THE CHAMELEON: ever done something without your parents finding out?

THE COMIC: what's the most ridiculous thing you actually attempted thinking it would work?

THE INGÉNUE: what’s something you wish would happen, but know won’t?

THE JUVENILE: do you have a favorite poem? poet?

THE LEADING LADY: how far have you gone to get ahead? would you go farther?

THE LEADING MAN: if you could play anyone in any form of media, who would it be and why?

THE SCENE STEALER: what traditions or rituals or mantras have you created for yourself?

THE STATUE: do you prefer to blend in or stand out?

THE STUNTMAN: are you an optimist? why or why not?

THE SUPPORTING ROLE: how do you deal with betrayal?

THE TEMPTRESS: what trait are you most proud of?

THE TOMBOY: what is your biggest regret? would you change anything if you could?

THE UNDERSTUDY: who are you most envious of—real or fictional—and why?

THE UTILITY: do you usually instigate arguments or do you try to diffuse them? which would you prefer?

josie: [ read: 1:03am ]

josie: [ one day later ] don't act like you know how i felt about orson. and definitely don't compare it to what you did with him. it's completely different.

josie: [ two hours later ] i loved him for all the right reasons, you loved him for all the wrong ones

chandler: i won't act like i know how you felt if you don't act like you know how i did.

𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗: who knows? time’s a social construct.  𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎: the anchor. 𝚠𝚑𝚘:@chandlerrosen·.

when teddy bumps into chandler at the anchor, he figures it’s better to talk about her getting lady macbeth than to talk about the last police report. the guilt fills him up every time he thinks about the mess he had caused. about the pain he had provoked. teddy closes his eyes for a second, wishing his ill thoughts away. “all hail, lady macbeth!” he says, smiling, leaning back on the bar. “i’m probably the last one to say this, but congratulations on the leading role.” chandler and hudson as the leads was something unexpected, but also fresh and exciting. “now, can i get you a celebratory drink?”

.

the fact that not one, but two of the bartenders at the anchor recognize her is probably not a good sign, for her reputation or her liver. she cringed inside as the guy working tonight asked her if she’d have the usual, and then promptly poured her a whiskey, neat, which was, unfortunately, her usual. she finished her first drink in record time and was contemplating getting a second when she saw teddy. a smile, genuine for once, grew on her face as she saw her friend for the first time in what felt like years. she let out a laugh at his entrance, “thank you, thank you,” she smiled, bowing her head from her seat as though she were on stage, “and congratulations on malcolm. it’s a great role.” there was a refreshing absence of anger in his voice, something she was worried about when she went off on josie and mathias in the groupchat. regardless, she was glad he didn’t hate her - who else would she talk about cicero with? “sure, i’ll have another of these,” she said, awkwardly handling her glass as she motioned for the bartender to get her another. “so, what brings you here tonight? are you also finding the castle and its inhabitants as unbearable as i am?”

date & time: post-police statement, around 10pm location: the castle (common room) availability: closed @chandlerrosen·

Details mattered, they showed you listened and paid attention to someone. Even now despite them not being as close as they were at the start, Julian still remembered things about Chandler. Facts don’t disappear when you stop talking to someone. “Hey, did you eat dinner yet? I have spicy potato tacos and a chicken quesadilla with your name on it,” he offered, taking a seat opposite of Chandler. A mix of the munchies and a need to clear his head resulted in a trip to Taco Bell. Unable to stop replaying how the group chat went in his head, he couldn’t help the sympathy he felt for Chandler. She screwed up by cheating, but he strongly doubted her involvement with the murder at the same.

.

The emptiness of the common room was forgiving, allowing Chandler to go over her script in peace. She took a hit of her vape as she highlighted a line, scribbling ‘why would she want this?’ in the margin - a secret of Lady Macbeth’s to uncover at a later date. The smell of Taco Bell hit her first, the voice that accompanied it second. “Oh hell yeah, thank you so much! Wait---are you sure?” She asked, pausing as she reached for the bag. The initial excitement at seeing Julian was one habitual, and perhaps if it was a year, even four months ago, it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary at all. But ever since the night of the party, Julian had distanced himself from her--and really, who could blame him? “How have you been? All things considered, of course,” she asked, hoping to hide the eagerness in her voice at talking to someone she once considered a close friend.

when: some day post-police statement, dinnertime where: the refectory who: @chandlerrosen···

Harry moved like a ghost through the various food offerings at the Refectory, mind wandering about a thousand different places away from the sandwich station and soda machines. She couldn’t stop thinking about the police statement, about the implications for their continued investigation into Orson’s death. From the moment she found out what had happened, Harry refused to process the concept that anyone she knew could be capable of murder. Then, discovering that police didn’t quite feel the same? That her peers would throw the accusation around with such abandon? It made her feel queasy. Before, Harry’s main concern had been whether or not she and Jonah would get away with what they’d done. Now, it seemed likely that they would… but there were larger things at play instead. Things Harry hadn’t wanted to acknowledge before.

She spotted Chandler at their usual fourth-year table and waved, trying to appear cheerful (or at least, as cheerful as was befitting of Harry’s usual vibe). Harry crossed over to her and set her tray down, greeting her with a “hey” before taking a seat. She felt bad with all the shit Chandler was now getting, but Harry figured the last thing she probably wanted was pity. “You want some company, or is this one of those introspective brooding meals?”

.

Chandler spent most of the day hiding in her room with Zahra, afraid that she would run into Josie or Mathias, or worse, the police. But nicotine took its toll on her stomach, and she couldn’t ignore its rumblings forever. Regardless, the pasta she had on her plate, while appetizing under normal circumstances, did nothing to quell the ache in her stomach. Perhaps if she stared at it long enough, she would miraculously feel better, both physically and emotionally. She stabbed a noodle and put it in her mouth, chewing out of habit, barely tasting the sauce as she decided nutrients were important, even if she saw little point in them now. She was roused from her meal (if it could be called that) by a familiar voice, and a smile stole its way onto her face as she greeted Harry.“ You know me, always brooding,” she lazily joked, the irony of her chastising Jonah for that same behavior not lost on her, “but please, sit. I could use the company.” She pushed the pasta around her plate as she thought of what to say, worried that maybe Harry hated her too, “how have you been holding up? Since...you know.” She leaned slightly across the table and lowered her voice to a whisper in case someone was eavesdropping on them. 

josie: i can't believe you just mentioned god. that's probably the funniest thing you've ever said.

josie: i knew i shouldn't have left you on read for so long, mathias already said what i was thinking in the gc. but i'll say it again if i have to

josie: we all know you fucked heidi before orson's body was even cold so that you could get that role. it's the only reason you got henry, and now it's the only reason you got lady m.

chandler: happy 2 entertain

chandler: that's low, josie, even for you.

chandler: i get berating me for hurting grace, trust me i do, i'd do the same if jonah cheated on helen.

chandler: but accusing me of being with orson just for a role? of not caring about him?

LOCATION: chandler & zahra’s room TIME: after the police statement was released AVAILABILITY: closed @chandlerrosen·

“Mathias and Josephine are so full of shit,” Zahra spat as she scrolled through the group chat. The fucking audacity of trying to shame Chandler when they were the ones who were being shady as hell. “Don’t stress over what they’re saying about you — they’re just trying to cover their own asses.” And it was all thanks to Zahra, who had no qualms about throwing the two of them under the bus if it meant throwing suspicion off of her own misdeeds. Seeing the way they attacked Chandler made her lose whatever leftover guilt she may have had about bringing their names up to the detectives.

.

“Ugh, I know!” Chandler groaned and flopped onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling. “I know I shouldn’t engage, and I did feel bad about telling the police I thought Mathias killed Orson, but that was before they pulled this shit.” Mathias had been out to get her as long as she could remember - if it wasn’t one thing between these two, it was another - but Chandler could remember a time when she and Josie almost got along, even if only for Grace’s sake. “It just sucks. And I’m trying to move on and be a better person and grieve and forget and they just make it so hard. And Grace...” Chandler trailed off, thinking about how Grace defended Josie. She should have seen it coming, should never have called Grace out for taking Josie’s side, but ever since their night at the Anchor, Chandler thought things might be different between them, better.

to be honest, nate hadn’t had much personal interaction with chandler. he knew her well enough to understand that she had obviously been through some shit these past couple of months, probably tenfold since she actually still, uh, cared - or cares - about orson. nate had thought about reaching out, but he didn’t know if that would’ve just been weird or if chandler wanted to even be around him. but there she was, sitting down at the table. and now nate didn’t know if he’d have the nerve to say what had originally been on his mind. he stalls for half a moment, hopefully not long enough to notice. “…i just wanted to get your quick opinion on something, actually. take a listen.” he lets out his best cackle, trying to embody the crones and hags of generations before. it’s loud, but just when other students start to turn and look their way, nate stops. he grins, “not bad for an amateur try, huh? it’s all part of my plan to slowly submerge myself in the role until i’ve lost my mind and i don’t know who am i anymore. ugh, can’t wait.”

“you feeling good about lady m, right? 

“oh,” chandler uttered, taken aback by his request. it was so much...simpler than she had imagined. she burst into laughter as she heard his cackle, impressed with his commitment to his characterization, even if it was an unorthodox one. “good, very good,” she laughed, nodding her head as she slid into the seat across from him after deciding it was safe enough to do so. “ah, the old de niro method,” she chuckled, unsure how serious nate was about losing his mind - ideally, not very, but with nate, you never really knew.  

chandler: hi just letting u kno that i love u and support u and if anyone gives u shit i'll yell at them :)

chandler: it was stupid of us all to lie about it, they can't blame u for having morals and being a good person

jason: it's cool, i get it.

jason: i mean, i don't get it. i'm not gonna pretend i know what you're going through rn.

jason: it's okay, i honestly got used to it at some point.

jason: to be clear, i didn't say anything about you and orson, it's none of my business. i don't like getting into people's business.

chandler: thanks, jason. i mean it!!

chandler: and i'm sorry, you don't deserve that. you're a good person, and very talented. i'm glad i know you :)

josie: sure, alright, if that's what u wanna think

josie: who'd you really audition for? king duncan? trying to keep the crown on that fat head of yours?

josie: talented huh......... uh, okay, if that's what you wanna call it. i thought your only talent was ruining lives but... alright

josie: she's clearly just trying to be "different", why else would she stick me with a pathetic role when i clearly demonstrated where i belong.

josie: what, you don't want to hear my theories about your rise to fame? alright...

chandler: it doesn't matter who i auditioned for. i got lady macbeth. end of story

chandler: whatever happened in that audition room is between you, heidi, and god so like ??? can't judge what i don't know! u should try following that philosophy and leaving me alone :)

jonah: look none of this is my business and i recognize that, and i should probably shut the fuck up and just say "you're right chandler i'm sorry"

jonah: but... you did an objectively shitty thing when you cheated on grace

jonah: i'm not judging you for it, god knows i've done my fair share of objectively shitty things

jonah: one of which being this apology i guess

jonah: it just... is hard for me to have a lot of sympathy for people who cheat

jonah: that's my baggage

jonah: and i shouldn't take it out on you

jonah: but that's where i was coming from, and i'm not saying mathias had any right to say the things he said to you. or josie for that matter

jonah: i just. lost my temper for a second in the gc, i said something shitty, and i'm sorry for it

jonah: now can we PLEASE move on

chandler: for someone who wants to move on, you sure do keep giving me reasons why i wouldn't want to

chandler: i know i did a shitty thing to grace! okay! i hurt her and i'll have to live with that forever, i don't need anyone, least of all you, reminding me.

chandler: it was, is?, a very complicated situation with orson and i don't expect you to understand or care or fucking sympathize

chandler: just don't bring that shit up in the gc!!! it's no one's business but mine and grace's, and frankly, not even she knows the whole story or really understands what happened

Able to easily tell the difference between Chandler’s playful bantering and her serious side, Helen’s expression relaxed into a smile; knowing her japes were only in jest. “Well,” she responded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ears, “You deserve to be with someone who would throw the world at your feet and brings a smile to your face.” And isn’t your professor, she added silently. Another secret to take to the grave.

“God no. I have no desire to dip my toes into someone as chaotic and dark. No way I can pull that off. Not everyone is as talented as you. Actually, no one is as talented as you.” There was something mesmerising about watching Chandler up on stage - the way she shed her own skin to play someone so unlike herself so easily. It was beautiful. She was too beautiful to ever be deserved by someone like Orson.

“Alright - first round of shots is on me. Or whatever cute Sophomore we find fumbling with his fake ID and wads of cash.” Taking Chandler’s hand, the pair walked off arm-in-arm into the night, bundles of excitement and joy. “You should know that I am excellent wingwoman. I’m thinking about taking it up professionally.”

Five minutes later, and they reached the Anchor.

.

Helen smiled at Chandler’s joke - mission accomplished. Chandler’s own laughter died down at Helen’s comment; in all its well-meaning glory characteristic of her best friend, Chandler couldn’t help but be reminded of the two relationships that got torn away from her the same night; one was her fault, the other someone else’s. Her face fell and she looked down, managing to keep an absentminded smile on her face. “Yeah, thanks. Not sure that’s here for me at Alderidge though. I thought it might have been, but...” she looked off into the distance, chewing on the inside of her lip, “ah, well, at least we’re graduating soon. And I get to live with you and Jonah far beyond the acceptable age to do so,” she teased, though secretly, she feared losing her best friend, and would childishly attempt to cling onto her and their college years for as long as she could. She simply couldn’t bear losing any more people. 

Chandler blushed at Helen’s compliment, “thank you. I’m glad someone thinks I’m worthy of this place.” Chandler’s mind goes to accusations flung her way about ‘sleeping to the top,’ which only served to remind her of Orson, and all that she has lost. “I think you could do it, though. There’s a bit of darkness in everyone - we’re just lucky that we have an outlet for it all.” God, when had she become so depressing? Hearing herself speak, she quickly reigned it back in, “but, I guess we don’t have to worry about that. It’s in Heidi’s hands now. You’ll shine through the darkness and chaos of any role you’re given, Helen,” she smiled at her best friend, squeezing her hand as they walked to the Anchor. 

“Ooh, a professional wingwoman? I’ll be the judge of that, don’t quit your day job until I have a new partner who can bring me flowers opening night.” Pushing the door open, she scanned the bar for a sophomore who could be easily persuaded to buy the pair their first round. Spotting a fresh faced boy wearing a sweater that screamed ‘trust fund baby,’ Chandler nodded in his direction as she spoke, “what d’you think? Should we introduce ourselves?” She questioned as she winked at Helen. Perhaps she didn’t need someone to throw the world at her feet - not yet, anyway. A simple distraction would do. 

jonah: chandler

jonah: i did an objectively shitty thing, but so did you

jonah: can we call it even please?

chandler: u: told me i ruined both of my relationships in 0.2 seconds, referring i assume to grace (obvi) and....orson? which i ruined??? how?????????

chandler: me: defended myself against josie and mathias? which didn't concern u?

chandler: unless ur referring to my relationship with orson which......shocker, also didn't concern u!!!

jason: all i meant to say was about my personal experience with orson. i didn't mean it to come off like i was attacking you or anything.

jason: i muted the group chat a while ago because the drama was getting too much and people were making baseless accusations.

chandler: i know, i'm sorry i flew off the handle. i just...like i get it people didn't all like orson. but a lot of the time when they attack him, it's only a short while until it turns into them attacking me too or calling me a "victim" or some bullshit even tho they don't understand. and i'm just sensitive to it.

chandler: i'm just tired of people pretending they know me :/

chandler: not to say that was u!

chandler: i get it, i'm sorry u didn't get to see the good parts of him.

josie: ooh cute take, 'josie hates women!', haven't heard that one before!

josie: but alright, if you think playing the complexities of lady macbeth is gonna be as easy as your precious henry, go right ahead :)

josie: oh no, clearly i should be the one asking YOU for tips!!

josie: come on, tell me. how'd you get the role? i have my theories, but i'll let u go first

chandler: i mean if you've heard it before...........

chandler: i never said it would be easy, just that it's no different, preparation wise. a character is a character.

chandler: tbh i didn't even audition for lady macbeth so why heidi gave it to me is beyond me.

chandler: i guess she thought i could handle it? ik u hate to admit it but i AM talented. this proves it

chandler: or maybe she wanted to be "different" than orson with her casting decisions which imo is stupid and so extra but whatever it worked out in my favor