cat got your tongue?

Atta actually did enjoy the company of Kit’s ex-fiancée, who she had been worried about meeting the first time around. Not only was she famous, but she was the first girl who he was supposed to marry. As luck would have it, the two became fast friends, and she supposed either Kit or his father had a knack for choosing good women for him to marry. “Oh, it’s not that big of a deal, I kind of grew up knowing this was how it was going to be.” Except, the man who made her life the most difficult wasn’t supposed to be involved with her job; he was the reason everything was so complicated in the first place. “My boss is just a little intense. He likes things done a certain way, and he gets pretty upset if it’s not exact.” That was one way to put it, at least. She didn’t want Marie to be worried about her or anything. 

❤

It was strange to think that they would get along but when it worked, it worked. Atta was one of the people that it was actually easy to be around and that wasn’t something Marie said about everyone. Not that she was easily annoyed but she sure did get bored. That was a problem in her dating life as well which came to explain a lot about her current escapades. “Ah, now that I understand entirely,” she said while leaning back a little into her chair. Marie had seen what her life would look like since childhood watching her mother, only recently turning that on its head. “It’s always a man, isn’t it? Well, doesn’t make it sound any less stressful to say the least.” For once she was actually taking time for herself, perhaps that being one of the good things that came of her fake engagement. “How’s everything besides that? Things going well with Kit? Dot doing good?” She asked while lifting up her mug to her lips. 

Continued from here for @catscratchfevcr​ .

Nights like these had almost became routine for Berlioz. At least once or twice a week he’d go out and just get completely blasted before coming home and crashing sometime around the sunrise. Maybe he was spiraling a bit that night. He’d gone a bit too far, drank way too much, and knew there wasn’t any way he was making it home alone. With his phone at one percent he’d just texted Marie his location with no context, hoping she’d be awake and get the memo. She was the only person he could think of to contact before his phone went dead. He’d waited on the side of the road, throwing up once or twice before he finally recognized the car that was pulling up in front of him. He’d barely gotten in without falling over but managed to just lean his head back and keep his eyes closed on the way home. Once she’d helped him in the house of course there was going to be twenty questions. He rushed to the bathroom before any of that could happen though and threw up again. When he was certain he was fine he just let his sister help him up and walk back into the other room. He prayed their mother and aunt wouldn’t wake up and come down. Before she could even start questioning him he’d said it. He felt pretty helpless in that moment. His head was spinning still and he just wanted to sit. When he finally collapsed onto the couch he held onto her so he could sit up, despite the strong desire to lie down and pass out right there. Marie wasn’t going to let him down so easily though, he knew that for certain. She was really the only family member he’d ever let see him like this. It was always so late when he got home or he just avoided everyone all together. Berlioz hadn’t really had any other options that night though than to have Marie help him home. 

“What happened?” he asked incredulously. “You were there, Marie. We were all there!” He hadn’t specified where ‘there’ exactly was but certainly Marie could have put two and two together. “I’m running from my own nightmares. My life, Marie.” His words were slurred and he didn’t even fight her when she pushed some of his hair from his eyes. He was too exhausted and far too inebriated. His hand went to his pocket where his dead phone was and froze. Something was missing from his pocket and he had no idea what could have happened to the item in question. His hands searched his pockets and when he realized his pills were missing he hoped he’d just dropped them outside the bar and not in Marie’s car or something. His focus snapped back to Marie though as she spoke up again. “You don’t understand and you never will.” He shook his head, blonde curls falling back into his eyes. “Everyone just moves on in life. Whatever. I’m stuck here alone. With my thoughts and nightmares of the past and just all this bullshit.” He glanced back at her but had to lean his head back and close his eyes. The room was spinning more and he knew himself well enough to know he needed sleep at this point. He wasn’t very optimistic that that would happen any time soon though. “I just want to feel okay. I’m just tired all the time and I can’t sleep unless I’m fucked up because I just get nightmares of the same thing over and over again every single night. Nothing works though. They always come back.” He was rambling a little bit and he likely wouldn’t have had the courage to tell her these things sober. The more he spoke the drier his throat got though. “Can you please get me some water?”

❤

She knew the haunting of their past all too well, having her own nights where it’s her who is running away from them. Instead of turning to substances it became her work and she would throw herself into it completely. That was the place she could escape it, pretending as if it was never there but it lingered with her as it did the rest of the family. They were all stained from what happened in different ways. Her eyes were heavy as they looked over her brother who had fallen into the darkness of his own head. “It’s not like I don’t think about it all the time or look at life differently now, he fucked us all up...” A man that was what felt like family who had turned on them within an instant. To trust was not something Marie did so easily anymore, the constant wonder of if he would return to finish what he started. They always looked behind their backs now and she had accepted that’s how it might be forever. “I do understand,” she said firmly. “How do you think I felt being here? Mother wants us to stay children here and live under her rules. It’s suffocating here, I know that it is. You are never alone though. I’m only ever a call away, Toulouse too. We can still be here for you.” Marie knew it was probably no use getting to him right now but she would try anyway. He never made it easy, even as a child. She wouldn’t give up though, always wanting to remind him that she wasn’t going anywhere. “I get them too, all that ever helps is sometimes I smoke or I simply exhaust myself. But it’s going to be okay... He’s not going to hurt you Berli, never again, I promise.” She almost reached out before his question got her to her feet and to the kitchen to grab him a glass of water. Marie took a moment to take a deep breath as the water filled the cup in her hand. All she wanted was to help but she didn’t feel like she even knew how sometimes. After pulling it away she brought it back out to him, kneeling back on the floor beside him. “Here you go,” she said holding the glass out.

After their initial meeting Marie had actually liked her, thinking she was actually a better fit for Kit than her anyway. Though it had caught her by surprise that he didn’t end up doing what she’d assumed he would which was take off somewhere with Ella. She didn’t think she could be surprised by him and yet here she was. Either way she enjoyed the woman’s company, needing to get away from running lines in her apartment anyway. After awhile they all started to look the same and nothing was sticking. This made for the perfect excuse to sneak away. “Wait...” She stopped drinking her tea and set it back onto its saucer. “You’re having to do what?” Marie hadn’t understood just how difficult her job must be, gaining more respect for her by the moment. “Here I thought running lines was a pain.”

Marie hadn’t been home much lately, knowing that her roommate must have noticed by this point. Not to mention when she left there was usually a bag with her and a note on the fridge saying she’d be gone a few days so she didn’t worry. The sings were there but she wanted to make sure Rosie hadn’t gotten the wrong idea about things. This wasn’t something that was serious or anything. They were only have fun, no strings attached and not feelings involved. It was the one thing in her life that felt simple; it was sex and what wasn’t simple about that? Marie smiled as the other girl walked into their kitchen as she sat at the counter drinking her morning coffee. “Morning,” she said looking up from her cup. “I made coffee if you want some it’s in in the french press.” 

@theotherbilly

She'd found herself addicted to his touch, making herself at home between his silk sheets. They had an arrangement without strings but she didn't find herself quite as enthralled with anyone the way she was with him. He'd been able to help bring out the very side of her that she'd been hiding, she thought it might be what helped draw them together in the first place. Marie looked up at him from where she rested her head on his chest. "Not a terrible place to start, since we always seem to end up here anyway.” she said with a small smile as her eyes met his. She was trying to not read too much into anything and enjoy herself. “A very needed new beginning.” 

@youngestaristocat

There was a space between her and her younger brother that she'd been trying to fill these last few weeks. She was surprised he'd come back into her life but she wouldn't complain when she was just happy to see him again. Life felt incomplete without her family and their recent disagreements caused her to worry if they'd talk the same again. Now sitting with him she felt that ache again, the same one she did the last time she'd found him like this. All she could feel was helpless but wanted to do anything she could to simply be there. Marie looked at her brother as he was absolutely gone, propped up against the couch with her arm holding him steady. "Why isn't it enough? What are you trying to run away from? What happened?" She searched his eyes while reaching out to move his hair from his eyes. Even though she knew he hated it, she worried about him. "I know it's hard and I know it's scary but you can talk to me. I want to be there for you if you'll let me in."

Her latest sin streak had been stuck somewhere between Billy’s bedroom and a bar down the street. Most nights ended in whiskey kisses, burgundy lipstick on his white collar, and the smell of her YSL Libre on his sheets. There was a sense of freedom she’d ended up stumbling upon here and they both seemed like indulging themselves. She’d fallen into a pattern, like an addiction to something in a glass but one with eyes set to kill her if they looked too hard. He could worship her body and find his altar in her hips, regardless of the time of day. Marie had been neglecting work for a bit, trying to give herself some time after the engagement to breathe on her own again. She actually started to miss it and easing back in was difficult when he always tempted her. “What excuse do I give this time?” Marie said softly as her hips leaned into his touch. “I can’t tell them my car battery died again.” He made it tempting though, always seeming more better at convincing than she remembered. “Maybe like... twenty minutes.” 

Billy chuckled, trying to keep his focus on the road. He took his other hand off the wheel and placed it on her lap, feeling the comfort of her soft, warm skin. Marie was his different kind of high, and seeing her change from her good-natured self into a state of rebellion against the structural integrities of posh society was something Billy loved to see. He turned to look at her again, reminding himself of how stimulating this whole ordeal was. She was stunning, and the fact that she was blossoming right before him was simply his favorite entertainment to see. “I like to take my time before I share the view of my muse with others.” He argued, this time sliding his hand from her lap to clasp it with her fingers. Billy was having the time of his life, in the company of a smart, gorgeous woman who by now was far from the chaos of his own past. Of course, this was a past time, a fleeting feeling that he would one day say his goodbyes to. Nonetheless, for now, this felt right. She felt right.

Once they arrived at the said event, Billy opened the doors for her, tossing the keys to the valet while he allowed her hands to slip into his arms. They were finally going out and being seen by the public. This was one of the rare moments Billy felt alive—the sense of thrill from holding and catching what used to be a forbidden woman. Some would assume he was the rebound, but he didn’t care as long as she woke up next to him in the morning. “You really sure you want to do this first? I know plenty of ways to relax you.” He whispered on her ear, walking towards the entrance doors.  "I can do the thing you like.“ Billy kept teasing, though her looks were enough to capture much of his attention. Billy took her hand off, and instead pulled her toward him by the waist as they entered the room. "Game time, babe.” He added, raising his chin. 

❤

As much as she wanted to indulge in the idea of someone looking at her the way he did but she knew they both wanted to come together to something like this. Billy was everything wrong for her, everything unexpected, and somehow it was just right. Each moment with him was thrilling, always leaving her wondering what could happen next. It felt like for the first time in her life that Marie was truly living and only for herself, not anyone else. He presented her with something to look and not touch but somehow doing it anyway. They were fun, they were easy, they were carefree. Marie felt more like herself when she was with him like a poison she’d gotten a little too comfortable with the taste of. 

She exited the car with poise, knowing the eyes could be on her anytime after the second she was out of his car. Everyone wanted to know the gossip and as far as the rumors had heard Kit was the one who had someone new in his life, not Marie who was expected to be heartbroken. Little did they know she felt like she’d been set free and nothing stood in her way. “Oh, we know you do,” she laughed as she pulled herself a little closer to him. “This might actually be the longest we’ve kept our clothes on,” she returned in a whisper, her hip swaying into his as he pulled her closer. Marie looked out to the room ahead of them. There was no going back now but for the first time, she didn’t want to. “Eat your hearts out, fuckers.” They stared and she knew they would. People couldn’t help but to find interest in the dealings of others. Marie knew what she’d signed up for when becoming an actress, now she finally had a role she didn’t have to play to anyone else’s script. She pulled him over towards the bar to start the night with a drink, ordering them their usual. Whiskey on the rocks for the lady and whiskey neat for the gentleman. By this point she’d poured her fair share of them wearing one of his shirts and swinging her hips to some old record. “Do you dance?”

Atta had been anxious to reach out to Kit’s former fiancee to see what her experience had been, being engaged to him. She wanted to make sure she had covered all of her bases before he publicly asked her the question. After that, there would be no turning back. Unless, of course, you were Marie. Of course she’d heard of the Bonfamilles, though she’d never interacted with any of thee three siblings. When she’d received thee call from Marie herself before she was able to reach out to her herself, Atta immediately agreed to meet. With the other woman already sitting at the table, she slid into her seat, a smile forming at the sight of Marie and a glass of wine. “Oh, my gosh, of course. I’m so happy you called, honestly. I’d been meaning to get a chance to talk to you.” It was nice to know that Marie felt thee same way about their engagement as Kit had described. “I mean, he told me a little bit about your arrangement, but no story is complete without hearing it from both sides.”

❤

It wasn’t an ideal situation but Marie knew she’d been the one to get the sweeter end of the deal. She was able to get out of her engagement without too much collateral damage. Her heart felt more heavy for Kit, uncertain what happened with Ella and where his future lied with Atta. All she could be sure of was that he’d figure it out since it seemed like he always had some sort of a plan about these things. At least, he had when she was the one wearing his ring. “I know how things can get, believe me,” she said waving her hand to show she was unbothered by it. “I’m just glad we finally get the chance to sit down and talk.” Marie wondered how much she knew of the arrangement, unsure what Kit wanted to share with his next bride-to-be. That didn’t mean she’d try to see what all she knew before revealing their secret. “Yes, of course. I’m sure you have questions. Whatever I can do, there’s no bad blood as far as I’m concerned. How do you feel about it all? It’s so expected that we are to be happy and I know that isn’t always the case.”

It had been a scandal that ended her engagement to Kit and even though she was supposed to be hurt this actually worked out in her favor. Little did anyone know she’d been waiting for the other shoe to drop for quite some time now. Not that she didn’t want Kit to have his happiness but she was certain that didn’t mean walking down the aisle with her at the alter. That didn’t mean she hadn’t grown to care for him in a sense, wanting to make sure he was at least as happy as he could be in his new situation. Atta was a woman Marie was familiar with long before her name ever appeared next to Kit’s. After things ended with so many loose ends she thought it might be smart to reach out to Atta herself, seeing as though she was the other that was placed in a similar situation. It would be better if they both cleared the air anyway so that there wouldn’t be any surprises. Once she arrived Marie was quick to greet her, a glass of red wine already waiting for her that she’d ordered for them both. “Thank you for meeting up with me, I know how busy it can be right after everything,” she said with a soft chuckle to lighten the mood right away. “I hope you know there are no hard feelings here. It wasn’t like I had chosen to marry him the old fashion way after all.”

@catscratchfevcr​​

Berlioz had barely spoken to his sister throughout her entire engagement. Now he felt a bit guilty that he hadn’t because now she was dumped. He still didn’t understand all the details of it, but he was relieved that Marie wasn’t going to marry that insufferable Kit Charming. It was him who sought her out this time, sending her a vague text asking her to come over to the house. When she finally arrived and he heard her come in the door he looked up from his phone and yelled to her that he was in the living room for her. He knew he wasn’t able to do this sober. And he’s pretty confident in his skills of acting fine around other people when needed. He just needed a way to stay calm through this all. He shouldn’t have to feel so distant from his sister and his heart shouldn’t be pounding in his chest because he was going to speak with her. When she was settled on the couch he bit the inside of his cheek for a moment before speaking. “I’m sorry your engagement didn’t work out,” he said, genuinely. “I don’t really know much about it all but…that’s still hard on someone.” He finally glanced up at her and met her eyes. “I’m sorry I’ve been so angry and wouldn’t talk to you. I’m just…always angry, I guess. I’m angry you and Toulouse left and I’m angry that everyone is always acting as if nothing bad ever happened in our lives.” He looks away from her. “I don’t understand why. I miss the way our family was. I feel so out of place most of the time.” Berlioz lets out a sigh and sinks back into the couch. “Despite anything though you’re still my sister and I love you no matter what.” He gives her a small smile, in hopes she’d let this blow over and they could move on from their dispute.

❤

Ever since her engagement her brother had a vendetta against her. As much as she wished she could explain it wasn’t even real she wondered if he’d be just as upset with her for agreeing to it. Marie knew it wasn’t all that simple but she hated having him so upset with her. Toulouse had been quiet lately and even though they got on her nerves she missed her brothers. No matter what they’d been through they always did it as a family, they could survive this or so she hoped as she knew it wasn’t a decision for her to make alone. She showed up with a bottle of wine for their mother and a box of macaroons for Berli. Whenever going to visit the house she made sure to bring them gifts so they always liked when she came by. It was a surprise that her brother had been the one to reach out but she wasn’t going to complain. In fact, she was surprised for the reasoning and relieved at the same time. It would be nice to have her little brother back. “It’s alright, wasn’t like I was in love with the guy or anything,” she said simply. “A marriage built like that was never bound to work anyway.” And it was true, they’d known that all along just waiting for the right moment to end it. “We all get that way sometimes. None of it changes that you’re my little brother and always will be.” A small smile took over her features as she reached to give his shoulder a squeeze. “Even if I’m not here I promise I’m not going anywhere, I’m never going to leave you.” And she meant it.

-

Ken had never considered being an actor. He wasn’t sure he would get the whole memorizing the lines thing down and he was good at what he did so he never really tried to be more. He was sure that sounded awful; it wasn’t that he wasn’t ambitious he just….was content with where he was. Though now he was wondering how good he would look on the silver screen as an extra or something. He could totally play the witty friend if he tried surely. “I have. I’m not ashamed to say I wanted to see a strong woman doing what she does best. As for me….I dunno if I would be welcomed to your world as easily as you would with mine.” He put out his own cigarette right after her and grinned. “I can be your personal bodyguard without a doubt. People don’t know how to mind their own business and if you get a few drinks in me I can be the best muscle you have ever had. I am not afraid to be used!” He really felt for her. Wanting to be her own person was a great thing, and he was confidant that she already was and just wasn’t seeing it yet. He was hoping he could help her see it. Nothing pained him more than seeing an obviously strong woman struggling with her power. She deserved to be a force to be reckon with and then some.  “No one is going to tell you who you are tonight. This is your night and it’s gonna be awesome.” He held his hand out to her. “I promise to keep you safe and to make sure you have the best end of the year that you can.”

❤

Sometimes she forgot that people actually knew her before she ever knew them. Many around town had probably seen Marie in something before ever finding out about the Kit Charming engagement details. It was almost surreal if she was to think too hard on it, instead choosing to look at him. During her arrangement with Kit her eyes hadn’t looked over his friends as more than people who she needed to remember but now that she could, Ken had the face for the screen. “Just as any woman would love to see a handsome man say beautiful things to them through a screen,” she said looking to him with a small suggestion behind her eyes. “I think they’d eat you up, you’d fit in perfectly.” Perhaps better than her sometimes. He seemed to be good at talking, she had a fire inside of her that she knew stopped her before. Perhaps the fact it all happened this way was a good thing, finally giving in to the person her mother wouldn’t approve of. A lady, just not in the way she wanted. “As long as you don’t mind keeping me company I’d really appreciate it, that sounds exactly like what I need.” Marie exaggerated a voice a little, a smile coming forward. “That’s a very big promise to upkeep you know,” she said giving him a raise of her eyebrow before taking his hand. “I can only hope the same for you. To start, I think I have a drink to get you for helping me out like this.” 

-

Ken chuckled at her words. He was sure that opportunities were coming out of every corner for her now and he was happy for her in that sense. She deserved to have a lavished career on her talent alone, but it never hurt to have some aid from the press. Ken knew all too well how being in the good graces of a scandal could work wonders for a person. Still, he believed she could do it all without it. “You’re a lovely actress. I’ve seen your last few movies. I’m becoming a big fan.” He placed a hand on his chest. “I just want to do what I can. It’s not every day I even get the chance to help a starlet out like this. The only other thing I can do right off the bat is tell you how you should model and how I can get your foot in the door if you wish. But I have a feeling you won’t even really need my help to do that if you wanted to.” He finished his cigarette and wiped his hands on the side of his outfit. “Do you wanna go back into the party and get a drink? Or dance? I would love to show you off and let the world know that you’re the star of this party.”

❤

As much as she liked having people calling to book the girl that was famously engaged to Kit Charming, the last thing she wanted to do right now was have to answer anymore questions about the ordeal. Everyone wanted to know what happened and perhaps that was one of the reasons she’d slipped out of the venue that night. She’d never felt suffocated by her job but being his ex-fiance was a role she apparently hadn’t prepared for adequately. She breathed the smoke in like a layer of protection against the eyes on her. That never kept her from standing straight with her cat eye drawn on sharp enough to cut anyone she needed to. His acknowledgement of her work caught her by surprise, not everyone was the type to know what she’d been in but it was a flattery that worked for her. “Have you? I’m flattered to have been welcomed onto your screen,” she said with a laugh before taking another drag of her cigarette. “You say that as if you’re not up and coming yourself. You’re a model after all.” Marie hadn’t met Ken personally but she knew of him from word of mouth and doing her own research when she first started this scandal with Kit. “Maybe if I give modeling a shot then you could try your luck on film. Casting would love you.” He was the type. Attractive, good build, tall, giving all things tall, dark and handsome. Marie put out her cigarette with a sigh, knowing she’d need to break the habit sooner or later. “Only if you promise to help me completely block out all the people who want to get the next juicy gossip from the girl that almost married Kit Charming. Tonight I want to be just Marie,” she said holding out her hand for him to take if he chose to accept her offer. “Think you can help me do that?”