sunshine.

ꨄ 𝅄 ❛ “   you   sure   say   sorry   a   lot   ,   ”   she   observed   ,   head   tilting   as   she   studied   him   closely   .   she   wondered   why   that   was   .   regina   wasn't   someone   who   apologized   often   ,   even   when   she   probably   should've   .   perhaps   she   could   learn   a   thing   or   two   from   someone   like   bash   .   he   was   so   sweet   ,   much   different   than   herself   .   board   games   ?   how   touching   .   she   couldn't   recall   the   last   time   she'd   played   one   ,   even   if   she   owned   them   .   “   well   ,   i   have   clue   ,   monopoloy   ,   trouble   and   sorry   .   my   collection   is   lacking   ,   not   gonna   lie   .   i   didn't   even   know   people   still   played   them   ,   i've   just   had   them   lying   around   in   case   my   family   visits   ,   ”   she   admitted   ,   shrugging   .

"i know, it's a bad habit." he almost apologizes again but then he catches himself and stops it from happening, which is honestly a rarity. it's not something that he was born doing but it comes as naturally as breathing to him at this point. bash thinks for a second about which board game he'd like to play. it's an important decision. clue seems too on the nose, a game about murder? no thank you, not when they're trying to forget about the murderer currently on the loose. "i can't remember the last time i played trouble, maybe we can do that one? i used to play it a lot with my siblings."

luciana flicks on the flashlight app as a rustling sound cuts through the night. she hears the rustle again, sharp and sudden, and instinctively points the light towards the noise. breath of relief is released once she recognizes the familiar figure looming in the darkness. “ that's how people get killed in horror movies, you know ? ” she quips, voice low but amused. “ a strange noise, a flash of light and then … boom !! ── dead by daylight. ”

bash knows he shouldn't be out past curfew but he needs a walk to clear his head. with everything happening, even someone as optimistic as bash is having trouble finding the silver lining. and it's getting to him. when he gets a flashlight shone in his face, he covers his eyes and lets out a small groan. "i know i shouldn't be out right now," he admits. but what are they supposed to do? just coop up in their apartments for the rest of their lives? even someone who follows rules as closely as bash thought that was unrealistic and a little ridiculous. "i think i'm safe from danger though. you're not going to kill me, are you?"

xavier  raises  an  eyebrow  ,  lips  curling  into  that  a  smirk  that's  half  genuine  ,  half  making  fun  of  the  whole  situation  ,  as  if  bash  just  suggested  something  truly  adorable—a  quick  ,  easy  death  .  as  if  .  "  quick  and  easy  ,  "  they  repeat  ,  letting  the  words  hang  in  there  .  "  cute  idea  .  maybe  for  someone  else  ,  man  ,  but  not  us  .  i  dunno—it's  never  that  clean  .  we  don't  get  to  just  go  gently  .  it's  always  something  brutal—always  overdose  ,  or  some  freak  accident  ,  or  some  other  terrible  shit  . . .  something  so  us  ,  y'know  ?  super  rich  kids  . . .  dying  super  rich  ways  .  "  they  glance  back  at  bash  ,  tilting  his  head  with  a  grin  that's  as  much  a  shrug  as  it  is  a  smile  .  "  so  yeah  ,  man  ,  we  can  try  putting  in  our  order  for  a  nice  ,  polite  death  . . .  but  there's  no  guarantees  .  actually  ,  feels  like  a  guarantee  that  we  won't  get  it  .  like  ,  one  last  middle  finger  from  the  universe  to  remind  us  we've  been  fucking  around  for  too  long  .  "  

bash knows that he's being naive thinking that the vigilante would allow him to have an easy death. but when asked how he wanted to die, what was he supposed to say? it was honestly something he avoided thinking about at all costs because it was just so dark and grim. "i guess you're right but that's still the way i'd prefer to go. even if it's completely unrealistic." he honestly doesn't feel like a super rich kid even though he is. he's probably more grounded than most people in hollywood. "what way do you think they'll kill me?" he normally wouldn't ask such a question but the curiosity is getting the better of him.

ꨄ 𝅄 ❛ she  didn't  care  for  being  alone  .  at  least  ,  not  for  extended  periods  of  time  .  regina  preferred  to  have  company  ,  and  she  was  glad  she'd  found  some  of  it  in  bash  .  femme  perfectly  understood  the  reasoning  behind  the  other's  fears  and  unease  .  after  all  ,  it  was  hard  to  remain  completely  relaxed  when  there  was  a  murderer  on  the  loose  .  how  hadn't  the  guy  been  caught  yet  ?  she  didn't  understand  .  “  it's  okay  ,  you  don't  need  to  apologize  ,”  she  assured  bash  .  she  didn't  want  him  to  feel  like  he  needed  to  apologize  for  feeling  the  way  that  he  did  .  “  a  game  ?  ”  she  questioned  ,  arching  a  brow  .  “  what  kind  of  game  are  you  thinking  ?  a  board  game  or  a  video  game  ?  i  have  both  .  ”

bash is a people pleaser so apologizing is like second nature to him, even when he knows he has no reason to apologize. but he did feel like he was probably bringing the mood down with his worrying which he felt bad about. "right, sorry." ironically, he's apologizing again. it's a difficult habit for him to shake. "i was thinking a board game. which ones do you have?" playing board games reminded him of being back home with his siblings when he used to babysit them. he felt like he needed something that reminded him of home right now.

xavier  plops  down  on  the  couch  with  a  dramatic  sigh  .  "  you  know  ,  at  this  point  ,  i'm  starting  to  think  the  killer's  right  .  we  are  kinda  terrible  .  i  mean  ,  look  at  us  ,  "  they  wave  a  hand  at  the  scene—vodka  bottles  tilted  sideways  ,  joints  half-buried  in  ashtrays  ,  and  scattered  lines  of  cocaine  across  the  glass  table  .  "  if  i  weren't  me  ,  i'd  hate  me  .  "  leaning  back  ,  they  tap  their  chin  thoughtfully  .  "  and  you  gotta  give  it  to  this  guy—he’s  creative  .  when  it's  my  turn  ,  i  want  him  to  go  all  out  ,  like  ,  maybe  sharpen  my  old  cds  and  launch  them  at  me  like  ninja  stars  until  ,  bam  ,  poetic  justice  .  and  yeah  ,  i  said  when  ,  because  let's  be  real  :  statistically  ,  i've  made  enough  poor  life  choices  to  qualify  .  "  then  he  glances  over  ,  eyebrows  raising  .  "  anyway  ,  that's  my  preferred  way  out  .  what  about  you  ?  "  

bash doesn't think anyone deserves this kind of treatment, like they're being hunted for sport or some sort of sick and twisted game. "i dunno, man, i don't think we deserve to die." he knows that xavier is probably turning to humor to cope with everything that's going on but he feels it necessary to push back on his sentiments. he listens intently as xavier talks about his preferred way of going out. he thinks for a moment because it's a kind of morbid question to ask someone. "i think i'd want a quick and easy death. i don't want it to be drawn out or something. maybe just a bullet to the head then?" god, it's all so bleak that they're talking about how they want to be killed.

was   this   how   she   wanted   to   spend   her   twenties   ?   definitely   not   .   being   confined   to   her   home   was   far   from   ideal   ,   but   she'd   be   damned   if   she   remained   alone   every   night   .   she   preferred   having   company   ,   hence   the   reason   she   had   the   other   over   .   sitting   alone   in   her   place   could   be   a   little   intimidating   ,   and   having   someone   else   there   made   it   a   lot   easier   for   her   .   “   you   don't   need   to   be   so   on   edge   ,   ”   she   stated   ,   shaking   her   head   .   “   nobody's   getting   in   here   unnoticed   .   we're   fine   here   .   try   to   relax   and   have   a   little   fun   ,   will   you   ?   ”   she   knew   she   wanted   to   enjoy   herself   ,   she   didn't   want   to   think   about   what   a   joke   their   lives   had   become   .   “   come   on   .   what'll   take   your   mind   off   things   ?   we   might   be   stuck   in   here   ,   but   we   still   have   a   lot   of   options   .   ”

being at a friend's place was just the kind of thing bash needed right now. after everything that was happening with the vigilante, he knew that he needed to rely on community. but it was hard to not think of everything that was happening. it weighed heavily on him knowing that he couldn't protect everyone from this monster that was targeting people he cared about. it was evident that he was having a hard time with it despite his efforts to not show it. "sorry," he replies, turning to face to regina. "maybe we can play a game or something?" he offers, thinking that maybe it will take his mind off the vigilante.

"of course! food sounds amazing." sapphire replied, interlocking their arms with her free arm. she wasn't hungry yet but she thought a light snack would do her good. she planned to stay out for as long as possible so she needed whatever energy boosts she could get. "after we finish getting snacks do you want to dance?"

"amazing!" he smiles as they interlock their arms together and head to get some food. he figured it would be good to get some food in him when he's drinking more alcohol than he usually does. when he's asked to dance, he can't help but grin and reply, "i'd love to dance with you!"

—  she  was  scared.  who  wouldn't  be  ?  there  was  a  killer  on  the  loose  and  they  were  targeting  the  rich.  she  was  in  beverly  park,  she  was  rich.  she  fit  the  criteria.  so  did  everyone  in  the  neighborhood.  so,  naturally  -  she  left.  for  the  day,  at  least.  away  in  a  store  that  she  knew  she'd  spend  a  pretty  penny  in,  trying  to  distract  herself  from  what  was  going  on.  however, her  shopping  partner  hadn't  said  anything  in  a  little while,  so  she  decided  to  break  some  ice.  “  i'm  scared,  you  know.  terrified.  ”

bash isn't sure what to make of the letter. yeah, he's scared like he's sure everyone else is but he also doesn't want to dwell too much on the negativity of the whole situation. there was no silver lining to this which he was usually good at finding in sticky situations. after seeing the news about lucas, it got more and more real. but bash didn't want his friend to be scared. so he wrapped her in a small hug and said, "don't worry, i'll protect you. i promise."

                 it   seemed   as   if   everyone   was   growing   petrified   of   the   unnamed   ,   masked   ‘   killer   ’   that   was   taunting   the   celebrities   ,   though   lucas   still   remained   unfazed   ;   believing   truly   ,   that   it   was   all   just   another   hoax   .   there   wasn't   enough   evidence   for   him   to   believe   otherwise   ,   so   certainly   wouldn't   prevent   him   from   having   a   good   time   —   especially   on   halloween   !   “   oh   ,   um   .   .   .   ”   slightly   panicking   if   the   other   figures   out   the   drink   in   his   hand   ,   is   not   liquor   but   merely   water   .   he   has   to   blend   in   somehow   .   “   gin   and   tonic   ?   yeah   ,   it's   a   gin   and   tonic   .   ”   he   nods   ,   hoping   to   reassure   the   both   of   them   like   he   does   this   often   .   “   i   like   your   costume   ,   ”   finger   pointing   in   sebastian's   direction   ,   “   i   think   you   might   be   up   for   that   one   thousand   dollar   prize   .   ”

bash wasn't the type of person to dwell on the negatives, always looking at the sunny side of things. so when it came to the supposed killer, he tried to concentrate on the things he could control and what he was grateful for instead of focusing on fear. and he had a lot to be grateful for so he was focusing on that tonight instead. "gin and tonic is always a good choice." he's not the biggest drinker in the world due to the fact that he's often the designated driver but he appreciates a good drink now and then. "thank you! i think it's giving people a good laugh which we all need."

lucille would be lying if she said she wasn’t intimidated after receiving vigilante’s letter. she looked forward to the party before it was even announced, but now all it's left is a sour taste in her mouth, a tinge of dread looming over the night. zoned out at the bar, a familiar voice snaps her out of her daze, the sight of her friend immediately lifting her to higher spirits. “my first and last tequila sunrise, thank you very much,” she grins, “but it suits your get-up much more than mine. mr. frosted tips himself would be proud.”

bash isn't quite sure what to make of the letter. it seems like someone might have it out for the rich and famous but he still didn't feel like he was that famous even though at this point in his career, he definitely was. he tried to put it out of his mind and focus on the present moment. he gave a little bow and said, "thank you, thank you very much." he was pleased with his costume even though it wasn't a typical sexy halloween costume. "i felt like we all needed a good laugh lately and i'm more than happy to help."

           despite  what  the  media  has  dubbed  their  ‘  resting  bitch  face  ’  ,  lips  can’t  help  but  quirk  up  into  an  amused  grin  when  they  spot  bash’s  costume  for  the  night  .  harlowe  casually  strolls  over  ,  drink  in  hand  before  stopping  in  front  of  the  other  .  “  it’s  a  little  pretentious  but  it’s  an  old  fashioned  ,  ”  answers  with  a  small  shrug  of  their  shoulders  .  “  but  i  guess  it’s  less  pretentious  than  being  that  person  who  just  orders  whiskey  on  the  rocks  ,  ”  they  jest  .  nods  towards  him  .  “  what  are  you  having  ?  something  worthy  of  mr.  flavortown  himself  ?  ”

when bash sees harlowe smile, he's pleased with himself. if he even made one person smile with his silly goofy costume, mission accomplished. that was his entire thought process when picking out a costume. not if he'd look hot but if he'd make people smile. he smiles back at them and replies, "it doesn't sound pretentious to me at all." he picks up his drink and adds, "i'm having a margarita. i think mr. flavortown would approve."

some of sapphire's cocktail almost spilt over the rim of her glass as she nodded enthusiastically. "exactly!",she exclaimed. she would always trust bash to say exactly what she needed to hear. he was sweet like that. "i can't have people thinking i'm a sexy eggplant or a pop star barbie when I'm the queen of motown." ,she explained. it might have been on the nose to dress as an extremely successful former girl group member when that's what she was trying to be but the costume perfectly accompanied her branding and diana ross was a childhood icon of hers. "but i don't think you have to worry about people not recognising your costume." sapphire commented with a giggle. she would always favour costumes that made her look good but she could appreciate a comedic costume on somebody else. "so what do you think of bootsy bellows, mr flavortown? is it one of the best dives you been to?"

"i think you could rock a sexy eggplant costume though," he says with a laugh. he's mainly joking but he also believes that she really could pull that look off. although, he thinks the diana ross costume is much better than an eggplant. when sapphire commented on bash's costume, he almost let out a sigh of relief. he thought maybe people wouldn't recognize his costume and he'd have to explain it over and over again. which he wouldn't mind doing but even he thought that could get a little exhausting after a while. "bootsy bellows is definitely up there on the list. i feel like i have to get some more food in me to judge it better, would you like to join me?"

               glances   up   ,     barely   even   lifting   the   glass   to   meet   bash’s   energy   .     it’s   just   …     the   loud   music   is   annoying   ,     the   black   leather   jacket   feels   like   a   straitjacket   ,     and   the   crow   makeup   is   starting   to   itch   .     but   ace   isn’t   there   for   fun   anyway   .     halloween   or   not   ,     mind’s   stuck   on   that   goddamn   letter   .     some   fucker   is   targetting   the   rich   ,     and   as   much   as   he   usually   gets   the   desire   to   ,     you   know   ,     eat   the   rich   ,     it   feels   like   he’s   caught   up   in   someone   else’s   game   .               “         sticking   to   beer   tonight   .     nothin’   fancy   .     you   want   one   ?          ”               and   gives   bash’s   guy   fieri   costume   a   once - over   with   a   raised   eyebrow   .               “         wait   ,     wait   —   so   …     what’s   the   plan   tonight   ?     you   tryin’   to   win   best   dressed   or   just   here   to   make   sure   everyone   remembers   you   came   ?     not   that   anyone   could   forget   seeing   that   …          ”               there’s   a   bite   of   sarcasm   there   ,   but   it’s   friendly   enough   ,     softened   with   a   chuckle   even   .

bash is really in his element when he's at parties, as he's quite naturally extroverted and this party is no exception. while some people might complain about having to go to parties for networking, he actually found it refreshing. when ace mentions he's drinking beer, bash internally grimaces because he's not the biggest fan of beer. but his people pleasing nature makes him say, "i'd love one." ace's comment on his costume makes him laugh. "i'm just trying to bring some levity to the event. do you think it worked? do you think it'll cheer people up?" god knows, everyone could use a little cheering up and bash was always the kind of person who wanted to do that.

                    her mood lifts instantly upon hearing bash's comment . the royal trainings shoved down her throat always mentioned that being late was not a good thing , so the blonde stressed whenever she ran late to anything . " you always know how to make a girl feel special . oh , i'm so glad you're here , bash . " vic grins , sliding an arm around her friend's shoulder to give him a gentle hug . " tequila shots sounds perfect . tomorrow victoire might not agree with me , but that's not my problem . "

bash was happy to see a friend at this event. he was sure if he didn't know anyone at the party, he would've ended up making friends either way but it was nice to see a familiar face, nonetheless. "i'm glad you're here too, vic." he smiles as he hugs her back. "we've got to live in the moment, right? and in the moment, i think tequila shots are the way to go." he would probably only do one or two before deciding he had enough to drink.

                 “   is   anyone   else   sitting   here   ?   ”   doesn't   wait   for   an   answer   as   she   extends   the   chair   ,   adjusting   herself   comfortably   while   setting   her   matcha   latte   upon   the   table   .   “   you're   a   breath   of   fresh   air   —   the   paparazzi   outside   were   about   to   drive   me   nuts   .   ”

bash was glad to have someone to sit with while he drank his coffee. it was always so awkward sitting alone with no one to talk to, especially for someone who thrived on human connection like bash. "the paparazzi are crazy, i swear to god." he appreciated the compliment of being a breath of fresh air, he liked the idea that he could be a respite from the horrors of the nasty side of fame. "what did they ask you this time?" he was always so surprised by how invasive and insensitive the questions that the paps could ask were.

                    she's fashionably late and she knows it . usually , victoire is one of the first to arrive at any event , but her wig had been a pain in the ass to put it on and she'd spent far too much time on it . halloween is one of her favorite holidays and , ever since moving to the states , she'd made sure to go all out for it . " i know , i know , i'm late ! " victoire says once she's within earshot , hands lifted in front of her body in a sign of surrender . " becoming barbie is not easy , okay ? this whole thing took me , like , two and a half hours . " the princess does a little twirl to show off her costume , chuckling to herself . " anyway , i'm here now , so can we please get some shots or something ? this barbie is ready to party ! "

bash had showed up on time to the party but he wasn't surprised when some people were late. it was like him to be prompt because he was always on the more responsible side. he couldn't say he blamed people like victoire for being late especially when she had such an iconic costume, it must've taken her hours to get ready. "it's okay that you're late, at least you're here now!" he says, giving her his signature grin. "i can tell you put a lot of time and effort into the costume because you look great!" he gives her a thumbs up and then adds, "do you wanna do some tequila shots?" he didn't drink excessively but he could never resist a shot of tequila.