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findopulencerp · 2 years ago

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𝖛𝖆𝖑𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖊'𝖘 𝖉𝖆𝖞 𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖗𝖎𝖙𝖞 𝖆𝖚𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓

An assortment of intimately situated rounded tables draped with flowy white laced tablecloths and white iron chairs with weaving metal details of leaves and flowers, surfaces overladen with individual tea settings, three tiers filled with finger sandwiches, scones and little cakes in pastel hues decorate the lush green lawns of the St. John's Estate and Botanical Gardens. There is a long table where every submitted plate of cookies is on display for guests to look them over and beyond this area in the wide expansive lawn are various garden games to interact with. A few small bar tables can also be found nearby with waiters and servers walking through the crowds to offer refreshments of lemonade and sparkling rosé adorned with strawberries. The butterfly pavilion and flower maze is aromatic and surrounded by blossoming buds and offers an intimate place for conversation and photographs. If one can make it to the center of the garden maze they will find a wonderful water display of the central fountain, the water enchanted to appear soft pink and glittering.

towards the end of the luncheon the silent auction closed and the mayor stepped forward in place of the gracious host for the evening to announce the various winners and to congratulate the town on an event where no one did anything terrifying, went missing or creating any sort of town wide distress. ‘everything is back to normal’ he insisted with a glorious smile on his face before continuing to announce the winners...

WINNERS!

Set #1 made by Yashica Anand were won by Elias Amiri Set #2 made by Bellamy Barnes were won by Juan Diego Flores Set #3 bought by Celine Flores were won by no one because no one wants to pay for store bought cookies. - Mod Paris finds this especially amusing as it is her baby. Set #4 made by Rankle “Rainier” Harbinger the Second were won by Ophelia Spaulding. Set #5 made by Nam Min-Ji were won by Celine Flores Set #6 made by Rafael Perez were won by Yashica Anand Set #7 made by Grey Lapinski were won by Eilowny Jiang Set #8 made by Elias Amiri were won by Nam Min-JI Set #9 made by Radley Velvela were won by Juan Diego Flores Set #10 made by Fionn Christie were won by Radley Velvela Set #11 made by Seo-Jin Minho were won by Rankle “Rainier” Harbinger the second Set #12 made by Zoya Kholi were won by Yashica Anand Set #13 made by Layne Baudelaire were won by Elias Amiri

Remember to message players about you cookie dates! @yashicanand, @eliasamiri, @thebellamybarnes, @juandiego-flores, @celinecerberus, @ranklerainier, @opheliasflood, @min-ji-min, @raffyperez, @greylapinski, @eilonwyj, @radleyvelvela, @fionnchristie, @goldenchildminmin, @laynebaudelaire.

Below is the unedited transcript of the event!

February 4, 2023

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 11:34 AM

"You may do as you desire," Valentin said as he looked down at the arrangement of petals on the plate. He wanted everyone to be satisfied with the event but he could not force one to eat or participate if they did not want to so he at least wanted to ensure the odd young man had what he needed so he lifted his eyes to one of the passing staff members who promptly came to the side of the table. "If you need anything else for your project, they can get it for you."

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 11:39 AM

Radley smiled for the first time in a while. He liked the idea of having people at his beck and call to assist in his project. However, he didn’t really need anything. “That’s awesome, man. But, I want to keep it natural. Unless they got…like… a dead bee or something, then, they probably don’t have what I need.” He wondered about the other’s position. Assuming him to be a manager. “They do everything you say, then?”

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 11:40 AM

☕️ Rankle was unaware of the hold his little sister had on Ophelia, perhaps he would have felt more sympathy, though Wynn had rather always been a bit of a wanderer. “You should not feel as such, others are single too, you are not alone in that, and you look very beautiful, you will find someone,” he insisted, though he was curious. “Who would you have invited?”

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 11:41 AM

A dead bee. Valentin caught the eye of the staff member who clearly looked like they did not want to go on the hunt for a dead bee in the expansive gardens so Valentin just minutely shook his head and sent the staff member back to their previous task. "They do." (edited)

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 11:43 AM

“I thought it might be different,” Bella admitted as she stood near the beautiful fae woman. Quite the pair in their green and their navy, while others wore beautiful hues of pinks and the like. “Or rather I thought I might care less about the holiday if I decided I cared less but, I think I still care probably too much about nonsense,” she admitted, wishing she still had her drink. “How about you? Enjoying the day?”

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 11:49 AM

“That’s awesome, man.” He agreed with himself, nodding along as he turned his attention back to his work, picking out another petal before sticking it down half layered over the one before. “Does it get boring? I don’t think it would if I had that. I’d get real weird with it.”

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 11:51 AM

"It does get boring." Valentin continued to stand and watch, unblinking as the young man pasted petals.

mina | j.c,ophelia,raf,eilonwy. — Yesterday at 11:59 AM

She listened to what he was saying, knowing that she did look pretty tonight yet couldn't find anyone she felt would match so elegantly. "I feel my standards are too high," Ophelia offered out. The next question was a loaded one, she didn't know whether the response would be one he wanted to hear. She didn't know if the two were close. "Your sister;"

"Some things have a hold on us no matter what. Doesnt matter how much we pretend not to care, or try to move past it," Eilonwy understood it well, being stuck in the human world due to the actions of her husband. She tried to move past it and rise above it yet...it still pained her. "All these people are causing me a high degree of anxiety. Some of the drunker men keep pissing in gardens. That one -" She pointed at the man with bleach blonde hair sat at the table. "Keeps plucking petals off my flowers. I am not not enjoying myself, I just am not particularly good with crowds and entertaining,"

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 12:03 PM

☕️ “Your standards could not possibly be too high,” he assured Ophelia, taking his own cursory sort of glance around the environment. There were certainly men and women who were…lacking. While Bella’s nudity did not personally bother him it felt inappropriate for the function, and there was a man in jeans playing with butter. “The selection is simply slim.” At the notion of his sister however he did hold some sympathy because yes, that was a high standard. “Perhaps while Minho and Min-Ji have tea I will keep you company? Seek you an appropriate companion in my sister’s sted?”

[12:06 PM]

Eilowny was right, of course, especially as she described her own concerns for the event. People pissing in the gardens felt on brand for the more idiotic in town but she had to hope someone was stopping them. “Val said I could flip a table, I doubt he’d object to you flipping some child’s plate of…butter flowers,” she assured the fae woman, voice lilting in confusion at what he was doing, linking arms with her. They would tell the boy off together if she desired and if not. “Or we could be the first pair to dance. I’m terrible, so you will look very skillful.” (edited)

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 12:08 PM

“You’re probably right. It would just end up illegal eventually.” He agreed. Creativity and legality often bashing heads when it came to thinking outside the box. “I’m just making this stupid commemorative plate. I’ll resin it or some shit when I get home, maybe sell it. I don’t know yet, I just like the texture.”

mina | j.c,ophelia,raf,eilonwy. — Yesterday at 12:22 PM

Ophelia wouldn't argue however, she knew for a fact she was looking for an impossible thing. Her personal experience with men had not been particularly positive - though, she wasn't wholly committed to acting upon her feelings for women either. "A very slim selection," she agreed as her gaze began to rake over the others in attendance. "That would be very kind of you, Rankle. If your Minho doesn't mind that I steal you away,"

"Flip a table?" What an odd thing to be allowed to do though, there was a history between the two that Eilonwy didn't, couldn't and would never understand. "I would very much like to scold him first," Their arms linked and she noted how chill to the touch Bellamy felt. A vampire thing, she was sure of it. "I can dance however not in these shoes. Many have described me as willowy yet I shall become a falling oak when I try to walk in them," The heel wasn't big, she just usually wore flats. "Come," The fae strode over to Radley with little trouble despite her earlier speech.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 12:24 PM

Bella walked with her present companion and she hoped friend to some degree in the direction of Radley and Valentin, noting just before they reached them, even if the two might hear because of their species, “then we can take our heels off to dance together and neither of us will stumble.”

[12:26 PM]

☕️ “I suppose if we stay in his line of sight he cannot worry,” Rankle offered of Minho. He knew the man could get jealous in ways Rankle didn’t want to bring out in him but the fae had so few friends and now with his sister gone he did not want to lose another. “I didn’t know you had met my sister,” he commented as he picked some food off one of the tables.

mina | j.c,ophelia,raf,eilonwy. — Yesterday at 12:40 PM

It didn't bother Eilonwy that her employer was so close, focused on her single task of asking someone (probably rather impolitely) to not destroy the displays. Her dark eyes looked cold as she approached where he sat at the table, sticking down her beautiful petals with...butter? Her face twisted in disgust. "A polite reminder," Her fingers darted out to grab the plate, dragging it towards herself before a reaction could be given. "Please do not pluck petals from the flowers, or I will personally see to it that we begin plucking things from you to," A threat Eilonwy would follow through with most likely.

mina | j.c,ophelia,raf,eilonwy. — Yesterday at 12:48 PM

"Sounds like a good idea," Ophelia agreed to his suggestion of staying in their sight. She had yet to see Minho in the flesh and was somewhat curious to meet him - as for Min-Ji, she had never met the young fae. "Yes. We met months ago in the casino, and kept in touch somewhat," Ophelia didn't elaborate on anything else, as that was all the meeting had come to really. She certainly didn't elaborate on how Wynn had made her feel, either. It didn't matter now, and wouldn't matter again.

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 12:51 PM

Radley had heard the others approaching, but still couldn’t help but jolt slightly as they reached out to grab his plate. “Uh, alright?” He answered, more confused than anything. He’d already finished plucking them, so, it was a moot point. “I didn’t kill them or nothin’. They’ll grow back.”

mina | j.c,ophelia,raf,eilonwy. — Yesterday at 12:59 PM

"That isn't the point. It is basic respect and common sense to not pluck public flowers," Eilonwy didn't let up on the subject, fully now taking away what was passed as "art" in the human realm. It was just plain rude to do, and made a mockery of all her hard work. "Were you brought up, or dragged up?" The fae enquired. "Do not do it again, or I shall have you thrown out and banned from the museum, garden's, and surrounding estate," Did she have that power? Probably not but, Eilonwy could pull in a favour with Valentin. Probably.

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 1:03 PM

“Dragged up, ma’am.” He answered honestly, not trying to be sarcastic or problematic. He pushed the rest of the loose petals towards her, allowing her to take everything without fuss. “I was just making commemorative art, I wasn’t trying to piss you off or anything. Just making art with nature. Feels a shame to waste them now they’re here, but, you go on ahead.”

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 1:04 PM

☕️ “I am sure you two can stay in contact,” he assured Ophelia of Wynn’s intentions, it was sad to think Ophelia had found something in her and lost it but Wydwen had always been a wanderer. “Have you been alright otherwise? You received your new phone yes?”

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 1:12 PM

Bella simply stood by Eilowny, she didn’t know this young man and so was not ultimately concerned with his comments or his manner. Bella observed the thing Eilonwy had ripped from him, it looked a lot more like what a fae child might try to eat in kindergarten. “The gardens here are art,” she pointed out to him. In his attempt to do art he had inadvertently destroyed it which might have been a unique take if not for the fact it was done without intent.

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 1:27 PM

“Art is an ever changing notion, ma’am. Like life itself.” He commented, not disagreeing but not allowing it to take away from his own creation.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 1:31 PM

Valentin thought the defensive nature of Eilonwy to the flower displays was an interesting diversion. Ultimately he didn't care about the craft project or the flowers but he remained in case the interaction escalated.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 1:38 PM

Bellamy wanted to groan a little, resisting the urge and the other to roll her eyes. It seemed silly to her that his actions would be okay because he had simply taken elements of flowers rather than more permanent fixtures of the home. "Art is predominantly dictated by an elitist community of people doing tax evasion," she responded, "so if it's ever changing it's because it's a new scam. It can be art to you, but seems like if the person who tends to the flowers is saying they'd rather you stop then have some tea and ask for some crayons." Bellamy mostly didn't want Eilowny feeling more anxious, worried about all of her work. If she could resist flipping a table as a pissed off vampire surely this boy could resist ripping petals from various flowers. "Or maybe ask what you might have access to, there's probably a bunch of dead shit in a bucket somewhere."

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 1:42 PM

Unsure why now three strangers were dog piling him. He stood up from his seat and took a step backwards. “I gave it to you. I stopped and I gave it to you. I apologise and I assured you I took care not to kill any flowers. I’m really not sure what you all want from me at this point, but, please do elaborate on it.” (edited)

mina | j.c,ophelia,raf,eilonwy. — Yesterday at 1:45 PM

She was satisfied with the response however, it seemed as if it was Bellamy's turn to escalate the situation. Eilonwy put a hand on the vampire's arm as the two bickered about what constituted as art, not so bothered about such a dilemma. "Thankyou for understanding," Though she felt the stranger would not. "Bellamy, I feel this is a wasteful endeavour. Plus - you said we could dance. I am a fabulous dancer," Eilonwy tried to diffuse the situation somewhat.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 1:47 PM

"If you require any of my staff to fetch you anything, you need only ask," Valentin said to the boy once his art project had been confiscated.

mina | j.c,ophelia,raf,eilonwy. — Yesterday at 1:47 PM

But Ophelia didn't want to stay in contact - she wished that the woman would be here, with her. Still, it was all she could ask for. "I recieved my phone," She pulled out the device from the bag shaped as a rose, clad in a checkered phone case but brand new. She would have to be particularly careful with this device. "Because we are friends, I shall be honest with you. I encountered some trouble in Denver a few weeks ago but, it's sorted now,"

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 1:48 PM

Bella actually did roll her eyes, the boy had not apologised until she had spoken, he'd simply allowed her to take the plate but sure, her support was escalation. "Dance with Val, if he has the time," she responded, red heels carrying her off from the situation.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 1:57 PM

Rankle, obviously, couldn't fathom the emotions of Ophelia, though he did know what it was like to seek affection and feel lost to it, in the two centuries he had lived he'd never had anything specifically serious. He and Minho were still taunting some awkward faerie social norms but he did not have the same time limit as Ophelia, or the same pressures as her. "Denver?" he asked, obviously his eyes and ears not extending beyond Opulence. "What happened?" he asked, concern clear in his tone that rarely shifted.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 2:03 PM

Valentin watched as Bellamy strode away then turned his attention to Eilonwy and while she hadn't asked to dance with him, it had only been a suggestion by Bellamy before she'd departed, he commented on it, "I would dance with you but I am needed elsewhere," and with a polite nod of his head, excused himself.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 2:09 PM

Celine’s heels carried her up the footpath to the event, shorts beneath her jacket almost entirely hidden by it’s length. She’d tried on a few dresses but without Alejandro definitely in attendance she wasn’t interested in coming off romantic. She’d dressed nice enough if he was there she could entice him a little but if he wasn’t it didn’t seem like she was meeting anyone. “Any chance for a vodka and redbull?” She asked one of the staff.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 4:01 PM

After dealing with some random other affairs, for the duties of a host were never ending, Valentin returned toward the spacious lawns intending to heard toward one of the bars to ask for another glass of blood when he noticed Eilonwy and approached her instead, "I did say I would dance with you. I have some time now if you will join me," and offered her his hand.

[4:03 PM]

Min-Ji had finished her wonderful tea party with Minho and had gone off toward the flower maze to take an excessive amount of selfies as was she was prone to and returned toward the main event feeling parched. "Shirley temple for me!" The fae girl chirped up when she heard someone request a drink from a member of staff, recognizing the woman from the other day at BJ's Burgers. "Celine, right? We had ice cream together, remember?"

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 4:06 PM

Celine did remember the girl, looking at the staff member nodded to both and walked off in the direction of one of the set up bars. “Yes, yes we did,” she acknowledged, recalling the words that had been used by others to describe Min-Ji. “You are also friends with Grey?”

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 4:10 PM

Min-Ji nodded and absently fiddled with her hair, "Mhm! He's so funny, isn't he?"

mina | j.c,ophelia,raf,eilonwy. — Yesterday at 4:14 PM

After the confrontation, Eilonwy was fully prepared to step away from the event and back to the maze in the botanical gardens. Quite a few people kept getting lost, and she had been using the butterflies as secret markers for them. The suggestion to dance - with Valentin no less - was one she didn't think the vampire would honor after going about his business. The fae's eyes widened somewhat as her employer offered his hand.

She kicked off her silver shoes and placed her own hand in his. "Please do not feel obligated to do so," she said, voice soft.

She nodded. It was the first time she had told somebody about what had happened that fateful afternoon, not disclosing such a thing to even Thaddeus. Ophelia swallowed hard. "I am in trouble with some important people. Or - was. Its murky," she mumbled. "Bellamy aided me. A loan shark found me. I am in debt," Ophelia had told a third person now, and each time the burden grew as she told others.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 4:15 PM

Celine nodded, sometimes she couldn’t tell when Grey was joking and she knew for sure he couldn’t always tell when she was joking but she did enjoy his playfulness. “He can be, must mean you’re funny too?” She offered, looking between the pair of them. While their colours were stark contrasts they had both opted for button up jackets and she wondered if this said anything about Grey as a person.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 4:19 PM

Valentin was above all, a man of his word and if he said he would do something then he would do it so he took Eilonwy's hand and began leading her toward the area closer to the live musicians where a small amount of others were already dancing. "I do not feel obligated," he said to her, not exactly meant to be reassuring but merely a statement of what he felt was true, "It is a pleasure," this was meant to be a joyous event and therefore dancing felt appropriate. "I hope the disruption to your gardens is not too troubling for you."

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 4:20 PM

☕️ Rankle’s lips tightened at Ophelia’s confession. Perhaps he should have noticed that her wealth had become an issue for her. He understood, based on what he had been paying her for, that she was by no means rich, but had not perceived her as being in debt. “Should I look into this for you?” He asked her in a serious tone, concern within.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 4:21 PM

"I'm hilarious," Min-Ji asserted as she dropped the hair between her fingers to land it softly over her shoulder. "But I'm funnier than he is."

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 4:22 PM

“I don’t know if I should just agree,” Celine commented as drinks were returned to them, taking her own and immediately discarding the straw onto a nearby table and taking a swig from it. “Any jokes that might help prove it?”

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 4:27 PM

"Jokes?" Min-Ji pursed her lips as she tried to think of some but when put on the spot, nothing came immediately to mind. "I guess I'm more situational funny than joke funny," she countered with a sure nod, sipping from her own drink after swirling her straw within it.

mina | j.c,ophelia,raf,eilonwy. — Yesterday at 4:29 PM

A part of Eilonwy knew that Valentin would be a man of his word no matter the situation. Still, she wondered how that balanced with his personal morals and attitudes towards things. The fae simply nodded in response and allowed him to lead her, now barefoot, to the small dance floor. It had been an age since she had done this, after all, though when the rhythm hit she found her steps fell easy. "It isn't anything I can't handle," She replied with a firm nod. "People take nature for granted. That is why it is a mess,"

She noticed his reaction and reached out to place a hand on Rankle's forearm, not expecting the concern he held. "No," Ophelia didn't want to entangle anyone else in her problems, or lies. Especially someone who had become a good friend. "It is being dealt with,"

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 4:29 PM

“Well so long as you’re not funny looking like Grey,” Celine smiled, though she didn’t think Grey was funny looking. He might not have been as classically handsome as others around town but Celine liked his smile and his playfulness and those things really did change how someone looked. “You bid on any cookies? Grey said he made some…”

[4:31 PM]

☕️ “How exactly?” Rankle asked, no subtlety to the fact he didn’t quite trust that she was able to handle whatever it was if a reckless vampire girl had become involved.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 4:35 PM

Valentin did not dance often, various reasons of a lack of time, circumstance and dancing partner but he was still very adept considering he had centuries of dancing -- albeit only in a casual basis for the occasional event such as this -- and so he too had easily fallen into step with the timing of the song, leading Eilonwy through the motions of the dance. "Your passion makes you a valuable asset." It was the reason the gardens thrived, if they were not tended to with the appropriate level of care then they would surely be lackluster.

[4:37 PM]

"Grey is not funny looking," Min-Ji asserted in defense of her friend though she was smiling for she understood it was meant only as a light and playful jab, "I think he's darling even if he does act like he was raised by dogs. I didn't bid on any cookies yet," she admitted, glancing toward the long table display of them, "I wonder which ones he made?" She said thoughtfully, not really expecting a response to that question then she asked, "Did you make any?"

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 4:40 PM

Celine noted her smile and gave one back, gesturing to the table. When she’d dropped off her own earlier she hadn’t paid much attention to the others. “If he was raised by dogs that’s why he is so fun,” she noted and she looked to the table, trying to determine which were Grey’s. Part of her expected a plate with just one cookie because he ate the rest but couldn’t see any like it. “Kind of?” She answered as to whether or not she did. “I’ll probably bid on the dinosaurs and the cute one with the like leaf and stuff.”

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 4:43 PM

Min-Ji looked over the cookies that Celine pointed out, nodding her head, "I was thinking of bidding on the dinosaurs too!" Then did her best to conceal her brightening grin when Celine mentioned she might bid on the cookies Min-Ji had brought, "Oh, those ones? They do look cute too."

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 4:45 PM

“I think my son might like them, they’re for a game, right?” Celine checked. Her son was always watching videos of people who played games and would describe to her all the things that they did.

mina | j.c,ophelia,raf,eilonwy. — Yesterday at 4:45 PM

"She disposed of the man, and did some....weird mind trick to make it seem like I wasn't anywhere near Colorado," His questioning did make Ophelia feel nervous, as if the whole thing hadn't been so easily solved as it was. She had trusted Bellamy however, and still did. It was better than getting her parents involved, which was Thaddeus' plan. "So it's fine, because they don't know I'm here,"

Without the awkward shoes, she was particularly graceful on her feet, matching Valentin's own confident steps with her own. Eilonwy had been raised a princess, after all, and dancing had always been a past time. Though they talked, she tried hard not to look into his eyes, so incredibly blue they often made her feel nervous. "An astute observation," She replied to his talk of her passion. Eilonwy knew she was good at what she did, just as she knew Valentin wouldn't keep her on the staff if she wasn't.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 4:47 PM

"Mm, I think so," Min-Ji scratched her head, trying to make it look like she hadn't made those cookies by feigning ignorance, "Sort of looks like it, doesn't it?"

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 4:48 PM

☕️ “A temporary solution at best,” Rankle asserted. It did sound as though the immediate situation was in hand but not the grander one. “How much debt are you expected to pay?”

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 4:50 PM

Valentin liked to know a lot about his staff and those in his employ or who surrounded the person he cared for but there were certain histories which remained mysteries to him for fae liked to keep their secrets, he did however note her skill at dancing, evident in the way she carried herself. He gave one nod in acknowledgement of her words and continued to lead her through the dance.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 4:52 PM

“We’ll they’re cute, he’ll like them regardless,” she shrugged, not going to put in the effort of attempting to Google them. “How about you? Other than the dinosaurs?”

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 4:54 PM

Min-Ji hummed thoughtfully as her eyes scanned the rest of the cookies, "Those are really cute and colorful," pointing to the round cookies that had rainbow tie-dye like frosting.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 4:57 PM

Celine nodded, maybe her older son would enjoy those. “Pretty, I don’t know how you’d do it. I’m not much of a baker though, but I guess I’m not that bad,” she pointed to the burnt plate, hopeful those were not Min-Ji’s.

mina | j.c,ophelia,raf,eilonwy. — Yesterday at 5:00 PM

Ophelia knew her friend was speaking from a place of concern however, she didn't like the fact that Rankle was poking holes. It made her worried, moreso than before- that it wasn't over, and she was going to have to be saved by somebody. Again. The blonde gave a little shrug, as if she didn't know. Last time, before they had beaten her it had been - "Around 60K. Probably more now," It left a bad taste in her mouth. She shouldn't have told the fae about this.

He fell silent and she did to, focusing entirely on dancing with Valentin. Compared to the others, the two were clearly quite experienced- though, she was not surprised at that. Vampires lived long lives, and had time to pick up many things. Eilonwy did however ask; "When was the first time you danced like this with somebody?' Did he even remember? She wasn't so sure on his age.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 5:03 PM

"I wonder why they even submitted burnt cookies," Min-Ji shrugged her shoulders and sipped at her drink, "I'd have just thrown them out and tried again or just buy some to bring. Would be better than burnt."

[5:07 PM]

The question came as a surprise. They were not prone to speaking about anything personal, their conversations usually exclusive to work related topics. Still, he replied, speaking as he always did with his usual air of general disinterest, "I do not know when it was," it had been so very long ago, "but it was with the woman I made my wife."

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 5:08 PM

☕️ That was not so bad an amount. Easily rectified. Rankle could simply fix it, however as it had yet to be fixed in such a way as it was simply paid off by another Rankle had a feeling she would deny this easy solution. “And your plan is…?” he asked her as he presumed she would not take any offer he made.

[5:10 PM]

“Maybe it’s a jest, maybe that is Grey’s,” she commented. He might not eat a whole plate of burnt cookies… In moments however Grey seemed insecure and so while Celine believed him to be strange she didn’t think he’d actually bring burnt cookies to the event. “Or a commentary?” She mused as the burnt cookies were sat amongst some very well done ones…

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 5:15 PM

Min-Ji made a face, "I don't think he's that clever." (edited)

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 5:16 PM

Celine laughed a little. “Maybe not,” she agreed. “We should make a plate for all of us, he told me he might show and you know how he eats,” Celine commented, unaware of how Min-Ji herself ate.

mina | j.c,ophelia,raf,eilonwy. — Yesterday at 5:16 PM

Maybe it had been bold of Eilonwy to ask or, perhaps she just became once more ignorant of social cues. Not once did she consider such a thing would have anything emotional attached to it, though Valentin kept up his usual air of indifference when speaking about the topic. He had been married then, long ago - she thought of her own ring, kept in a box at home. It felt like such a long time, despite 15 years being the blink of an eye in the fae realm. "Thankyou for the answer," Eilonwy hadn't expected him to ever share something personal. Though...she had never asked either.

"Hope they just forget about me," was the answer. It wasn't sarcastic, or short. It was entirely truthful. Ophelia was hoping they would realise that they were cashing a ghost, and couldn't find her. "My brother is going to ask our parents for money. I can't let him do that. So I'll simply ignore it, or skip town if they turn up here,"

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 5:18 PM

The young fae woman perked up, "The little lemon drizzle cakes are so good but I think he'd like the roast beef sandwiches the best, even if they are so tiny. He'd probably eat a whole tray himself."

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 5:21 PM

☕️ “That’s not typically how things work, is the debt to credit cards or…?” Rankle asked because situationally there was going to be a difference between a legal debt collection agency and some sort of underground person she owed a debt to. Collection agencies could sort of only keep calling you and ruin your credit rating, if she’d gone to someone dangerous… “Why would you not ask myself or your silly vampire friend?”

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 5:21 PM

Valentin had been human once and in his human life he had very human aspirations and had once had a family, relatively large for the time but felt small now, though it could have been the distorted perception of time that made things that once felt large and important no longer hold the same amount of weight and so felt naturally smaller because of this. He again, gave her words a nod of acknowledgement, never quite prone to over explanation. "You are a proficient dancer," he commented politely.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 5:23 PM

“Maybe we steal a tray then,” she grinned, the roast beef sandwiches sounded good to her as well, as did the lemon drizzle cakes. Celine was not above asking for take away containers. “You said you game with him, what else do you like to do?” Celine asked.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 5:30 PM

Min-Ji nodded at the suggestion of stealing a tray, her devious mischief side eagerly excited at the idea. "Oh, I like taking pictures. I took a lot in the flower maze earlier. Do you want to see?"

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 5:32 PM

Like most in polite society Celine nodded even if looking at pictures of other people was rarely that enjoyable, unless there was some ulterior motive like stalking your exes new girlfriend or seeing how your brother was partying lately. Still Min-Ji seemed stylish and she was curious to the other sort of people Grey befriended and so agreed with a gentle nod.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 5:35 PM

Min-Ji happily produced her phone to pull up the photo gallery and show off the various selfies and photos she had taken of herself among the maze, all manner of different poses and subtle shifts in expression and body, then she moved on to show pictures of the environment for she had not only taken pictures of herself but also of the maze and the fountain in the middle. "I swear the water is like, pink," Min-Ji commented as she zoomed in on the picture, "It isn't editing. Did you go through the maze yet?"

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 5:37 PM

Celine looked, mostly paying attention to the garden. It was beautiful, the statues and the elements felt a bit inspiring. Min-Ji herself was a little too, the amount of people that came in wanted tattoos of bubble gum like girls was kinda astounding. “No, I suspect I would get lost and texting my alpha I was late for some meeting because I had got trapped in a maze feels like a conversation that I should avoid.”

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 5:40 PM

"Oh, your alpha? You're a werewolf then?" She paused a moment as the little gears in her head clicked in and she snapped her fingers, "Oh, Ryden! He's the alpha right?"

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 5:42 PM

Celine nodded, aware she probably still gave off very witchy vibes by the way she dressed and occasionally spoke (concerned with the alignments of planets and not wanting to sit at tables with certain numbers). “Yes!“ she agreed, smiling a little than Min-Ji also knew him and assuming for a moment she had to also be a werewolf then. “Ryden is my alpha. He’s very good at it.”

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 6:09 PM

"He looks like he's good at being an alpha," Min-Ji nodded firmly so that all her hair shifted forward and she had to brush it back over her shoulders. "I babysit his boyfriend's baby, so I guess it's sort of his baby too," she idly looked at her nails.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 6:11 PM

Celine chuckled, not because the thought was funny but because she was sort of excited to tell Ryden it was a thought people were having. She cared about them both, Mars was a good guy, as was Ry, and she know how important it was for kids to have a support structure. One parent never felt like enough for her boys. “I guess it sort of is,” she agreed. “If you got in and out of the maze though maybe you can show me?“ (edited)

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 6:16 PM

"Sure!" Min-Ji felt fairly confident she would be able to make it through a second time even if the first time had taken her quite a while. "Then you can see the water in the fountain for yourself and tell me if you think it is actually pink. I wanted to drink it and see if it was like strawberry lemonade or something but there were other people there and I thought they might look at me funny."

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 6:17 PM

Celine nodded, if she got a sniff she’d be able to tell why it was ‘pink.’ She had a feeling, considering it was a vampires home, there was a very obvious reason for the shade but perhaps she would be wrong. “Let’s take a look, see what is going on with the fountain.”

[6:22 PM]

Bella had yet to leave, she was considering it however. The hope instilled in her through whatever additives Valentin had used when he made her unfortunately meant Bella could not quite give up on things very easily. She wanted a good day and so though she felt a little hurt she felt compelled to believe the day would turn for her, wanting to wait for the cookie announcements. To see if she had won any or if her own had been bid on by anyone. Absentmindedly she was slowly eating the macarons on one of the tables, kicking off a fleck on her lips when someone reached the table. Assuming they might be looking for someone, doubting it was herself. “Macaron?” she offered.

em | rosita — Yesterday at 6:40 PM

Rosita came only because Bella mentioned it a couple of times. She didn’t really like to be with lots of people at once, but she spotted a few people who she thought could be interesting to get closer to in the long term which made her want to stay longer. She barely even spent anytime with the brunette until she decided she wanted to leave. Bella was lucky she even saw her or she would’ve left without saying goodbye. "No thank you." She replied and didn’t speak for a couple of seconds, debating saying what she really thought. "Why are you so lonely? It’s sad to see you just eating macarons in your corner." She almost looked like she was pitying her, as if it was the worst thing in the world to be alone at any event for a couple of minutes.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 6:43 PM

Min-Ji, always a very physically affectionate young lady, proceeded to hold her hand out so that Celine could take hold of it as they walked toward the flower maze together.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 6:47 PM

Bella sort of forgot that she’d only hired Rosita after Nick left, that up until a few months ago she’d basically always had someone who was excited to go to stuff like this with her. Placing her treat down she adjusted some of the sheer fabric of her dress. She didn’t want to mention Nick though, nails continuing to shift how the fabric sat. “Valentin pissed me off, Tony’s trying to find some milf he slept with at the last town event, so many people are coupled up, Eilowny said she wanted to get annoyed at some guy before we danced and then didn’t seem pleased with how I backed her up so I figured I’d just eat and wait for the cookie auction,” she explained in a far simpler way. “You’re here though, and you’re alone too. Where have you been?” Bella asked, figuring if she had an opinion on Bella’s loneliness that she had previously held someone’s company, maybe a waiters.

[6:49 PM]

Celine was not exactly one for physical affection, she wasn’t sure of the last time she’d held someone’s hand but she did know the difference between innocent affection and affection with implication and holding the young woman’s hand seemed fine. “If we’re holding hands we really shouldn’t get lost.“ Still Celine was nervous as they entered the maze, allowing the woman to lead them.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 6:55 PM

"Don't worry, I won't get us lost," she was fairly confident of this, "and if we do get lost then I can just fly us out, no problem!" Min-Ji's wings were currently concealed because being in crowds of people it was simply easier and less likely to knock someone with them by accident.

em | rosita — Yesterday at 6:59 PM

"People sucks." She said, talking about the ones Bella mentioned, but she also thought most people sucked in general. "Wanna talk about it more?" She asked curiously, always down to gossip. "Who, me?" she replied with a little smile. She didn’t want to mention the rich people she talked to and the numbers she got, so she decided to be vague. Her boss didn’t need to know she only took the offer for the money. "I was bored, I found someone to distract me. But now you’re here, and you’re probably more interesting than anyone else. I was going to go, but I might just stay a bit longer." Bella would probably be flattered if she knew she couldn’t lie.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 7:01 PM

“Oh, I wouldn’t be too heavy?” Celine asked Min-Ji, a good distraction from concerns of getting lost. It wasn’t like Celine thought she was particularly heavy, she was short and worked out a lot what with her werewolf metabolism but, as she now knew she was fae, Celine also knew some fae wings weren’t as strong as others.

[7:05 PM]

“Occasionally,” she noted. She was irritated but not genuinely angry with anyone, oddly more upset with herself for setting expectations that had never been met in the past so why would they be met now? “I just thought today would be more fun, I set my expectations too high, especially for Valentin,” she noted. If her exes wouldn’t make time for her why would he? Least he was up front that he wouldn’t do it, that was more than she’d got in the past. “Someone cute to distract you?” Bella asked, giving Rosita a gentle poke with one of her long nails. “We could dance, that’s mostly what I’ve wanted to do since I got here?” (edited)

em | rosita — Yesterday at 7:15 PM

"I don’t think you set them up too high. If you wanted something then you deserved just that." Rosita thought she deserved just what she wanted and would always do everything she could to get it, never settling for less. Bella should do the same. "Something like that." Her smile changed into a smirk. She did have some fun tonight. "Good idea." She quickly took her hand in hers, almost tugging on it so she would follow her as quickly as possible.

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 7:18 PM

Grey, having eaten more than his fair share of sandwiches and cakes, had gone off to take in the sights of the rest of the gardens. He had no real interest in botany, but could appreciate the beauty of flowers and enjoyed the pleasant scent they added amongst more common natural aspects. He’d been wandering relatively aimlessly when he caught the scent of Celine and Min-Ji in the air. Not entirely sure where they were going, he began to follow their scent into the flower maze. He kept his distance until the first turn where he waited until they were on the other side of the same hedge before shaking it and making fairy tale style monster sounds in hope to scare them.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 7:20 PM

The words were sweet and in theory worked but in practiced Bella had never found that to be the case. “What if I’m asking for like a boat?” Bella joked, obviously she was not asking for that but she figured it made the point. Rising from where she sat she reached for Rosita’s hand, allowing the young fae to tug her to the small dance floor, reaching for the woman’s waist once they were there and offering her a small smile. This was what she had hoped for from the day and it lifted her spirits immediately.

[7:22 PM]

Celine could smell him and since Grey’s previous jump scare performed outside her tattoo parlour was not as easily startled, laughing a little as she held Min-Ji’s hand tighter.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 7:22 PM

"I hadn't thought of that," Min-Ji admitted thoughtfully, though now she wondered if she could fly while carrying Celine's weight. Maybe not. She wasn't very strong even if her wings were, she'd probably lose her grip on the other woman and that wouldn't be good for any of them and it was with these thoughts that she got startled out from when the hedge nearby started to shake and produce alarming sounds. "Oh!" She let out a soft cry and stepped back suddenly.

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 7:26 PM

Content with the small cry, he began to laugh and poked his head around the end of the hedge. “Afternoon, ladies.” He beamed, “both of you look dashing, might I add. Quite fitting to somewhere so…” he lifted his hand, raising his pinky finger. “Marvellous.”

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 7:28 PM

“You just like scaring beautiful people,” Celine informed him as he beamed a smile at them. Celine drawing the young fae closer to her side in faux protection from the scary wolf man. “You actually clean up kinda nice,” she admitted though. “We all wore button up jackets, a fancy trio.”

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 7:29 PM

Min-Ji giggled at his antics and despite being drawn closer to Celine, instead moved aside from her and released her hand so she could give Grey an animated curtsey, pretending the skirt of her dress was much longer and holding out the imaginary fabric as she bowed, standing back upright afterwards, "We are very fancy! All of us so dapper!" (edited)

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 7:35 PM

Grey bowed, rolling his hand forward in small circles as he did so. “What an honour it is to frighten such a beautiful young woman, and her older friend.” Still bowed, he quickly shot a glance up to Celine before look back down and standing back up normally. “Oh this old thing? Just thought I’d make the effort, y’know? Valentine’s Day after all.” He shrugged. “You never know. Magic is all around us, right Min-Ji?”

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 7:37 PM

“Old?” It shouldn’t have stung as much as it did but she had tried to dress nice in case she saw her husband and he had been incarcerated for eight years, she’d definitely aged since then. Now free hand coming up she touched the edge of her eyes. “That mean you made some cookies and intend to bid on some?” Maybe he’d bid on hers and they could just eat a pile of cookies together…

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 7:39 PM

"Magic certainly is everywhere," Min-Ji confirmed with an airy nod as if what she said was some sagely information. "Oh yeah, Celine and I were trying to guess which ones you brought. Was it the burnt ones?" She didn't think so but wanted to ask just in case.

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 7:45 PM

“I’m just kidding!” He quickly changed his tune, not wanting her to think he’d been in anyway serious. “Just ragging you, you look amazing. You both do.” He paused to listen to Min-Ji, smiling and nodding as she agreed that magical things could certainly happen if he believed hard enough. “Oh, she wanted to ask about the burnt ones, did she?” He said overly loudly, a playfully pointed eyebrow raised. “Well, you tell her that those are not mine, but they’re probably still really good with a bit of frosting. Frosting makes everything better, doesn’t it?”

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 7:48 PM

“I didn’t think the burnt ones were yours!” She insisted because like Min-Ji she hadn’t, though she hadn’t been able to tell which ones were his. “Which ones are yours then? I honestly thought your plate would have one cookie cause you’d have eaten all the others but the plates all seemed full,” she acknowledged. He and Min-Ji seemed like such good friends, playful in a different way to herself and Grey. It was interesting to watch.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 7:50 PM

"Frosting makes most things better but not everything," Min-Ji drawled, "Certainly it wouldn't make broccoli taste any better," and stuck her tongue out in mock disgust, though listened eagerly to hear which ones were his.

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 7:59 PM

He put his hand to his chest in offence. “You really think I couldn’t behave long enough to make one plate of cookies for a good cause?” He shook his head slowly and solemnly. “And here I thought we were friends.” He paused for dramatic effect. “You’ll have none of my award winning cookies. None!” He raised his hand in the air theatrically, index finger pointing forward.

“And of course frosting makes broccoli better. You put a big blob on the top of it and then suck it off and throw the broccoli away, it’s all part of the circle of life or something.” He smiled. “Do you think putting frosting on Celine would make her sweeter?”

em | rosita — Yesterday at 8:00 PM

"Well then, you get a boat, or you find someone who can get you one." She knew she was joking, but she still answered as if it was true. "And i’m sure that wouldn’t be a problem for you." For Rosita it would be a bit of a struggle, but for Bella? Easy.

She lead the way and ended up on the dance floor with the smaller woman. "Looks like the night is just beginning." She smiled to her, leading the dance.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 8:03 PM

“You wouldn’t make us our own cookies?” Celine asked, laying on the hurt thick. Celine figured if the both of them asked for cookies (and provided the ingredients) Grey would make both her and Min-Ji cookies. “My cookies are the best ones there,” she insisted, smile on her face, figuring Grey would have known which were hers even if she couldn’t tell which were his. At the notion putting frosting on her might make her sweeter though Celine’s mind went in the wrong direction, cheeks flushing red. “Min-Ji couldn’t be any sweeter so I’d be more concerned what would happen to her if you did.”

[8:07 PM]

Bella laughed at Rosita’s insistence that if that was Bella’s expectation of someone she should get it. Hell, maybe a boat was easier than time. “Well I don’t want a boat, I just want someone who wants to make time for me like I make time for them,” she inhaled slowly, looking up at Rosita as her thumb gently rest against her. Even in heels Rosita had height on the young vampire. “Perhaps for you, getting lucky already,” Bella chuckled as the music swayed them, Rosita leading.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 8:16 PM

Min-Ji was still laughing at the thought of sucking frosting off of broccoli then throwing out the vegetable, the thought of it hilarious to the young fae woman. "Frosting on Celine? She doesn't even need it," the young woman asserted. "No, no, my cookies are the best ones there!"

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 8:20 PM

“I think she needs it.” He answered back quickly, keeping his eyes on her. “Maybe not a lot, but, I’m sure a little couldn’t hurt.” Hearing the back and forth of whose cookies were superior, he could only play along as he knew his own skills were not likely up to scratch. He cooked to survive, not for the joy of the art form. “I saw a lot of really good cookies, it’ll be a tough call. Some of the ones with designs brought me back to a good time in my life, so, I think they’re all winners in their own way. Well, y’know, after mine, of course. You two can share second place, right? You seem close, you could have it on alternating days.” (edited)

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 8:24 PM

Celine could not hold the eye contact Grey offered, her own blue gaze lowering to Min-Ji. “A little wouldn’t hurt…,” she agreed slightly. At the idea hers were winning any awards though she let out a laugh, no way were hers winning nothing. “I’m probably getting last place, maybe I’ll beat the burnt ones. I’d believe yours are the best though, Min-Ji,” she agreed. Grey’s couldn’t beat someone with the attention to detail the girl clearly had.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 8:25 PM

"A fine dusting of powered sugar would be better," Min-Ji suggested in place of using frosting, "Then it'll be like little sparkles," she waggled his fingers out in a gesture to mimic little sparkling flecks trailing down her hair. "It's not even a competition," she insisted, "It's charity. No one gets first place."

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 8:36 PM

“Maybe Grey needs a dusting of sugar,” Celine commented, smile on her face at the idea of Min-Ji throwing sugar on the man. “Oh! The fountain,” Celine remembered, sure Min-Ji would want to show Greg as well. “First place is the cookies that make the most money I’d assume?”

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 8:40 PM

“Frosting, sugar, whipped cream, it’s all the same to me. Just a little bit of something sweet to take the edge off.” He smiled at her innocence as she corrected their notion of winning to that of a charitable cause. “The real charity is letting you all think you stand a chance at winning.” He smirked, pausing suddenly in confusion at mention of a fountain. “What fountain? Unless it’s a fountain of cookies it’s not too high on my priority list.”

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 8:42 PM

“It might be filled with strawberry lemonade, it’s pink, right?” Celine checked with Min-Ji, figuring she still had her phone on her.

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 8:58 PM

Grey screwed his face up in distaste. “That sounds gross. Science has gone too far with fountains.”

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 9:02 PM

Celine reached forward and gave Grey a gentle shove. "Come look for the silly fountain with us and you can both cover me in all the powered sugar you like," she insisted, not wanting Min-Ji to feel like what she wanted to do was silly. It was silly, of course, but Celine felt like the girl seemed to exit the house and get a bad wrap for wanting to do silly things and Celine...well, Celine missed doing silly things. "You won't have more fun with anyone else anyways," she insisted, gesturing for Min-Ji to lead them in the way of the fountain, letting the girl walk a few steps ahead of them so she could talk to Grey. "So...which cookies did I fuck up by not bidding on because I bid on the dinosaur ones and the ones I assume are from some video game to give to Jagger but I do not think either are yours."

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 9:10 PM

“Fine! I’ll look for your gross, silly fountain. Why couldn’t they just make the water pink anyways?” He shook his head, dismissing the idea as fruitless but willing to tag along for the company. As Min-Ji went on ahead, Grey moved closer to Celine so they could talk more privately without his need to offer bravado in the name of entertainment. “I was having pretty good fun on my own, I ate seventeen tiny sandwiches, that’s probably a new record for tiny sandwiches.” He thought on the cookies for a moment, the two she mentioned being the two that had brought back a weirdly specific sensory memory for him that he’d mentioned prior. “The video game one’s will be hers.” He gestured towards Min-Ji, but kept his voice hush to not give away that he was most likely spoiling things. “Her whole thing is video games, and, those are from Animal Crossing, I played it for some guy once, it’s one of those cutsie cuddly games, she’d be all over that. Mine aren’t anything fancy, I just used what was laying around my house. Well, and running around.” He laughed.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 9:13 PM

"Wow, seventeen, I thought you'd at least break twenty, but I guess the event isn't over, let your stomach settle," she looked to him with a small smile. When he suggested the video game ones with Min-Ji's Celine shook her head in amusement, little trickster not telling Celine which were hers. "Wait - you played it for some guy?" Celine had to imagine that playing it for someone held some sort of connotation to it. "...no, Grey...you didn't?" she asked upon him saying 'running around.'

em | rosita — Yesterday at 9:16 PM

"I can’t really do anything about the others, but I will make sure to always make time for you." As long as she worked for her anyways. Or that’s what she thought, but who knew if they would actually become good friends with time. Rose was too scared of getting attached to think that. "I have to tell you the truth. They were a bit…Boring." She laughed, whispering as if it was a secret. "I’m sure I’ll have more fun with you." She said, grabbing her hand and making her turn in front of her. "You look pretty tonight. A bit thanks to me." She laughed.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 9:19 PM

Bella's heart certainly warmed with Rosita's words, she couldn't know that the woman had to tell the truth, and with Bella's experience people didn't usually, but regardless the sentiment was a tender one that she enjoyed hearing. "At least once a day, to put all this together," she mused, hand departing the woman's waist to gesture to her face and the beautiful make-up Rosita had applied before either left her home. The hand that had abandoned Rosita was taken, Bella having to think quite hard so she did not fall over in her heels since she didn't tend to be the most graceful, almost stumbling back into Rosita but laughing as she did. "Thank you, you look beautiful too, entirely thanks to yourself."

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 9:22 PM

“Well, I got distracted, but, the night is young. And I plan to bring a gift bag home. What’s the point of these two big pockets if they’re empty?” As he caught her smiling at him, he smiled back, this time a genuine smile with no teasing or messing around to sell behind it. Just a real, warm smile. “Oh, you know. Just friend stuff. I guess I was a pet for a while? Or a therapy dog. Do you think I could make a career out of that?” He chuckled to himself, which only turned to stronger laughter as she caught onto what he’d meant. “I had no chocolate chips! It’s good protein! It’s good for the environment! There’s literally no downsides!”

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 9:25 PM

"I have no shame in asking for some take away containers," she agreed of his notion to take stuff home with him. Those roast beef sandwiches that Min-Ji had mentioned earlier? Those were coming home with Celine for the boys. "...I think you maybe didn't understand what that man was doing when you weren't looking," Celine shared, though perhaps she was wrong. "Well, I did not bid on those cookies so I hope someone cute likes bugs for your sake. Which ones did you bid on?"

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 9:36 PM

“As you shouldn’t.” He agreed, although he was cutting out the middle man and bringing stuff home without asking or being limited to containers. He wasn’t above stuffing things into his clothes for the ride home. As she mentioned his memory, he furrowed his eyebrows and rolled his eyes. “It wasn’t like that. He’d be talking incessantly, or crying, or asking stupid novice questions about a twenty year old classic game. It wasn’t anything like that.” He dismissed her point, not wanting to dwell on it for fear of saying something that might become a point of contention between the two. “Man, I really hope someone cute likes bugs for my sake.” He agreed, his tone somewhere between desperation and loneliness. “I bid on…” he tried to remember, his choices not having been so visually distinct. “There were just some that smelt better than the others. There were ones looked really gooey, and the chocolate ones, I can’t remember the last time I had proper chocolate. Oh! Also the ones with the insults on them, it felt like I was setting myself up with realistic expectations.” He smiled, smugly. Feeling as though he was stealing a joke from her by putting himself down first.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 9:40 PM

Celine let it go, mostly because he was so insistent that it wasn't like that and Celine didn't want to shift and sort of view point he had of it. Grey described the ones he bid on and she knew which he was referring to as she'd seen them when she took a lot for herself and then again with Min-Ji. "Well, realistic expectations or not, if you do win them and the date goes poorly you can always bail and bring them to one of us and we'll probably share with you," she stated, gesturing between herself and Min-Ji. "Can't believe you didn't bid on my beautiful cookies though, they were still in the container and the expiry on them said like 2026 or something so you know they'll destroy your insides."

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 9:44 PM

“You’re already plotting my downfall so you can eat my pity cookies, huh?” He smiled, exhaling gently from his nose. “Or is it you just can’t stand the thought of me with someone else?” As she revealed none of his choices were hers, he couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed, but, he supposed magic knew more than he did and it was best not to interfere too much. “Well, you didn’t bid on my beautiful cookies!” He grinned, “You’d probably need new insides after them, city girl.”

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 9:48 PM

"I definitely cannot stand the thought of you with anyone else," she agreed, sarcasm thick in her words as she looked up ahead at Min-Ji. She wished Alejandro was there, and felt guilty a little if Grey thought her playfulness with him could mean more than it did. Celine genuinely did like him, it was easy talking to him but as much as he believed magic was involved, so did she and Alejandro had always felt like her person. "I do not want to eat bugs," she insisted, nudging him. "If by city, you mean I didn't grow up in the woods then yes, city," she smirked. "Really though, I hope someone nice bids on your stuff. You deserve a cute date, clearly you can dress up for it, maybe you'll even actually let me fix that bleach spot in your hair. Hell, Min-Ji might cover you in powdered sugar," she commented, increasing her pace to catch up to the girl. "Are we close to the fountain yet?" she called ahead.

em | rosita — Yesterday at 9:50 PM

"At least." She joked, teasing her. She felt like they were going to spend way more time together than that, but it would be the bare minimum. She couldn’t help, but laugh when she almost fell. Rose started wearing heels when she was still only a child, practicing in front of her mirror, but she knew not everyone had as much experience as her. She caught her, not wanting her to fall on her face. "Thank you, I know." She winked while she continued dancing.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 9:51 PM

Admittedly, Min-Ji had gotten them lost a few times but she'd expertly carried on as if nothing wrong had happened and luckily the two of the were so engrossed in their conversation they didn't seem to notice -- or maybe they had -- that she had taken a few wrong turns and thus it took some time but finally she started to announce proudly, "Should be just around this...." Min-Ji skipped further ahead to poke her head around the edge of the hedge to confirm it before she turned back toward them cheerily, "Yup! Right here! We made it!" And gestured toward the fountain which was spurting out pink shimmery liquid. "It looks like strawberry lemonade! Think it is?"

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 9:54 PM

“Well, I hope you’re willing to put the work in, because I like to live off grid. Oh, and I want a lot kids. Like, a lot.” He teased back, laying his ideals on extra thick. He didn’t think they were ever going to be together, which was made it so much easier to joke about. He had nothing to offer and was ultimately still loyal to the idea of Bea, even though he hadn’t laid eyes on her in several years and her opinion of him was abundantly clear. The best he could hope for, was a warm fire, a soft bed and a few cookies along the way. And he was learning to be okay with that. Thankfully, before the conversation got too heart achingly painful, they arrived at their destination. As the smell of the fountain hit his nose, he screwed his face and stuck his tongue out. “Okay, there it is. Gross and apparently worth seeing. Can we go now?”

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 9:55 PM

Bella had practice, her Mother had felt gender roles were very important and the only way Bellamy would grow up to be a proper woman were to fulfil that role, however Bellamy also needed to focus kind of hard sometimes to focus on just how much control she could have over her muscles, when surprised she tended to forget what she was doing. Rosita was a wonderful lead regardless though and as the song came to an end Bella smiled, stepping out of the woman's personal space. "Thank you, you really did make my day a lot better. It's selfish but this is exactly what I was hoping for, you should tell me what you were hoping for out of the day, maybe I can make your day better too."

[9:58 PM]

Well, it wasn't blood like Celine had thought it might have ended up being, it was definitely pink and glittery and she wondered why on Earth the vampire had it on his property, thinking perhaps he didn't even know about it. "I'm fixed, handsome, so have fun trying," Celine taunted as she moved ahead to Min-Ji, blinking a few times as she realised what she had said, not noticing the fact her demeanour was slowly shifting around the pair to the way it had been before Alejandro had gone to prison, freer in her movements and in her expressions. "No, we have to drink it," Celine insisted before looking to Min-Ji. "Right?" That was the plan, she thought. "You should go first," Celine nudged Grey. (edited)

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 10:00 PM

"Do you not like strawberry lemonade?" Min-Ji asked Grey curiously since he seemed disinterested in the fountain.

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 10:04 PM

“Oh, I would.” He commented, his voice hushed as though he was talking to himself, but not actually bothered if anyone else heard him. As he was nudged, he looked the fountain over, still finding it mildly repulsive. “I don’t drink anything other than water. Never have.” He commented, tone idle as he watched the pink fountain moving, filling his ears with pleasant background noise to drown out his thoughts. “You go ahead, it was your plan. You should go first.”

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 10:06 PM

Celine heard him but just nudged him again because of it, not intending to hold him to the words, just having fun. "So far as we know it is water."

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 10:07 PM

"Hm? Nothing but water? Water is so boring," Min-Ji pursed her lips together and approached the fountain to look into the light translucent pink liquid as it shimmered over itself. "Does it smell like water?" She asked them since they had sharper senses than she did.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 10:08 PM

Celine watched as the others seemed so cautious about it, Grey not wanting to in case it wasn't wanter and Min-Ji concerned it wasn't drinkable period. "Oh, we came all this way," Celine insisted, scooping up some into her hand and taking a sip.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 10:08 PM

Min-Ji's mouth fell open in amazement at the ease of which Celine just scooped up the liquid to drink.

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 10:09 PM

Grey’s eyes widened as she went ahead of them and tried the water from the fountain. He was impressed, but still anticipating her spitting it everywhere when it turned out to be some strange chemical concoction none of them had anticipated.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 10:11 PM

"It's just water," she said as she brushed the palm of her hand on the edge of the fountain. It was nice water, like the way water tasted after it had rained, or like when she was in the woods as a wolf, but still just water. "That was anticlimactic..."

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 10:12 PM

"Oh," Min-Ji let out softly when it was confirmed to be just water and then sat on the edge of the fountain to dip her fingers into the liquid and scoop up a little palmful for herself to try since it was safe. "Mmm, it is nice water though."

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 10:13 PM

Celine saw the disappointment cross the girls face and did feel bad. "Would you like some more photos?" she offered, figuring this might make Min-Ji happy. "Grey could shift into a wolf probably? Give his wolf some snuggles?" Celine wasn't sure how painful it was for Grey to be in that form but she figured he liked it.

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 10:16 PM

He didn’t fully trust that it was just water, but Min-Ji’s disappointment made him more sure he wasn’t being spun a tale. However, he was too caught up in conversation to consider testing it for himself. “I mean, I could, but you’d have to carry my clothes around, including my boxers.” He shrugged his shoulders, not a problem to him, but knowing it would likely bother the other. “I don’t have enough spares to go throwing them around for any old pink fountain.”

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 10:19 PM

Min-Ji didn't particularly want to play with him in his wolf form anyway, she had had her heart set on some strawberry lemonade fountain and at least her particular species of fae were very caught up in their emotions when they were big enough and disappointment filled her rapidly. "I don't want anymore photos of me," she said, "but I can take photos of you two if you'd like."

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 10:21 PM

Celine had dealt with her son perpetually disappointed lately, the way he could get frustrated when he wanted something that to him seemed reasonable and couldn’t be. “Oh - no, I mean we don’t need a photo of us, right?” That only seemed like it would make earlier implications worse. “Maybe we just go back and ask a waiter for some pink lemonade and make a fountain? They have those like three tiered tray things?”

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 10:24 PM

Realising his friend was genuinely upset about the blandness of the fountain, he tried his best to offer some distraction. “Yeah, you can go back and make your own. I can shift if you want, you could ride on my back, it’s pretty soft up there and you’d be well rested for making all that cool fountain art.”

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 10:31 PM

"No, you already said you don't want to shift," Min-Ji returned and stood up from the fountain, not wanting him or anyone to do anything for her out of pity if they didn't naturally want to do it. "We can just walk back," once more taking the lead.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 10:33 PM

Celine did feel badly, starting to take off her belt that was wrapped around her waist and handing it to Grey. With so few layers of clothing it wasn't long before Celine had passed him each black item and was shifting, an aggressive wail as she broke her spine and from each shoulder began to grow bone and muscles and fat and then fur until it was not just a large black wolf stood by him with feral blue eyes but a wolf with three heads, rushing forward until one, the sweeter of the three was brushing beneath Min-Ji's fingers.

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 10:37 PM

“No, I said she didn’t want to carry my boxers. I’m actually itching to shift. You’d be doing me a favour, honestly.” He confessed, seeing mutual benefits In the opportunity. He was going to continue when Celine shifted without warning, Grey’s face twisting as her changes looked agonising and very different to his own. “Oh no, I’m not carrying your frillies. Not when you’ve got so many chompers.” He dropped her clothes, shifting himself. His wolf was much more boring, a regular looking grey timber wolf, but his shifting was quick and painless, much more a magical quality than a physical one. Once shifted, he immediately clambered up onto the fountain and lapped from it before returning to scoop their collective mess of clothing up into his jaws and joining them. (edited)

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 10:43 PM

Min-Ji had not expected either of them to shift and especially not so suddenly and she seriously didn't expect Celine's wolf to have not one, not two, but three heads and once the initial shock wore off of now being in the presence of two hulking wolves, the more intimidating of the two because it was Celine's with the three heads now nudging one of them against her hand forcing her to give it a head scratch, caused a very startled and nervous but elated giggle to bubble out of her lips. It brought an actual tear to her eye that the two of them had done something like this because she had been upset. She tried to throw her arms around the both of them but it was considerably difficult considering their size and her small stature in comparison, "Oh you two are too wonderful. You're both so silly. Now who will I talk to? Must I talk to myself now?" She laughed and wiped a tear from her cheek.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 10:46 PM

Celine saw her clothing in Grey's mouth and it was hard to contain one of her heads from snapping at him in annoyance. Each head seemed to hold a unique set of Celine's opinions and emotions, one more tender, one more playful, and one angrier. The angry one growling a little at Grey's while the playful one nuzzled Min-Ji's fingers. It was hard to get them all on the same page, Celine compared it to catching a fly, you had to come from the right angle but that was never easy. The third head, the softer one, nudged Min-Ji forward through the maze, not concerned if she spoke to herself.

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 10:50 PM

Grey let out a small yelp and jumped briskly away from the snarling head, he kept everything firmly in his mouth and trotted off ahead before pausing to check back on what was going to take place. He dropped the clothes and bowed in front of them, his hind quarters high in the air paired with a wagging tail, an offering for her to carry them if she’d prefer.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 10:54 PM

Min-Ji started to walk at the prompting of one of the wolf heads and started chattering about nothing at all in particular since neither of them could really vocalize if they liked the topic or not, which was about her decision making process about why she chose this particular outfit over something else. "Everyone always thinks I'm so naïve so I wanted to look a little more mature," she was sort of naïve but she didn't think that was a bad thing, she just liked to have fun over being serious. When Grey's wolf dropped the clothes on ground, Min-Ji wasn't sure if he wanted her to pick it up or if he was just being silly but she did bend over and pick up the clothing items, with pinched fingers and a bit of a scrunched up face because they were damp, presumably from wolf saliva. "Ick," she let out and carried the clothes over her arm, thankful her sleeves were long so she couldn't feel any disgusting wolf saliva on her skin and continued to walk with them through the maze until they reached the main party once more.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 11:06 PM

Celine actually enjoyed listening to Min-Ji talk, unlike the photos of her that felt a bit surface the woman discussing how people saw her and how she wanted to present herself felt like some genuine insight, each head focused until clothing was dropped by Grey, shaking his hind legs at her. The black wolf nudged Grey’s as Min-Ji was left to pick up the saliva covered clothing. Hopefully the estate owner would be willing to have them dried. Until they were she was sort of stuck like this, locking up hopefully at Min-Ji with one of her heads while the other two studied Grey’s movements.

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 11:11 PM

Grey wasn’t too worried about his clothes. If it were up to him, he’d never shift back to have to use them. His wolf was his survival and freedom. The best curse he’d ever been given. He stood back up from bowing, shaking himself down to loosen himself up. With the other two happily talking along, he took the time to sniff out the area more thoroughly, figuring out who had been walking around. He recognised a lot of scents, some confusing him. He sneezed and changed his tactic, wandering back to the main party where he lay down with a thump beside the first table he reached.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 11:16 PM

Hopeful Min-Ji would have their clothes dried but aware she couldn’t communicate it the various heads let out a loud hmph before she trotted over to Grey, she hadn’t expected him to also shift, hopeful he’d be her translator, but as he couldn’t be she wandered to him. Laying down next to him, looking to him with her more sensitive of heads and sniffing at his throat covered in fur. (edited)

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 11:18 PM

Valentin had danced with Eilonwy and had noticed that Bellamy had joined the dance floor with her new makeup artist and waited until the conclusion of their dance before he approached the petite vampiress, "Pardon me," he said to the two ladies, "Would you join me for the next dance, Belle?"

[11:19 PM]

Min-Ji did not have the forethought of getting their clothes dried by a staff member but she did drape them up on the backs of some nearby chairs.

Magpie - {Elias|Grey|Radley} — Yesterday at 11:22 PM

As she sniffed his neck, he bristled his fur and puffed out his chest as if showing of a collar that wasn’t ever truly there. He exhaled sharply out of his nose before looking around, seeing everybody seemingly fitting in and getting along with one another. Perhaps there was magic in the air, but, perhaps not for him, not in the way he’d thought he’d wanted. But, he was content to take what was there. He yawned, whining slightly as he did. Then he curled up next to Celine and took a nap filled with peace he hadn’t felt in quite some time.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 11:23 PM

With her mood improved it was easier when Valentin approached, her amber hued eyes departing her leggy companion and moving to her sire with his own simple accent of red. Bitterness did linger slightly and there was a desire in her to ask if he had the time, but her day had improved, why make herself sour? “Just one,” she answered, not actually meaning anything by it but hearing it as she took his hand, long nails touching his wrist as she adjusted her grasp, and figuring well…maybe subconsciously she still felt a bit of a desire to be pointed.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 11:29 PM

Valentin held her hand once she placed it into his own and gave her companion a polite nod before stepping aside with Bellamy, "I had my assistant look at my schedule," he said to her as he placed his hands on the appropriate places on her body and waited for the opportune moment of the song to smoothly integrate them into and begin leading her through the dance.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 11:34 PM

Val was by far a better dance than she was but they’d danced before, he knew not to move her in unexpected ways, waited for a queue in the song before stepping her into it. Bella holding the hand that had been offered, effort drawn close as it had been in Nicky’s kitchen rather than held high in the air, while her other sat perhaps too intimately against his chest rather than his shoulder. Bella didn’t respond to his statement immediately though, allowing herself to fall into the movements of the dance with him but also to think. Spite told her to tell him no, she didn’t care if he hadn’t wanted it immediately but she knew how hard it could be to escape old patterns, clearly. “Booked until mid summer, I assume,” she teased instead, lifting her eyes to look through her lashes at him. (edited)

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 11:40 PM

The vampire male kept his pale eyes on her, muscle memory taking over so he did not need to put much effort or thought at all into the dance. He did not confirm whether she was correct, she had been, "I have cleared up an evening within the week should you still wish for both," not clarifying because he believed she was able to understand his meaning.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Yesterday at 11:46 PM

Bella didn’t presume his schedule cleared up at any point admittedly, she knew what it meant to be someone who had responsibilities, their’s were different, Bella could delegate a lot, hire people to do things which she typically found better because they knew more but a schedule was never freer later, it just seemed that way. Valentin would never not be busy. Fingers caressing the lapel of his suit, the difference in her nude lime green and his black opaque obvious. “And should I wish for your company the week after, or the week after that?” Bella asked because while she knew she could at any point walk into his home and make herself as such, could even place food before him were he in the right room, or crawl into his bed beside him it wasn’t quite the same as hours devoted to her. “Why make the time?” she asked, clutching him tighter for a moment as the distraction of her words caused her to misstep.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Yesterday at 11:55 PM

He could feel her misstep and the way she clutched at him, his hold on her frame tightening to offer more support and slowing the movement of the next step until she had recovered so she would not stumble further. He took her question of wanting his company the next week and the following literally and so said, "I can ask my assistant to check my schedule again." The following question of why he was making the time for her was answered slower, after giving it some consideration, eyes not having left hers, "I enjoy being around you."

February 5, 2023

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Today at 12:08 AM

Valentin slowed for her, which was good because for a moment she wasn’t actually sure she could hear any music, so focused on his answers because he always said so little. He gave as much as she imagined he would even if it felt less than she desired, greedy thing ghat she had been. “I enjoy being around you,” she responded, resisting a desire to test his limits when it came to his time because ultimately she wanted to know he would give her his time but she didn’t actually want to take all of it. “I don’t like that you might enjoy other people more,” she admitted as she felt their movements brush her hair against her exposed back. “Even if I suspect you do,” Bella laughed a little, but pressing her head to his chest for a moment as she hid her laughter. “More enjoyable talking about your work to people who understand oxygen saturation and hemostasis,” Bella noted, lips pulling to one side because she was just mimicking terms she’d heard, small facts in her mind but no true understanding. Like yes, she knew different supernaturals were affected differently by oxygen saturation - some vampires near devoid of it - but she couldn’t explain how any of it worked.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Today at 12:18 AM

Her behavior toward him now was felt considerably more welcoming than it had previously, he could not help but wonder if it had been solely his own influence which affected this change, by his giving her what she had said she wanted of him, or if had been the influence of her companion that had lightened her attitude, perhaps a combination of both factors. "I do enjoy conversing about scientific theories and equations but that does not mean I prefer their company to yours. I would rather spend an evening with you speaking about nothing at all instead of a lab technician about oxygenation." There was a difference between a conversation about work and spending time with someone he had genuine care for, just because he had more words for one did not equate to more care for them.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Today at 12:26 AM

Bella was…easily pleased, unfortunately this also meant she was as easily upset. Rosita had improved her mood but it really was as simple as taking time and giving it to her, Bella didn’t think she asked for much, though perhaps she was wrong about that. An evening with him was enough so long as he held to it. She didn’t need perpetual adoration, she could entertain herself, she just wanted private attention, to be special. And he did make her feel it more so as he spoke, shared that an evening with her was more enjoyable than an evening with his work. Something she appreciated, and as such leaned up to place her red lips at his jaw, a gentle kiss. “I’ll try to come up with more than nothing,” she offered. “Have you enjoyed the event otherwise? Or has it been a tad more time consuming than you thought?”

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Today at 12:42 AM

Valentin gave her a small smile that was only for her when he felt the soft press of her lips at his jaw, "The event has been tedious," he admitted to her honestly, his attention being called away for various reasons all of them, in his mind, ridiculous and could have been resolved without his intervention but simpler minds were not as quick to finding resolutions without the input of a firm suggestion. "My enjoyment is of no consequence," and it wasn't, at least in his mind, for he hadn't hosted this event for himself in mind. "I hope you are finding it more enjoyable." (edited)

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Today at 12:48 AM

Bella smiled at his own, watching it as it came and then as it faded back to his stoic and handsome indifference, and it only grew when he called the event tedious. Bellamy enjoyed them, she liked any excuse to dress up. “The mayor suggest it would be pertinent of you to host?” she asked when he stated hosting it had not been for his own enjoyment. “I am finding it more enjoyable now,” she agreed, fingers curling around his lapel, though she had said just one the song had ended and risen into another without her grasp on him fading. “Rosita improved my mood,” she said of her make-up artist. “And you did too, even if you soured it earlier.” It had already been sour admittedly so was not solely his fault. “How can I make yours less tedious?” she asked, ready to make it back to him.

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Today at 12:54 AM

Valentin confirmed her line of questioning about the mayor suggesting he host the charity at the estate with a nod of his head. Awareness as the song faded and grew into a new one and his steps halting momentarily before transitioning into the new song. "I am sorry to have poorly affected your mood," a genuine sentiment, it had been inadvertent and if she had not immediately gotten upset with him for his response he would have been able to advise her of his internal thoughts but he did not blame her for her feelings. "You already have improved it by dancing with me."

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Today at 1:02 AM

“Puts you on his good side for if you need anything,” she assumed, unsure of what exactly his work would entail. Surely, at a certain point he would require vampires to test his synthetic blood, to live off it and see if any more pressing compulsions came up and if they did that could be…dangerous. Bella unaware of what he had already begun at the cage or with any other residents. “Would enjoy it more if it was just us,” she smiled, this was more formal than Bella herself enjoyed, recalling moments in their old estate when she could play music loudly in the ballroom and drag him into it with her, half dressed and lips dripping with blood as time seemed lost to them, or at least her. “Fortunately I will have you and your sweets next week,” smile on her face. “I will bring your gifts as well.”

kim|mars.matty.minji.val — Today at 1:13 AM

The vampire male nodded once more, having someone like the mayor on his good side would be a great asset and a man like Valentin made a point to collect people who would be of use to him. "Yes, it will be just the two of us next week," where he could hopefully give her his undivided attention. "I will look forward to it," he moved effortlessly with her through the motions of this dance, once more leading, once more taking extra care so she would not stumble with her tall and inconvenient heels which did not pair well with the grass.

mina | j.c,ophelia,raf,eilonwy. — Today at 2:51 PM

His confusion was legitimate, for many people assumed that Ophelia was in actual debt. With a bank, that could help her repay the money, a payment plan, maybe send in bailiffs if things got bad. "To an independent third party," She mumbled, taking a glass of drink from the table she sat at and downing it wholly in one. "I think the polite term is a loan shark," The blonde replied eventually. "Because then I'd be in either of your debts, to. Which I'd like to not be in, either," She took another glass, downing it. "Think maybe we could talk about the intimate details of my fuck up another time?" Even though she was the one to bring it up.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Today at 2:55 PM

☕️ “We would not be threatening you harm,” he pointed out to Ophelia, wondering if perhaps the walls of Opulence were providing her with too much comfort for this situation. “I don’t imagine you’ll agree to speak on it period,” Rankle pointed out. Much preferring to find his date if Ophelia intended to be ignorant of an easy solution. (edited)

mina | j.c,ophelia,raf,eilonwy. — Today at 3:06 PM

"No, but you would want something from me. There is no scenario in which I walk away free from this," Which is what she wanted. Ophelia simply did not want to owe anybody anything anymore, despite the fact that she would have to if it was to be paid. Opulence had provided a hiding place, one that was somewhat safer. Rankle was right on that opinion, that she wouldn't agree to speak on it. She wanted it to go away. She just wanted all of it to fucking go away.

But it wouldn't. So Ophelia was stuck. "I'll owe you, or Bellamy, or my brother," Not once had she wanted to rely on anybody for anything. She never had done.

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Today at 3:31 PM

☕️ “And your concern would be owing someone who has no intention of tacking on interest or hunting you down?” he asked though her desire to not pay him back did seem rather curious. What had she taken the money out for that she didn’t want to pay it back at all? Was it just that the number was so large or was it more than that. “I cannot make you see reason, Ophelia, but if you have an obvious solution presented to you then perhaps you should consider it, do you enjoy being trapped here?”

mina | j.c,ophelia,raf,eilonwy. — Today at 5:01 PM

Her face twisted at his question. There was a difference in what they would ask of her, and her gut twisted at the thought of what it could be. People had done things for Ophelia before, asked things back she didn't want to do. That had been a long time ago but, the fear still remained. It wasn't something she could just voice, a fear like that, so she kept silent about it. "I don't have anywhere else to go," Ophelia didn't mind being trapped in Opulence now. And it was true - her divorce had made her the black sheep of the family. The friends she had from back home had never been close, nor really proper friends at all. Their misery and money had simply bound them together. At least Thaddeus and Norma were in Opulence. "If I asked you to pay it off. What would you want from me?"

Paris || BellaYashSofiaRankleCel — Today at 5:05 PM

Not having anywhere else one needed to go and anywhere else one wanted to go were different and it was hard to imagine Ophelia being content in one place for the rest of her mortal life. Rankle enjoyed his responsibility, that was why he stayed while most of his siblings did not. "To pay it off in reasonable instalments for your own sanity," he responded, simply because he didn't think Ophelia would welcome direct charity of him simply making it go away.

mina | j.c,ophelia,raf,eilonwy. — Today at 5:10 PM

She swallowed, what he offered back was simple enough and easy. That all she would need to do was pay it back in installments. The overthinking that plagued her already going what if what if what if in the back of her mind like a hamster on the wheel. Ophelia grit her teeth, trying to force back the lump that had formed in her throat at Rankle's continuous kindness. Somewhere she had decided she did not deserve the niceness of others, be it from her brother or anywhere else. Ophelia had allowed herself to become broken and stay that way, resigned to always being a problem. "Okay," she nodded, blinking rapidly. "I can do that,"

#opulenceevent

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