(   ❝ 𝓼.   //   starter for @nycbagcls  )

"you have no idea how much of a lifesaver you are right now." simone sighed as she settled down in her seat in the private area she had reserved at one of her favorite lounges in the city. "i need a drink after the day i've had.. and who wants to drink alone?" she laughed as she slid the drink menu over to the other. "it's going on my tab, so don't be scared to rack it up."

(   ❝ 𝓼.   //   starter for @itsbigal  )

simone heaved a heavy sigh as her eyes scanned her surroundings, hidden by the dark sunglasses she wore. "you know.." she began, glancing at the girl sitting with her, a slight smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "i've never really been one for being nosy or all up in other people's business, but there's something about people watching and making up narratives about strangers that i just can't get enough of."

(   ❝ 𝓼.   //   starter for @xwesley  )

"well look who decided to show his fucking face around here." her tone wasn't malicious or hostile, despite how hostile her words seemed to be. it wasn't unusual for her to talk to wesley like that. what set of best friends didn't curse each other out? she closed the door behind him after inviting him inside of her home, rolling her eyes. "if you keep acting like a stranger, i'm going to have to put my louboutins up your ass." it hadn't been that long since they hung out with one another - hell, they had just facetimed two days earlier, but that didn't count to simone.

(   ❝ 𝓼.   //   starter for @lucisaphira )

after finishing her set for the night, simone had quickly disappeared backstage to change out of her performance outfit and into something a little bit more comfortable and suitable for enjoying the rest of the festival. now dressed in a more festival-appropriate outfit, simone took a few moments to track down luci, hugging her from behind when she finally spotted her. "there's my girl!" she greeted loudly, sliding around to face her properly. "ready to enjoy the rest of the night with yours truly?"

(   ❝ 𝓼.   //   starter for @lilacrespite )

"do you think anyone noticed that i screwed up a few of the lyrics in my opening song?" simone knew that all in all, she had a pretty good set. she hit all her marks, kept her energy up and did great crowd work - but she knew that it wasn't perfect. however, she didn't like to be too hard on herself, and tended to laugh off her mistakes rather than dwell on them. "not like it really matters though.. i wrote it, so i can make changes if i want, right?" she let out a laugh.

(   ❝ 𝓼.   //   starter for @delicatlueur )

"i watched your set from backstage, man," simone spoke up to grab joey's attention when he walked by her, reaching out to touch his arm so that he knew that she was addressing him. "you killed it up there. i've listened your music quite a bit, but i've never seen one of street rats' live performances; and i've got to say, you guys sound even better live. it really added a special element to the songs i already enjoy."

(   ❝ 𝓼.   //   starter for @wcrstbehaviior )

"you looking forward to anyone in particular's set tonight?" simone asked casually as she sipped from her drink, the setting sun doing little to deter from the heat that still lingered in the air. despite her not being a fan of the cold, harsh winters that new york typically got, she didn't like strong heatwaves any better. "damn, it's hot as hell out here," she mumbled under her breath, using her hand to fan herself. "anyway, i think we've got a solid lineup.. and i'm not just saying that because i'm apart of it."

(   ❝ 𝓼.   //   starter for @wcrstbehaviior )

"sometimes i wish that social media wasn't such a big part of my career.." as an entertainer, it was almost expected of her to interact with fans and the like on social media. to keep up with engagement and to connect with her supporters. but it could be draining at times. especially when she came across negativity, which happened more often than she would have liked. "why couldn't i have been a singer in the nineties or the early two-thousands when social media didn't exist? i could just release my music, do interviews and concerts and that's it."

(   ❝ 𝓼.   //   starter for @mjhoustcn )

"there's one of my favorite gorgeous gals!" simone gushed when malika entered the private section of the lounge that the songstress had reserved for the two of them. it gave them an air of privacy while still allowing them to enjoy some time out to have a little bit of fun. "i've missed ya, girlie. how have you been?" she asked, standing up to give her a warm hug. "i hope you've got your creative juices flowing, because i'm going to need your dancing expertise in the next few months. i've got a new project dropping and after that, i plan on touring and i want my favorite choreographer to craft my performances."

(   ❝ 𝓼.   //   starter for @lilacrespite  )

"have you spoken to sage recently?" she asked in between sips of her coffee. it was quite early in the morning, and she hadn't been asleep yet. after spending hours in the studio, simone was still wired with energy, despite her body being physically tired from the amount of time she'd spent awake. but that didn't stop her from hitting arlo's line for a friendly meetup. after pleasantries had been exchanged, they'd made some conversation before the topic of her blood brother was brought up. "just wanted to make sure he's still breathing. i've got him blocked on everything."

(   ❝ 𝓼.   //   starter for @harlcwes )

"oh, girl! those shoes are fire." simone couldn't help but gush a little bit when she glanced down at harlowe's feet, taking in the sight of the shoes that graced them. she wasn't a designer by any means, but she had good taste and could spot good fashion when the time called for it. "where'd you get them? are they custom made? i don't think i've seen them anywhere before; and you know my ass loves to shop."

(   ❝ 𝓼.   //   starter for @nephoetisms  )

"so this is your first met gala, huh?" simone had been seated at the same table as semaj, one of the biggest quarterbacks in the sports industry. she didn't keep up with football that much, her not really being all that invested in sports - but with his face being splashed across magazines and social media it was no surprise that she knew who he was. "are you having fun?"

(   ❝ 𝓼.   //   starter for @flowcrbcds )

being the lover of music that she was, simone didn't have any qualms in watching every performance that night. well, almost every performance. however, henri's set was one that she watched and enjoyed every second of. so much so that when she spotted her after her performance, she couldn't help but approach her to give her the props she deserved. "oh girl, you ate. i loved your set - definitely one of the best of the night," she praised, giving her a friendly side hug. "and the crowd loved you too."

(   ❝ 𝓼.   //   starter for @harlcwes )

"how's the crowd out there?" simone had been lingering backstage while harlowe was performing, hyping herself up for her own set. she wasn't slated to hit the stage for a while, but she couldn't bring herself to leave and enjoy the festivities just yet. she knew that her lingering nerves wouldn't allow her to relax until after her set. "did they bring good energy?" she asked them, wondering how her time on stage would go that night.

(   ❝ 𝓼.   //   starter for @allinmymincl )

like always, the lack of communication between her and sage came to an end when she needed him for something. it was like second nature to her - calling on him whenever she ran into any kind of trouble. in a life where everything was constantly changing and relationships and bonds came and went, sage was one of the few constant things that she had. and no matter how often they fought and butted heads, she'd always turn to her big brother when something fell to the way side. it took something as little as her forgetting her wallet at home when she went out shopping and her needing him to cover for the purchase for her to break their non communicating streak. as they exited the store, her holding her bags, she heaved a sigh as she turned to look at him. "i'll pay you back." was the first thing she'd said to him directly since he had arrived. there was another lull of silence before she spoke again. "you been good?" she asked, more or less inquiring about his wellbeing over the past few weeks.

(   ❝ 𝓼.   //   starter for @pearlednecklce )

"is this your first time here too?" simone asked quietly as the room filled with people patiently lingered around after the intense session they had just been put through. it was something she'd always wanted to try out for herself; kickboxing. something that she could add onto her workout repertoire. she usually stuck with yoga or light cardio at the gym, something to keep her in shape and looking right. but she wanted to up the intensity a bit. it was apparent by how she was panting and the way her skin glistened with sweat that she might have bitten off more than she could chew. but she surprisingly loved it.