❧ 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋𝐒

[softstcps]

𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐚. 𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐇𝐐𝐒.

𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐕𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐔 ↳ Thirty-Nine. Doctor. Civilian. ↳ Threads. Pinterest. Mirror. Aesthetics. About. 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄 𝐄𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐌 ↳ Thirty. Bakery & Café Owner. Civilian. ↳ Threads. Pinterest. Mirror. Aesthetics. About. 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐇 𝐀𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐑 ↳ Fifty-One. Deputy Mayor. Lead cyber operative. The Contingency. ↳ Threads. Pinterest. Mirror. Aesthetics. About. 𝐑Ü𝐘𝐀 𝐍𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐑 ↳ Twenty-Seven. Personal Assistant. Civilian. Mob-Affiliated. ↳ Threads. Pinterest. Mirror. Aesthetics. About. 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈 ↳ Thirty-Eight. Detective. Hitman. The Cavalry. ↳ Threads. Pinterest. Mirror. Aesthetics. About. 𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐀 𝐃𝐄 𝐀𝐂𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐀 ↳ Thirty-Eight. District Attorney. Public Figure. Civilian. ↳ Threads. Pinterest. Mirror. Aesthetics. About.

[softstcps]

❧ @noxmourners (august) // august's place

It had been a while since Stella had last seen the other. Honestly, as long as a person was busy time just seemed to fly. When was the last time they'd sparred, or even just talked properly? With the fires and everything else, her request to Aslan to keep her busy as he could manage, not much space had been left.

"I brought takeout. Not sure what you wanted so just take your pick." She'd brought a few selections, having gone for smaller dishes but more so there'd be something to choose from. If nothing else she could take it back home and have the rest of the next day or two.

[aslandurmaz]

"You need anything?" A singular nod of the head acknowledged both the physical answer and the underlying layer she'd allowed to be shared between them. However, it was not a topic he possessed any inclination to further delve into. As far as Aslan were concerned, that portion remained for Stella to address privately. "In your judgment, was Luca Delano there for business? Or otherwise?" Not that he held major suspicion pointed towards the enforcer, it was simply reflexive paranoia that could not be switched off.

"Police commissioner was there as well. As I'm sure you're aware." Given their personal relationship, which in opposition to Delano, was a source of suspicion. One that inevitably had an influence on the standing of the woman before him. Sure, he knew Stella was loyal. But there was nothing about Knight he associated with anything other than rot. That being said, it wouldn't alter Aslan's willingness to show her the footage. Therefore, he pulled the iPhone from the inner pocket of his jacket, navigated to the cctv clip, and offered it forth towards Stella. "Have a look." The footage showing an unknown individual with accelerant entering the back hall of the cigar bar preceding the ignition of the fire and exiting immediately following it.

[softstcps]

"Just put me to work. I need to be busy. Sitting around won't do me any good and the police department is filled with people who might be questioning what's going on. That and the occasional visit from the fire department and there's only so much time I can spend rehashing that night." It wasn't a dig toward Aslan. In fact, she had been waiting for him to ask about that night. That didn't mean she wanted every police officer, detective or fire department minion buzzing around her like a beehive awaiting a storm. "I don't have a clue why he was there. We ran into each other in the flames, got out." And in all of it she'd been forced to leave Harvey behind and not ask questions about the Luca Delano's reasons for being there in the first place. And honestly, why would she? The flames were enough to make her not want to stay for a single minute longer.

Stella's head turned slowly. The question about Harvey wasn't surprising. Not at all. And the brunette had never made it a secret that she was familiar with the man beyond just working under him. Decades lay between their first meeting and whatever odd connection they now shared. "I'm aware of that, yes. And you know I wouldn't keep that a secret from you, even if you hadn't known. I wouldn't put you or anyone else at risk." A breath escaped her, a sigh almost. The detective reached for the phone, trailing her eyes over the individual within the footage. "I've never seen that guy around. At least nothing about him appears familiar from this angle." The phone was held out again. "This has got to stop. All of this. This is them all over again, isn't it?" Them. Always them. ❧ @aslandurmaz

[minerva-price]

Minerva happily took the card, flipping it over in her hands once. "I think I definitely will. I've got a killer sweet tooth." She repeated her name over in her head a few times so she could remember. "Basics we can do. Step into my office." In the backroom she had her table set up with her rolling tray and her own favorites. She had loved decorating her office, loved getting to decide how every piece of this story would exist. It still didn't match her setup at the barn but it was a home away from home. "I don't want to like nerd out about this stuff but I can. Like do you want me to explain all the pieces or just roll something for us to smoke? I don't want to bore you." Some people liked the intricacies, some people preferred to get to the point which Minnie could understand.

[softstcps]

Hande gave a nod. She would always happily welcome new customers, especially those with a sweet tooth. "I usually specialize in Italian and Turkish baked goods and treats, but if there is anything specific you'd like, orders usually work for that." The brunette felt rather proud of the place she'd built up, everything she'd accomplished after retiring from the force early.

She followed Minerva, appreciating the effort the other was putting into this. "God, no. If you want to explain, please do. You couldn't bore me. I have no clue about most of these things so you're kind of like a guide here. A little like Navi, from the Legend of Zelda? Just a little less on the nose." She chuckled, perhaps a bit nerdy for the comment. ❧ @minerva-price

[gwenxhope]

"I mean I don't want something obnoxiously large, but I would like at least a medium sized basket of things. Not too many though that would more than likely go bad after a few days if it was too much." Gwen shared as she felt like that was reasonable, but she definitely thought Romeo deserved more than a small basket.

At first Gwen frowned momentarily, but quickly realized she just meant that she didn't currently have them made. "You could make some? Wouldn't it take awhile to get those done?" She wasn't extremely knowledgeable on how to make chocolate covered strawberries, but she thought it would take longer than "a little," to get them done. The chocolate would need to set and wouldn't that take over an hour? "How long will it take?" She asked as she moved to look over card selections, thinking that was smart to have as she searched for a simple Get Well Soon option.

[softstcps]

Hande moved toward one of the shelves under the counter, pulling out a medium sized and small basket for the other to inspect. "Honestly, if I get started on them now and I put them in the freezer instead of fridge and keep my mind on the timer, they can be done in about twenty, maybe thirty minutes. Hence the coffee order so you would have something to sip on while waiting." The now-baker turned toward her after glancing toward the kitchen.

"Otherwise I can have them ready for pickup in a few hours. Really, whatever works best for your schedule." That was how things worked, especially those she considered among her friends or friends of friends. Or generally just special case situations. An exception, for sure, given that most orders are done days, if not weeks ahead. ❧ @gwenxhope

[rachelxhan]

Rachel furrows her brow at the remark. "A good deal on boxes?" She realized that maybe Val was joking with her and so smiled and let out a small laugh. "I see, well I can never say no to pastry and a free one at that. What did you get?" She asked as she looked over at the still shut box, waiting for it to be opened so she could see the contents. Rachel always thought that food was meant to be shared anyway and thought it was always a fantastic bonding experience.

[softstcps]

Val shook her head, realizing her words made no sense without explanation so she held up the little flyer in her hands. "Here, sorry. That made no sense. They offer boxes with a mix of different treats so you can get your favorites or try a few of them." That was the deal she meant, and honestly, nothing about it seemed like something she herself could argue with. Hence the absolutely necessary stock up.

The box was carefully opened, little baked goods lined up neatly. "See, saves you a couple bucks that needn't be spent." Not that it was just about that. "Please, try one?" ❧ @rachelxhan

[troywindsor]

Well, Troy would give her that. She, indeed, had no idea who was behind it. In every sense of the world. Before this Pantheon person or group, Troy could tell who that was - and why. Now, however, it often seemed as if someone was just bullying them. Now that he had first had experience, he wondered if there was more to a lot of the cases sitting at their desks. "It's organized crime, so orchestrated sounds about right." She'd been DA long enough to understand how things worked, and even if she wasn't, the idea of her not realizing that organizations existed within the city limits seemed surreal to him. "We know we have a problem. What are you doing to fix it?" He had questions to answer, after all. And she was supposed to have answers.

[softstcps]

"I'd be a fool not to acknowledge the organized crime that moves about in the city. I knew that. You knew that. I think anyone with a clear head on their shoulders knew that. Knows, not just past tense but it's felt different lately. Before I knew what I was up against. No who, they don't exactly hand out member lists or business cards, but now it feels... unnerving." That was the only way she could put it, in order to summarize how it felt. Crime was as old as humanity itself, from smaller things to what it was now. That had always been the case and although she disliked it, she couldn't very well fool herself into pretending that wasn't a thing.

Val leaned back against her own chair, the frustration evident yet pushed back down for the moment. A question of strategy. "All of this is entirely speculative. I don't know what I am up against, we are playing chess blind. But based on that, I have to assume that these people, whoever is pulling the strings have their reason. What do they gain from this, any of it. How do you play against someone who does not seem to be in it for personal gain. Well, what we might define as such. Or perhaps their personal gain is something we can't see." Honestly, the chaos had her stumped for answers. Normal logic did not seem to apply since from all the case files on her desk, none of them seemed to indicate wealth as an option. "Control or chaos. Before long we're up against someone just wanting a laugh." It was nothing more than a throwaway comment. ❧ @troywindsor

[nfitzpatricks]

Nolan smirked, wagging his finger playfully towards the District Attorney. “Ah ah – slippery slope, Val. Don’t wanna give you too much ammunition, or ruin your day entirely.” The male was rather adept at skirting around certain questions, giving non-answers while still making it seem like he gave a shit. That was being a good lawyer, wasn’t it? Still, he was a gentleman where it counted, a hand moving to help prop open the door so she could continue walking through. “But I ain’t got a frown on my face, that’s for sure. You heading out for the day, or just squeezing in a smoke break?

[softstcps]

The district attorney shook her head with a smirk. No, she could play the game just fine. "Consider this a shock moment for you, but I have managed to work in this field without falling into the trap of smoking as a form of a break. Coffee, though? That I did not escape from. In fact, if I ever were to tell a medical professional about the intake of that, I'd probably be in trouble." That, for a fact was the truth. Coffee cups could be found in almost every trash in her office, and at home from the path home. Not to mention the extensive collection of coffee mugs at home. And the overly expensive coffee maker in her kitchen.

"I appreciate your attempts. Contrary to popular belief, your wins don't ruin my day. Not always." That much was, once again true. Heck, if she let every lost case ruin her day she'd have likely given up the profession long ago. "What about you? Done for the day or on one of those smoke breaks." ❧ @nfitzpatricks

[softstcps]

❧ @criminaltypes (fidan) // milk & honey

The sign by the door was flipped, closed now to be seen from the outside as she locked the door to assure no one who actually refused to read signs could barge in, very much leaving the space to leave from the inside before she plopped down on a chair at a table, coffee and little pastries already laid out. "We are long overdue for a catch up. And there's coffee and treats, on me. I gave my employee the day off. There is nothing stopping us unless you're about to tell me you're ready to run off into the sunset. Which isn't for at least a couple of hours."

It was an offer, one Hande never would have taken badly if turned down but after all the chaos it just seemed to make sense to try and hangout. What better place than a café she owned, that she could close if she so desired even if only for a few hours. There was plenty to be done, but for a friend she was willing to make time. Always.

[rachelxhan]

There was an extreme level of amusement that the deputy mayor was here hacking some loser for the sake of this case. It was definitely not lost on Rachel that this was just a touch abnormal. Hearing that he'd tried to delete things was just as not shocking as florals in spring. She opened the folder that Leah slid and knew she was going to be in a long day of deep diving and piecing things together. "Thanks for doing that."

She was not sure at first what exactly Leah was smiling about, but patiently waited. "Ah, so you were there. Well hey, sorry I was a little preoccupied." Rachel gave a small shrug and smile since there had been more than the bomb that had happened that night to distract her.

[softstcps]

"Don't mention it." Truly, if Rachel were to ask for help, ever, as she had in this case, the answer would almost always be yes. That was simply how things were when it came to the friendship that was held between them. At the very least she liked to think of it as such. Business, that as well. Some bonds made simply because of the choices in life.

Leah's eyes shot up, brows arched in a curious fashion. "Preoccupied, hm? Please tell me it was something nicer than the chaos." Of course, if Rachel wanted to share, given the smile that seemed to tug, she'd only be too happy to listen. ❧ @rachelxhan

[wesleyhope]

where: city hall who: @softstcps (leah adler) & wesley hope

"Don't tell me Mayor Royce's assistant double her again," Wesley teased as Leah came into view, standing from the waiting area to give her the proper respect a woman of her position deserved. The two of them had known each other for some time now considering their respective histories in politics, and especially now with his current position working so closely with the Mayor's office. "It's nice to see you, Deputy Mayor Adler. How's the family? Been seeing Francis buzzing around here like he owns the place, you must be proud."

[softstcps]

Leah's face lit up slightly at the sight of Wesley Hope in the waiting area, yet also found no surprise within the words that came forth. "I wouldn't call it impossible." Nor would she make up excuses as to what the assistant of her friend may have done with bookings and appointments.

"The family is doing as well as can be, given everything." There was no need to go further into the details of that. "Though I am proud. No harm admitting that." Francis and Nan, both of them gave plenty of reasons for that. "I do hope your family's doing alright?" A soft question, immediately followed by another as she motioned toward her office. "Anything I can do for you or were you hoping to pay a visit to Mayor Royce?" ❧ @wesleyhope

[alixharrigan]

"Nice to meet you." The name as it left the other woman's mouth landed differently than the version Alix had been constructing in her head since she'd spotted it on the nameplate. "After the fires, yeah?" The nod came along with it, blonde locks shifting slightly with the motion. Something quieter moved through her at the mention of it. One that was brief and remained contained in public though the brightness of her expression had smoothed into neutrality to mirror that thought. "Were you at any of them?"

[softstcps]

A nod was all that was needed. They clearly both knew the impact of the fires, at least Rüya didn't doubt that reality. And her shoulders, no doubt they carried the weight of her own package. "I wasn't. No. Some of my family was." One, but that was enough wasn't it?

"I just wanted to get away from the chaos and this place seemed like the furthest I could get." Not in distance, no. Simply because of the distraction it offered. The fact that it had been on her list for a while only added to it. "Were you?" ❧ @alixharrigan

[dadivosos]

there was a bit of disbelief at her words , he could see why nico could her as an assistant though he did wonder how the two came into contact --- he wasn't exactly the most talkative man in the world. " why wouldn't we be ? " at least he liked to think they were friendly , it was up to her to say different. " yes , what if i was in oh -- i don't know tajikistan ? " he didn't know what the fuck he would be doing there but it could be possible. " me ? chaos ? " he shook his head. " i'm on my best behavior. always. "

[softstcps]

The perfect masked and it slipped the very moment she dropped it, an amused smile taking its place. "I'm messing with you. We're friendly." Friendly enough, though she very much refused to do anything that would remotely go against Nico and his wishes. After all, loyalty was one thing but he very much was the one signing her paycheck.

"Staying on earth at least? Should I be worried your next option would be mars? Don't think they've opened that to travelers yet." She leaned back in her chair, fingers idly playing with a pen. "What does best behavior even mean?" ❧ @dadivosos

[selinagha]

𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐨 out of rüya's face like a light. the fires had been a few weeks ago now, and she found herself wondering what her friend had been silently carrying on her shoulders since then. “i don’t think there is one right word for it, honestly,” she admitted after thinking about it for a moment. “trust me, i mean, i practically yapped my therapist’s ear off during our first session after the fires.” and it was true, she had. she reached over and touched rüya’s hand, just briefly. “i’m here, you know. if you ever want to talk about it all.” she let the offer sit there, open-ended. she knew better than to push. the irony wasn’t lost on her. all that yapping in therapy, and still the only person she’d really said anything true to was her brother. it’d be hypocritical to push rüya to talk, though she was here if she wanted to. “i get wanting to stay busy, though. i’m doing some work with channel 212 right now and it’s helped get my mind off of…everything.”

[softstcps]

Much like the lack of word to describe how she felt, there were no words that seemed to capture how grateful she felt for her friends offer. Rüya wasn't a person that bounced about, sharing personal information or feelings. Selin already held a place that had her opening up more than she would with most. "Thank you. I appreciate it." As best as she could the brunette tried to take control of her emotions as she turned to her friend. "That time will come, but right now I'd rather hear about you and channel 212. That sounds like a wonderful opportunity."

Perfectly logical to follow in her own path, but very much hold an interest for that of others. In some ways even listening to the adventures of others was a way of getting outside, keeping busy she supposed. "What work is it exactly? Something more permanent?" ❧ @selinagha

[dadivosos]

" well that's because you're a cool mom and cool moms don't judge on tattoos but you of all people should know how some moms are. " he'd heard stories about some of the moms of the pta growing up and he'd seen it first hand at work as well. he was grateful at just how relaxed she was growing up and even now despite everything. small smile grew on his face , a bout of nervousness on his expression before nodding. " trust me i've heard it all -- i went on reddit and looked up if i was moving too fast and i saw everything from i'm love bombing her to i'm a manipulator but honestly -- i just do. " he'd never been one to stop talking about something because of a lack of words , in this case it seemed to be too many of them. " am i wrong ? is it wrong ? nan says i'm moving too fast but i'm thirty. i'm not getting any younger. "

[softstcps]

"I do, very much so. I had to listen to quite a few speeches in the early days about how much I dared to work." Still, she'd been there for her children no matter what. Her career, self-made as she was, had never stopped her from being the mother she hoped they deserved. Ambition never should be something people got torn down from.

Leah found it quite moving to see her son finding himself in such a position, sure of himself yet wanting to make sure even more than his own gut told him. There was pride in that. "Well, every person moves differently. There are marriages of people who've dated a decade who fell apart immediately and there are those that got married after mere weeks or months and their relationships are very much intact, and working fine. Healthy, even. I don't think timing is the only factor. If you feel you're ready, that is what you should go by." Who could tell what the best time was, for anything. "Just because Nan might find it fast or because others around you may not have moved at your speed, doesn't mean it's wrong." ❧ @dadivosos

[softstcps]

❧ @stagecrafted // the clinic

It was getting late. By now she was sure the others had long left, as not a sound could be heard. Perhaps they were locked away in their rooms, working away at paperwork or whatever else needed doing. Footsteps echoed and for a moment Genevieve was so busy sorting through things at the front desk that she thought they were her own, despite standing still. Only when she looked up did her face fall on someone.

"I'm about to head out. The receptionist has left. Are you here to pick something up or did you need an appointment with one of the doctors?" Honestly, work mode was the main setting the blonde had to offer while in the middle of something. For all she knew the person in front of her wasn't even there for something related to the clinic.

[jellco]

ANA DE ARMAS by Owen Gould for Louis Vuitton during PFW (September 2025)