Sylvester Stallone
A couple of years back, despite the world having reached the peak of the information age and awareness, cakes and forks were myth-like creatures surrounded by multiple stereotypes—some ridiculous and most downright appalling.
Most people knew forks back then as serial killer cases and had somewhat distorted ideas of forks being a sort of natural cannibalistic creatures who hunted down cakes, while cakes were seen as the ultimate pitiful and unknowing prey.
While there was a sliver of truth to such radical portrayals of them, most were lies sold to the public to keep them in the dark about the reality and oppression of the forks and cakes, also called pastries.
Years later, these stereotypes still remained, and the only progress eventually made was the fact that actual reliable information about the pastries no longer vanished into thin air or got mysteriously buried, never to see the light of day, let alone educate the public about anything.
That was a sign of a new age because, in less than a few months of this new development, multiple news sources opened all at once, introducing a government-run program made to educate the public about the true nature of pastries:
"All About Pastries 101"
It blew up in less than a week due to the unending curiosity of the people, especially since pastries, despite their myths and legends, only ever remained elusive figures.
Adding to the fact that this was a government-funded program verified as legit, in about a month, the entirety of the internet was on the topic of pastries.
By the end of the year, it was well-established that almost everyone with even an iota of online presence had heard a thing or two about pastries.
That didn't stop the deeply entrenched stereotypes, however, and because forks, at the end of the day, were a danger to cakes, only a few truly relinquished their prejudice.
It was easier to empathize with cakes but not forks—they were an active threat to cakes, after all—and even those who claimed to empathize with them had more reservations than empathy.
That was… until he came.
Sylvester Stallone, a brown-skinned Adonis with soft yet masculine features that could bedazzle anyone.
His first appearance on the official platform was a livestream, which broke records unbroken for years as soon as it started.
He was simply too beautiful!
His eyes held a natural gentleness, which was accentuated by its warm honey hue, arousing all sorts of feelings when stared into.
His lashes held a feminine allure to them, yet refused to upset the perfect balance of androgyny woven into every cell of his body.
His thick eyebrows and thin lips were an artwork of seduction, and his natural pale curls, which fell lightly across his cocoa features, provided a striking contrast.
Beauty wasn't something so elusive, especially in an age where even the poorest individual could access the internet and find a wealth of any desired type.
It was in the eye of the beholder, and the beholder had the privilege to access whichever they pleased.
However, it was quite fantastical for a person to hold features that had about 95% of people who saw them agreeing that they were a standard of good looks against which all others paled in comparison—until Mr. Stallone appeared.
Holding such a drastic advantage, once he spoke, everyone listened, and suddenly no one minded the fact that he was a fork. His looks and existence single-handedly raised the public's goodwill toward forks by a wide margin within the shortest time.
The remaining people, who were too indifferent to learn anything about pastries, ended up tuning in to the program anyway just to see the supposedly ethereal beauty that floored everyone—and they were disappointed… by their former stance.
It really was a phenomenon worthy of study: how so many humans, proven wrong, were ready to lay down their pride and admit it; how, despite everyone's different preferences in beauty, they all agreed that there was yet to be a beauty surpassing Sylvester; and how suddenly he became not only a sensation but a household name.
Along with the pastries, of course.
His influence alone boosted the program's goals, and eventually, the aim of total public awareness was fulfilled. They then rolled into their new aim—addressing cases involving prejudice against pastries.
**
"It's done," the blonde-haired female with nude makeup spoke, belatedly admiring her handiwork.
Sylvester chuckled, leaving everyone in the room mesmerized—the blonde makeup artist, the brunette male who handled his hair, and the red-haired female with glasses who dealt with his wardrobe.
It was his most recent group. The last three had become a bit too eager to his liking, so he replaced them. Looking at the ginger female and brunette male, whose gazes lingered for a bit too long with bated breath, he knew their time was swiftly approaching too.
While he was being styled, his assistant was called in to brief him on the case he was about to handle.
He was a tired-looking young male with constant dark circles and a weary gait but with an almost unrivaled excellence in his duties—and unlike everyone else, he had managed to maintain his position since he arrived.
He turned the page of the file as he began.
"A fork was recently outed by a cake partner to the public, and apart from ruthlessly exposing him before he was ready, the cake also framed him for assault. At least, that's what the fork reported."
Sylvester hummed to signal that he was listening before smiling a wicked smile at the red-haired stylist still fixing his clothes.
Someone was getting quite bold.
"I ran an investigation for a couple of days and confirmed that the fork was truly the victim. Not only that, he was also blackmailed into an abusive relationship before being tossed aside once the cake was bored."
"I see."
It was a matter to be handled with utmost delicacy. After all, the general public consensus was that cakes were always the victim, and if an issue portraying them as the opposite wasn't carefully handled, the backlash would be devastating.
He was done dressing and, along with his assistant, made his way to his vehicle.
He had on a black turtleneck shirt, a V-neck buttoned-up vest, a black blazer with a relaxed oversized fit, high-waisted trousers with subtle pleats, a silver watch and a thin silver necklace.
His attire embodied a distinct seriousness while still maintaining a free-spiritedness that relaxed and lured people into a sense of agreement.
The ride was silent for half the journey until he broke it.
"I want the red-haired one fired. Can you do that by my next appearance?"
The assistant quickly scribbled into his notepad before nodding politely.
"Absolutely. There's always a replacement ready for you, sir."
The brown-eyed male with a soothing voice hummed in response.
"Good."
He leaned into the vehicle seat with his eyes closed, only to be roused from his drowsiness by a buzz.
He picked up his phone and, while reading the received text, smiled.
"Having a cutie at home turned out to be quite the refreshing experience."
No one uttered a word in response—maybe out of politeness or uncertainty on what to say—not that they were obligated to, anyway.
His hands moved so fast that the very second he began typing was when he finished.
He reviewed his text once more before clicking send. After three swaying dots and a few seconds later, a reply arrived, bringing a smile to his face once more.
***
[Chat Screen]
Vale: Are you headed there already? Wish you luck. I'll be watching and cheering as your biggest fan.
Sylvester: I have so many fans. What will I do when I can't find you and get sad?
Vale: My username is @valenerine, no one else has it.
Sylvester: You used your real name?
Vale: ...Is it bad?
Sylvester: No. Make sure to cheer me on so I don't get sad.
Vale: Definitely!! I'll be your loudest fanboy! (^-^)/
Sylvester: .....
"Something feels a bit hot," Sylvester whispered while absentmindedly tapping his lips.
The assistant stuttered awkwardly, "Maybe your turtleneck shirt…?"
"..."
"..."
"...I just—"
Sylvester laughed before returning to his phone.
"No, it's the kitten I left at home getting a bit too cute with me."
"...."
Fine! I'm the idiot who asked for dog food anyway!