for permission. But, this was serious. Amara wasn’t his Not anymore. She belonged to someone else and the idea of being with someone else’s Submissive without their express permission... it was unacceptable. It was something that one shouldn’t even consider. But he did, and that wasn’t the worst part. The worst part was that he didn’t feel all that bad about it. When they piled into the cab and he gave only one address, his hand resting above her knee as her own covered it, he didn’t give himself a chance to feel regret. There’d undoubtedly be time for that later when he woke up and watched her collect her things and leave. No, for now he wanted to revel in the moment... wanted to enjoy something that felt familiar and felt the closest to coming home that he’d felt in what felt like ages. 

Her back hits the back of the door as soon as its closed behind them, his body pressing against hers as their lips meet for the first time in years. It feels right and wrong at the same time and he’s not sure how that’s possible. Thinking about it isn’t something he does though, instead gripping her hips tightly as her legs wrap around his legs and they stumble backwards through the apartment. He trips over one of Lucy’s toys and shudders for a moment, pulled from the moment, but her hands pressing against his shoulders ground him again. He can’t think about that, not right now. His knees hit the back of the bed and they tumble down in a pile of limbs, a giggle and a moan slipping out from her lips as his body covers her and clothes come off between fumbling fingers and whispered names amidst the sheets. It’s the happiest he’s felt in days. 

Hours later, her arms wrapped around his shoulders and her legs tangled between his, he wonders whether or not he’s made the worst mistake he’ll ever made or finally taken a step in the right direction. Nothing’s been resolved, nothing’s been discussed, and he’s left with about a thousand more questions on his mind than he’d had when he first woke up that morning.

Oddly enough, he’s alright with that.

[sebaasshole]

INSTAGRAM || NOEL

@noelhummel: love the fact that it’s already #scarfseason!!! bless you new york city bless you [ snowflake emoji ] (via Instagram).

@sebasshole: You know, I never struck you as a scarf person. Too many ways that it could get snagged on something and accidentally strangle you. #DeathByScarf

[thestarchildgilbert-blog]

I think I am more surprised that you haven’t eaten rabbit before than anything else you have ever told me.

Yeah you would and I would make sure you are stuck with me like that for good asshole.

[sebaasshole]

Now, why’s that? Rabbit is hardly a delicacy.

I don’t have the temperament for that. It wouldn’t end well for anyone involved.

[sebaasshole]

Private || Sebarley

MARLEY: If you're sure. Buuut, that won't stop me from bringing you some gummi worms! :B

SEBASTIAN: Who am I to stop you? I'm not one to look a gifthorse in it's mouth.

[britishbellecrawford]

I hope everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving. I’ve never experienced one before so just seeing it in America was wonderful. I didn’t do much of anything myself but I still enjoyed it. What did everyone else get up to?

[sebaasshole]

It’s not really our most interesting of customs but it probably looks rather interesting to someone who’s never experienced it. Do tell me, though -- is there a British equivalent? Or rather, a holiday that we don’t have here in the states that you celebrate at a different point of the year instead.

Forgoing the traditional form of Thanksgiving, I ordered in sushi and watched half a season of The Walking Dead to catch up on what’s been going on. Not exactly the norm, I suppose. 

[thestarchildgilbert-blog]

I could see you eating rabbit. This one is out of bounds. And you probably wouldn’t but you could quite easily pay someone else to do it. 

[sebaasshole]

I can’t say that I’ve ever had rabbit before but you’re not off base about the observation. If I decided that I did want rabbit, I would absolutely pay someone to do the hard work for me. 

Even though it could potentially be delicious, eating your rabbit wouldn’t be worth it seeing as I’d have to deal with you moping about for months after the fact. I think that would ruin my appetite. 

[sebaasshole]

PM || SKYLAR

Skylar: Still thankful because sushi is fucking delicious. So i'll take sashimi slices over turkey any day. But at least I got to spend it with you, so that makes up for a lot. We should've broken out a board game. Drunken Monopoly.

SEBASTIAN: That was verging on too much sentiment. Dial it back a smidgen... for all of our sakes. It's also amusing that you think I actually own any board games... though, now that I'm thinking about, there may be an old, battered, copy of risk kicking around somewhere.