Realistic or Modern The Zodiac Echelon

[Elle Joyner]

The Zodiac Echelon

First Semester

​

Date: 9/21/15


Time: Evening


Event: Companion Ceremony


Weather: Brisk and cloudy - 60°

ALL

Aries

8:00 PM. Carlyle Hotel. 35 E 76th St New York, NY 10021. Theme: 1920s - black tie. New members will be given their packets. Companion bidding will begin at 9:00 PM. Starting bids will be $100. Do NOT be late.

There are no secrets that time does not reveal... Jean Racine

LINCOLN & AMELIAWARWICK


6:30 PM: Here we go...


He had a tuxedo. In his closet. It wasn't a rental. It wasn't borrowed. It was an honest to God tuxedo... bought and paid for, and for no small fee, hanging there like a skinned Penguin, staring at him in judgment. Seventeen years of his life... and despite his best attempts, he had finally been forced to succumb to the snobbery. He should have seen it coming, really, when his mother and Charlie had gotten married. It was like gravity... unavoidable . He'd allowed himself to think, briefly, that he might escape - but the moment Amelia had received her letter, he knew it was inevitable.


He'd thrown them for a loop, the Echelon, when he had made contact and opted for a position. Only six times since the formation of the society had new members been accepted from non-freshman stock, but he had made a convincing argument. It helped, of course, that his new father was extremely influential... But to keep Amy safe from the predatory elect he would use whatever he had in his wheelhouse.


The initiation period had been, to put it mildly, hell... He had expected no less, but somehow they had managed to toss in a few surprises even he wasn't prepared for. It was little wonder why so many candidates dropped out. But he didn't have that option. Protecting Amy was his only thought, and if that meant sacrificing a little time, patience and energy, he would do what he needed. It had been worse, he knew, for Amy, but there was no chance she would give up her dream and if she wouldn't quit, he couldn't quit.


Rolling his eyes, he pulled the tuxedo out of the closet and tossed it on the bed, looking up to see Amy poking her head in. She looked admittedly beautiful, her blonde hair pulled up in a bun, her make-up soft and shimmering. She had found her gown in a thrift store downtown, a light blue silk shift covered in white lace, beaded fringe hanging from the hem, brushing her knees. No one would question if it was designer - It was exquisite and elegant, and looked like something pulled from the closets of Daisy Fay Buchanan. Immediately upon seeing her, Link wanted nothing more than to put the girl in a Burka.


"You aren't ready yet?" She asked, an air of exasperation in her tone.


"Sure I am. I'm just gonna put a tie on over my t-shirt. That's how these things work, right?"


"Oh my God, Link! Don't you dare! If you ruin this for me..." Hands on her hips, lips pursed tight, forehead creased with irritation, she made a spectacular impression of Charlotte Lévesque and Link felt suddenly and irrationally annoyed.


"Chill, Amy. I was just about to put on the monkey-suit when you walked in. I can't get dressed if you're gawking at me, can I ? I mean, I know you're weird, but... that's a little too d'Armagnac for me..."


"Gross, geek..." The Charlotte mask melted away as Amy stuck out her tongue and Link smirked.


"Nerd."


"Dork..."


"Go put on a sweater."


"Go put on a personality."


Link chucked a pillow from the head of his bed, which fell harmlessly to the floor as Amy backed out the door, laughing as she went, "Be ready in twenty, or I'm taking the town car without you!"

Spoiler

QUENTIN KINGSLEY


7:30 PM: Let the Games Begin...


Renting out a night club in a hotel for two-dozen high school students would have been a difficult task for the average man... Quentin Kingsley was no average man, and what a Kingsley wanted, they typically got. It took a little name dropping, a little monetary influence and more than a little flirtation, but ultimately, he'd gotten what he wanted and within a half-hour of the gala opening, the club looked phenomenal.


He'd opted for a 1920s theme, to fit the burlesque feel of the place - complete with a number of poker tables and roulette wheels. He had hired cigarette girls dressed as flappers, a jazz band with a gorgeous alto on the mic - a powerhouse woman who went by the name of "Gypsy" - and white-gloved wait staff. He'd spared no expense - bringing in an array of top shelf liquor, the best spread money could buy that a private chef could provide and all manner of extra... treats, for those whose proclivities ran in a more experimental vein.


To top off the decadence, he had completely overhauled the decor in the room. The walls had been draped in billowing fabric, a shear maroon, sconces and chandeliers, all gold and pearl and crystal hanging, glowing with incandescent candlelight. Around the room, round tables - chest height had been placed, topped with hurricane vases, filled to the brim with pearls... not the cheap plastic kind, either, and votive candles. There were authentic game tables, manned by Casino floor workers, flown in from Vegas, and luxurious furniture - benches and chaise lounges, couches and arm chairs, scattered here and there in comfortable, intimate pairings.


Reclining on a plush violet chaise, Quentin took a long, slow draw from a martini glass, giving the room one last once-over, before rising to his feet. Heading for the door, he paused to adjust the gift bags - filled to the brim with gourmet chocolates and coffee, ordered from Paris, full-sized bottles of champagne, cigars for the men and pearls, the ladies, and for those members newly joined, their packets for their prospective clubs including a leather bound copy of the rules and either their Zodiac pin or a piece of jewelry containing their designated birthstone.


Satisfied, he continued and as he reached the door, he unclipped the velvet rope from across the entrance, turning to the doorman. The burly, bald-headed man nodded to Quentin, who handed him a rolled up stack of bills, the cost of a man turning the other way, "Almost showtime, Renault... Let's give them a night to remember, hmm?"

​

 

[Gabe]

Christopher Moore


7:30 - "Damn ties..."





"Mental note: Kick Quentin in the shins. A tux of all things is atrocious." Chris cursed under his breath. He was struggling between trying to fix the tie and finishing his Dota 2 game. He realized that playing with one hand wasn't all that hard, although it cost him a buyback. Finishing the game, he had a breath of relief, and finished tying his tie. "Ack, I hate things on my neck. This is so unpractical."


The first prom of the year. Chris smiled to himself upon re-reading his Book: He had picked the perfect girls for participating. Although he never got involved physically on the "pranks" that involved the acceptance of the new members, he carefully planned each one of them. Having the poor sods thinking they messed up when they were leaded to do the error was simply exhilarating. "Let's recheck the newcomers, shall we?" First, Amelia Warwick. The blondie was a perfect face for L'Elitte. Young, pretty, innocent. Almost a perfect member. Almost, because she carried with her Lincoln Warwick. Lincoln almost had Chris pull his hair out. How dare he ask himself in the Echelon, and most of all, being accepted! This was against all plans! All of them! "A disgrace, I tell you!" Chris accidentally shouted his thoughts. "Dear, are you okay? What happened?" Annabelle, his mother, asked from downstairs. "Oh, nothing mom! Just... just a game!" Chris shouted from his room. "Okay dear, just be careful, I don't want you to have more vision problems!" Annabelle shouted back, and went on with her work. "I can't let Warwick upset me this much. What's done is done. I won't tamper with the Echelon's decisions." Now, where was I? Oh yes. Novelle." He turned to Kodi's page. The girl was kinda shy, but had great potential. He had knowledge of her summer bloom, although never had the full story, he knew that she was an interesting fellow. And she reminded him of Legend of Zelda. Shrugging those thoughts, he stepped up from the bed, trying the fit of the shoes. Polished, clean. Perfect. Chris walked to the bathroom, checked his teeth, combed his hair, adjusted his glasses. Exemplar. Finished tidying up his tuxedo, and pinned the arrow pin at the right side of the tux, then grabbed a pocket version of whatever book was on his reach. "The plan is set in motion, Christopher. It's time to act."

 

[Nikkola]

Akarou Kayaba


6:45 PM: "Summer break is far too short..."





"Suit and tie?" Akarou thought aloud, "That's ridiculous…" Rummaging through his well organized closet, he had to dig towards the back since suits were the last thing he would ever wear. This is probably the least appealing theme that I've ever had to abide by. The long ornate mirror next to his closet, which he was using to compare his clothes, was dusty and had been neglected for the majority of the summer. Nah, that won't do… It wasn't very long before there was a small stack of rejected clothing on his bed. The next item he pulled out of his closet caught his eyes. It was a black double breasted vest with dark grey detailing and silver buttons. That should do nicely, he thought. It was the only thing so far that Akarou had pulled out of the closet that really reflected his personal style. Carefully, he hanged it from the hook beside the mirror and started looking for a shirt. I think silver is the color for tonight, he matched a silverish button-up shirt with the silver on his vest.


The bidding ceremony Akarou considered to be the least appealing event that the students were asked to attend. The last thing he wanted was to ogle pretty girls, and the fact that he had to dress up made it that much more of a drag. Akarou had a certain bitterness toward his parents for sending him to such a school. It was full of schmoozers and charlatans. Everyone had a sort of arrogance about them that really got under his skin. There was only one person so far that he'd met who he really felt he could be himself around and that was Julian.





"Almost ready…" Akarou reassured himself, making poses in the mirror after getting his clothing matched up well enough. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up neatly to just above his elbows. His collar button was undone, held simply with the tie for what little bit of comfort it allowed him. That's the best I think I can do. Akarou also wore a grey fedora to match the detailing on his vest, and the pinstriping on his pants and his hair perfectly styled to sweep elegantly across the frame of his face.





A car horn sounded from the street outside. It looks like the shuttle is here to pick me up. Akarou thought it was odd that his ride was early, but he was ready and kinda wanted to get this evening over with. The stairs echoed with his footsteps as he unenthusiastically trudged down them, as quickly as he could motivate himself to move. He could feel a chill coming through the doorframe and grabbed a jacket that was appropriate to the theme of the event. The door clicked loudly shut and he locked it behind him.

 

[Moon Rabbit]

Casey Churchwood





7:50: Aint Misbehavin'








The text sent a chill down his spine when he got it...it had begun. He was excited, the theme of tonight's ceremony stared at him...called out to him, as though he had decided it himself, as though it were chosen specifically for him. Of course, he knew just what he would wear for the occasion.


He dressed from head to toe in the most accurate, yet still handsomely appropriate, 1920's style attire he had.


"No one to talk with, all by myself. No one to walk with, I'm happy on the shelf babe. Ain't misbehavin', savin' my love for you" He sang as he pulled on his grey pleated dress pants and buttoned up a white collared, classic pink pinstripe dress shirt.


He adjusted a pale blue bowtie (to bring out his eyes) and began to pull on a grey vest and wool tweed suit jacket to match the pants.


"I know for certain the one I love. I'm through with flirtin', you that I'm thinkin' of.Ain't misbehavin'...Oh savin' my love oh baby, love for you~" Finally he laced up his leather, wingtip oxford dress shoes and headed for the door, topping it all off with, of course, a grey 'Benny' fedora. Even if he didn't match up with the elitist fashions of the others, he had at least one thing going for him- he was the bees knees at themes, especially ones like this. Anyone could pull off a tux and claim it was just about any era, but the full fashion studmuffin routine? Only Casey would be able to walk through time just by stepping into his closet. He would be the most accurate, if anything, and that was a definate. Hell, he had even slicked his hair back!


"Like Jack Horner in a corner, don't go nowhere and I don't care...


Oh your kisses worth waitin' for, babe!"He wasn't far from the meeting place and, with any luck, he would arrive a bit early. This was a big night for the group, the night that would decide who he would be attending the rest of the events here on in with...which was a big thing to be decided in one night.


"I don't stay out late, don't care to go! I'm home about eight, me and my radio, babe..." He arrived at the meeting place and, as he expected, was a bit early. Of course, the room was a perfect representation of the 1920's, and he fit into it picture perfectly. He leaned back to wait for the others and think a bit, his mind's eye getting barraged with the faces of the many ladies of L'Elite...the girls he would have to choose from.


Finally, it donned on him. He knew exactly who he had to rope in tonight,


"Ain't misbehavin'...Savin' all my love for yoooouuuu~"

 

[NessieAlways]

~Gabriela A. Gibly~

You're Invited!


A large pair of brown eyes stared back at her through the mirror. They had an abundant amount of make up and a pair of fake lashes to enhance the flimsy pair that were already on there. Gabriela stared at her reflection revolted with the person staring back. Two weeks in to the beginning of school and Gabriela already wanted to jump on a train to far far away. Everything started off pleasant. She had a perfect first day filled with the right amount of conversations and aside from a couple of questions about her sister, she almost went unnoticed by most of the professors. Of course that ended then minute attendance was taken and the first assignments were turned in.

The rest of the week went by as smooth as could be including L' Elite recruitment. While she wasn't part of the group of hazers, she did place bets on who was going to make it and who wasn't. Aside from one girl that ended up cracking under the hazing pressure, the three girls she placed a bet on survived, Amelia included, her little project. Not soon after the hazing season was beginning to die down she received an invitation to the first event of the school year, a black tie event with the 1920s as a core theme. Gabriela was thrilled when she heard the theme. 1920's just the perfect way to start the year. Quentin you're a genius!

Gabriela had spent hours and hours going from store to store trying to find the perfect dress. Boutique after boutique, dress after dress Gabriela's search finally came to a rest. She found the most exquisite olive colored gown that complimented her eyes. Gabriela was ecstatic with the dress. It was the right combination of classy and flirty with just the right amount of skin showing. It was made just for her.

Shedding Snake Skin


Gabriela looked over towards the clock, 7:30. Letting out a disappointed sigh, Gabriela walked over to her closet to find the olive green dress still hanging in the garment bag. Her fingers unzipped the bag and ran across the smooth fabric. With a frown Gabriela looked down at the creme colored gown she was forced to wear instead. Once again, Gabriela had to give up something she loved because of her family. The second Gabriela tried on the olive dress at home, her parents quickly dismissed it. They argued that it wasn't at all in accordance with the actual 1920s style and that the dress made her look like a woman of the night. Gabriela told them that she was aware it was a more modern looking style, but that as long as it resembled the 1920s she was okay. Mrs. Gibly was outraged that her daughter would attend her first L'Elite event of the year looking like a cheap hooker so she made her wear the dress Margaret had worn to one of her events.

The dress wasn't hideous, but it wasn't the dress Gabriela wanted to wear. Looking one last time at herself in the full length mirror, Gabriela just hopped the night wouldn't be as horrible as the dress she had to wear. She left like a rag doll wearing hand-me-downs. So much for trying to be myself. With a fake smile on her face, Gabriela put on her L' Elite pin and headed downstairs to meet the chauffeur. She was greeted by the back of her dad's head since he was too engrossed in his paper to pay attention to his surroundings and her mother's judgmental eyes which quickly returned to her novel as soon as Gabriela reached the bottom step. "I'm leaving now." There were a couple of mumbles, but no "take care"s or "Have fun"s. Rolling her eyes, Gabriela stepped out of the house and into the black Rolls Royce.

"Hey Joe. Carlyle Hotel please."

"Right away Ms. Gibly."

"Joe I told you, just call me Gaby. I don't mind."

"Ms. Gibly, If your parents found out I'm treating you as an equal, I'd be fired."

Gabriela frowned at the thought, but she knew he was right. Her parents were very...special to say the least. She remained silent the entire ride towards the Carlyle Hotel.

​

Spoiler

No tiara

~Rebekah Q. Donovan~

Sew Much Fabric, Sew Little Time


The slow rumbling of the sewing machine was the only sound in the entire house. Wide piercing eyes stared behind a large pair of Rebekah's bottom bottle glasses as she rapidly finished the last details on her dress. Her nose wiggled every so often and her right hand moved up to push her glasses further down her nose. She had her tongue stuck out and curled against her upper lip as she concentrated hard in keeping the polyester fabrics from wrinkling.

The rumbling machine came to a stop and Rebekah let out a loud sigh. "Done!" Rebekah yanked the dress from the machine, dragging the machine across her work table and stopping at the brim of the table. She stared at it with startled eyes already envisioning it falling off of the table and let out a gasp. After a few seconds, Rebekah relax seeing that the sewing machine was still in the table and not broken on the floor. She smiled brightly and continued on her way to the restroom tripping slightly before reaching the door.

It was around seven o'clock when Rebekah finished the dress. She had been working on it since the day she got the invite to the event. She was surprised they had included her in the contact list this year. Last year the Aries was very particular about erasing her contact number from the list before he sent out the invitations and then claiming he hadn't noticed. She usually ended up finding out thanks to James, her partner last year. If it wasn't for him, Rebekah surely would have missed all the events.

It was already 7:30. Rebekah was fully dressed and ready to go. She skimmed through her outfit in the mirror making sure there weren't any pins on the dress or that there wasn't any holes she had forgotten to sew. Everything looked fine...well as fine as second hand fabric can look. Although she had the money to buy a beautiful beaded gown, Rebekah decided to hit the flee market instead. The people there need the money more than the ladies at the boutiques, she thought. She had bought an extra large yellow polyester sundress to use as her main fabric, an old wedding gown to cut off the lace, a hat that seemed to match the outfit in her head, and two living room chairs just because she felt bad for the person selling them. Although the materials weren't of high caliber, the outcome could have probably passed as a retail store outfit.

Last Minute Errands


Strapping on her shoes, Rebekah heard the front door ring. "They're here! They're here! They're here!" She shoved her feet in the shoes rapidly rushing to the door. The shoes weren't put on correctly so she limped over more than she ran. As she got closer to the door, Rebekah tried to stop, but her shoes slipped under the wooden floor making her crash with the door. "Omph...well that was graceful" Rubbing her forehead from the collision, Rebekah opened the door to some of her eco-friendly pals. They were on their way to a ecology rally around the same part of town as the Carlyle Hotel, so they were all carpooling.

The group of tree-huggers chatted simultaneously inside the tiny electric car. They were squished like a can of sardines, but no one seemed to mind. As they made their way down the streets toward the hotel, one of Rebekah's friends noticed a man rummaging through a garbage can. Rebekah automatically began to worry about the guy. "Oh no look at that poor man. He doesn't have anything to eat. I wonder how long he's been without a meal. People don't deserve to go without food. He's probably very sick, dying slowly of starvation, crumbling beneath his fragile bones. We have to do something!"

The trip took a slight detour. Rebekah and her friend's found a nearby fast food place and ordered a meal for the guy. It wasn't easy though since everyone seemed to engrossed in what the man would like.

"What if he doesn't eat meat? We can't get him a burger."

"A salad!"

"But what if he needs protein?"

"Get him nuts!"

"What if he's allergic?"

"Tofu?"

"There's no fast food place that sells tofu"

"What about egg biscuit?"

"No good, what if he's vegan?"

The conversation went on and on until everyone just decided to get him one of everything.

If you see a homeless man walking down the street with six different bags of fast food places, you know Rebekah has been there. With the small detour finally over and the smart car finally in motion again, Rebekah was finally on her way to the Carlyle Hotel.

 

[Psychedelia]

Anya Skalicky

7:25 PM: It's Only Just Begun


Smiling at herself in the mirror, Anya was now ready for the night. As always, the plans for the event had been processing for quite some time now and she was, needless to say, excited to see how everything turned out. The twenties theme was quite possibly her favorite feature thus far. Her sister had driven miles just to help Anya style her dark locks into incredible curls, then spent even longer shopping for an outfit. In the end of it all, she was rather satisfied with how it all turned out. Not wanting to sacrifice her hair length in any way, she simply let the curls rest without being pinned up into a bob. After all, this wasn't mean to be a fashion show. At least, not for the current members, anyways. Her navy blue dress rested just below her knees and she liked it that way. Primarily lace with an interesting silver design, it was surprising comfortable although the low-cut neckline was beginning to worry her some.


"Well hel-lo." Anya jumped slightly and turned away from the mirror, immediately bursting into laughter. "Jesus, Maria. Why?" She smiled widely at her sister. "You look beautiful, that's why!" her sister replied, "Also... It wants to take pictures before you go... As usual." Both sisters rolled their eyes. "Right." Anya glanced around her room for what she could be missing, quickly picking up her matching clutch and tossing in her cell phone before following Maria downstairs. "Please make this quick," she said bluntly, her eyes landing on her overly excited mother. With the way she was acting, you would think she was getting married or something.


After multiple pictures were taken, Anya hurried out the door and out to their car. Being chauffeured around was frankly annoying but it had it's perks. The directions had already been given to their driver and now she just had to wait. It was hard not to fidget with her outfit as they drove along. Nothing about it was bothering her in particular but the car ride seemed to last forever and her anxiety was only growing. Even though this wasn't necessarily about the current members, there was still the bidding. Hopefully, she didn't get stuck with a guy like she did last year. Already things seemed to be looking up, though, which is always a good sign.

Spoiler

It's just navy instead of pink.

 

[Ershler]

Kodi Novelle

6:45- We won’t think about it


Kodi turned around in the mirror, checking out her own backside in the mirror. Honestly, she looked fantastic, but she wasn’t comfortable. Her sister had picked out this much too short dress for her to wear, and if Kodi had picked out her own outfit, this night would surely be a disaster. Her fingers found their way to the hem of her dress, trying desperately to tug it down, to create another inch of material that just wasn't there. With a defeated sighed she turned to face herself in the mirror and instead her small fingers daintily traced the lace that was tightly wound around her slender neck.


This dress was breathtaking, and it made Kodi look breathtaking. It also removed the need for any stupid and klinky jewellery. Keeping the entire outfit simple was necessary to bring out the twinkling silver hairpiece. The young girl had no idea where her sister had found any of this but she was grateful towards the small act of kindness. She had been totally winded to find out that she and the other two recruits would be attending tonight's black-tie affair a week ago, and she was even more winded that she had nothing to wear, and so, that was how the short, black lace dress clung to the petite redheads body.


She had to leave soon, and she wasn’t far, but part of her hoped she'd bump into… and he’d see exactly what he was missing out on. Pulling out her phone from the stylized purse, she glanced at it, sighing before turning it off and dropping it back in its place. With a resolute nod she finally left her room and before long she stood at the door.


Part of her hoped thatshe would be able to sneak out without her parents even realizing, but that was a futile hope because she didn’t even have her little black shoes on before her parents leaped out from the kitchen.


“Oh honey!” Her mother exclaimed, tears welling up in the cornerof her eyes, “you look so beautiful… so so..”


“Beautiful,” her father finished for her mother. Kodi ducked her face, trying to hide her embarrassment so she could get out of here quicker.


Clearing her throat she lifted her face to meet her parents overjoyed ones and gave them a brief smile, “I’d really like to stay and let you take pictures but I’m gonna be late and I have to walk… so…”


Her parents both looked at each other before grinning mischievously and nodding, “well… walking isnt…” her father started but before he could finish her mother excitedly interrupted.


“Exactly what we had in mind,” her mother practically leaped over in excitement. “Now we know you don’t turn 16 for a couple months, but we figured since you were… well you’d need something to give that image right, and well you have been behaving. Your dad would have to be with you when you drove it… but, well… I think the best thing is for you to go look outside, ok?”


Confused, Kodi stepped out the door, her feet still bare. Her jaw nearly dropped on the cement when she saw the silver Subaru BRZ in the drive. “It’s manual transmission, and it’s a few years old, but I thought… well you’re becoming a young woman now right?” Her father stated, rubbing his wifes back, “and I mean how can we expect you to be responsible, without providing you with responsibilty. Now you’ll have to…”


“Hun, shut up, we can explain everything tomorrow,” her mother sighed. Kodi just stood there in shock, staring at her beautiful car.


Clearing her throat and shaking her head she turned to face her parents, “Than-”


“You can thank us tomorrow, get in the passenger seat tonight, you’re gonna be late.”

Spoiler

This is Kodi's outfit

 

[spectro]

Ruby Comstock

​

"Ruby, darling, are you sure you wouldn't rather have me or your Mother take you to the Hotel?" Ruby looked at her Father. If she knew any better, she might have thought that he was looking at her proudly, maybe even a little bit sadly, that his little girl had grown up. But, no, Ruby knew that the tense look on her Father's face was only there because his only son had moved out of the house. Ruby couldn't stand a car drive with either of her Parents, knowing that all they would talk about was how Harvey would be better off at home, or how Harvey was going to ruin his life. No, she couldn't handle it. Ruby particularly enjoyed the school parties, and she hardly wanted to be in a foul mood for the first of the year. "No." Ruby spoke, quickly and without hesitation. "It'll be much easier if Fred takes me." Fred, the family driver, was a nice enough man. Plus, he didn't talk about the success of his son twenty-four-seven. "Well, if you've made up your mind." Her Father sat down on the cream leather sofa, pretending to mind that Ruby had turned down his offer.





Without another word, Ruby made her way to the front door. She slipped on a pair of black, six inch heels that had a lovely feather at the toe. She turned around and looked into the mirror that was opposite her; at the bottom of the landing. She smoothed down her black, sequinned dress. She had bought it recently, from a vintage store near her house, but she didn't exactly love how it looked on her. Flapper dresses hardly flattered her figure, which consisted of rather high hips. She sighed. She couldn't really complain. She adored all things twenties, but perhaps just not on her. Noticing a slight smudge on her lipstick, she wiped it away with the end of a painted fingernail. Making a funny face to herself, she picked up a fur shawl that she had found in the back of her Mother's wardrobe and wrapped it around her arms. She was ready, and she was excited. Yelling an effortless goodbye to her parents, she stepped out the front door and walked down to the drive.

* * *



​

"We're here." Fred said, turning around slightly and offering Ruby an encouraging smile. Ruby returned the favour and smiled back. "Thanks, Fred." She nodded, before getting out of the car. The building was grand, she wasn't expecting anything less. Quentin Kingsley, the King of Events had set it up. Ruby was hoping to see him tonight. She wondered who was going to bid on her. But then again, it there was a strong chance that Casey would. She liked Casey. But there had never been any true love between them. They had the strongest friendship in the world, but she knew who he really was. She wanted something a little different this year, but she had no choice in the matter. If Casey chose her, she'd be playing it safe and she didn't know how many years she wanted to carry on doing that. Smiling, and taking a deep breath, she made her way into the building.

Spoiler

Spoiler

Lucas Davies

​

Lucas looked into his full body mirror. He had chosen a rather simple outfit to wear, and he wasn't one hundred percent sure if it matched up the twenties theme of the night. He hoped that repeatedly singing 'I'm putting on the Ritz' over and over in his head might get him more into the mood, but he wasn't one for going back in time. He tugged his red velvet suit jacket forward and latched the button in the middle, before straightening his thin, black tie. His Grandmother would be up any time soon, and he knew that she would most likely shed a tear. He loved his Grandmother, more than he could put into words, and the least he could do was let her take a few pictures of him in his nice, new suit. He smiled, and then looked at the floor, running a hand through his hair. IT really was crazy how far he'd come in life.





A knock came, promptly, at the door and Lucas called, "Come on in, Grandma." And in Cecilia came. She already looked proud, way before she had seen him. "Oh, sweetie." She put her hand to her mouth, and Luke lifted his arms, performing a little twirl for her. She took her hand away from her mouth and grinned. "You do scrub up well, don't you?" She moved closer to him and held out her hand for him to grab. Upon touching her hand, Luke noticed that there was paper sitting in between their palms. He looked down, pulled his hand away and saw a wad of cash. His Grandmother knew that the school had rich tastes, just as much as Luke did. He knew that tonight was the bidding night, but he wasn't expecting to bet on many, at least h hadn't expected so. "It's just a couple hundred." Cecilia smiled. Luke shook his head. "Grandma, you don't have to, honestly, I have enough for a few bid-" But she had none of it. Mimicking Luke, she shook her head and took a step back. "You deserve it, and besides, it's your pay check," She stood back and pulled out a little digital camera and snapped a photo, "For being my handsome little boy." She smiled, her eyes beginning to well with tears.

* * *




​

"Well, off you go." Luke looked to the left, where his Grandma sat next to him, in the car. He patted his pocket and said, "Are you sure you want to give me this, Grandma. You don't need to-" She shook her head again, as she had done the passed one thousand times Luke had asked her if she was sure. "You take it." She held her hand to his face and patted his stubbled cheek. "Have fun tonight, and don't have drink too much!" She said, a little cautiously, though she knew that Luke wasn't a big lover of alcohol. Luke leant over and kissed her slightly wrinkled cheek, before stepping out of the car and smoothing down his suit. His eyes widened at the scale of the Carlyle Hotel. He knew Quentin was amazing at throwing these type of gigs, but this must have been the best. He looked to his left and saw Ruby. He had seen her around school, but though that she was too big for her boots. He looked away and watched her go in, not wanting to collide paths.

​

 

[Dusky]

James Woodhouse

7:35 PM - What a charming gala!


Collab with @Elle Joyner

Normally, James Woodhouse would be inclined to show up to this event fashionably late, but by now he knew the drill; when Aries said not to be late, Aries meant it. So he received the text and took heed, and almost a half hour early a chauffeur pulled into the parking lot of Carlyle Hotel with a screech of the tires, the slick Mustang bright yellow and gaudier than a peacock during Mardi Gras. James hopped over the door, not bothering to open it - and no, he certainly had not been buckled in.


He turned an appreciative eye to the building and strode over the threshold without a single backward glance at the driver, hands lounging in his pockets though he was dressed to perfection. This would be a good night - he had to say, though there weren't many new recruits, between Kode and Amy his pickings were pretty good...


And as he walked in, a smile cracked his face. "My liege! You have outdone yourself!" He addressed Quentin, Aries, King of the Echelon - his dear friend, arms open for a firm hug.


Quentin laughed and accepted the embrace, patting James on the shoulders with a firm hand, "First event of the year, my friend. I've got an impression to make..."


Releasing James, Quentin stepped back, arms outstretched as he gestured around the room, a sweeping motion, not entirely devoid of ego, "Happy subjects make for a happy King, after all. And speaking of subjects and impressions... What are yours, of our new stock? Anyone catch your eye?"


"Ah, you know I like blondes..." James chuckled.


"So young Miss Warwick, then?" Smiling slightly, Quentin gave James a nod of approval, "As always, Jem, I commend you on your exemplary taste. Care to wager on how much her paranoid frère aîné will attempt to bid to keep her from winding up in unwelcome hands?"


James raised an eyebrow at Quentin's mocking tone, but had long since learned to say nothing. Instead, he returned the smile. "Does it matter?"


He had a point; Jem could spare any cost.


"Hardly. I don't imagine Link has the financial support to hold up to your... determination. But I would not be surprised to see him try... Particularly since I intend on tossing a few bids in, myself."


Jem frowned, an overblown expression played for humor. "Come now, you don't want to earn dear Lottie's ire, do you?" He couldn't hold back a laugh after that. "Really, though, why make it harder for me?"


Quentin laughed, shaking his head, "When is she not angry at me? Besides... you'll never impress the girl if you win her too easily..."


James cast his glance around for a bar of some sort, wanting a drink in his hand, and quickly found one. He made a mental note of its location as Quentin spoke, and responded, "Point. But I'm not so invested that I would be heartbroken to lose her. I'm sure she is lovely company... benefits or not." He broke into a grin. "I'm thirsty, you know. Must I wait until the others arrive?"


"Ah, no. Please, help yourself. Enjoy! I'll be there shortly, myself."


With a "Your Highness" and a bow, neither of which was entirely in jest, Jem excused himself, chatting up the pretty female bartender as he sipped what she made him, watching as the others trickled in.

 

[Kal]

JULIAN ROMANO


6:55 - "Actually early, huh."


"Hey," Julian casually greeted the other black-haired teen entering the car. "Nice choice," he commented on Akarou's outfit. And meant it. He was sure Akarou wasn't looking forward to the event, let alone enjoyed getting ready. He shared his friend's trepidation about the event, but unlike Akarou, Julian always enjoyed an excuse to drape on clothes that were otherwise neglected come every-day life.


1920s. Go figure. Julian had had a field day with this. Actually, between him and his flamboyant roommate, he wasn't certain who'd had more fun. Much to Zack's dismay, Julian had gone with a look that, according to Zack, was no more than 'a glorified paperboy'. Julian teetered between finding that statement amusing, or as a compliment. Wearing a boy's cap over slicked back hair did give that look, but the material of the cap, and his suit, begged higher class. Like the cap, tie, vest, and slacks were all black. His shirt, though, was a deep plum. Not entirely accurate of the Roaring Twenties, but the white button-up shirt had just looked too plain, and the charcoal one had just been too 'blend into everything else'. In the accessory department, he had on was a pair of plain cufflinks, and the silver aquarius pin placed over his left breast.


Those were the only pieces of metal he wore. Taking note of the 'no jewelry' rule, he'd left his earrings back at home. More accurately, he hadn't remembered to put them in since the last event. I hope they haven't closed... he thought, unconsciously tugging at his right earlobe. Julian wouldn't be surprised if he found the piercings closed up. Disappointed, maybe a little, but not surprised.


Between Akarou and Julian, a comfortable silence fell over the car. Julian glanced at the clock, 7:10. Looked like they were going to get there early to the Companion Ceremony. The thought of the ceremony was the source of his inner tension, but a part of him was looking forward to it. Julian sighed softly, taking one hand off the steering wheel to turn on the radio. It wouldn't be long before they arrived at the hotel.

 

[Kagura]

Charlotte M. Levesque

8:45 - "Perfection..."


Another appraisal in the mirror. Garnet red lips, blush dusted cheeks, primed brows, dark eyeliner, perfectly applied mascara and eye shadows that were complimentary to her sharp green irises. Fly aways were pinned up, tucked into an intrinsic hair style Charlotte had chosen for the night. Of course that was a few choice locks loosened, framing her ears in a rather delicate way. To go with the 1920's theme Quentin had chosen for the night, her hair piece consisted of a wired veil, pinned in place with a black feather, accents of pearls and garnet.


The little black dress she wore ended just under her shapely bottom, fringe ending a minute later at mid-thigh. No stockings covered her long bronze legs, and simple black oxfords with a low heel were on her feet rather than any heel. Lace covered her hands, fingerless gloves ornately reached for her wrist to stop short after it. Once again, she checked her nails to see the red stain had not chipped, adjusting the ring Quentin once gave her. Before she was finished with the appraisal, she checked her other piece of jewellery - a black pearl necklace - had its clasp tucked in the back.


Squinting at her reflection, she finally nodded and grabbed her black beaded clutch purse, descending the stairs with her usual air of confidence. Despite the fact Quentin was meant to win the bid war tonight, Charlotte was coming prepared for battle. It was only right that as a senior member she should receive the most bids. Within the L'Elite she hardly had any competition, but Amy Warwick was proving to be as much of a nuisance as her brother.


For some reason everyone liked her, something about her personality or other touchy feely crap that Charlotte honestly didn't want to hear about. The only reason she and her brother were here was because her mother got lucky with some high class lawyer. She could only hope that he would move on to someone new to bone and she would have to deal with neither of the nuisances in her life. Then again, the joy that came from ruining her life wouldn't belong to Charlotte.


"Lottie!" she sidestepped out of young Tobias' way, a little brother with grabby hands and a eye for shiny things. Before he could recover from falling on his face, Charlotte made a brisk trot to the kitchen. Astrid, sister in the middle, took a glance up from the book she was reading. "What are you wearing?" she looked disgusted, "ASOS REVIVE" Charlotte's answer is automatic as she narrows her eyes at her sister. Then with a slight scan of Astrid's figure, "Once it's in your closet, you can throw out that garbage" she smiles cheekily, knowing the loathed tradition of hand-me-downs.


Astrid stuck her tongue out before a honk was heard from the drive-way, her ride in the form of a mid-life crisis buy of her father's. Hector Levesque bought the convertible before he knew about Tobias, but he relented to use it for 'what it was worth'. It worked well in Charlie's favor, it was a sign of good money.


Like all events, Charlotte was as late as she could afford, an excuse to make the entrance she deserved into the gala - all eyes on her. Under the surface she had many things planned for new and old members, making sure to find them all with her sharp eyes. Quentin was last, who she sauntered over to and gave him a sultry smile. "Why hello there handsome" she wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him "Lovely party, really - like always..." Charlie is happy to notice no lipstick left behind on his lips, but gives him the up down immediately afterwards. "Didn't we agree on dark red accents for the evening?" she fingers the handkerchief that's in his pocket, knowing full well Quentin wasn't a tie person. "This is more maroon" she meets his eyes dangerously.

Spoiler

Hair and headpiece (in black)

Gloves

Dress and shoes

 

[NessieAlways]

~Rebekah Q. Donovan~




Spreading the Good News!


Most of her tree hugging friends were in awe at the grandiose Hotel and began to feel self cautious about the tiny smart car driving next to limousines and million dollar rides. Rebekah however was used to this type of lavish lifestyle so she wasn't at all awed. "This is my stop!" She kissed her friends goodbye and waited for someone to help her down. As if reading her mind, one of the valet guys approached the smart car with a very odd expression but still opened the door and held his hand out for Rebekah to take. "Thank you very much... Oscar." She said reading the guy's name tag. Rebekah turned to her friends before waving them away and stepping into the glourious hotel.

The second she walked in she went over to the front counter. "Good evening Wilfred. You look rather stunning today! I was wondering if you have given any consideration to my idea of turning the linens in the room to cotton and polyester as well as changing to energy saving light bulbs." Wilfred, the guy working the front desk, laughed at Rebekah's impulsive, yet chirpy attitude. "Good evening to you too Ms. Donovan. I thought I made myself clear last time. I do not make these decisions. You'd have to take this up with the hotel manager." Rebekah gave the guy a charming smile.

"Come on Wilfred. You and I both know that man wont listen to anything having to do with saving the planet. I'm surprised he isn't a politician! If we want to do something to save out home planet, we have to work from the inside out. You know what will happen if the Earth goes bad?" Her eyes widened as she asked the question and leaned into the man. "BOOM!!!" Rebekah threw her arms into the sky simulating an explosion and looking like a crazy person. Just as sudden as her explosion, the smile and innocence returned to Rebekah. "Just think about it okay?" She gave the guy a smile and made her way into the party.

As Rebekah entered the club, she went straight to the snack table to make sure there were plenty of vegan choices. Quentin I swear...if there are only carrots and celery sticks for...oh look oatmeal cookies! Well played Kingsley. Well played. With a semi-satisfied smile Rebekah took a cookie and looked around the room to take inventory of the socialites. While she was in the in crowd, she was never in the crowd. She was sociable enough to fit in, but a lot of her worries and cares were different than theirs. Still she needed to make nice with them in order to give her cause a voice and if that meant attending these amazing parties, she wouldn't object. Although she would have to talk to someone about expanding the vegan menu. Now where is Quentin?


~Gabriela A. Gibly~




First Impressions


Collab w/ @Raizel

The fancy black car pulled up in front of the Carlyle Hotel. Gabriela looked at the massive building wondering if she was really in the mood for a party. After the dress incident, she wasn’t in much a mood for anything, but like her parents always said, she had to keep up her appearance. She turned to face Joe, “Is it too late to turn this car around and go very very far away?” Joe nodded his head as he got down from the car and headed over to open the door for her. She took a deep breath before the car door opened and a hand appeared. She took the hand reluctantly and climbed out of the vehicle to come face to face with the Hotel. Well...here goes nothing.

Chris parked the car in the front if the Carlyle Hotel. The lights from the penthouse were on its final testing. "I guess we're gonna have a good view from the party, eh. He grabbed the tux suit that was resting in the passenger's seat, put it on, and stepped out of the vehicle. "Ah, some rounds of fake smiles and I can finally enjoy some partying." Activating the alarm of the car, he gave a few steps towards the hotel. "...very very far away?" As soon as Chris heard a voice, he stopped in his tracks. "I know this voice... Ah..." He smiled while standing under the porch light of the hotel's entrance. As the familiar figure approached, he let out a welcoming smile. "Gabriela Analise Gibly." He laughed a little. "It's good to see you, and let me tell you before anyone else... There's a crumb in your cheek."

Gabriela was startled at the voice of her close friend Chris. She was struggling with the joy of seeing him and wanting to run up to greet him, and the idea of remaining proper and acting like a lady. Of course, the later won. A sincere smile fell on Gabriela’s face, probably the only real smile she had shown the entire day. “Christopher. Nice to see you as well.” When he mentioned a crumb on her face, Gabriela’s smile turned into a shocked expression as her hand quickly shot up to her cheek to remove the invader. “You sure know how to make a girl feel glamorous.” She said with a tinge of sarcasm.

“Ah, m’dear, you know me more than anyone else.” With a heartily laugh, he dropped the twenties pose. “So, how’s Maggie? I heard she was top score in college, and-” Christopher suddenly remembered about Gabriela’s parents, and how they… compared the two sisters. “Y’know what, nevermind. Let’s talk about tonight. I'll be honest, here, you look simply stunning on this dress. Maybe you'll finally get Kingsley to publicly ask you to be his girlfriend, eh?" With a heartily laugh, he went for a hug, while saying something among the lines of "It's so good to see you".

Gabriela clenched her jaw at the mention of her sister. She grabbed the edge of her dress and scrunched it up trying to ignore the fact she was wearing Margaret’s dress instead of her own. When Chris changed the subject she was delighted, but only for a moment because once again Margaret’s dress seemed to be the only thing that was worth noticing. Although she was feeling very self cautious at the moment, she forced a fake smile on her face. The man’s nexts words, however, sent her fake smile far far away. “Chris!” Her eyes rose in stunned and her head spun around seeing if anyone had overheard. She looked back at her friend with a scowl on her face, but he was already coming in for the hug. She had been wanting to hug him from the moment he appeared, but now she was mad. She stood still as Chris hugged her, “You never change do you?” After a moment, Gabriela gave in and hugged her friend back. “It’s good to see you too.”

​

 

[Gabe]

Christopher Moore

8:57 - "Ah, the Carlyle..."

Collab with @NessieAlways
​

“It wouldn’t be fun if I changed, now would it?” He opened way to Gabriela, and pointed the glamorous door of the Carlyle to her with an open hand. “Don’t mind my comments, you know that I’m not serious. Now, ladies first, Gabriela. I rather enter discretely, and with you by my side, everyone would be looking at us, y’know.” He gave an honest smile, and waited for Gabriela to enter. “Ladies first, Ms. Gibly.”

Gabriela sighed, “Yes...I do sadly know.” She put on the fake smile once more and took a step into elegance of the Carlyle Hotel. It was such an exquisite place, Gabriela wondered how Quentin had managed to book it. The man’s got a way with words and he doesn’t fall short. Gabriela was awed by the magnificence of the place, but her expression remained nonchalant as if she was used to just classy venue. When she turned back to look for Chris to make sure he was behind her before entering the club. She didn’t want to go in by herself. As soon as the door opened Gabriela’s eyes went towards a tall built man. She looked away quickly and turned hoping he hadn’t seen her.

Right on the edge of Gabriela's glow tailed Christopher. He walked in, giving a encouraging smile at her. The encouragement quickly turned to malice as his eyes crossed with Quentin's. He wished to be at Gabriela's front just to see her reaction.​

 

[Elle Joyner]

Quentin Kingsley

Collab bits by Raizel and Nessie


Quentin raised a hand in greeting to Chris, but his eyes fixed on Gabriela, the corner of his lips lifting in a smirk. She looked like a deer, staring down headlights - a delicious sense of uncertainty and bashfulness which made her so very appealing, “Evening, Christopher. Gabriela. So glad you could both make it, though I admit I was not aware you were coming together. You look lovely, Gabriela. Please, make yourselves comfortable. There are drinks at the bar and appetizers should be coming out shortly. Enjoy.”


“Oh no! We’re not...It’s not like…I’m not...“ Gabriela began babbling, but stopped herself right in the middle remembering she was supposed to act like a lady. “We just met up outside.” Gabriela smiled casually to his compliment, but her mind was going crazy on the inside. “Thank you Quentin. You look quite dapper yourself as well.” She casted a flirty smile, something she had learned from her sister. “Hope to see you around.” As soon as the words came out she mentally slapped herself. Of course I’m going to see him around. He planned this! She looked back at Chris praying he would come in and save the night from any further humiliation.


Chris waved back and smirked at Gabriela's blabbing. He joined her and greeted Quentin. "It was a lucky strike, meeting Gabriela on the hall. I'm happy to join you here, Kingsley, although the choice of wear is quite tacky" Chris said while adjusting the butterfly tie. "What exactly did you do to get this place, Kingsley? Bribe, bluff, your average charisma shenanigans you do everyday?" He gave a smile. "You know what, you tell your adventures later, I’m sure you have issues to attend, people to greet, this sort of thing.”


With that Gabriela nodded towards Quentin and made her way into the party.


More members floated in, one after another - a few notable showpieces here and there. In particular, the youngest Warwick - a vision in blue, the perfect combination of abject innocence and sex appeal. She was exquisite, really - even if she was little more than a conquest. It was Charlotte, characteristically, who wandered in last, her sultry Devil May Care saunter ever defiant to the eight o'clock deadline. But the swagger was alluring, as was the indecent hemline of the well structured dress and the damn near obscene lack of stockinged legs.


"Hmm." He murmured when she was just near enough to hear it, a brow raised in quiet admiration. He accepted the kiss, his hands cupped slightly lower than the small of her back before pulling away to appraise her once more, "Impeccable timing, as always, Lotte."


As she fingered the pocket square he smirks. He'd known when he selected it she wouldn't be please. She was stickler for those sorts of things and he couldn't care less, but he would play her game to the best of his abilities... play nice and he wold get his reward, "My mistake, Love. It must have been the lighting at Bergdorf's. I shall have a word with the manager, next time I shop there. You, on the other hand, are stunning... Roxie Hart has nothing on you."


Brushing her cheek with his lips, he pulled away and gestured her to the bar, "I've got to close the doors and then we'll get started. Go have a drink. I think tonight should be quite fun. I've got a few ... twists... planned."


The Auction

9:00

​

As the club members mingled, Quentin had watched, moving around the room with the eye of a Host - ensuring stomachs and glasses remained full and spirits remained lifted. When nine o'clock rolled around, the auctioneer arrived and Quentin approached the stage with something of a sly smile, tapping the mic to gather the attention of his subjects.


"Ladies and Gentlemen, sorry to interrupt... but I'm excited to announce that it is time for our Auction to begin. As most of you know, traditionally we would work from eldest member to newest. Tonight, however... in honor of our theme, I'd like to change things up a bit... The 20s were largely about taking chances, and tonight, I would like to follow in that spirit. The rules are simple... Bids will start at $100, the highest bid wins. As for our last lucky, well -- she'll be work a solid Grand, automatically. So for those gentlemen out there looking to get out of spending money, be cautious... You never know what it might cost you, to be cheap. So without further ado, I'll turn the mic over to our auctioneer and we'll begin."


As the auctioneer took over the microphone, Quentin returned to his spot on the floor. On stage, a scantily clad cigarette girl brought the auctioneer a tall black velvet top hat. His expression dead-pan, the man dug into the hat and produced a scrap of paper, reading the first name. Kodi Novelle was the first called onto the stage. It was unheard of, a new recruit being bid on before any of the veteran members, but controversy was exactly what Quentin was hoping for. There was a total of ten bidders for the young red head, but it was Akarou who outbid them all, finishing out the opening auction at an impressive $700. Amelia was the next called, the youngest member approaching the stage like a seasoned professional, no trace of nerves on the blonde's face. It could have been her confidence, or it could have been a healthy... or perhaps not so healthy level of competition, but the bidding turned quickly into a war as prices rose in a flurry. Ten suitors were involved in the mix, but none as determined as her brother Lincoln, no doubt eager to keep her from the clutches of another other Echelon boy, James... ever charming and oblivious to the death-stare the elder Warwick gave him on multiple occasions and Quentin, who couldn't help but rile things up more intensely than was probably necessary. It was eventually a lack of funds on Link's part and the withering glare of Charlotte on Quentin, which awarded James Amelia's companionship, at an outrageous record breaking $1500.


Nine entered the race for Anya - another intense running, which culminated in a vision back and forth between Lincoln and Quentin once more. Lincoln was the victor in the end, when Lotte very nearly took Quentin's toe off, stomping on his foot, her remark of, "Are you trying to embarrass me, you ass!" heard throughout the room. Lincoln's final bid was $1300, and a blushing Anya was pronounced sold.


Rebekah came to the stage with the appearance of an activist, ready to start a rally, and after battling four other members, was bought by Julian for $525. Following the quirky Miss Donovan was Ruby, who after a skirmish between six members was successfully won by the effervescent Casey for $650. Another $600 went for Gabriela as Chris put his might into defeating five fellow bidders. Dia, the wild child was bid on by five, and responsible for a small back and forth between Lucas and a Gemini, who eventually relented as the price rose to $700. At last, after nearly strangling Quentin with her bare hands, Charlotte was called onto the stage - her fury enticing the five remaining members, though none more than Taurus, who did his best, but was undone by a remarkable gesture from Quentin, bidding $2500 to take the victory. Three more L'Elite girls rounded out the coffer to a reasonable size, leaving Chaya last, but not least - going to Gemini for a solid $1500.


All in all the total tally of money in the coffer by the end of the evening was a inexplicably $11275. Even the auctioneer, who had clearly not been prepared for the amount of money being thrown willy nilly by teenaged kids seemed shell shocked as he announced the final amount.


As he left the stage and Quentin retook it, he smiled out at the small crowd and held up his arms, "That's a wrap. I hope you're all happy with your selections. I know I am. Now... let's have us a party!"

 

[Teh Frixz]

Chaya Rubinstein

7:45 pm


"Mama, I'll be fine. It's just the first club meeting, they wanted an athlete on their roster." Chaya chides her mother again, adjusting her chin's grip on the phone as she strode about her room. It had only been a week or two since she was granted the title of Peridot in the club and since then it had been a whirlwind. Even her parents who normally didn't approve of extracurricular activity outside her training were fully supportive, noting the elite status that most graduates gained later in life. An excellent long term investment for young Chaya.


Chaya held the cellphone to her cheek, hands full of her new dress as she held it to her body for the umpteenth time. It just had to be a 20's theme, Chaya noticing she's been mostly left out of the party planning. In all honesty though, she knew it made sense, a new member to their club, to be left out of the inner workings but just having been granted a title was extraordinary. Oddly enough, she hadn't even come to them. The club was desperate for athletes and she was the only one with an Olympic gold in her future so getting through the process had been a snap.


Giving mama and papa a kiss over the phone, Chaya hung up the phone and tossed it to the bed. Her parents would be out all weekend, Papa meeting with new investors and Mama coming along to support him. Normally one would be concerned about leaving their teenaged daughter alone for a three day weekend but with a trainer coming over at nine in the morning, Chaya had her weekend planned out and locked in.


Falling down onto the bed and letting the fabric slide across her skin, she sighed. It was to be the first party she'd been to in...years. Would she get along with everyone? All she had was a bunch of jumbled up first impressions. Would they like her? Would it be as crazy as the tabloids said it would be? In any case, she knew she could handle it.


Sucking it up, she quickly got up and slipped into the dress, neckline showing off her shoulders in just the right way to draw a smile on her face. Her shoulders stuck right out, lines of her muscles visible in both her arms and legs. Combined with the makeup tutorial she followed to the T on youtube, she managed to actually pull off feminine. Right when she finally decided everything fit right, lights lit up the drive. Her parents had hired a driver and he was right on time, as usual. Skipping lightly down the steps of their condo, she grabbed the minipurse and shut the door firmly behind her and slid into the big backseat of the car.


Minutes later, she was helped out of the car and escorted right into the hotel, just in time for the Auction. What happened next was a blur but other than noting the large amount Colette earned, Chaya was pleased that a newcomer like herself was able to hold her own and after being won, she was quickly pulled into the crowd and the night began in earnest.

Spoiler

 

[spectro]

Ruby&Casey


Collab w/ @Moon Rabbit





Ruby closed her eyes as Casey was her highest bidder. She was almost flattered that six other people had voted for her, almost. But, Casey had won in the end. She didn't know how much longer she could hold out for him; how much longer she could pretend she didn't know. She let out a sigh and grinned, clasping her hands together at her waist. She waited for the bidding to end, before strolling over to her match.


"Well, I guess we're stuck together, then." She sounded as if she was joking, though the meaning went deeper. She looked into his eyes. Why can't you just tell me? Tell me! Tell someone! Ruby looked across the room to Christopher. He was standing with Gabriela. Her heart jumped a little. She felt as if she was trapped. She loved Casey, like a brother, but she wondered how long she would have to cover for him. Gulping away the feeling, she linked her arm around Casey's and started to walk forward, guiding him. "Stuck indeed." Casey, the perceptive sort he was, could feel something was amiss but he brushed it aside as Ruby made her way over and linked up with him. It wasn't that he didn't care that she seemed disappointed, it was that she was clearly trying to hide it. He didn't want to make it awkward by calling her out. Besides, there was still the chance that it wasn't Casey she was disappointed about."Now, who shall we schmooze with first?" Ruby raised an eyebrow. She had to enjoy this, she had to.





"Schmooze, huh? Well I suppose that's up to you. This night is all about the ladies, after all. Besides, I'm more the floozing type." Casey joked, fingers playing the latest bit of music trapped in his head silently against the leg of his pants. He gazed around at the couples pairing up about them, hoping there might be a good match for them to saunter on up to.


"Perhaps Gabriela and Chris." Ruby gulped, hoping that she didn't seem too desperate. "I mean, Me and Gabi are friends. In a way where we have hardly talked." She said, sarcastically. They were walking along, slowly. Ruby thought that she look rather elegant tonight, and although she was usually a lover of the plainer things in life, she felt exceptionally stylish. "You and Chris could get to know each other better. Perhaps it would be good for you reputation in the Echelon?" She looked around at Quentin and shot him a smile.





At the mention of Gabriela and Chris, he chuckled. Though he wasn't too familiar with Chris, he and Gabriela got along better than most people realised. "As you wish" came his reply, a bit teasing in tone as he tried to lighten the tense air that had somehow formed between them. He scanned the room quickly and nodded towards the aforementioned pair before making his way over to them with Ruby in tow.

 

[Dusky]

James Woodhouse || Amelia Warwick

Collab with @Elle Joyner


9:45 PM - "...And all that jazz!"


He can't remember a more exciting auction - and oh, she does look lovely, young Miss Warwick. He does not regret the sum he has dropped on her at all. Records broken, all over the place!


What does this say about the year ahead of them?


He approaches his prize, now, and bows deep, one arm behind his back and the other finding the girl's hand. "James Earnest Woodhouse at your service, my queen!" He kisses her hand softly and looks up at her from under his brows. With a smile, he says, "But you, of course, may call me Jem." Straightening, he adds, "Unless you prefer James! I really don't mind."


He offers his arm, winks.


"I do hope you didn't mind my exuberance, during the auction. Only I cannot resist a good time! You understand, I'm sure."


Hand to her heart, the one he had kissed, Amelia smiles warmly. She had been astounded by not only the extraordinary amount of money paid for her companionship, but also the small battle which had been waged in her honor. Never had she anticipated such a reaction... except perhaps from her brother - but then, that was only to keep her from enjoying herself with anyone else.


"I... I know who you are. And I don't mind... Not at all. I'm flattered, really. That was a lot of money..."


He smirks. "Chump change, I assure you. Not, of course, to diminish your value - I would gladly have spent more." He notes the song, the slow, breathy strains of the jazz singer's voice. Quentin, of course, is a genius, starting with a slow dance to make the fresh-sold girls feel romanced. Jem snakes one arm around Amy's waist and pulls her to him, his free fingers sliding down her wrist until they find her own fingers, twining with them and lifting them up as he begins to sway.


Then he pauses, and laughs. "Forgive me; I believe I am supposed to say 'May I have this dance?'"


Her cheeks flush, but she doesn't protest. She never would. Her feet move with his, following his lead and she smiled softly, gently, "...Lucky for you, I'm pretty quick to forgive."


She winks and all at once her shoulders relax, her hand slackens in his grip and she is at peace with the world for a moment. Of course, she can feel his eyes on her... Lincoln. She knows that he is there somewhere, watching, but she cannot ... will not allow him to ruin this night for her.


Ah - he likes this part. The part where they flirt back. Of course he loves the chase, but isn't it good to be desired? That wink earns a dazzling grin.


"...I realize this is probably a faux pas question... but... why did you pick me? I mean... I'm ... I'm a freshman, and a new member. I'm not exactly top shelf or anything."


"Doubting your worth? Ah, but I do understand. I have always sought to make new members feel welcome. It is something of a policy of mine to brighten a young girl's year. I daresay, though, that even if I were not so kind I would still choose a charming beauty such as yourself - that dress does look stunning on you, by the way."


"...Stunning, hmm?" She smiles, "And you're as charming as the rumors go. Truth be told, I was just hoping I'd get a bid at all out of you. Really, I was expecting my brother to win. He's stubborn enough..."


"Well," he ponders, "that wouldn't be all bad, would it?"


"Ah. You don't know my brother. He's a... fun sucker. Just takes the enjoyment out of anything. I swear the only reason he even asked to join the Echelon is because he knew it would drive me nuts."


He listens intently, but opts not to continue talking about her brother; Link is an unpleasant reality he'd soonest ignore. "I see... All has turned out for the best, then, I suppose... This is, after all, a time for something new." He pulls her a little closer. "...And exciting."


A soft chuckle escapes, but is squelched as he draws her in. She swallows, their proximity bringing a not entirely unpleasant anxiety "...I'm glad though... that you won. I wouldn't have picked anyone else."


Her words send his chest swelling. "Is that why you seem so nervous, my queen?" he teases


"Ah. Nervous? You caught that, then?" She grins, blushing brighter... a color that transforms her pale cheeks to rose, "I'll try to contain it... No sense in fawning."


"...I like fawning." And then he dips her low.


She squeals softly, her hands moving to his arms with reflex at the unexpected motion. A laugh follows and when she is righted, her hands remain where they flew, her lips raised in a gentle smirk, "...Maybe I like a little fawning, myself? Can't give you all the compliments... You'll get a big head and you won't any fun after that."


"A big head! Me?" He twirls her, sifting through his head for an apt accolade - honestly, he barely knows the girl. Appearance it is, then. "Surely a bigheaded man would be far too wrapped up in himself to notice those pretty blue eyes. They remind me of flowers, you know. The sort that grows by our vacation home in France. As a child I'd try to pick them - drove my mother up the wall. They're endangered, see." He smirks. "Fitting, for a rare beauty like you."


She feels dizzy, and not from the spinning, "Oh! Now I'm the one with the big head. France, hmm? That must be beautiful..."


"It is," he agrees. "Have you not been?"


She laughs again, shaking her head, "Until last year... our vacations were pretty much the Jersey Shore. This is all really new to me. The idea of parties in five star hotels and private jets and vacation homes. It's exciting, but it's also a little intimidating. I dunno... I guess when you grow up not having much, and then sudden you're in that world... it can be a little scary. I love it, though. It's like I stepped into Classic Literature or something."


He smiles to himself. She is green - he finds this appealing. Jem briefly entertains the thought of whisking her away for a weekend - he could do it, too. But he's still not convinced he wouldn't be bored a half hour in. Maybe if he can sample a bit more of her personality...


"My queen, I know far too little about you. Tell me something - anything."


Her teeth pinch her lower lip and she shrugs, "...But I'm no queen. Honestly... More like... Eliza DooLittle. As nice as it is that I can shop in stores on Saks, I'm just happy to be included in something. I mean, I've had softball and choir, but this is... it's like being invited into the Tree House, you know? Well... you probably don't. I'm sure you've always belonged..."


She's not wrong. "Well, I'm glad we can let you in on the fairy tale, Miss DooLittle." He's not even sure who Eliza DooLittle is - he'll look it up on his phone later. But she doesn't need to know that. "The Echelon and L'Elites will always have your back." As he says it, his hand drifts just a little down hers. "Choir, hm? What do you like to sing?"


"Oh, I don't know... I guess mostly classical stuff. I... I wasn't allowed to join this year, because of L'Elite, but it's totally cool. I don't mind so much. Less to worry about, so I can focus more on the group." But there was disappointment in her tone that was well concealed, but not enough to be entirely missed.


"Ah, that's right, I'd forgotten... There's no reason you should stop singing, though, on your own time." He hears the disappointment, and it makes him uncomfortable - so he'd sooner put it from his mind, really. The song is coming to a close, now, and he has led them to the bar. Not entirely by chance. "Might I get you a drink, Miss DooLittle?" He murmurs his order as an aside to the bartender, then turns his attention back to Amelia as his rum and cola is mixed.


"A... a drink?" The question hovers on her tongue, but she doesn't dare voice it. They are hardly old enough... yet no one seems to mind, "Sure. Um... Whatever you're having."


Jem looks at the bartender, who nods to confirm he heard. Within moments, the cocktails are slid over to them. "Cheers, Amelia."


Amelia takes hers as well and smiles, wearily, as she takes a sip, "Cheers, Jem."

 

[Kagura]

The firm musculature and heat under Charlotte’s fingers was comforting. It wasn’t that often that she liked to be coddled, but it was hard to complain with a man like Quentin wrapping his arms around her. The man stepped back as quickly as he came, as if sensing her thoughts and giving her an appreciative up-down. Under his gaze she straightened her back and pushed out her chest, accepting his apology only with the compliment attached. “Did you expect anything else?” it is a teasing reply, but his deep baritone had always put her chest aflutter.


Quentin gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before gesturing her towards the bar, strange considering she would be the first on stage. Except her man mentioned a few ‘twists’ that had her sending him a panicked look as she walked towards the bar. Charlie kept her composure, asking the bartender for a globular glass of dark red wine. Aged and unopened, she let it aerate with a swirl of grace before even allowing a small taste of the liquid.


Gaining her composure, she turned towards the party and made her regal sweep of the room – Echelon and L’Elite alike. What a mess of disaster. Tacky sequins, mutilated fringe, was that a petticoat? It was disgusting what these people thought was 20’s fashion. Just as her eyes found little Amelia, Quentin’s voice from the stage turned her eyes towards him.


As he spoke, she immediately knew she would need something stronger than the wine she was holding – Quentin’s interest in taking chances was not one they shared. In fact as Kodi, and then Amelia Warwick got called up, Charlotte’s anger only built. Spurred on by money Quentin thought he needed to toss in and the immediate bane if he won. There was no hesitation when she strode over and levelled a death glare at him, allowing James the win.


With James at Amelia’s side, she was bound to learn a few interesting facts about little miss innocence soon enough. The only reason she forgave him was her equally riled incestuous brother, who had the tact to glare at him across the room. It turned out Lincoln was interested in Anya, someone she would have to be as interested in soon enough, although her boyfriend made up for her current lack of interest. It was after a sharp comment and the stomping of her foot that got Link the win. Scatter brained Rebekah, the cheating Ruby, skittish Gabby and crazy Dia all lined the stage before her. Charlotte made sure her eyes were levelled with Quentin the whole time, having to almost strangle him for the bids he was calling out.


Finally, she was called up onto stage, and made her fierce ascend up, only a touch of voguing - else she'd be tacky. Charlotte certainly expected Quentin to make his bids on her, but Taurus was giving a run for his money that made her a little bit more than happy. When her dollar amount came to be one of the highest (probably the highest), Quentin was secured as the winner. It was with grace and a pleasant smile that she hooked her hand into the crook of Quentin's arm. Now, maybe he wouldn't bid for the four other girls who graced the stage.


The only one of note to her was that pesky transfer student who thought she was smart enough to stand up to Charlotte. It was up to her as the elder L'Elite to show Chaya where she actually belonged.

 

[Gabe]

Christopher, Gabriela, Casey and Ruby


Collab with @NessieAlways, @SpectroVector, @Moon Rabbit and @Raizel.


"Well, Gabriela, I guess you're mine now." With a big laugh, he noticed the look on Gabriela's face. "Aw, c'mon, don't make this face, it's just business, that's all. So, I guess the party starts now, eh. Better grab something to drink before someone appro-" He looked around when he saw Casey and Ruby going to them. With a sigh, he quickly pulled his famed notebook from an inside pocket, scribbled something down and gave a welcoming smile to the duo. while returning the notebook to said pocket. "Well, look what we have here, Comstock and Churchwood. It's a pleasure to meet you. I must say, Churchwood, you were fierce in getting Comstock for yourself. Taking down 6 contestants is no easy matter." Christopher smirked and hailed a waiter over.


The auctions had gone pretty quickly and were quiet heated compared to the previous years. Either the boys had already chosen favorites or they had money to blow and didn't really care much about the amount the spent. As expected, Amelia took the win as the girl with one of the highest bids. Gabriela was a bit jealous of the fact that a first year would out bid her, but seeing who the blonde's highest bidder was, all trace of jealousy was gone. Still, the lingering thought that her bidding amount would come back to haunt her rested in Gabriela's mind.


It was no surprise to Gabriela that Christopher had been her highest bidder. She was relieved at the fact that she wouldn't have to be stuck with someone she didn't like and grateful that she would have her companion as an escort for the rest of the year. Stepping down from the stage and towards Christopher, Gabriela searched for the young Warwick girl and her brother. She was amused by Lincoln's determination to win his sister, but in the end money was once again his enemy. Seconds before reaching Christopher, Gabriela spotted Amelia with James. She grimaced at his lame attempts to make a move on the young damsel.


Her grimace would have remained unnoticed had Chris not pointed it out. She turned to face her friend noticing that he had completely mistook her facial expression, but she put no effort to correcting him. Gabriela just shrugged with a joking smile on her face before turning to the approaching couple, Ruby and Casey. "Ruby, dear, you look magnificent!" Gabriela approached the girl with a small hug. To the man she only greeted with a simple nod , "Mr. Churchwood, you look quite handsome as well." Her attention didn't linger much on the male and quickly returned to the red-head. "Are you enjoying yourself tonight?"


As Casey and Ruby strolled over to the pair, Ruby's heart felt a twang of jealousy. She sucked in a deep breath and put on a toothy smile. Chris made conversation with Casey, but Ruby's eyes lingered on him. She shook herself out of it when Gabriela pulled her in for a hug. "As do you." She pulled away from the hug, gently, "Your dress is beautiful!" She said, looking Gabriela up and down, in the best way. As Casey and Chris made conversation, Ruby tried with all her strength, and succeeded, to keep her focus on Gabriela. "The night has been wonderful, so far." She looked around the room at the others. Quentin was partying with no one in particular and Amelia and James seemed to be more acquainted now.


"How has your night been?" She leant close to Gabriela's ear, "I see you got the person you wanted." She winked, pulling away. And, like many things that night, it was said in a joking way, but the meaning was only true in her mind.


When they arrived to the other pair he was greeted with the expected formalities of such an event. Casey had been tempted just to let it go, but it was just too awkward for him to just let that Mr. Churchwood hang in the air like that. And so, rather than what he had intended to say, the first thing to pop out of his mouth was a lighthearted "Please, just call me Church. Making me sound like I'm my old man sort of takes away from the compliment, darling." then, with a wink and his signature crooked smile, his attention moved from the entirety of the group to just Christopher and his commentary. "I had no intention of losing on this evening, sport. I needed to choose carefully, and once I make a choice I don't back down. It worked out nicely, I believe. And don't Miss Comstock and I make a fine pair? Seems everyone got what they wanted, if I'm not mistaken." He may not have been too familiar with Chris, but he figured better late than never.


"Yes, I can't tell otherwise, you do make a fine pair. I'm looking forward to this year, things are already being really...interesting." He grabbed a cup of juice from the waiter's tray and gave a sip. "So, Churchwo- I mean, Church." He corrected himself, while making an almost imperceptive grimace. Chris doesn't like to refer to people with their first names or nicknames, aside from those who he really considers friends, such as Gabriela. "Did you enjoy this year's tests? I made sure to be entertaining enough for everyone."


Gabriela kept noticing Ruby's attention being drawn towards her escort and she squealed inside her head. Oh my gosh! Ruby? Chris? Can this be? On the outside, however, Gabriela was completely neutral and oblivious to the situation. Gabriela smiled when the girl asked her about the night. "It's been...interesting." Gabriela thought about her awkward brief encounter with Quentin and her encounter with Casey right now. Everything about this night seemed a bit off to her, but as long as she stayed sober enough to remember the happenings she was fine.


She looked over at Chris when Ruby mentioned Gabriela having gotten who she wanted. Although she was thrilled to have Chris as her partner, her real dream escort was the Aries. She would never admit it though because of Charlotte. Gabriela's crush on Quentin was that of star-crossed lovers. She knew that the moment word was out about her feelings for Charlotte's boy toy she was a goner. Gabriela smiled at Ruby once more, a bit hesitant this time. "Yeah I guess I did get who I wanted." She looked down briefly before returning her gaze to the girl. "Looks like you've got a pretty good match yourself! Are you happy about it?" The question was a bit of a whisper since she didn't want Casey to overhear in case Ruby wasn't all that content.


Ruby gulped. Gabriela had asked her about Casey. She let out a long sigh and then looked at him, hoping he wouldn't hear. She loved Casey. She did, but there was never any romantic interest there. She thought about telling Gabriela. But she didn't know quite how far she could trust he just yet. Maybe this could be some sort of weird trust exercise. She grinned, fakely, and looked up at Gabriela, "Of course I'm happy, why wouldn't I be? We're both ecstatic, aren't we?" She tugged on Casey's arm, waiting for him to finish his conversation with Chris so she could drown herself in alcohol.


He had been prepared to stay and chat for a while the way Ruby had pushed them onward to find someone to mingle with, but the way she tugged Casey's arm made him rethink it and excuse himself. As he turned away from the other couple he tipped his fedora and flashed a ridiculous sort of grin. With look that tried to ask the questions fluttering around in his head, he turned to Ruby and made a small motion as if to say 'take the lead, doll'.


"And there they go. Most enjoyable, indeed, but a total time waster, this talk." Chris finished the glass of juice and turned to Gabriela. "So, wanna dance?" He approached her ear and whispered. "The first ball of the year and I don't want you skulking around with longing gazes to Aries. He chose who he chose, and, as a close friend, I have the duty to tell you." He made a stern face, and with his hands on her shoulders, he fixed his eyes on Gabriela's. "If he valued this... 'fling' as much as you do, he would have chosen you. My suggestion? Get your mind off him and enjoy the party. This night won't be enjoyable if you keep thinking about him." He then offered his arm, to lead Gabriela to the dance floor.


Gabriela would have believed Ruby had she not noticed the slight hesitation and slight sigh. It was barely noticeable, but Gabriela had been examining her reaction closely to see if there was any hint that would prove her previous prediction of Ruby and Chris. Gabriela just played along as if she hadn't noticed anything. Soon the couple was leaving and she was left alone with Chris.


Hearing Chris asking her to dance was a surprise. She never took Chris as the dancing type, so Gabriela was very flattered by his request. However, the excitement died down pretty quickly as she let the man's next words really sink in. Although he was whispering and the exchange of words was only audible to them, Gabriela began blushing red. Only Chris was a good enough friend to tell her things as they were and although she hated it at times, she was thankful in the long run. Besides, his words were true. Taking a deep breath and pushing down the embarrassment, Gabriela brought back the smile on her face and linked her arm on Chris's. "I'd love to dance."

 

[Elle Joyner]

Quentin Kingsley

The Game is Afoot

​

After the auction, it wasn't hard to predict just what Charlotte was thinking. Then again, there had always been something a little... alluring to her indomitable anger. She was frustrating, certainly... but there was a reason he came back to her every time. Sure, she could fight like a bitch, but there was something to say about making up with a bitch...


Still, he'd hoped that he'd made up for his behavior by dropping over two grand on the girl. She'd come to him and taken his arm and that was hope enough, but as he pulled her gracefully towards the dance floor it was with an apprehensive lilt to his voice that he spoke.


"...I hope you aren't upset. I meant, of course, only to raise the bids... I never intended to win anyone but you. It was just for the coffer."


Charlotte tried her very best not to be bitter with Quentin about what happened in the auction, so he had bid for other girls - he still put the most down on her. Twenty-five hundred was a lot of money, it was the kind of money that neither of her parents could afford out of their own pockets. It was too bad for Quentin then, that Charlotte was still very bitter, her anger only fanned when he made the all too obvious remark "Of course I'm upset!" the outburst was kept in a heated whisper.


Maybe it was in her best interest to drink more wine, but the first dance was traditionally held between the man and the girl of which he purchased. "To think you laid a dollar down on one part of the incestuous duo that taunts my very being" her words are biting, gaze heated in the wrong way as she takes a firm hold of his shoulder, other hand positioned out. It is a rare gesture - they would usually dance close and somewhat proactively, but she wasn't quite ready to forgive him. "Now every other girl thinks they have a chance with you, Q and let me remind you- I. don't. like. sharing."


Grinning, nonplussed by her frustrations, Quentin took her hand and, in time to the music, spun her out in a circle. As he pulled her back in, fast and flush, it was quick and even possibly painful, one hand dropping to the small of her back, the other just slightly lower than appropriate, "Little Lotte... Do you honestly think any of these girls have a prayer? I have you... why would I want them?"


Leaning in close, his lips brushing her ear he lowered his voice to a whisper, "Wanna play a game?"


The grace at which Quentin handled himself was something Charlotte envied, the subtle moves, the grin, and the ease he melded her back against him. Despite the chip on her shoulder she knew to follow the man's lead, less it look strange, but his hand's were helping his case. They came with the reminder of what those hands could do to her, not to mention the strength of the body she was now flush against. It was too easy for her to wrap her arms around his broad shoulders, still giving him a rather skeptical look as he tries to charm her.


Then again, what he says is right - these girls with their handmade and vintage second hand dresses...she was the prized gem in them all. "I don't know what else you could want, Q" she smirks, victory and ego all in the simple upturn of her left lip. Quentin leans in then and she meets him half way, her smirk turning into a smile at his next words. "You know how I love games" her lips move against the shell of his ear due to their proximity, and she is thankful he shaved recently.


Lips curved, he shifted one of his hands to the nape of her neck and carefully dipped her. When he straightened her upright he turned her round, her back to his chest, facing her to the crowd, "I've rented out a room upstairs... and inside, there's a gift for you. Only catch is... you have to find the key. I've given it to one of my brothers here, for safe keeping... Figure out who has it and get him to give it to you, and the gift... and giver are yours."


Charlotte felt a swell of butterflies at the bottom of the dip, she wasn't sure if it was the suspension itself or Quentin's eyes that made her stomach flutter, but it was a welcomed feeling regardless. This tension rose when he turned towards the crowd, presenting a game of hide and seek for a key to a room with a present. Not only that, but it gave her a chance to mingle with the Zodiac and tell them a little more about their choice of arm candy. It was a rather exciting game, just hearing it from him - especially considering what the present was at the end.


However, there were some of his words that she picked at with a coy smile, "Don't I already have the giver?" she sways back against him, tauntingly. Ever so carefully she turns herself back around, pulling him close to give him a chaste kiss, before swooping in for a much longer make-out session. She pulls away abruptly, "When does this game of yours start?" she wonders, mind already racing with the possibilities.


"Hmm..." Quentin purred beside her ear, "That isn't what I meant by have...And it's already started. Now... go play the room, Little Lotte. Make me proud. When you find it, I'll be by the bar." Easing her forward he gave her a gentle swat on the backside before wandering off in the opposite direction.


[collab by Kags and Elle]


 
Lincoln Warwick

The auction had not gone as he'd expected. He'd intended to put down enough to keep Amy out of the hands of people like James and Quentin, but unfortunately he'd underestimated the pair and their financial backing. The money he'd brought was his own... he'd earned it and he'd meant to spend it to keep his sister safe, but he had ultimately failed, and all he could do was watch as Jem looked to him with a smug, satisfied smirk and try his hardest not to punch the kid in his pompous jackass jaw.


The auction that followed, however, had been the one to throw him, entirely. With all hope of his sister's salvation out of his hands for now, he'd expected to simply fade to the background - toss in a courtesy vote - perhaps try and win Gabriela, who he considered a friend and he knew he wouldn't mind spending time with. Then Anya's name had been called and something inside of him snapped.


His hand had flown up with flourish and in that moment he knew, hell or high water, he would not give up. His biggest adversary was Quentin, but it was common knowledge that Quentin was set to bid on Charlotte - still, Link would not back down. He was determined, and he would not lose this time.


He'd met Anya in class the year prior and while they ran in different circles socially (or at least, they did), they got along well in class and he enjoyed the girl's company. It didn't hurt, too, that she was stunning. In truth, he liked her, and he liked spending time with her. It made sense that he should bid on her, and when he won it wasn't a disappointed expression that he wore, but one a mix of pride and excitement.


Afterwards, he approached with a sheepish sort of uncertainty, and as he rubbed the back of his neck, he smiled gently, "...So, I'm not sure how this works. I guess we're supposed to talk, now?"

 

[Psychedelia]

Anya Skalicky

(Collab with Elle)


Her face was warm to the touch; a side effect of witnessing the battle for her companionship. Being put on the spot before being auctioned off was scary in her first year, but this year things started off different. This year, she went onto the stage with confidence, not necessarily fearing who she would be stuck with in the end. That is, until Quentin began bidding. Originally, she had thought that he would only vote for Charlotte and, apparently, so did she. As the concept of being stuck with him for the rest of the year sank in, her air of confidence disappeared.


Luckily, Link was the final bid. A wave of relief washed over her and a renewed smile crept back onto her face. She knew Link intended to win his sister but she was fine with being his second choice. She was simply grateful that he seemed to be so excited to have her, still. His attempt to, more or less, save her and his sister only further proved that he was, in fact, one of the good ones. It was truly refreshing to hear that she would have to spend the rest of the year getting to know Link better. After all, it was something she had been meaning to do for quite some time now.


Now that the auction was over, she could only wonder what Charlotte would have to say. Surely there would be something. Anya knew she could handle the snarky comments; it was the backlash Amelia might receive that concerned her. Hopefully she turned out to be stronger than she appeared. Anya wasn't interested in watching the younger girl get torn apart by their self-appointed queen bee.


As Link approached, her smile reappeared. She had forgotten this was his first year in Echelon until now. "I believe that's the idea," she responded, "I just hope that's not completely unbearable for you," she continued jokingly, turning some to face him properly. Her eyes scanned the place, taking in the beautiful building surrounding them. A lot of effort had obviously been put into preparing the gala. It almost made her feel as if she was truly living in the 20s. Not quite, but almost.


"Unbearable?" Lincoln exclaimed, looking genuinely taken back, "What could possibly be unbearable about spending time with you? Hell... you're pretty much half of what makes being in this group bearable. I was kind of freaking out that you'd be disappointed you didn't get someone like James or Quentin... I'm not exactly great at these kinds of things. Um... You want a drink? I don't... drink, I mean... but it's okay if you want to. Wow. I am so not smooth right now..."


Anya laughed gently at his rambling. "If you think that I would rather have Quentin or James at my side over you, you're mistaken. Neither of them mean much of anything to me." Her eyes were now on Link, focusing on his voice over the rest of the noise. "I think I'll pass... But thank you," she paused, "If it helps, I'm not going anywhere for awhile so you have plenty of time to improve your," she smirked, "smoothness."


Laughing softly, Link nodded, "Good. It might take me a while. Did you want to... Uh... do you dance?" Anya simply smiled, "I would love to dance... If that is what you're asking." "Ha... " Rubbing the back of his neck, he chuckled, "I think that's what I was trying to ask, yeah." Smiling, he held out his hand, "No promises I'm much good..." Anya placed her hand in his, "That's okay," she replied, glancing at the open floor then back to him. "Practice makes perfect, right?" "So I've been told..."


Leading her out to the floor he rested a hand on her mid back, the other taking hold of her wrist, "So I never got to ask, with all this craziness going on. How was your summer?" Anya let him lead her to the floor, adjusting her own posture some as he placed his hand on her back. The question about her summer hung in the air for a moment before she responded. "It was, um, interesting... We took a trip to Italy, actually, and I almost miss being there..." Noting her hesitation, Link quirked a brow, "Almost miss it? I'm pretty sure if I took a try to Italy for the summer I wouldn't need to question if I missed it or not."


Anya forced a laugh. "You would be surprised. It isn't all that different from here." Shaking her head a little, she tried to change the subject. "Anyways... How was your summer?" "True. Except for, you know... the architectural marvels, the history... the language... the food." Chuckling, he shook his head, "Sounds terrible, really. Nothing exceptionally exciting, other than Mom getting married."


Rolling her eyes, Anya laughed softly. The more she thought about what she said, it did sound stupid and she regretted using that as an out. It wasn't even that she didn't trust Link with her secret, it was just that she still wasn't comfortable talking about it. "What? Your mom got married? That's exciting, right?" She tried searching his eyes for some sort of emotion. "... Or is it not?"


Shaking his head, Link shrugged, "It's not bad, necessarily. I mean, I'm glad she's happy... It just opened up an ugly world I wasn't exactly too keen on joining. Mom worked hard her whole like to give us the opportunities we have, and she deserves a break... but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hard, going from one end of the spectrum to another, so fast. Before, I could kind of blend in... disappear. Now, I'm new money. And new money means attention - and not necessarily good attention, either."


Anya's smile faded some as he finished speaking. Trying to gather words of reassurance, her eyes remained on him as she sighed softly. It was hard to find the right words to say to someone when you simply couldn't relate. "If there's anything I can do, let me know. I don't want you to feel as if the attention you're receiving now is just because of this new phase in your life. The attention you're getting now is due to the person you are; not the money you happen to have. At least, in my case, that is," she smiled a bit brighter again, "And I'm pretty sure the bad attention you're receiving is really because people are intimidated by you."


Link laughed, shaking her head, "You're sweet, Anya, but I'm not so sure about that. At any rate, thanks... I appreciate it." The song closed out and he slowed to a stop, smiling coyly, "So... You've got all your toes, still?" With a soft shrug of her shoulders, she simply smiled. "No problem." As they came to a stop, she glanced down at her shoes then back up to him. "Looks like it," she smirked. Her eyes glanced around them, landing back on him after a brief moment. It was funny how she had almost forgotten where they were.


"Best not chance breaking a luck streak, then. C'mon, we can go talk over here..." Hand on the small of her back still, Link led her across the dance floor to where a few seats had been set up in a semi-circle. Dropping into one of the chairs he smiled, "So, tell me more about Italy. Did you visit the Colosseum? Ride a vespa through the back alleys? Tell me you ate every flavor of gelato they had..."


Taking up a seat next to him, she smoothed out the bottom of her dress before placing her hands folded in her lap. "I did visit the Colosseum, and it was breathtaking, but I stayed away from vespas as much as possible. I guess I just don't see the appeal..." Laughing lightly about the gelato she nodded, "Of course! I think there was a day or two on our trip where I only ate gelato, actually."


"Ah! You can't avoid Vespas! They're part of the experience. I'm just gonna have to rent one, one day and drive you around. You'll see. The gelato, though... particularly the two-day gelato diet, that almost makes up for it..." He winked, before glancing up and all at once the smile fell, his eyes landing on the figures of James and his sister, "...You wanna get out of here? Go for a walk or something...?"


Anya simply smiled, laughing softly. She didn't think that vespas were such a big deal but she certainly wouldn't mind testing one out with Link in the future. Her eyes trailed from Link to the crowd then back again as he spoke. "I'm not sure we're supposed to leave..." She hesitated briefly as she noticed the change in his expression, "Screw it. Let's go. I could use the fresh air."


Standing, he held out a hand for her to take, realizing too late she might think it was inappropriate, "...I'll take you around the block. We'll be back before anyone can get pissed we left." Glancing at his hand briefly, she took it, smiling up at him. "Sounds like a plan." Pulling her to her feet, he returned the smile and without a word, led her across the dance floor and to the exit.

 

[NessieAlways]

Gabriela and Chris

Collab with @Raizel

She let her mind float away as the music carried her. The people around her moved in synchronous movements, left, right, left, right. The occasional push and pull to add intensity and the flattering spin at the rise and fall of the beat made Gabriela feel like-- "Ow Chris! You stepped on me!" Gabriela winced in pain as her partner and best friend took a wrong step, or had she been the one too lost in thought to pay attention to her dancing. Either way, her foot was the one on the bottom.

While Chris was on an automated movement, his mind was wandering. Wandering about the future of the Echelon, and about what will happen in the future, with the pairing of this year. That, combined with the natural inability to dance, caused the accident. "Ack, I'm sorry!" Chris stumbled backwards, almost crashing through a nearby candy table. He saw it and in a matter of a second, turned around, bumping into a nearby couple of dancers. Muttering "sorry" and "excuse me", he stabilized himself and returned to his pair. "Damn, I'm really not a good dancer. Is your feet okay? Here, sit down." He looked down, guiding Gabriela into some place to sit. "I guess it's safer for you to keep me away from dancing, eh?" he joked.

Although Gabriela's foot was sore, she couldn't help but stifle a tiny laugh as poor Chris stumbled backwards. Her hand shot up to her mouth trying to hide her amusement before anyone noticed she was laughing at Chris and started a commotion. As her friend apologized she let him guide her to a chair. The action seemed a bit too much. It was just a missed step, but if Chris needed a break, she wouldn't complain. After all, having him on the dance floor was about as crazy an idea as arm wrestling a bear. "I'm fine, Chris. Don't worry about it. I wasn't paying attention." She smiled reassuringly trying to make him feel better. "Haha! This just means we have to work on your dancing skills. I'm not spending the entire year sitting around because you can't cha-cha." Gabriela laughed teasingly.

Chris looked at Gabriela with a dumbfounded expression. "...Who the hell still says cha-cha?" He laughed it out just after. "Nah, dancing isn't for me. I'm more of a hand-to-eye coordination, y'know." He snapped pretend medical gloves on his hands. "Surgeon hands, my father says sometime. It's inherited." He hailed a waiter again and grabbed two cups, giving one to Gabriela. "So, what's your plans for this year? I believe a girl like you has some outstanding strategy, y'know." He sipped his cup and made a disgusted face. "Yuck, vodka. Jeez, how did Kingsley managed to bring alcohol to an underage party?" He put his cup elsewhere and looked at Gabriela, waiting for an answer.

For a second Gabriela looked down at her cup yearning the burning sensation down her throat and, honestly, a small chance to lose herself slightly, but seeing as Chris was quick to dismiss the drink, Gabriela frowned and followed his lead. She set the cup down before looking up at Chris and pondering his question. Of course, there was nothing to ponder, she had her plans set for all four high school year the second she began middle school, but she didn't want to seem like such a nerd. "Well let's see...I'm taking a few AP classes" Six to be exact. Need to keep up the GPA. "I'm going to start looking into Universities" Well just one University, since it's the family's Alma-mater and the only one I'm allowed to apply for. "Then I'll make my applications" Actually I already started those last week. "And Finally I'm going to look into taking 3 more summer classes and cheer camp." I've already applied for summer classes, but I haven't heard back from the Dean, as for cheer camp... I don't think that's going to happen anymore. "What about you? What are your plans?" Gabriela smiled cheerfully hoping her vague plan was convincing enough.

"You sounded like you have more than Harvard for a choice there." Chris smiled at Gabriela. "Maggie, Mr. Gibly, all of them went to Harvard, and I don't think that your ego or them are going to allow you to go elsewhere." He grabbed his notebook, and flipped through the pages aimlessly. "Your GPA is quite high, but since Harvard has higher expectations, you need to take about... 4 to 7 classes?" He flipped through and stopped to a page. "Ah, there. " He kept talking, eyes fixated on the notebook. "If I know you, you already started on the applications, you don't want to get left behind." He raised his eyes to Gabriela's level. "I was looking to join some summer classes, and looked at the appliance list with the secretary. Saw your name there. And with all that, I don't think you have time for cheering, or want to cheer, for that matter." He closed and put the notebook away, with a sigh. "I know when you're not honest to me, Gabriela. Want to try again?"

The false hope Gabriela had of not being the nerd of the party was quickly squished like a tiny bug by Chris. For a moment she felt annoyed that he couldn't let her have one fantasy, as dumb as it was. She looked over at the cup wishing she had just drowned it when she had the chance, but it was too late now. Chris had exposed her once again and was back to questioning her. "You know exactly what buttons to push don't you?" Gabriela grimaced playing back the ugly truths she had tried so hard to push away. Now they were dancing in front of her, mockingly. "Lets talk about something else." Gabriela quickly tired to change the subject before she got too broody and depressive. She inched closer to Chris and spoke in a taunting voice, "I noticed Ruby staring at you! What's with that?" Gabriela smiled intrigued, hoping to get something out of Chris.

Chris's confidence was brought down like a trainwreck. His face became pale, his eyes widened more than Gabriela though it was possible. The paleness quickly changed to redness as he backed out from Gabriela, laughing nervously. "W-wha, what are you saying? Me and Comstock? Haha, I don't know anything about it, hahahaha..." He looked around, found the previous cup, still full, and took a large swig. "D-did she tell you something? I mean, not that I'm that interested, but its good to know for... Foooor my notebook, yeah, that..." He averted his eyes, staring at the floor. "S-so, what do you know?" It was a rare scene to see Chris out of his calm demeanor. Gabriela only saw him like that few times, and only when romance was involved. First on elementary, when he got a love letter on Valentine's day, and other times at middle school. Chris was cursing himself over and over in his mind, trying to get control of his emotions.

The smile on Gabriela's face only grew wider as Chris rambled like a little kid. "Calm down Chris! I was just messing with you...but now I'm curious." Even though Chris had backed away, Gabriela still remained in her spot, inched towards the empty space that was once Chris. Her bright smile revealed that this was not a battle he would win. Not this time at least. She answered his question with more questions. "How long? Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you pick her?! I would have understood." It wasn't like Chris to be this nervous. He usually stayed calm, cool and collected, but right now he was an emotional mess and Gabriela loved it. The spotlight was on his now and Gabriela would milk every second of it. "I need answers Chris!"

"What, I didn't... What, time, I don't... Aaaagh, There are no answer because there's nothing, Gibly, dammit!" Chris sat down and took deep breaths. "Why do you think that I asked you? I have no idea on what are you talking about, jeez..." He held his hand on the back of his head. "So, do YOU know anything about it or you're here to bring me over the edge? Make a mental note on never mentioning your academics near you..." He closed his eyes. "Also, Comstock has Churchwood, and as much as I find their relationship strange, that's it. She can't swoon for someone like me, y'know, the guy who can't take his face off a book. Did you know that last year I heard two freshmen talking that I was scary? Me! Of all people! So no, I guess that something only exists on your mind, Gabriela." He looked briefly at Gabriela and fixated on a random spot on the floor. Whatever Gabriela did, made Chris get out of his shell, even if it was for a little while.

The smile on Gabriela's face turned into a mild frown. She hadn't realized Chris would get so worked up about a silly comment. Once he started bringing up his personal life, she regretted having mentioned the subject in the first place. Gabriela scooted closer to Chris only this time it wasn't in a taunting way. She placed her hand on his shoulder inching his arms down from his head to his lap. "You're more than just a face behind a book. You're Christopher Moore, junior Sagittarius, best net-worker in the school, and greatest friend ever." Gabriela searched his face trying to meet his eyes with a smile. "Come on...since when do you care what silly little freshmen think?" Her tone was more jumpy as she tried to liven up his mood. "They're not even half as close as influential as you are. Do you see them here? I sure don't. They're nobody."

Chris glanced sideways at Gabriela.

"I don't know, Gabriela. Ah, I guess you're right. Hah, look at me, bringing the mood of the party right down to the subfloors. Now we're both upset. And don't think this is your fault, I think you remembered about Maddie in middle school. She confessed mid math class through a paper and I almost had an attack. I don't think I ever answered." He gave another chuckle and raised from his seat. "Ah, let's go. I don't like gossip, but the rumors always have some pinch of truth. And I want to eat something. Shall we go? I promise not to step on your foot again." He extended his hand to help Gabriela up.

Gabriela smiled glad to see he was back to his old self. She looked up at Chris who was now getting up from his seat and offering to get some food, "It's like you read my mind." Gabriela happily took his hand and followed Chris.​

 

[Teh Frixz]

Peridot and Gemini

If there was ever a first party to attend, this was it. Other than the remarkably similar birthday party her mom threw for her where they got to dress up in old clothes and have a tea party, this was her first big shindig. The internal joy she felt at both the memory and rather snide comparison for her situation wasn't something that would last though. Before long, her hands were getting clammy and the world was becoming a blur of loud noises, music, and people introducing themselves. Not long after that, she was pulled onto stage.

This was the worst moment of the night. It was like the room went silent and decided to focus on her. Like a slab of beef for sale, she was being weighed and measured. She couldn't see who was betting on her or for how much but she could feel the silence. She had to do something to stop it, anything at all. Her last meet came to mind.

Up on stage, Chaya looks around. A large amp sitting there seemed promise enough. With the group still silent, she grunts once and hoists it up above her head. Perfect form and perfect pose. For just long enough for her arms to start to shake, she sets it down with practiced skill.

The bids came in after that.

The Gemini brothers, as they had been affectionately called, even before the title came with an Echelon membership, were no strangers to parties. They knew how to make a good time out of any occasion, and Echelon parties were no exception. It was this, in part, that kept them from outbidding on anyone else -- Once you won, you couldn't bid anymore, and there was just no fun in that. Naturally, that left them without a partner until the last girl, but they weren't disappointed in the selection. Chaya was hardly difficult to look at, and while she seemed a little straightlaced, sometimes those were more fun than the girls who already knew how to have a good time.

As every dispersed to their proper partners, the twins flanked the blonde with matching smirks, the slightly taller of the pair tipping his fedora forward, "...Worth every penny, gorgeous."




Chaya hadn't even heard the amount after the bidding ended, all her senses settled on the pair flanking her. She'd never seen Gemini and now she was seeing double. She looks left and right, giving a bashful little smile. "I didn't even hear how much it was..." She ignores the gorgeous comment, focusing on trying to memorize the little differences in their faces. "I'm Chaya and I guess we will be seeing a lot of each other..." She looks back out to the party. "What now then?"

The shorter twin grinned and shrugged, "I certainly hope so, cause I..."

"Like what I see..." His brother finished for him, "You want a drink?"

"I can't have soda. The sugar messes with my metabolism and my trainer gets upset. Just water for me" She shrugs, giving a little laugh at the classic twin sentence sharing. "So twins huh. They allow that in the Zodiac?"

"Soda..." They said in unison and laughed at their private joke, before waving her along to the bar. There, they order themselves, respectively a rum and coke and a Tom Collins on the rocks, and for Chaya, a water with a lemon twist. The taller twin handed her her glass, before propping himself up on the bar top, the shorter twin opting for a stool.

"Twins..." There again, in unison, then the taller with, "It's always been that way for Gemini. We've got to share a companion, but-"

"We don't mind..." The other finished, "Especially one as easy to look at as you."

Chaya had just taken a bit of a deep sip from the water when the next compliment came. "Coming on kind of hard aren't you guys?" She gives a nervous little laugh, starting to cough and nearly spilling the rest of the drink. Looking back up, she knew she was making a bad first impression. She was the uptight jock back at her old school, mom and dad both saying she needed to branch out just a little bit so she'd have some memories besides those inside the gym....but drinking?

"Do you...have anything light?"

Her phone buzzes at moment, Trainer John's angry face showing up on it. She looks up at the pair for a bit of help in the situation.

"Lighter than water?" A brow quirked on the taller twin and he hopped down from the bar to peer at the phone, "Oh. He's a charmer. He your boyfriend?"

"Trainer. Bit of a hardcase but I see him more than my parents lately these days. He wants me to start working up to qualify for the Olympics next Olympic season but I dunno..." Chaya catches herself starting to ramble. Just because the club said they'd be hanging out didn't mean she'd be required to let them know details of her personal life. "...And I mean like something lighter like you are drinking. There aren't parents around to see right?"

"God, you're adorable..." The shorter twin gushed, grinning.

"Here, try this..." His brother said, offering his glass, "No parents. Promise. You want all that? The Olympics? Or is this guy just one of those sad sack pushers who didn't make it on his own, so he wants to force you live his dream?"

"No, he's good!" Chaya exclaims, taking the glass but not yet drinking. "He nabbed bronze back in 01' and has been training ever since. I'm his first girl though so it's been uphill for both of us." The ice clinks neatly against the glass as she stirs the swizzle stick. "I'm the one living this dream anyways, it's been my choice." The glass comes up for a sip before dipping back down again. "And you shouldn't say that by the way."

The taller twin turned to the barkeep, who handed him a second Tom Collins, which he took a slow sip from, "Hey. Meant nothin' by it. Just isn't exactly a rare thing, you know? Folks living vicariously through others..."




The other nodded, chiming in, "Like our dad. He wants us to be business tycoons... probably on account of his business folding last summer. Hell, if Mom wasn't such a sharp lawyer, we probably wouldn't even be here. How's the drink?"

"Oh, I mean the gee word. Not the trainer thing. Say what you want about Joe but I don't want to slip into a habit. My parents are both...really Jewish. Hence the name and tattoo you know.." The drink sits low in her hands, cupped like a coffee mug on a cold day. "The drink?" There it was again. Lame boring Chaya rearing her head and wishing to whisk her off to a Russian village to play the fiddle for mom and dad. She takes a deep breath followed by a deep gulp, coughing but forcing a fair amount down. Her eyes water, Chaya dabbing quickly while coughing. "It..it's alright.."

"Ah. Our bad." The boys offered together, and they each took turns looking sincerely apologetic. When she choked down the liquid in the glass they turned to each other with a conspiratorial glance and smirked. The tall one turned to the tender and waved a hand, and a second glass appeared a moment later.

The shorter turned to Chaya and grins, "So... that the only tattoo you've got?"

"Mhmm." Chaya mumbles, pointing at her right side in such a way to outline her hips. "I've got my name in Hebrew on my hip but that's it. I don't think I'd get another for at least a while."

Her eyes slide on down to the half empty glass in her hand, a little bit of pride in the fact that she was holding it all without even feeling woozy. Too bad it tasted just terrible! This time she takes a smaller sip before speaking up. "Do you two have any? It took forever to get permission for mine"

There was another glance between the two, a devious pair of grins... a wink.

"None for me, but Jackson's got one," The shorter twin started, "Wanna know where?"

Jackson, the taller twin frowned, "Cut it out, nerd."

"Right on his... Oof!" An elbow was thrown and Jackson flashed Chaya a smirk as Jason doubled over, holding his stomach.

"He's a dweeb. I don't have any either. Wouldn't say no to one, though. So you speak Hebrew, then?"

"אני יודע בדיוק מספיק כדי להסתדר . ההורים שלי יודעים יותר ." She coughs, laughing both at the antics of the twins and at the fact that the tension seemed to be receding rather quickly. "Well I'll have to memorize the tattoo one of these days, if just to have a way to tell you two apart. It's going to be awkward if I don't know my uh dates apart. All I can go on right now is height."

Carefully, she drinks down the rest of the Collins, not coughing this time but the twins can tell it wasn't going down easy.

Jackson grinned and reached for the second glass the tender had brought, handing it over, "What do you mean? You can't tell us apart?"

"Of course she can. That's what she just said in Hebrew. That I'm much better looking..." Jason added and Jackson rolled his eyes, "Duh."

"Oh wow. We're you two one of those twin pairs that called each other ugly? Not that either of you would be right at all..." Chaya trails off, holding the new glass. She slightly regretted him taking it away so soon, the crunching of ice a bit of a habit for her plus she felt unnaturally warm, even in the short dress.

"So uh. If I may ask, why drop that much money on me? I did like the look on some of the other girls faces. That one who thinks she runs us? Pretty nice."

As if on cue, she gives a little hiccup, nearly spilling the drink.

The brothers chuckled and simultaneously rolled their eyes, "He's ugly... I'm not..." They said, pointing to each other before grinning.

As she continued, Jackson's brow quirked, "Charlotte? Even if we were suicidal enough to try and snake King's girl... she's--"

"Terrifying..." Jason finished, "Hot. But terrifying. Besides. You seem much more--"

"Interesting" Jackson took over again.

Chaya gives a little disapproving stare into her glass. "I don't know why people are afraid of her. I'm not! And I won't ever be. She's overhyped. Plus, I bet she gets written up for hazing or something soon."

She was getting sloppy now, the drink becoming less appealing as she began straddling the line between relaxed and stupid. It wasn't a very good first impression. The glass gets set back up on the bar.

"So what happens now is that we just go to these parties together? Anything else? Forgive me, I'm still new to all this"

The twins looked at her, eyes wider as she spoke and slowly, they shook their heads as Jackson spoke, "You should be careful... She might not scare you, but there's a reason she's so revered around here. If she's got it in for you, you're..."

"Done for..." Jason concluded, "And what happens now, is... you come dance with us!"

Jackson slid to her right, and Jason her left, the latter taking hold of her hand to pull her to the dance floor.

Before she had the chance to shoot down their fears and display her own inebriated bravado, Chaya was whisked over onto the dance floor, her feet barely touching the ground.

​