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Brian R. Brokenborough

"G-guys, can you not - I just...just like things to be a certain way."

0 · 700 views · located in California

a character in “The Secret Life of Adulting”, as played by chanelindistress

Description

“It's not all bad. Heightened self-consciousness,
apartness, an inability to join in, physical shame
and self-loathing — they are not all bad. Those
devils have been my angels. Without them I
would never have disappeared into language,
literature, the mind, laughter and all the mad
intensities that made and unmade me.” ― Stephen Fry















deep end || ruelle /|\ glass heart || sam tinnesz /|\ touch || daughter
/|\ pompeii || bastille /|\ you don't know what it's like || katelyn tarver
/|\ some nights || f. u. n. /|\ wake me up || avicii /|\ in my blood
|| shawn mendes /|\ too good at goodbyes || sam smith

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F U L LXN A M E

Brian Reginald Brokenborough

N I C KXN A M E S

Bri or Ri, the latter pronounced like, 'rye' {Most common; not exactly liked, but not inherently disliked, he just deals with it; the latter is popular among close friends} || Reggie or B.B. {Intensely disliked; only by family}

D A T EXO FXB I R T H

April 24, 1994

A G E

24

E T H N I CXB A C K G R O U N D

100% White, that's literally all he knows. Brian knows there's some English and Welsh in there, but he is also pretty sure that his ancestors didn't dip their metaphorical spoons in the metaphorical gene bowl to stir shit up in his blood, so he's not claiming anything other than the color of his skin to be safe.

S E X U A LXO R I E N T A T I O N

Homosexual

O C C U P A T I O N

Part-Time Barista at Mighty Bean {MWF 6am ― 1 pm} || University of San Francisco Creative Writing & Romantic Period Literature Teacher's Aide {TH 10:30am ― 7pm}

A P A R T M E N TXN U M B E R

Apartment 2C

H O M E T O W NXN U M B E R

Washington, D.C. {Birth - 18 yrs. old} || San Francisco, California {18 yrs. old - Current}




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Q U I R K S || H A B I T S || O D D I T I E S

Always has a pack of gum or mints on his person. Rocks on heels when waiting. Does not like to be handed anything. Needs glasses, but doesn't actually wear them all of the time. Keeps them in a case in his pocket until he has to type or read. Literally cannot start his day without at least two cups of coffee; considers himself to be maid up of 70% coffee and needs to replenish himself daily. Always has at least two books he is in the process of reading in his bag with a fanfiction tab on either his laptop or saved on his phone for later. Has a section on the wall in his bedroom filled with nothing but sticky notes for a particular scenario or bullet point that he wants to cover in his writing so that when he gets into the mood to write, he can pick which one speaks to him most. Talks with his hands a lot. Is a natural klutz and can somehow find a way to fumble over anything if it isn't him making coffee or handling books. Can recite lines and quotes from favorite authors/books that pertain to a situation at hand. Insists that everyone uses a coaster for their drinks when in his home. Absolutely hates water stains.

S T R E N G T H S

For all his disliking of being put on the spot, there hasn't been a class Brian has taught in place of the teacher that hasn't gone well and that's because for one, Brian's passionate about teaching, especially when it comes to literature. And it shows. His entire aura brightens and he doesn't try to leave a single student dumbfounded by the information; instead, he keeps it modern and words it in such a way that they understand while, because of his aforementioned enthusiasm, getting students more interested in the topic. He's very engaging in a teaching mood, which is why he wants to get into grad school. Coffee: Brian can't cook for shit, but he can make one mean cup of coffee and seems to be able to learn a person's exact taste, even when following the recipe guidelines. Brian is a fast reader. He usually is in the process of reading two books because that's how fast his eyes and mind take in the stories and nine times out of ten, he can give you a full, detailed synopsis of both. It wouldn't be him if he wasn't well-organized. No matter what anyone has to say about it, everything has an order and it is rare for Brian to lose anything.

W E A K N E S S E S

Can be downright oblivious to anything pertaining to himself unless someone else points it out (i.e. when his thoughts/feelings reach his face, when someone has feelings for him, etc.} Loses himself in working, whether that be writing, grading, reading, or even researching for his classes for the sake of the professor(s). It's one thing to be passionate and focused, but Brian tends to forget basic things like staying watered (he'll stay coffee'd though), eating, and sleeping. Can be very pessimistic and especially hard on himself, a full blown cynic on most days if you can't get him out of his head. Can be very set in his ways if someone doesn't know how to push him and does not always push himself to be bolder in life unless drunk. Very much a lightweight. The rule is no more than two beers, and he can only have one shot or one glass of wine. Doesn't always listen. His depression, which is something he doesn't always talk about.

H O B B I E S

Writing Creating and orating interesting stories Reading Attending book fairs Kicking people's (particularly his neighbors') asses at card games, especially spades and Cards Against Humanity People-watching

F E A R S

Proving his stepmother right ø Having to ever move back into his father's home and it being because he could not provide for himself adequately ø That the depressive voice in his head is right and that there is no point to anything ø Clowns ø Needles

G O A L S || D R E A M S

Become a world renown best selling author Teach Romantic Period Literature on a graduate level Own his own house Be able to make enough money so that he could one day build homeless shelters for overpopulated cities like his hometown

S E C R E T S

He lost his virginity as a freshman in college to a guy who had only had seduced him because of a dare he had to take as a pledge. Writes erotic Ebooks under the alias R. Rowe as an extra source of income. His stepmother tried to fix his "queerness" by trying to get him to sleep with her, but threatened to "out" him to his father if he ever told the man what she did. It's not that his depression is a secret; it is that it isn't common knowledge. Knows the best vantage point in San Francisco to jump from that would kill himself because he's thought of it.




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P E R S O N A L I T Y

{Know-It-All, Reserved, Self-Deprecating, Intelligent, Insecure, Trustworthy, Altruistic, Observant}

Brian's person is very reminiscent of that one individual you knew came from a wealthy and unhappy home, left for school, and never looked back as they sought a more fulfilling, less wealthier life - but somehow still retaining a bit of those old, stuffy principles. For instance, while others would assume - given the way Brian can wrinkle up his nose at doing anything too wild or adventurous when neighbors mention their doings - that Brian is as posh and uppity as his father's bank account is, it's not that he believes having fun, regardless of how rowdy said fun is, is beneath him. He doesn't think anyone is actually beneath him. However, he does...hesitate and a lot of the times, steers clear entirely of anything that would infringe upon his public image. That is, if he can. Brian has spent an entire lifetime needing to be as presentable as possible and although he has distanced himself from his father's (and his father's world's) expectations, learned behavior is pretty hard to snap oneself out of. At times, he can be overly critical and snobbish, oftentimes disallowing himself (when sober) to let loose and run with the crowd. Again, this isn't because he thinks of himself as above any one individual, but he can't help it all of the time. Brian's just not overly familiar with that sort of freedom. He can be dismissive and harsh, and that one know-it-all who will sit in the corner of a crowded room with everyone else chatting around him while he's got his nose stuck in the book, bragging that he'll be the one person without a hangover. He wants to be better and rid himself of these antics, but at the same time, he's at war with a side of himself that is afraid of appearing as anything less than put together. Granted, friends will say that his choice in fashion is the one thing that isn't as put together (and he's definitely lacking in the grace department), but the point is that Brian can be set in his ways and resolute in staying that way, oftentimes trying to keep himself at a distance both for fear of social embarrassment and also to not get hurt.

That is the main thing. Brian does what he has to do and avoids what he has to in order to not get hurt. He grew up in a mean environment with only a splash of love that was ripped from him too soon, leaving him to learn very quickly that in order to not be vulnerable, one has to cocoon themselves in mild indifference and self-preservation. It's almost selfish, though, the way that he goes about it. Protecting oneself is good and dandy, but if it comes at the price of hurting someone else - something Brian is capable of doing when he snatches away or withdraws into himself because someone has gotten too close - then it is a flaw, not a fact of life and one Brian feels immense guilt for after the fact - despite his dismissive disposition at the moment. It's bad enough that Brian is down on himself, which will be discussed further later, but he's also very much a cynic. His ideals of love and goodness were snatched from him, and what is left is a firm disbelief that anything like what his father swore what he had with his mother exists. It just doesn't seem possible to Brian that all people are capable of goodness and that there's always a silver lining, or light at the end of the tunnel. There is struggle and then there is success, and some people manage to turn the tides and get with the winning team, but most people don't and they contend with their struggle because it could be worse. It's not a good train of thought and Brian's pessimism is one of the many reasons why Brian hates talking to other people, that and his inability to be rid of the absolutely awkward nerd that he is. He wishes he had the social graces his father tried pounding in his brain, but his brain-to-mouth filter is lacking, to say the least. Most people know, despite his initial caution and dismissive nature, that Brian isn't mean at all and can be a rather generous individual, and detail-oriented at that. Even when it seems like he has his nose stuck in a book or is working on more than one idea on a computer at a time, Brian is paying attention and listening, especially to the things and people he cares about. Even if they don't always recognize that he cares.

He's adept at learning one's preferences and what they like by peering at them for a moment, lauded as the best barista at his job. He has a comeback when he wants to and is wittier than his preference for silence would have you to believe, oftentimes having rebuttals that catch people off guard. He can even be pretty fun, especially when he's drunk and unable to feel the embarrassment that comes with his personal brand of dorkiness such as loudly singing and dancing. And he's passionate - has a great deal of passion and enthusiasm when it comes to the things that he cares about, oftentimes embarrassed when he realizes that he has gone on long tangents and discussions about his favorite topics in front of people. Brian is very intelligent and it shows, and his occasional bouts of arrogance are a lot more deserving when you consider the wealth of knowledge he does possess, especially when standing in at a lecture or tutoring students. However, he's far more humble, which is something he wishes more people knew about as opposed to his "weird ass control freak" antics, a trait of his sublimated only by his deep-set disdain of himself. While Brian can glow brighter than he knows, especially when it comes to literature and education, he's also his own worst inner demon as he's the voice that constantly tells him that none of it is worth it. Love isn't worth it. Getting up every day isn't worth. Trying isn't worth it. Being alive isn't worth it. That sex is the only fulfillment he needs and anything deeper than that is worthless because it's all going to end anyway, so why put oneself out there and set oneself up for disappointment? This pessimism and deep depression are the things Brian deals with through all of his hopeless and occasional awkward social interactions, lending to him trying his best (though failing, depending on which friends can push him) to keep himself from getting too close to anyone and being more open. Even if he wants to in order to silence the voices.




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L I K E S

A hot steaming cup of coffee, especially french press The smell of book pages Libraries People-watching Card games and crossword puzzles Binge-watching his favorite 80s films Reading, especially fantasy-based novels and mythological folklore When people write hard so he can feel the indentations under the paper against his fingertips Emily Dickinson, William Blake, William Woodsworth, Percy Shelley, and Mary Shelley The smell of the beach Feeling included, even if he doesn't participate Strawberries Good penmanship His hair, even if he doesn't always do anything with it Hardback covers Platonic and romantic affection, even if he wants to act like he doesn't Taylor Swift, though he'll deny it if asked Italian cuisine Roadtrips Writing Peace and quiet Sex Star Wars


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D I S L I K E S

The taste of water Nighttime airplane rides Sushi Shellfish, since he's allergic and can't eat it Most sweets and desserts, though he'll partake Cooking When students want an easy grade Bigotry The elite and honestly a lot of the people he grew up with Orange or grape-flavored soda Depression When people dog-ear books, but especially his own books because it's fucking rude and a disrespect to the book Dancing, but mostly because he thinks he sucks at it and he's kinda right when he's too drunk to remember what rhythm is Sloppy storytelling Disappointing others Running Himself, sometimes Hangovers Dark liquor Tax season Long, drawn-out break-ups People touching his things Disorder




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F A M I L YXT R E E

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✦ J. R. Brokenborough ✦ ↣ Biological Father ↣ Living

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✧ Joanna Brokenborough (nee. James) ✧ ↣ Biological Mother ↣ Deceased

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✦ Parvati Brokenborough (nee. Iyer) ✦ ↣ Stepmother ↣ Living

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✧ Nicole "Nikki" Brokenborough ✧ ↣ Half-Sister ↣ Living


H A P P I E S TXM E M O R Y ?

His book was published. Brian cringes when he thinks of it, this tiny thing with more pictures than words - his "adult" preference, he would say to anyone who happened to find it (and he's gone the extra mile to make sure his neighbors and friends do not). But the childrens' book he wrote when he was eight years old had been one of his crowning achievements, not just because he could say he was a published author back then, but because of how radiant his mother's smile was. It would be clearest image of her he would later have to remind himself that there had been more than the pale, sickly woman whose frail hand he held as she read him a story to distract him from all the monitors and beeping noises of her hospital room. The only other memory that comes close is his college graduation because despite the growing distance between them - and the argument that arose upon J.R.'s realization that Brian wasn't going to live his life the way that he wanted him to - his father showed up and genuinely looked proud.

S A D D E S TXM E M O R Y ?

Hands down, the day his mother had passed away. They spent nearly two years, a year longer than the doctor had given her to live, trying to prolong her life and give her a reason to keep fighting. Not like she needed much of one. Nevertheless, the light of their family - the one thing that kept Brian and his father together - had been snatched in the middle of the night, sometime after midnight on Valentine's Day. Brian didn't speak for weeks afterwards and her death caused irreparable damage to Brian and J.R.'s relationship, though both their similarities and differences played as heavy a role as her loss.




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H I S T O R Y

The thing that Brian would never be able to say - and it's not as much his fault as it is J.R.'s for not telling him often enough or even Joanna for not saying because she understood her son's capacity for self-blame - was that John Ross Brokenborough and Joanna James had always been in love. Sure, it might have seemed impossibly considering his surly disposition and her larger-than-life personality, but it had worked. JJ had been J.R.'s no-nonsense tutor in college and he'd nursed a crush on her after the third session. If she were alive to tell the story, she'd tell everyone she had known she would marry the idiot the very first day he had walked into the tutoring session - nothing but arrogance hiding worry, and swagger horribly sublimating anxiety and stress. It didn't matter to her that she would go on to meeting his parents and knowing she didn't have either of their approval because her major wasn't good enough and her overall background just didn't suit their fancy. It didn't matter that they would marry with only her parents and a few college friends as witnesses, and that it wouldn't be until Brian's birth that his parents warmed up to her. She just knew what her future would be and that would be as Mrs. J.R. Brokenborough. It took only three months later for them to begin dating and two years for them to be married. Leave it to Brian, and being provided that kind of information - knowing his parents had been so in love and happy that they barely made it out of college before marrying - and he'd say then that he ruined J.R. But that wasn't the case. Perhaps the older man needed to learn how to handle grief and discomfort better than burying it behind scotch and eloquent dismissals. Perhaps Joanna should have told her husband how sick she'd always been.

Yet and still, JJ went through with the pregnancy and other than raised blood pressure, she had not thought much of anything. She should have. She should have taken to heart the fact that this was the second pregnancy - she had miscarried the actual first child they had planned to have - where she had had high blood pressure. There had been a lot of protein in her urine due to pre-eclampsia, leading to an induced labor for Brian and him coming out ill as well. JJ wasn't too well herself, but she worried more for him instead, putting all of her energy and strength into his recovery and survival. Brian's first memories of his mother consist of her voice, this nice lilting sound as she would sing him childhood lullabies and read him her favorite books, not all picture books that most children were read and would later memorize. Like him, Joanna loved literature and cultivated his love for it from adolescence, and at first, it always been his fascination and adoration for his mother's voice that kept him enthralled in whatever tales suited her fancy for the evening. Soon, however, it was the stories themselves - prose transcribed by classic authors like Jane Austen and William Blake - that really kept him interested. It helped that the way Joanna went about telling the stories made them even more astounding and awe-inspiring. However, the same attention she paid to her son's growth should have been given to her health, which was what her husband had always said, especially when they tried for the final time to give Brian a sibling. This time, though, they discovered the reason why it seemed as though Joanna had never recovered from her very first pregnancy. Chronic kidney failure.

It can be said that doctors should have warned her after the first pregnancy to be careful with the effects of having high blood pressure with pregnancy. It can be said that Joanna should have taken care to possibly not try to have a child after Brian, or even the first one considering how horrible she had felt. Nevertheless, as the years would go by, despite treatments and medication, Brian watched his mother grow sicker and sicker, stage 4 kidney disease wracking her body up something fierce. Yet and still, JJ remained strong, particularly for both her boys. She still put on a smile most of the time when they visited her in the hospital and she made sure to make J.R. keep his promise - all brown puppy eyes and guilt-inducing lip quivers that she honestly shouldn't have still had the strength for - to read to Brian at night and have Brian read back to him on the others when her husband really needed to feel her presence. And sometimes, that kind of a distraction - that kind of establishment of some kind of relationship - worked. However, it wasn't long until it was Valentine's day and very early in the morning when the Brokenborough house received a call from the hospital. Brian can still recall the curt manner in which his father had conducted himself on the phone before sitting in his study for hours. He hadn't even mustered up the strength to get Brian ready for school or tell him of his mother's passing until well into the afternoon.

As the years would go by, it became plain to see that without Joanna's lightheartedness and easy smiles to coax the two male introverts out of their shells, there was no way for the two to inhabit a space peacefully. Or, at least, lovingly - yes, if asked, Brian would say that it wasn't that it wasn't peaceful. The days they did not speak were kind of peaceful, if not wrought with an unspoken and unacknowledged tension for fear of a catastrophic explosion. But it was not loving, not on the surface. Not to Brian who spent years thinking his father absolutely hated him. And it wasn't like he tried to be better than what he was, or is. In a family of very successful lawyers with a firm under their names, Brian had understood that there was a way he needed to conduct himself. However, despite his best intentions, his nerves and anxieties and fear that he would perpetually fuck up led him to...well, perpetually fucking up. If it wasn't him fumbling over his words trying to fake concern about matters that he honestly cared nothing about, it was his preference for books as opposed to golf or football. It was his desire to be alone than be surrounded by posh people and dinner parties wrought with finery and snobbery. It didn't help that he would be diagnosed with depression at thirteen and realize slowly but surely that no matter how many times his grandparents introduced him to some girl from some other family, that they would never interest him quite like another guy would. Nothing helped when his father did eventually remarry.

If they are as in love as Parvati and J.R. want him to believe, then that's all well and good, but Brian knew as a teenager that he wasn't staying in D.C. He didn't even consider staying on the east coast, applying to schools on the west coast and even in the south before deciding upon the University of San Francisco. To his dad, he called it his own venture into independence. He used what was left of his full scholarship to pay for an apartment through the years, worked two jobs as a full-time student, saved up to get his own car without any assistance, and graduated in the top five percentile of his class, cum laude.

Despite his bad days, despite what happened freshman year of college with the guy he thought could be more than one night, Brian did well for himself away from D.C. Away from Capitol dinners and pretentious step-mothers who knew that she would never compare to her husband's first love. Brian had already disliked her, but when he realized that she knew that he was nowhere near straight, he absolutely hated her. Not just because she proved to be homophobic enough to make him really pray - and that's saying something since he's an atheist - that his half-sister continues to not be anything like her - but because she threatened to out him because he threatened to reveal just how unfaithful she was to his father after she tried seducing him. He didn't say anything, mostly because the fear of seeing yet another wave of disappointment in his father's eyes geared at him is single-handedly more important to him than informing the man that he has a shitty wife. As sucky as it sounds, Brian's pretty sure his father didn't marry for love. He just hopes - and wishes vehemently, despite how much he hates the bitter pettiness he's plagued with - that Parvati knows how much of a consolation prize she really is.




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M I S C E L L A N E O U S

Face Claim: Jason Ralph

Dialogue Color: #800000

Extra: On the right side of Brian's bedroom, two pictures sit on the nightstand. One is of his mother and him in his childhood bedroom, the other is of him and his father on the day of his high school graduation. Despite their current estrangement, Brian can't help but keep that picture of his father close to him. He's never gone anywhere without that picture of his mother.



So begins...

Brian R. Brokenborough's Story

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Deanna Artaega-Mendez Character Portrait: Gabriel Levin Character Portrait: Josephine Peters Character Portrait: Vincent Reyes Character Portrait: Kenta Watanabe Character Portrait: Twyla Varma
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

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Everyone loves to talk about the more exciting days, the big days. The days when they're all attending some extravagant, drunken party on the beach, or the super posh wedding of a classmate no one actually cares about but you go because you were invited to a place where there is free food, and in this day and age, who turns down the prospect of free food? People are pressed about the holidays and the trips out of state, or simply out of the city that they live in. And while the Outside Lands Music Festival is something a particular group of San Francisco residents are looking forward to for tomorrow, today is just another Thursday. There are some getting ready for tomorrow's festivities, making plans to arrive when their faves are set to perform, deciding how to sneak in food so as not to be tempted to spend money. Others are just trying to make it through the rest of the day, the sun already beginning to set as make our way into the evening. As we make our way to winding down and forgetting about the very long day Thursdays always turn out to be...

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Deanna Artaega-Mendez Character Portrait: Gabriel Levin Character Portrait: Josephine Peters Character Portrait: Vincent Reyes Character Portrait: Kenta Watanabe Character Portrait: Twyla Varma
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

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D E A N N AXA R T A E G A - M E N D E Z
_____ T H EXM O M - F R I E N D_____

Outfit: Link Here
Location: Family Home
Dialogue Color ✦ #3090C7
Thought Color ✧ #2A2A57



To: Gabe <3
Im making pescao en escabeche for dinner tonite. dat ok?

To: Omi, Kenta, Josie, Twyla {Mi familia}
Dinner's gonna b a lot of food, y'all can drop by ;D

With those texts sent, Deanna smiled at the cashier and finished her transaction, sliding her four bags onto both of her arms before heading towards the sliding glass doors past a small family. The greatest benefit to working for and with family was that schedules can be negotiated, much like today. Her older two brothers, Anton and Osvaldo, owned a tattoo and piercing shop fifteen minutes away from her apartment, which was why Deanna hadn't turned down the opportunity to be their receptionist. It wasn't a career she saw herself doing forever; Deanna did have plans, regardless of what anyone thought considering she had yet to decide if she was going back for a master's degree. But it was a job that helped pay the bills and it let her spend time with her brothers more, especially considering she spent the four years she had been in college avoiding her family entirely. The why wasn't something she chose to focus on at the moment, however. It led down dark pathways and Deanna would rather think about the salt-and-peppered fish steaks she'd left to sit in the fridge in her absence.

After she'd been allowed to leave an hour early (Anton had been in the middle of helping an "intern," as he called the boy; Osvaldo had a date he apparently needed a few extra hours to prepare for, which Deanna had teased him mercilessly about on the way out the door), Deanna found herself craving the firm, white flesh of fish. She wasn't much of a fan of pickles on most days, but the pickling flavors were complimented by the garlic and the olive oil her mima utilized religiously. Once that had been settled in her mind, she had hurried home, at least gotten the fish and the flour semi-prepared for her return, and then headed back out without checking to see if either of her roommates had been home. It was August, practically the end of the summer, so she wasn't pressed to have them there. Besides, Deanna actually liked beating them home, being able to greet people with dinner after a long day and no day felt longer than Thursdays. Today, for her at least, felt better than usual, and maybe it was because tomorrow was the music festival. She had taken off and bought her tickets months in advance after missing last year's festival. The pain of having missed her wife Janelle Monae had been too much for the Cuban music lover, and she vowed never again to miss such an opportunity.

Grinning to herself at the memory, Deanna put all of her bags into the backseat of 2009 Volvo V50 her mother had let her have upon college graduation. She'd been the second of the Artaega-Mendez children to graduate college (Anton had opted out of that for now) and though it had once been the family car, Deanna was still elated every time she realized that she had a car and it was hers alone. Sliding into the driver's seat, Deanna cranked the volume to her Aaliyah playlist CD up as she drove out of the parking lot and on the way home, eager to get back into her apartment to finish cooking and open the bottle of Criterion Pinot Grigio Friuli Grave. Considering she had nothing to do tomorrow other than be young and carefree for once, she hadn't been able to help but splurge just a little bit. She'd bought a few of the basics already, anyway.


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B R I A NXB R O K E N B O R O U G H
_____ T H EXW R I T E R_____

Outfit: Link Here
Location: The Mighty Bean
Dialogue Color ✦ #D05050
Thought Color ✧ #800000



Being on the clock didn't always include having to be on campus, which was a relief for Brian. He had already spent four years on the campus; the last thing he needed was to have to spend every single day on it feeling as if he never left. Smarter people would have left for another university. Those same smarter people weren't going to start their graduate studies in education at the same university they happen to be a teacher's aide at, so the joke's on them. The thought made him smirk to himself even as the words on the screen made him want to roll his eyes.

With it being the beginning of August and the new semester beginning within the next week, Brian didn't have to worry much about classes just yet as students were still registering for classes and in the process of moving on campus (or into their off-campus housing accommodations if they were smart and looked for cheaper places to live). He did have to worry about lesson plans, working out the last details of his newer schedule, and applying for his own grants and scholarships. He had spent the better part of the summer doing so as he had no means - since he refused to contact his father for anything - to pay for graduate school out of pocket, while helping his professor plan according for the school year, and do some final grading. Though intellectually challenging at times, the University of San Francisco could be lenient at times if the student's situation called for it, occasionally granting extensions that went into the weeks after the campus had been cleared and most students - save for summer school students - were already gone. With all of that, it had been a busier summer for Brian than he had anticipated, and he would be enjoying the last bit of summer he had left if it weren't for his own educational needs.

"Not that the universe gives a fuck about those needs either," he muttered testily under his breath before letting out a long exhale, shaking fingers pausing over the keyboard. With all the preparations he had been making for the coming school year in terms of teaching, and then acquiring the books and scheduling for his own educational needs, Brian could not - for the life of him - stare at the scholarship application before him without thinking that it was all bullshit. Bullshit, he thought. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit...and more bullshit. Because that was the only explanation he could give when he was being asked why he needed the money and all he could offer was that he fucking needed the money and who the fuck asked that kind of question? Do you think he'd be in the middle of a twenty page application if he didn't need it? He was a loser, but he wasn't the type of loser to spend copious amounts of time applying for things he wouldn't need.

Sighing again, Brian reached for his coffee only to realize that it was empty. Scowling, he closed his laptop for the moment - a moment of reprieve, thank God! - and rose, bringing the insulated travel mug with him. It was a Thursday evening, close to five pm, so the Mighty Bean wasn't flooded with do-gooders on their way to work. Instead, there were stragglers, some lingering in small groups to discuss homework or just catch up because they weren't ready to call it a day, others in various corners and at different tables like Brian - surrounded by computers and books and papers and trying to be productive about their caffeine addictions and busy schedules. After running his free hand through his tousled light brown hair, Brian then pulled out his cell phone as he waited in line to get his coffee refilled, flitting through the updates to his tumblr feed to text Vincent. At least one of them had to be having a decent day.

To: Vincent
Please tell me you're at least having a good day. Pretty sure I'm ruining my vision the longer I look at the computer screen.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Vincent Reyes Character Portrait: Brian R. Brokenborough
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#, as written by TushoKa
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VINCENT REYES

Outfit: link here
Location: Mark Hopkins Hotel
Dialogue color ✦ #700000

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Waiting can mean many things; first of all, Vincent had been sitting in the hotel bar for about 45 minutes. He had planned to be just a bit late himself, you know 'fashionably late', but his client was 'very late'. This is why he had depended on the second definition of waiting, a waiter’s occupation. The waiter in the bar was doing a lousy job, hardly even leaving the kitchen area. He hated to be rude to waiters, but this guy has it coming...

Bored and annoyed Vincent pulls out his cell phone to keep him occupied. Hating the red dots on his apps, he makes sure to check them first. As he reads Brian's text a slight smile graces his face.
Please tell me you're at least having a good day. Pretty sure I'm ruining my vision the longer I look at the computer screen.
Taking a sip of his coke or, as it has been empty for 10 minutes, his ice cube water reduction, he responded.
My day is awesome, maybe even so good it totally cancels your bad day out.
Taking another sip he quickly sends a second message.
Feel better now?

As he presses send for the second time he sees a man appearing at the entrance. He is wearing a suit, but looks barely presentable. His shirt is half hanging out of his pants, his belt is off colored and his tie hangs halfway down his chest. Vincent never liked the man, but he didn’t really need to. He was here do business, not make friends.
Vincent got up and straightened his jacket. On his face a nice big smile and sparkling eyes, showing of his charm. He stepped to the side to meet the man head on. Extending his hand he shook the man's hand firmly. ”Mr Winters, good to see you again.”
Feeling the man pulling his hand away, Vincent held on for 3 more shakes. In order to take control of the conversation, it starts with the greeting. Finally letting go, Vincent offers the man a seat and sits down at the same time. The man being late was inconvenient, but the following conversation was worth it. Mr Winters needed the bi-weekly order to be doubled in size. ”I want to be completely honest with you, you’re asking for more than my supplier can deliver." Vincent bites his lip as he tries to show the client his hesitation. He took a good look at the man in front of him. The sweat was dripping down the man’s neck, and his eyes moved to his phone every 2 minutes. He was in a hurry, and his day seemed to have been worse than either Vincent’s or Brian’s."I would maybe be able to find a second supplier, but I can't guarantee the same pricing for you. If I need to involve a second supplier the price per item will go up with 12%.”

The man tried to negotiate, but had shown his hand to quickly. The moment Vincent mentioned the possibility of fulfilling his order Mr Winters eyes had lit up, indicating he was under some pressure to get this done. Vincent asked him for 5 minutes while contacting the second supplier. He got up and walked to the bar, well out of earshot. While paying for his drink he called the first supplier and tells him the details. ”So, I can get him on 10% higher as long as you make sure there are 2 separate deliveries. You can take the 7%, but I will take the 3. Deal?”

A minute later he left the hotel with a genuine smile on his face. Making the calculation in his head he didn’t do badly for a day’s work. His Uber driver just arrived, and after a 20 minute ride he arrived at the Mighty Bean, hoping he would still find Brian there. Stepping in he quickly spots the writer, again deep in thought behind his laptop. Vincent walks up to the counter and quickly orders his espresso to go. Having to wait in any case he walks over to Brian, extends his hand and slowly but surely closes the laptop, giving Brian just enough time to remove his hands. "Ri? We all have to call the end of the working day at some time or another. And I am willing to bet, that you have not written a sensible word ever since you texted me. Why don't you come on up, and I'll fix us a whiskey to celebrate almost-Friday."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Vincent Reyes Character Portrait: Ashwin Kim Character Portrait: Brian R. Brokenborough
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ASHWIN KIM
outfit | #d19e66
The HUB ▷ The Mighty Bean


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Finally. Ashwin had thought to himself as he was in his office, which was in the very back of the building and in front of the computer, putting in the morning and afternoon sales. He had supposed to have been off but stayed back a moment to help out his crew of workers. Things have finally died down now and he was so ready to go, not that he was tired or anything but today seemed quite special ever since he had woke up this morning. Ashwin had hit the enter key on the computer in the office and stood up to grab his notebook along with his sweater vest, which he took off earlier, but now he had placed it back onto himself. He had sighed softly to himself, eyes stared at a picture of himself and his now ex-fiancee that was placed upon his desk.

He leaned down and extended his hand, grasping the frame up and just glossed his eyes over it for a moment. They looked so happy in the picture and he misses her so much. Ashwin even still thinks about the life that they could've had together along with many other happy memories that they could've shared. An exhale escaped him as he sat the picture down now and an employee came in to make sure he was okay. A small but really soft smile formed in between his lips as he nodded his head and thanked her while he walked past her and she trailed closely behind him.

"All right, guys. Have a good night and call me if you need anything." They all hugged him, even the males as he laughed then headed toward the exit upon their release. Ashwin's eyes scanned the area he was currently in then eyed the apartments across the street from him. His eyes then bounced toward The Mighty Bean and seen his roommate inside, along with Vincent. He just had to go and bother his roommate for a few moments. Yes, he had to. Upon his entrance to the coffee shop, he was greeted by a frequent visitor to the bar, especially after work. He lifted his hand up and offered her a wave before he made his way over toward Brian and Vincent, his hand grasped the back of Brian's chair as he towered over the men with a smile.

"Hello there, gentlemen." Ashwin greeted them with a medium sized smile then wiggled his finger between them. "Hope that I am not interrupting anything." He had joked toward them then continuously towered over them. "I just came over here to see what you guys were up to tonight. Anything I can get in on?" He'd ask since his schedule was wide open and did not want to be bored tonight while everyone else was having fun without him.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Vincent Reyes Character Portrait: Ashwin Kim Character Portrait: Brian R. Brokenborough
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B R I A NXB R O K E N B O R O U G H
_____ T H EXW R I T E R_____

Outfit: Link Here
Location: The Mighty Bean
Dialogue Color ✦ #D05050
Thought Color ✧ #800000



Vincent's easy manuevering of closing the laptop reflected how well he had gotten to know Brian because other than the slight flinch - not out of fear of his friend's proximity, but that age-old-barely-there-shame at being caught doing nothing when he definitely should have been doing something - the second Vincent spoke, Brian didn't put up a fight. Granted, that pesky part of his brain that hated shutting his laptop screen without closing out of all sites and applications piped up for a moment, but if he was being honest with himself, Brian wasn't against being wheezled out of looking at a probably too bright screen after such a long period of time.

"God, yes," he groaned almost too immediately. Brian knew for a fact that there were a host of reasons why he shouldn't find such relief in whiskey or really any alcohol. There was the fact that he hated that similarity he shared with his father, the fact that he was very much still on antidepressants and probably shouldn't be drinking and on them, his loose lips when drunk, etc. But denying himself such gratification was for a much stronger man - a better man. Brian was not that man. "You'd think organizations would give a damn about students - regardless of their undergrad or grad classification - and want to give money to ensure student matriculation and a surge in their own wallets from said students attending their schools, but it's like actually pulling teeth to get funds." Speaking while packing the rest of his things away in the messenger bag he carried frequently, Brian jumped when he felt Ashwin grab the back of his chair. He hadn't seen him. "Jesus, Ash," he muttered, gave him a side-glare that was barely genuine, and continued. "Not doing much. Just getting a drink with Vincent."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Josephine Peters Character Portrait: Vincent Reyes Character Portrait: Ashwin Kim Character Portrait: Brian R. Brokenborough
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#, as written by TushoKa
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VINCENT REYES

Outfit: link here
Location: The Mighty Bean / 2A
Dialogue color ✦ #700000

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Vincent smiled upon Brian’s reply. ”God, yes.” As always he liked to provide the listening ear without giving too much response himself. ”I am pretty sure pulling teeth is a bit worse, but I hear your pain, my friend. Come on, let’s go.”
At that moment he saw Ash coming up behind Brian. "Hello there, gentlemen." Vincent gave a small wave to the club owner. He wasn’t particularly close to him, but there was no animosity between the two. ”Hey Ash, join us for a drink? A little Thursday night refreshment.”

Vincent took the lead to his apartment, knowing at least Brian would come as well. Opening the door he was happy to see the cleanliness of the place. It made him glad his roommate was either not there, or as neat as he was. ”Take a seat…”
He grabbed the remote and switched on the massive TV in the lounge. He threw the remote on the couch for anyone to control. He didn’t mind much what was on TV, it was more to show off than anything else. He walked to the large globe on the side of the room. Opening the lid it showed the collection of whisky hidden underneath. He grabbed the ice bucket and took it to the kitchen while addressing Brian. ”You know Ri, it’s about the market. Right now there are way more well-paying students in the market than they can handle. About 40% of all applicant can be denied without it seriously affecting them.”

He held the ice bucket under the dispenser and filled it. Taking it back he took 3 glasses and poured his newly acquired Bunnahabhain 40 year old single malt and put in 2 ice cubes in each of them. He handed out the glasses and raised his own. ”Cheers gents.” Vincent took a sip from his glass and closed his eyes while enjoying the perfect drink.
”So unless you kill half of the students, or build a few schools of your own, pulling teeth will remain a more pleasant experience than getting funds. Just out of curiosity, how are you trying to get the funds?”
Vincent had some money of his own, but knowing how he got it didn’t make him willing to share with actual friends. He hated awkward questions.

Vincent walked up to the front door and opened it. He pushed the doorstopper against it. As long as he was home and not sleeping, everyone was welcome, and he hated opening the door every 5 minutes. He sat down on the couch himself, taking another delicious sip. He took out his phone and texted the first person coming to mind.

Hiya Josie, what r u upto? Wanna hang later?

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Gabriel Levin Character Portrait: Lillian Velasquez Character Portrait: Vincent Reyes Character Portrait: Ashwin Kim Character Portrait: Brian R. Brokenborough
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ASHWIN KIM
outfit | #d19e66
The Mighty Bean ▷ 2A


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Ashwin laughed at Brian, who jumped up and eyed his roommate. "Sorry, did not mean to scare you. Or did I?" His gaze flashed over toward Vincent whenever Brian mentioned him and gave him a head nod. Ashwin's phone chimed from the inside of his pocket as he reached inside and grabbed it, pulling it out to review the message that was from Gabriel or Gabe, as he had liked to call him. He slipped his phone back inside of his pants pocket as he chuckled and shook his head at the message, thinking to himself that Gabe would lose his head if it wasn't attached to his body.

"Uh, I would but Gabe lost his headphones." Ashwin informed them then nodded his head to the side. "So, I gotta go and help him look for them or else he'd be even more lost." Ashwin chuckled at his own words because they were true and almost everyone knew it. But just as he looked at them, they were already heading up to Vincent's apartment and Ashwin trailed closely behind them.

When they walked inside of the apartment, his eyes widened at the cleanliness of the place and wanted to offer a compliment but did not want to offend him in the process either. Vincent had offered for them to take a seat and Ashwin held his hand up, shaking his head. "I'm perfectly fine with standing. I have to leave after this drink anyway."

Ashwin mentioned that last part to the both of them and grabbed a glass, holding it up so that it would clink with Vincent's and Brian's glass then chugged his drink down. His cheeks were puffballs before he swallowed the drink hard and groan a little. "Wow. That's the good stuff." He muttered then sat down his glass down and gave Vincent a thumbs up. "Thanks for the drink and I will be back for some more." Ashwin then nudged his roommate, Brian and pinched his cheek playfully. "Don't stay out too late, hon." He teased him, always liked to tease his roommate. "Later, guys."

Ashwin waved his hand at the duo of guys and went to his own apartment, remembering that he did not text Gabe back and cursed underneath his breath. He was standing outside the door of his apartment as he took out his phone and started to type a message toward Gabe.

To: Gabe
Hey, dude, hella late response but yeah, I think you left them at my apartment. I'm here now if you want to come over and look for them. Also, I mope if I want to!


He had sent the message and grabbed his keys from inside of his pocket then entered into his own apartment, closing the door behind him. He had taken off his tie and vest then unbuttoned the cuffs of his dress shirt sleeves and rolled them up. Ashwin sat down in the chair with his tablet in hand, just checking over some information that was needed for The HUB soon.



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LILLIAN VELASQUEZ
outfit | #b116d4
The Mighty Bean ▷ 2A


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Today was one of her lazy days and she was going to enjoy it very much. She sat Indian style on the couch, with a sub sandwich and some plain chips on a plate and a Cola to wash it down with, clicking the remote to turn her television on and going straight to the Hulu app. She needed to catch up on a few shows but one of them was Beverly Hills, 90210, the older version and not that 90210 trash. Her eyes gazed upon the screen intently as she paid attention to every single acting detail, thinking in her head about how some scenes could've been made better. She was a huge critic when it came to shows, movies or anything else that had to do with acting and her jobs.

Lillian had been inside all day, isolated and she was okay with it but wondered what was going on tonight as she saw that the show went on one of those limited commercials and she got up. She had basically chowed down her sub sandwich and chips, feeling a bit fat afterward but let out a big burp. She covered her mouth with her hand, too then walked back over toward the couch, leaning up and grabbed her cell phone, searching for a particular contact in mind.

To: Momma Dee
Hello there. Just trying to see if anything was going on tonight. Also, love ya.


She had sent the message then lifted her gaze up to look at her television screen, twiddling her thumbs and wondering who else could she text right about. It was more than obvious that she was bored. Her roommate had some out of the state photo job to do so she was constantly left all alone almost all the freaking time now.

To: Gabe
What's up, dude? Wyd?


She sent that message then leaned back on the couch, returning to her Indian style seating position and focused her attention back onto the television screen and Hulu, reacting to some parts. In the back of her mind, she hoped that something was going on tonight because she had the perfect outfit to wear.