she could barely stifle a slight laugh at the other woman's words, ducking her head in acknowledgement, " tends to be my default. " it was true enough. pippa liked to be the boss wherever she was and whatever that  ENTAILED  ; sometimes, giving away control was harder than most people anticipated. " that's up to you. i don't think drinks are all that  n e c e s s a r y  now, hm ? " the conversation was enough to keep her interested, whereas sometimes her company could be bought with the promise of alcohol.

              she feels a heat rise to her cheeks at his words, ducking her head  SOMEWHAT  ; she's not usually the type to be like this, to be so open and romantic. but something about him has changed that, somehow. " somethin' like that. " marla shrugs, blase, as though it doesn't mean a thing. " hey, you should accept it whilst you can. "

                         dark orbs avert from those of the other upon seeing that glisten there on the surface. there's a dull ache  SETTLING  deep into his chest, but elliot chooses to ignore that; to push it aside as though it does not exist. he's more than accustomed to doing so by now. " not sure it's  s o m e t h i n g you can get back, " he drawls, brows rising as he stifles a snort that isn't genuine. " what are you really doing here, hm ? "

                         his head was pounding in a manner that was unfamiliar to him; not usually the type to indulge in drinking beyond his limits, if at all, but rowan at least had enough sense about him to get out of the bed the moment that she did. there was a delay during which he  REALISED  he was wearing nothing but his boxers, flush rising to his cheeks as he reached across to grab a pillow to provide himself with some sort of modesty. " what -- fuck -- what the fuck !? " he spluttered at her reaction, unable to bring about a reasonable response for at least a moment or so later. " this is my room, halcyon, are you crazy ?! " he  r e g r e t t e d  asking the question almost as soon as those words left his lips, but still -- he was right. he could see his suitcase in the corner of the room, and a few other tell tale signs. swallowing around the lump in his throat, rowan raised a hand to press against his forehead, the pain seeming to rise which each waking moment. "  OKAY  . okay. i don't know what the fuck you're doing here, or -- or what the fuck we're doing here together... do you remember anything ? "

                           elliot was beginning to realise that getting through to the other would take more than a few charming words and a bright smile; things that  USUALLY   worked so well on others. but then, he had always known that this was going to be a challenge, right ? it was part of the reason he had accepted the dare in the first place, determined to prove that he could and he would. it wasn't going to happen  o v e r n i g h t  , but he already felt as though some part of him was speaking to alfie whether the other boy knew it or not. he knew he was under scrutiny; of course he was. he couldn't blame the boy for that. after all, it wasn't most days that elliot would deign to talk to anyone outside of his exclusive social circle, and alfie was right to be suspicious, given that elliot had not shown any  INTEREST  before now. but he was hoping he could dispel those worries in quick time. " yeah ? how are you finding it ? liking the people ? " he flashed a cheeky grin which was all teeth, eyes sparkling somewhat  d e s p i t e  the dim light as the day began to come to a close. " a weird fact... " pursing his lips as he considered this for a moment, he shoved his hands into his pockets and shrugged. " i'm an artist. don't think people expect that, anyway. what about you ? i need a weird fact now. "

                          he could call for security right now and the girl would be evacuated from the property immediately; but bash is not quite so threatened as to do that. she's petite; probably nothing more than a fan, and it wouldn't do anyone any good for the papers to run a story on him kicking fans out of the stadium on his tour. whilst he can already feel the  w a r i n e s s   settling into his bones, coupled with a sense of tired that he cannot shake, he adopts his usual charming smile; ready for the  REQUEST  of an autograph or a photo or something that he can give easily and then send her on her way. hopefully. she doesn't look as though she is going to flip out on him and do something crazy, but you never can tell -- sebastian has learned that over the past few years. as much as he is grateful for this life, there are some aspects of it he would happily pass up on. right now, that post-show high is beginning to lose some of its sparkle, instead  REPLACED  with this desire to unwind and sleep, until it all begins again tomorrow. he frowns as she responds, realisation creeping onto his face and immediately softening the muscles of his back; shoulders  r e l a x i n g   down as he realises she's definitely not going to be a threat. " a dare ? was that the whole dare, just to come back here ? " a chuckle leaves his lips, shoulders heaving into a shrug. " guess you did it, then. " it seems like some half-assed sort of dare to him but he doesn't comment on that, smile brushing across his lips as he  DUCKS  his head in acknowledgement of her compliment -- before he can try to respond, though, he's hit with the rest of her words, mouth opening slightly in shock, " excuse me ? " his expression is  p u z z l e d   , but really -- well, he's surprised. nobody really dares to speak to him in such a way. " i'm not sure what to say to that ? "

                              he's wincing before he can stop himself; not usually the type to wear such emotion so readily on his countenance, but fuck -- romeo hasn't seen the other in what feels like a  CENTURY  , and there's this sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach that tells him he knows exactly why he's here. which. well. if romeo was a lesser man, he would have already been out the door by now; but he prides himself on being someone of strength and character, and it would be terrible for  b u s i n e s s  if he backed down now. " harrison, wait a sec -- " it's too late for that; the other already ranting on and on about some scenario or other, and that sinking sensation is all too  CORRECT  . he snaps his mouth shut in a way that he doesn't often do around others. see -- he's the boss; the big man; the one who gives the orders and does the talking. but this is -- well, completely different. he lets the other talk, refrains from wincing further despite the unpleasant situation, and then stands there for a second too long; pausing before raising a hand to  d i s mi s s   the dancer behind him without even a glance towards her. " so, what ? did you come here to thank me ? " hands reach to dust off his suit, bringing himself to his full height, though that doesn't exactly help the situation when it's harrison he's facing. " you didn't die. that's a success, right ? "

                             " there's so much choice, " her tone is half one of  WONDER  , as though this is the most magical place that she has ever been to. in fairness, it probably is -- at least to her drunken mind. sober, giselle is sure she would be far less impressed. or at least, she would aim to show it less. but there's pizza and so much of it, every single kind ever, and she can hardly pretend that that isn't  a f f e c t i n g  her right now. " that's what they all say. " she jokes back, eyes rolling in her head, before nodding her agreement. " i'll take that. heard it's good for your stomach too. maybe it'll prevent my hangover. " probably not, but it's worth a try.

                           he's already  WAITING  for this to cause an argument between the three of them, though not a real one -- maddox isn't sure that they have ever had a real argument and he's more than happy about that. but this sort of thing is easy to bicker about, when they're all so different and all wanting to make different choices and decisions. " i'm not even upset ! " he protests, somewhat half-heartedly because the sensation of samir's fingers curling into his hair is enough to calm him almost  i m m e d i a t e l y   ; enough so that he isn't even particularly bothered by raquel's comments on the food front. " promise ? you have to try it. it's amazing. " of course, maddox has no doubt that he will be  FIGHTING   a losing battle if he tries to convince her of that tonight; eyes light up at samir's comments, nodding excitedly. " oh my god ! i forgot about postmates -- we all win ! " it's satisfying to know that they can all get their own way ( not least because he can be a brat if he doesn't, and he's willing to bet they can too ), teeth  f l a s h i n g  as he grins over at the femme, " can't say no if you're paying, can we, babe ? " excitement takes over as he reaches for the phone, scrolling and typing for a few minutes and adding some things to the order, before offering it to samir. " your turn. "

                         it's not the sort of thing that pippa herself can make sense of, let alone anyone else, but she likes that; has always liked to have an air of mystery about her, and this relationships of theirs certainly provides that. she has to refrain from rolling her eyes at the very thought of the gossip about the two that will undoubtedly start doing the rounds after tonight -- but you're  NOBODY  if there's no one talking about you, and pippa is a firm believer of that. most people are likely to be anticipating cat fights and bitch slaps from the two; the claws will  c e r t a i n l y   be out, but the redhead is only hopeful that it'll be a in a different manner. " nothing  CONFUSED  here, babe. " she replies sweetly, shaking shimmering locks over her shoulder and choosing wisely to ignore that flicker of an expression on ronnie's features. whatever it is, it doesn't matter. she's ready to forget the week and put it  b e h i n d  her -- there's no better way to do so than with a mix of alcohol and ronnie. " strange, " she hums, eyes rolling around darkened lids. " in most situations, i am. " there was always a power struggle of sorts happening between the two, but nothing either of them could not handle. another roll of the eyes followed as she  a n s w e r e d   the girl before leaning across the bar, " of course i am. i'm the one with the money, right ? hey -- over here ! two vodka sodas. make them doubles. "