#pp ch5

[potential-fate]

Sim State University... January, Year 2

Angela Pleasant

[potential-fate]

Pleasantview, April Year 2

Daniel Pleasant

Daniel handed his sister a napkin as she sat in his sitting room. She’d brought him a coffee and some pastries to share, in thanks for letting her come over. Not that he minded, when his house felt so empty all the time. He avoided being home alone as much as he possibly could. Whether that meant working late, or running laps with his team, even when he didn’t need to, or going downtown to the poker joint that seemed to know him by name at this point. So when Jenn had asked if she could come over, if he could make some excuse for needing her there this saturday, he’d said yes without hesitation.

But now, sitting across from her, he wondered why she needed the excuse. Why she couldn’t just go out with her friends, or even come over here without needing to be needed.

“Jenn.” He started cautiously, “So.. I don’t actually need help with reorganizing our family stuff in my garage... “

In fact, his garage didn’t even have anything left from their family.

[potential-fate]

Mercutio Monty (pt 2 cont. 3//12)

“Hm?” suddenly she was focused on the bio book she had in front of her.

“Lilith said you both got an invite to that big socialite wedding.” He said, “Something about the bride being your old babysitter.”

“Oh…” She sighed, “Cassandra Goth’s wedding.”

“Yeah. She’s like, famous right?”

“I mean I guess. I wouldn’t exactly call her a socialite though. Her mother was the one who was famous. Ya know, Bella Goth? Disappeared, conspiracy theories abound?”

“Oh, okay, yeah. I know that name” He laughed, “Who knew the small town of Pleasantview was so happening. That really all happened in your backyard?”

“Mmm” she chewed on the eraser of her pencil.

[potential-fate]

Mercutio Monty (pt 2 cont. 12//12)

“Just get back over here and kiss me again, Monty.”

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(end, Mercutio Monty.)

[potential-fate]

Daniel Pleasant (cont. 2//6)

“I know. I appreciate you lying for me about it.” She said, almost dismissively.

“So are you gonna tell me why I had to?”

She looked down at her blended coffee, clearly stalling.

“Jenn, I want to help…”

“I….” She paused. “I can’t seem to do anything right anymore…”

[potential-fate]

Strangetown.... Early May, Year 2

Olive Specter

"You want me to do WHAT?" The older woman shrieked into the phone. "John, have you lost your damn mind?"

"You know it's almost as dangerous anywhere else as it is for them there right now. At least it would be… off the radar."

"Yes, I'm very aware of that. That’s the entire point. And half the town think I'm the most dangerous person here and I'd like to keep it that way!" She grimaced. The man on the other end of the line couldn't possibly think she'd go along with this.

"They need somewhere safe." The voice on the phone said quietly, "and quickly. I know you have the space."

[potential-fate]

Daniel Pleasant (cont. 2//6)

His heart jumped to his throat instantaneously.

“It’s… me. It’s Mary, sorry.”

He held himself back from immediately clicking the call back option. The message was hours old, at least, he reminded himself.

“I… I’m sorry for calling out of the blue.”

She sounded… drunk? Not quite plastered, but not sober.

“I realized… I realized I never thanked you for taking care of Lilith over the holidays…”

Drunk enough to make stupid decisions. Like calling one’s ex.

“And I got your message about the house and Jenn. I think, that that is very kind to offer, and you should go ahead and make any arrangements. It is your home after all...”

Is that what he was to her now? An ex she only called when drunk? The thought hurt more than he’d admit. And calling to tell him that he could change the house around… Did that mean there was no chance at all?

“Anyways… I uh… I probably shouldn’t have called, but….”

[potential-fate]

Don Lothario (cont. 3//4)

Don was about to respond, when Cassie walked up to the two of them, and he happily took the excuse to not have to field more compliments. He didn’t really understand the need. At least not from someone who knew him well, like Dina. He hadn’t done anything amazing yet. There wasn’t a real reason to be amazed.

“Hi baby.” Cassie smiled warmly at Don, before struggling to be as friendly to the blonde “Hey Dina, are you enjoying the party?”

“It’s a great party Cassandra. You really have a knack for this like your mother” Dina smiled at his fiance.

“Thank you, I’m glad it’s going well.” Don knew Cassie had a complicated relationship with how she felt about Dina. She didn’t really dislike her in any case, but the woman was barely 5 years older than she was, and was dating her father. She was trying her best to be welcoming, but he supposed it would be a little jarring no matter what. The fact that Don and the Caliente sisters had gone to high school together and were all quite close did not help. He assumed it just reminded her exactly how young her father’s new girlfriend really was.

“Well, I see Nina over there, waving me down! I’ll see you guys a bit later” Dina smiled again, just for good measure, before wandering off toward Don’s kitchen.

At that, Don pulled his future wife into a close hug, kissing her forehead, “it really is a good party babe. You outdid yourself.”

“I’m really happy you’re enjoying it,” she paused, letting out a sigh of relief, “contrary to what Dina thinks, my mother was far better at this sort of thing…”

“Mmm” he nuzzled the top of her head, before pulling away, “you’re doing fine, love.”