• A Blackbird's Serenade • (GxG)

"Transparent Masquerade"

Omniscient

Outside of her city apartment, Tiana could hear honks from the cars on the street, and smell the aroma of fried foods coming from the restaurant across the street. Almost everything was nearby, meaning the use of her car was really only for work. And she loved that about where she lived.

The residents of Rolland Boulevard were a community, one that she'd been a part of for the last six months. Her elder neighbors looked out for her and she knew almost everyone at the corner stores, restaurants, and shops.

Inside her apartment there was a bedroom, a small kitchen, two bathrooms, and a living room. Though it was really all one large space, given she'd occupied a studio apartment, every room had either a door or a doorway.

The place's colors coordinated, instead of matched, which her mother thought her ridiculously rebellious for. But she liked the way the hues of navy blue, dark violet, burnt orange, emerald green, and crème all seemed to compliment each other. And it went well with the green countertops in her kitchen and the gold accented decor of her bathroom.

Her place was her own personal sanctuary, and was extremely personalized to her. It's also one reason why she hardly invites people over.

Getting ready for the day, she layed a record to its player before applying its needle so it'd spin. Not too long after, saxophonist Charlie Parker's 'Summertime' began to play. Left ringing amongst the place was a smooth atmosphere, like a thin line of crisp fog floating at dawn. She'd lit her incense stick, while the music played, and she waved it around with a featherlight sway in her step.

It was nearly early afternoon, and Tiana was hardly an early riser. But today she got up to clean and prepare for the guest she was expecting to arrive any minute now.

She'd dressed in dark purple slacks with a black fitted vest as her top, and black heeled boots dressed her feet. Then her hair was styled with a scarf that matched the colors of her outfit. She had it tied headband style, which left the rest of the long scarf to flow down her back.

In the oven was the only thing she could manage to bake to perfection; chocolate chip cookies. And its scent wrapped in the air, cohabiting with the incense. It gave the apartment a distinctively pleasant aroma.

Just in time, as she'd plated the fresh cookies atop the counter, Tiana heard a knock at her door.

Checking herself briefly in the staggered mirrors on the wall near the front door, she then inhaled a gentle breath, going to open it. And that breath was soon let go as she pulled the door ajar, laying eyes on the woman on the other side.

The singer was dressed in a denim zip up bodysuit with a white long sleeve underneath. Sunglasses sat atop her long voluminous hair as the bangs brushed just barely over her eyebrows. And Tiana took her appearance in with internal thoughts of awe before meeting the woman's gaze as Journee smirked.

"C'mon Tiana you've known me for sometime now- you ain't gotta look at me like that no more sweetheart."

Tiana scoffed quietly in amusement as Journee passed her to enter. "Look at you like what?"

"Like you ain't never seen me before- 'nd it's your first time meetin' me." Her southern accent was evident as she glanced back at Tiana while walking into the living room, observing her surroundings. "It smells good as hell in here- what is that?"

"Cookies-" Tiana retrieved the plate from the kitchen. "Want one?"

As they locked eyes from across the room, the two women both drew their attention elsewhere as tensions grew anticipatingly thicker. Journee then cleared her throat before giving Tiana a 'yes' as she sat down on the sofa.