Murdcrofcrows - Blog Posts
otis didn't consider himself a classy man by any means, or one who had their indulgences. but every now and then otis found their way to the ballet, usually a cheap nosebleed ticket, but anything that could get them there. and then he'd spend some time hanging around after ward, saying words of thanks and kindness to the ballerinas, trying to seem like he was there for the whole company, not for a single ballerina. but then again, otis was very good at lying or faking it.
today was no different, the nutcracker is a classic and he talks it up to being a holiday tradition for him (his parents never found the ballet interesting and he only went once as a kid), as he waits outside, eyes looking for the blonde. he doesn't know why he does this, it's not like she'll ever give them the time of day. but still they can't help it, a single rose in hand.
but then she's walking forward, smiling at him, as beautiful as ever. "oh, actually." they can't believe she recognizes him - was he being creepy? "yea, i come every now and then but uh, actually i wanted to talk to you." they nod, hand holding out the rose. "you were exceptionally beautiful tonight, the company is lucky to have you."
who: @tendrflesh ( otis )
where: new york ballet company
the show went well, dominika felt like she was completely on point the whole way through. which reassured her that she still had several years left performing before she'd be forced to retire. by then, perhaps, she'll have enough money to do nothing for the rest of her life or climbed her way to the top of burning gods. as per usual, she changed into comfortable pair of leggings, shirt, sweater, and sneakers. out in public she doesn't normally dress down but after performing it's essential to be comfortable and let her muscles rest as much as possible. while she enjoys meeting fans of the show, she's fully used to not being the center of attention and certainly didn't waste her time expecting it. that only led to disappointment. that's why when she noticed a familiar face stood out from the crowd, she assumed he was waiting to see the prima or the premier and while she didn't know him well she approached anyways. a quiet one, with a shy smile but still an edge to him. perhaps a sadness? she wasn't sure.
"if you're waiting to meet them you ought to push your way up there, there's only a couple nutcracker performances left and then you'll have to wait a few months before you get another chance." dominika adjusted her bag over her shoulder and nodded to the small crowd that was forming. saying performances were almost done aloud gave her a sense of relief. no more ten hour practices and more room for other activities, until they started up again for the spring premiere. "i think i've seen you here before, no?" russian accent thick with her tiredness.
growing up in all her privilege, meant taylor could do what she wanted with her life. and ballet was where it lead (well part of it). it wasn't just a livelihood for her though, it was intense and insane at times, but for taylor it was just pure fun. a great way to pass time.
"hmm?" she looks up from her stretch toward dominika, flashing her a smile. "oh certainly, it's nice to have some time back." performance weeks were notoriously long, intense evenings and early mornings. taylor liked it enough, but was looking forward to some time off. "a spa day? well you know i certainly can't say no to that." she switches to the other side. "and maybe a few nights out? we deserve that at least." she adds with a wink before moving back to standing, wiping their hands against their body. "any hopes for the spring season? i'd love for a new contemporary piece to be debuted if i'm honest."
who: @tendrflesh ( taylor )
where: nyc ballet company
there was an excitement for her knowing that they were in their last week of performances for the winter season. it meant a solid six weeks off before they all had to start practicing for the spring performances. however, that also meant that in the interim there would be try outs for new principals and always a chance she would get a call suggesting she step down from her position. dominika didn't feel her retirement was close, yet.
she pushed herself forward to grab the tip of her slipper, holding the stretch and resting her head againt her arm. "are you excited for a break, милый?" she asked taylor, wondering if she would enjoy the time off as much as she was going to. "do not mistake me, i love to dance but it is nice to do some pampering. we should have a spa day next week. start it off right." not practicing eight hours everyday only to perform later was going to free up time for dominika to participate in some of her other favorite activities. some pampering would definitely set the tone for all of that, as well.
"like i said, wholesome and innocent. if we were better people." she teases with another nudge, eyebrows raising to urge him along. they listen intently, going so far to rest their head on his shoulder as the line moves and she takes in what he says. "breve? you're sooo fancy aren't ya." they continue on, now straightening up to glance at the menu. "breve and sherlock holmes, honestly sounds like a perfect combo. we'll add it to our menu list." she pretends to make note of it. the copy of emma is still tightly held under their arm and they shrug. "not sure if absolute favorite, but it's up there. i think it'd pair well with..." they pause, looking around. "a honey olive oil latte. a bit out there, but could be your sleeper favorite." not like it was her favorite, but it sounded nice. "so i assume you're getting a breve now? peppermint kind of day?"
"hmm?" silas looked up from the copy of the prince he'd read many times before. he nodded along with taylor's idea, making a thoughtful hum to the concept. "same kind of concept as el anhelo, then. except instead of human or replicant matching and drugs - it's drinks and books. not bad, i think it would sell." his mouth opened to offer his idea on the arcade and gaming bar but decided against it. went on to listen to her next question which was half a whopper. "my favorite drink has always been a breve, sometimes with a bit of peppermint mixed in because it wakes you up." now onto the hard part. his two fingers drummed on the table a while. "i don't know what my favorite now is, but as a young tot i was a big fan of animal farm but i also liked to read sherlock holmes to saint." he shrugged. the public library had always been a safe place for him and a wonder. probably the only government institution he'd ever been fond of. "that one yours?" he asked and nodded his head to the book under her arm.
they can't help but laugh as he approaches, still finding delight and humor in their silly little marriage and divorce. "maybe i did, maybe it's for someone else." she teases, reciprocating the hug with ease and leaning back in her seat. her fingers play with the stem of her martini glass as he gives his excuse for being late. it's expected, and taylor doesn't really care why he's late, but she appreciates the effort at least. "ah, were you involved in the train incident? or just an innocent bystander?" though they know he's far from innocent. both of them are. "would you believe me if i said no?" she questions, nodding to the bartender for his attention as the bright smile returns. "so catch me up on your life, you know i'm nosy."
taylor so happened to be one of the people that he'd show up for whenever they asked. now that didn't always mean he was on time ( and he rarely was, to anything ) but unlike some people he would blow off if he was having a better time elsewhere, she never had to worry about if he would come. just when. walking into the olive branch always made him feel underdressed and that didn't get better when he saw her sitting at the bar looking like a twelve out of ten. he approached with a low whistle and a smile. "damn, ex-wife, you get all dolled up for me? you're smokin' tonight." he leaned in to greet her with a quick hug before hopping up on the seat next to her. "sorry, got caught up in a last minute delivery in brooklyn and something went down on the train over. did you miss me?" he beamed a grin at her.
she may roll her eyes, but essie would be lying if she said she didn't enjoy frankie's company. at the minimum it was entertaining, at the most she found it meaningful. friendship, fling, it didn't much matter to them. "i've put up with it this long, what's another time?" she smirks, taking another sip of her drink, as she pretends to be bored when frankie starts listing everything that she'd been up to. "emergency room visit? any good story or just normal stupidity?" she interjects with a raised eyebrow, curious to the trouble the other got their self into. "you need a vacation frankie, they can't have you working so much and expect to still heed your brilliance." she scolds, as if she was one who vacationed. essie couldn't tell you the last time she took an extended break of vacation from her work. "secrets? maybe. evil? maybe." she teases. "everything is going smoothly, which honestly is a bit boring."
"class? in this economy?" frankie mocked a scoff. "sorry can't afford it, you're just going to have to look past my gremlin demeanor and love me for who i am, baby cakes." she shot essie a wink and chuckled while the redhead scanned over the menu. frankie would much rather flirt than talk about something boring like politics or the government. a place she feared every conversation she had with someone near her age would go. "can't help it when you look like that. not sorry in the least, you ought to be told, doll." but when the change of subject went to what the scientist has been up to she let out a long sigh. "work, work, casual and meaningless sex, work, a random emergency room visit, oh,. and wouldn't you have it? more work." she ticked them all off on her fingers while she listed them. "how about you? any evil secrets you can tell me in the big pharma world?"
"satan? that's so unoriginal of you vinny." essie cocks her head to the side, smile unwavering. she'd been called worse, and frankly satan was only mild. it was boring. "i came looking for you, can't exes check in every now and then?" though they both knew that wasn't happening, essie never checked in because she cared. and he never did the same. arms crossed over her chest she steps closer, giving a look around before turning her attention back to him, sucking on her teeth briefly before opening her mouth again. "first, you have to get your guys in order, they're an absolute nightmare to deal with, us poor civilians." she started though she knew it meant nothing. not that tennessee actually cared. "i got word that you're poking your nose around. did you miss me that much that you had to stalk my place of work?"
there was an audible groan that left the older mans mouth, almost involuntary, when he heard tennessee gant's voice. pain in his ass was an understatement at this point. "think i should be saying the same to you, what're you doing in a cop joint, satan?" they really ought to up the security at the door, just letting anyone in those days it seemed. "how would i know, you seem to find dirt where there isn't any - so why don't you come out and tell me about some minor inconvenience some beat cop gave you the other day so i can tell you it's not my department again." though if she knew some of the things he'd uncovered recently she would be knocking down his door every damn day. "good to see you, too, by the way."
@murdcrofcrows essie & vinny striker's lane
"well, well, well...look what the cat dragged in." tennessee walked up to her ex-husband - despite the fact that she was the one approaching him it still felt like he was the one dragged about. "you're always checking up on me, so i thought it was time for me to pay back the favor." she glances around, arms crossing over her chest. "how are things going over here? spick and span right?"
@murdcrofcrows essie & frankie heian-kyo
"frankie please, have some class." essie sighs, taking a sip of her wine as she observes the other across from her. "i invited you out for a nice dinner, you can turn the flirting down a bit." though she wouldn't admit that she adored it, loved frankie's attention. she just didn't always have time for it. "you wanna tell me everything you've been up to recently?" she pushes now, leaning forward a bit, not shy in the slight plunge of her dress.
@murdcrofcrows otis & rafe old world casino
never really one to gamble, and certainly not a talented poker or card player, otis never had much luck or fun in the casino. but there were few times they made exceptions of their usual avoidance of the place, and that was whenever rafe dragged them along. "you ever thought about sports betting?" it had been very popular once upon a time, "less strategy but bigger rewards right?" or something like that. they shrug, leaning back in the chair as they sip on the now warm beer.
@murdcrofcrows otis & raven otis's apartment
part of them wondered if they should both head out, part ways for the evening. but then where would otis go? raven? maybe it seemed better to be here, at least here there were no expectations and they could both just...be. laid out on his couch, otis fiddles with the rubix cube that is always on his person. "raven." they state plainly, looking over at them, "are we boring if we stay in on a friday night? or does that make us better than everyone else?"
@murdcrofcrows taylor & silas the slow down cafe
"si," taylor begins with a soft sigh in her voice as she steps into line with him. "if i was a better person, i'd love to open a cafe where you match a coffee or tea with someone's favorite book." tucked under their arm is a worn edition of emma. "what would you say your favorite drink and book is? we'll start with your combo and build out from there." she teases with a small nudge, biting on her tongue. though it's obvious that this would be a life that would bore taylor to no end, it's fun to imagine what being good and wholesome could lead to from time to time.
@murdcrofcrows taylor & bash the olive branch martini bar
she's already draped at the bar, fingers slowly circling the rim of her martini glass. bash had been the soft object of her affection for years now. their 'rebellious' joke of a marriage (she loved being able to say ex-husband) turned casual seemed to serve them well. their legs cross, the slit of the dress falling way to expose them as they look up, eyebrow raising at his late entrance. "you're late, and i'm almost done with my first martini." she smiles, taking another long sip.
