filip custic's work for rosalia's concept album el mal querer (2018) concept album
(ive been relistening to this album a lot and the themes of toxic marriage and it reminded me of spaus but i made it nyo bcs it fit with the reference alos.... toxic yuri!!!! expect some more nyo spaus from me maybe cuz theyve been on my mind a lot )
Annelise peered out the window, drumming her fingers against the steering wheel. Skaters leaned against the chain link fence, clustered in small groups, with one doing a little trick every now and then. She scanned the skate park once more, and looked down at her crystal watch. Julchen was still absent from view. Annelise brought a hand to her head and massaged her temples, growling to herself- Fortunately no one was close enough to hear. But still! Where was that girl? She was going to be late to her own band practice!
Annelise took another glance across the park, but once again, Julchen was nowhere. Annelise sent her a quick text. Julia. I’m here in the car. Where are you? She looked up in time to witness a tall-looking, muscular woman roll past her car. Annelise blinked, Julchen’s tardiness forgotten. God, she thought, as the woman stepped off her board. Perhaps the true religion was strong thighs.
The woman hopped off her board, and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. She approached a group of skaters, and another woman of a similar build pulled her into a headlock. The second woman nuzzled her fist into the strong legged, dreadfully attractive one, and laughed. If Annelise had any say in the matter- Which she didn't- she would’ve taken a comb that hair. It was unruly, and sort of cute, but needed to be better cared for.
The women disentangled from each other, and went on talking. Annelise’s phone buzzed, though she didn't notice. She was too busy staring, and feeling gayer than she had in quite some time. Her mouth fell open as she watched the woman laugh, toss her head back and clutch her stomach with one hand. She looked like summer.
Her phone buzzed again, and again, as if someone was calling her. She took one last glance at the stranger, drinking in her appearance, and looked down at her phone. Oh, it was Julchen. Hm. She’d anticipated a text, but any contact was good, Annelise supposed. She answered the phone.
“Anna, baby!” Julchen crowed. Her voice was harsh on the ears.
“Julchen. Where are you?”
“I’m at the skatepark, what do you mean?”
“Check the time, you cretin.” Silence. Annelise looked down at her watch once again, and rolled her eyes. Julchen’s band practice started in five minutes, and the location was a fifteen minute drive away.
“Oh, yeah, I already told Kiku I wasn't gonna make it on time. He said it was cool.” Annelise rolled her eyes.
“I don't care what Kiku thinks,” She growled, “I care that you wasted my time!”
“Woah, way to speak your mind, Anna. I think you should care what Kiku thinks-”
“Well, I don’t right now!” Annelise shouted. She was overreacting, but her car was in the sun, and she was sweating, and it was so hard not to peek out the window at that beautiful woman-
“I’m fine,” Annelise said, pinching the bridge of her nose. God, Julchen was insufferable. Why she ever felt anything for that girl, she’d never know. “Can you please come here? Now? I’m next to the entrance.”
“Yeah, I’ll be right there,” Julchen said, “Kisses!” She made a loud smooching noise, and hung up. Annelise rolled her eyes again. Julchen would absolutely not be right there. Not for lack of trying, though- A few weeks ago, Julchen took a bad fall, destroying her right knee in the process. Torn ACL, patella shattered, the whole nine yards. Annelise held her hand through the reconstructive surgery. Now she relied on crutches to get around and pretended her knee brace didn't exist. The crutches, unfortunately, were a great impediment to Julchen’s speed. But whatever, she said she’d be right there. Annelise lasted three minutes before she got out of the car and stalked towards the nearest group of skaters. It happened to include that gorgeous woman she’d ogled earlier, but who was counting?
“Do any of you happen to know where I could find Julia Beilshmidt?” Silence fell upon the group, and it took Annelise about five seconds to regret her choice. She was out of place, in terms of fashion and physical activity. There were five skaters before her, and they filled out their clothes, to say the least. Especially the woman she’d been looking at earlier. Her shorts hugged her thighs, tighter around her hips, and Annelise was fairly certain she had pierced nipples. There was a chain attached to her belt loops, for Christ’s sake! Annelise could never wear such a thing.
“Julchen? Yeah, she’s here,” Said the Extremely Attractive Woman. “Why’d you need to know?” Annelise looked up, meeting her eyes. And what beautiful eyes they were…But she needed to find Julchen, not admire pretty girls.
“I’m her roommate,” She said, biting her lip. “I’m here to take her to band practice, since she can't drive right now.”
“Oh, yeah, the band. Are you in it?” The woman asked, and Annelise shook her head. She wasn't sure how that was a question. Her sleeves were frilled, and Julchens had been cut off long ago.
“No,” She said, finally. Instead of replying, the other woman nodded with a half smile on her face. How was one supposed to react in this situation? “Anyway,” Annelise cleared her throat, “Do you know where she is?”
“Oh, right,” The woman said, “Yeah, she’s back here.” She slinked out of the circle, and motioned for Annelise to follow her. Annelise stepped back, exiting the circle, and stumbled as she followed the woman with laughter at her heels. Heat prickled at the back of her neck and down her spine. Maybe it was the slight incline, but Annelise was sweating more than usual. Or maybe it was that the woman held her board under one arm, at a position which highlighted her forearm.
Her forearm was tan, a bit darker than her upper arm, and more freckled. Tiny hairs gave her skin a fluffy halo. Despite her muscular build, her body still looked soft. And her hair- Gorgeous, curly and dark, slipping from a low bun. Annelise could imagine running her fingers through it under the soft light of her bedside lamp. You don’t even know her name, said her rational side. But she’s built like Julchen, said another, And you know what Julchen can do. Annelise tried to push the thoughts out of her head. And failed. This woman was exactly her type, and had a cute face. A round nose, not quite button shaped, and deep, brown eyes…Oh wait no, those brown eyes were looking right back at her. Fuck.
“Not to interrupt your staring, but I don't think you mentioned your name,” the woman said. Annelise set her eyes forward as her cheeks burned. What a- hm!
“It’s Annelise.”
“Hm. I think Julchen’s mentioned you before. I’m Isabela.” Isabela. That was a nice name.
“Nice to meet you,” Annelise said out of politeness. She was more sidetracked with wondering what exactly Julchen had said about her.
“You too, babe.” Babe- It had been quite a while since anyone called her babe. Annelise shivered, and chose to blame the heat behind her cheeks on the sun.
“Babe, already?” Annelise chuckled, electing to flirt back. “Bit- Bit forward isn't it?” Isabela chucked back and God, Julchen was gonna be so late to band practice. Annelise wasn't paying attention to where they were going anywhere. They’d passed the main area of the skate park, and now followed a dilapidated chain link fence toward a Port-A-Potty.
“Oh?” Annelise said, her breath catching in her throat. “I happen to like the way you say it.” Isabela gave a soft laugh, and cast Annelise a sideways look.
“What are you trying to say there, Annelise?” Isabela asked,
“Oh, just admiring your accent. Where might you be from?” That hadn't been at the top of her mind, but it never hurt to ask. Perhaps she could later make a pass about wishing to visit Isabela’s home. Isabela cast her a smirk, one eyebrow raised. Without warning, she came to a stop. Annelise swung herself around, grinding her pivot foot into the ground, in an effort to appear that she knew what she was doing.
“Spain,” Isabela said, and turned towards the chain link fence. She looped her fingers into a hole near the top, and pulled towards herself. “What about you?”
“I was born in Vienna,” Annelise said, “What are you doing?”
“Oh, uh,” She grunted, peeling back the fence from the frame. “This is the easiest way to get to where Julchen is.” Oh, right. Julchen. Annelise had been a tad preoccupied as they walked. Not that she’d forgotten about Julchen. She was a wonderful friend, thank you very much.
“And where might she be?”
“Uh,” Isabela said, “Back there?” She gestured towards the dead shrubs behind the fence. Annelise wrinkled her nose- Isabela wanted her to walk through that? No thank you.
“Oh.”
“I promise it’s not that bad. There’s, like, a spot where people hang out. You can't see it from here, but it’s not far,” Isabela said, “Mind holding my board for a sec?” She thrust her board into Annelise’s hands before she could agree. “Thanks, babe.”
“I didn't agree to this,” Annelise pointed out, clenching her fingers around the board.
“Well, you’re holding it now, so. Yeah,” Isabela said. She shrugged, and pulled the fence back even further, then extended her left leg through the gap. God, her legs. How could one woman be such a distraction? Moreover, how could one woman have such good legs? Her quadriceps were defined, the separation between muscles showing as she transferred weight onto the outstretched leg. She ducked under the frame, and pulled herself through the hole, then released the chain links. They bounced back up, but did not meet the frame. Isabela turned away, and stepped towards the shrubs.
Annelise glanced down at Isabela’s board. The bottom was visible to her, revealing several flowers painted in an impasto style- Quite beautifully, too. It must’ve required a strong hand- Had Isabela done them herself? She didn't seem the type.
“Uh, Annelise?” She jerked her head up. Isabela leaned against the fence from the other side, using a foot to hold the gap open.
“Yes?”
“Are you coming?”
“Oh, yes! Apologies, dear, I was admiring your board,” Annelise said, hurrying over to the fence.
“Thanks!” Isabela said, “You like the flowers? I did ‘em myself. They’re chunky, you see-”
“I do see,” Annelise said, “Your technique is good, and the color palate is…interesting. Though I must say, it looks better than I would expect, had I known you painted.”
“Thank you? I think?” Isabela said, “Are you trying to say I’m a bad painter?” Heat filled Annelise’s cheeks once again- Yes, she had been implying that, but only a little.
“N-No, dear, quite the opposite.”
“Okay,” Isabela said, amused, “So are you coming or what?” Annelise sighed, and crouched down to crawl through the hole in the fence. Before she had to touch any dirt, however, she heard a raucous laugh. She and Isabela looked up to see Julchen emerging from the brush. She hobbled on one crutch, with one arm slung around another woman Annelise vaguely recognized- Catherine, perhaps?
“Oh, hey Julchen,” Isabela said, “What’s up?”
“Hey Bela!” Julchen screeched, “I’m on my way out, gotta go to band practice- Oh, Anna, how ya doing?”
“You’re five minutes late to your band practice, Julia!” Annelise shouted, raising her wristwatch. “And we haven’t even left yet!”
“Okay, chill,” Julchen said, “Practice doesn't start til I walk in anyway.” Catherine rolled her eyes.
“God, you’re insufferable,” She muttered, though she maintained a tight grip around Julchen’s waist.
“You were singing a different tune when-”
“Shut up!” Catherine shrieked, cheeks darkening, “Go- Go to your fucking band practice or whatever.”
“Mmkay, babe,” Julchen said, and untangled herself from Catherine’s grip. She stumbled off to the side, but caught herself on her crutch.
“Where’s your other crutch?” Annelise asked, “If you lost it and we have to buy another one-”
“I didn't lose it, it’s just- Look by the fence. On Isabela’s side- Yeah, near your feet-” Julchen guided Isabela as she bent down to search for the missing crutch. In doing so, the loose bit of fence she’d bent over bounced back into place. Annelise managed to jump back in time to avoid being hit. A yelp left her mouth, and she readied a scathing critique of Isabela, though her words died on her tongue. She clutched the board to her chest as Isabela bent down, searching for the crutch. The look of determination on her face was too much. After a few minutes of rummaging in dead leaves, Isabela came up with a crutch.
“A ha!” She shouted, raising it in the air. “I have found your walking stick, m’lady!”
“Thank you, m’lady!” Julchen crowed, and attempted a curtsey, but tipped over. And now Annelise could criticise them both again.
“If you’re done,” She spoke up, “Our agenda does not have time for your hooligan behavior.”
“Aww, you know you love me,” Julchen said, struggling to her feet. Annelise rolled her eyes, glaring, as Julchen crossed back to the right side of the fence. It was slow going, since she was still learning how to move without her knee, but she managed.
“Come along now,” Annelise said, and they speedwalked back to her car. Isabela and Catherine argued behind them, though she didn't pay attention.
“Wait, what if I used Isabela’s board,” Julchen panted, heaving herself forward.
“Absolutely not,” Annelise said, “Skating is what put you on crutches in the first place, I’ll not allow it.”
“I’m just saying,” Julchen said, as they approached the main area of the skate park. “If you, like, sat me down on the board, and I, like, crossed my legs or whatever, it would be way faster than if I-”
“Explain how you plan on crossing your legs.”
“Fair point, but you’ve gotta admit it would be faster,” Julchen said, and she was correct, though not looking at the full picture. Doing that sounded like an excellent way to further damage the rest of her leg, and Annelise told her so. Julchen rolled her eyes, and the argument would’ve continued further had they not reached the car. Annelise unlocked it, still holding Isabela’s board under her arm, and helped Julchen into the passenger seat. As she walked around to the driver’s side of the car, Isabela approached her once again.
“Hey there,” She said, and fuck.
“Hello,” Annelise said, “I’d love to stay and speak with you, but we must be going.”
“Oh, yeah, totally. Just, uh, you still have my board.” Annelise looked down, and yes, she did. She’d been so focussed on Julchen that she’d forgotten.
“My apologies,” She said, and extended the board towards Isabela.
“Don't worry about it,” Isabela said, taking it with both hands. Their fingers brushed as she handed it over. Annelise felt her eyes drawn to Isabela’s, and they held eye contact for a moment. Who knew brown eyes could be so deep and beautiful?
“Uh, anyway,” Isabela said, “You- You had to go, didn't you?” Annelise nodded, gazing down.
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“Unfortunate? Why?” Isabela purred, raising an eyebrow. “Is it-”
“No reason,” Annelise shouted, overcorrecting, “I’ve gotta go. Nice meeting you!” She stumbled in her effort to make a speedy turn, and ran to the car. She got in, slamming the door after herself, and buckled in with clumsy fingers.
“What was that?” Julchen asked, a note of amusement in her voice.
“Shut up,” Annelise said. Before Julchen could retort, something tapped at the window behind Annelise, and she jumped at the surprise. Annelise swiveled her head around, and oh, it was Isabela, tapping at the glass.
“Should I lower the window?” She asked, and Julchen only laughed. Annelise lowered the window.
“Can I help you?” She asked, and Isabela smiled. She had dimples. Nice.
“Yeah, do you have a pen?” Annelise looked down at her purse, resting between the front seats, and rummaged around in it for a moment before withdrawing a pen.
“Will this do?” She tapped her foot against the brake.
“That’s perfect, thank you,” Isabela said, and took not the pen, but Annelise’s hand. She drew it out from the car, holding tight. Annelise gasped at the contact, and squeezed a little tighter around the pen. Shit, when had she last held someone’s hand- Well, the hand of someone who was awake and sober.
Isabela uncapped the pen with her teeth, and held onto it with her lips. Annelise tipped her head forward, eyes caught on those lips. Isabela rotated her forearm such that the soft, inner arm faced the sky. She began to write on Annelise's skin, the movement of the pen tickling slightly. Annelise kept her eyes on her face, watching her brow furrow in concentration. It took her a long moment to finish. Once she concluded her writing, Isabela capped the pen and pressed it back into Annelise's hand.
“Hit me up,” She said with a wink, and pressed a kiss to Annelise’s knuckles before skipping away. Julchen cackled and Annelise groaned, putting the window back up.
“What- What the fuck-” Julchen heaved, “I can't, you’re so awkward-”
“I will stop driving you places if you keep going with that thought,” Annelise growled. Her entire body burned. She was not in the mood to be mocked- It was just attraction, albeit to one of Julchen’s friends.
“No, please,” Julchen said, wiping a tear, “I’m- You’re so fucking funny, Anna- Isabela? She’s the one who floats your boat?”
“Shut. Up,” Annelise growled again. She put her hands on the wheel, and sped away, cutting Julchen off. As they drove, she rolled her arm to peek at what Isabela had written. She couldn't help but grin at the little smiling flower drawn next to the number. Perhaps Julchen’s tardiness could be good for something after all.
