𝔟𝔦𝔱𝔠𝔥

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as soon as cass got thrown off the bull, orpheus approached the ring.  not to hop on — god no, he couldn’t risk fucking up his face, it was too pretty — but to see cassian.  check if he was okay.  make sure the bull didn’t ruin his sex drive, you know.  super casual things.  so he was happy to see him stand up and take a bow, and even happier to hear him compliment his outfit.  orpheus spun in a slow circle, partially to show off and partially because he couldn’t move quickly.  these leather pants were a literal pain in the ass, but they made said ass look fanastic, so it was a compromise he could live with.  he shimmied a little to make the fringe flap around.  “well, this is the wild west, right?  had to show these yokels how it’s done.”

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eyes roamed and darkened as the other spun, a low whistle of appreciation. “Show em, you did.” Cass honestly felt no one read or saw the same three cowboy films when it came to the outfits his classmates donned, but here? He was hardly gonna form a complaint. His own outfit lacked as much flash, but he was using the fact most of the buttons on his top were undone to his favor. Plus, an ascot, or bandana, whatever. His breath was slowly returning to its steadier rhythms, and thirst reached the forefront of his thoughts. “Let me buy you a drink, cowboy. I can always help you scope out some fun. even if it’s not with me.”

“One of my playthings?” Delilah quoted, all wry amusement. It had her briefly envisioning herself as the operator of a dozen marionette strings, twitching stitched limbs to life, making them dance. It was interesting, the image some people had of her. Clara had always known that she was too tired to genuinely want to play. “Like they were ever allowed in my pants in the first place. Careful what you imply with that tongue of yours. I might just cut it out,” she told him casually, flask lifted to take a swig that packed all the brunt force of a sledgehammer against a pile of loosely stacked bricks. Delilah didn’t react. Once it’d lowered, clutched limp at her side, she investigated his expression. “Can I just ask?” She didn’t wait for permission. “What’s got your testicles in such a knot about me? Does that not get…” trailed off, flicker of something crossing her expression – the urge to smile, maybe – before it snuffed again, gone like a dead ember. “Uncomfortable?”

“Right, you just tease em and leave em. I’m not one to judge for that, Astor. It’s a game i’m well versed in. We all have to find joy in life or whatever bull we all rattle to the therapists.” His hand waved offhandedly, waving off whatever threat she was tossing his way. Idle or not, he couldn’t quite muster up the worry or care. His eyes did widen in some unnamed emotion as she swigged her flash, unfettered amusement soon taking its place the longer she spoke. What even was there to say? Cassian was stubborn in some ways, perhaps ignorant in others. But why give the chance to be proven wrong? None of it mattered. “Don’t you worry your pretty little head about my balls, Delilah. They get plenty attention with or without you around.” He took a sip of his own drink, a whiskey that had long gone watery with his lack of interest in it. God, she’d driven him to drink, even if to just wet his lips for his next words. “I just don’t care to know you much. Seen the type. Little rich girl, tainted by the difficulty of it all, floating above the weight of her name with drugs and drinks and pretty boys. Same story, different shade of trauma and dior lipstick”

“Quick!” Jade effused, sticking a toy sheriff’s gun into Cassian’s face. “Loophole theory. Like Groundhog Day. You and I. Do you decide to try to murder me like in Palm Springs or do you study quantum physics to get out of the time loop?” She spun the toy gun in her hand from the handle and inadvertently dropped it into the boy’s lap. Sighing, she plopped down next to Cass, taking a large gulp from her pint of beer. The bar had a sinister energy, or maybe that was because she was forcing herself to go light on the alcohol. Before 9 pm, at least. “Personally, if I was stuck in a time loop, I’d rob a bank or something. For the adrenaline. Maybe assassinate the president and practice enough times in case we get back to real life.” @cvssians​

He watches her in silence for a moment, not even the length needed to consider the choices before her weapon is dropped to his lap. So he picks it up, spinning it around a finger idly. “I mean science has never been my thing. I’d give you a hell of a eulogy though.” It’s enough of an answer, he shrugs. Holds it up and presses it to her forehead, a slow pop coming from his lips. “I don’t even know what i’d do with that much time. Fuck a famous person? Punch everyone who irks me?” But her ideas have merit. “I might just join you for the bank heist.”

It’d been an accidental shoulder clipping that met Cassian’s gaze with hers, a glance mutually exchanged rather than any apology. She’d gathered, in the few instances where they’d crossed paths, that he didn’t particularly like her. Perhaps some would find this fact sour enough that they’d make a face, nose scrunched – even stomp their feet – but Delilah’s amusement only twanged like an old acoustic guitar, some lone note in her chest that had the corners of her lips lifting. “Want some?” came accompanied by a lifted flask, students thrumming around them, ranch spilling over with a party, wine wobbled from the brim of a too-full glass. Like spores of mould, everyone and everything seemed to multiply in the warmth, chaos most of all. “Maybe you can swill it instead of swallowing. Spit it right back at me, after. Might channel whatever’s… going on there,” she indicated his face without providing any actual indication, studying him in an airy way that implied her eyes might just blow away at any moment, picked up like a feather on the breeze. “Maybe it’ll be cathartic.” @cvssians​

All the fucking gin joints in all the world —he sighed, making a lackluster effort to keep his distaste off his face. A failed effort, if her words were any indicator. Her full wine glass swirled rather dangerously, red liquid tempting enough. But he could just as easily head to the bar, or swipe a drink off someone he actually cared to share air with. Her next offer did have his lips twitching in amusement, the already buzzed male taking a moment to genuinely consider the offer. But a swift glance around denied that as fast as it came. “As much as that image would amuse me Delilah, I don’t need one of your playthings rising from the shadows to play cowboy in shining armor for a chance back in your pants. Catharsis will have to wait.”

Her brow wrinkled for a moment, trying to place the reference before finally chuckling and shaking her head, resting her head against the bark of the oak as her eyes fluttered shut for only a moment. “You know me, always the life of the party,” Leo joked without so much as a smile, a deep exhale emerging from her. Tired eyes snapped open to look at Cass, an unamused brow quirked though she was much too exhausted to even take offense. “Tell me about it.” Taking a bite and nodding emphatically, she swallowed before speaking again. “Sure, nothing says a good time like paper cuts and cramped fingers.” The truth was, she had spent the last couple of hours attempting to tweak an interview a sophomore had done with the school’s star lacrosse player, doing her best to twist the dunce’s words and paint him in a somewhat admirable light. Quickly weary of even thinking about her own evening, she turned to Cass, “What about you? Wild night out?”

He clucked his tongue in sympathy, scooting the pizza box towards her as he chewed as if some consolation prize for the results of her evenings. Cass understood the concept of hard work, dedication even. He just saw the outlets of said work a bit differently, he supposed. Work hard, play hard, etc. But he admired how she worked, endless writing to get where she needed to be for her stories. “I guess? I went to go dancing for a while to shake off some stress, met a cute blonde. But the more sober I was the less I felt like being around the masses for another moment so. Pizza and lyft back here. Voila, night complete”

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orpheus gave cass a dopey grin as he flaunted the newfound accessory.  jesus.  what a good-looking man.  his jawline could cut glass, or marble, or … whatever the stronger substance was.  he blinked as cassian spoke again, bringing orpheus back to the land of the living.  “all of the above.  like a sexy steampunk willy wonka.”  probably not the flirtiest thing he could have said, but it was what was on his mind.  “yes and yes,”  he replied.  orpheus eyed cass brazenly, not caring how obvious which bunny in particular he was after.

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“Ooh, really? That’s a new one. I love it.” A laugh broke through at the way Orpheus glanced him over, not the slightest hesitance in looking him over in return. Was it rude to assume they were the best looking people here? Top five, easily. His hand rose to glide across O’s jaw. “You and I are a mess waiting to happen, gorgeous. Though a fun mess i’m sure. Maybe if you don’t find a prettier bunny to fall down a hole with, we can see where we land. Don’t forget little old me in the land of wonder.” though with how the other currently looked, Cass didn’t think Orpheus would be wanting for partners for long. Idle dreams, maybe it wasn’t fated, blah blah blah. They lived in the same house. Sneaking into beds couldn’t be that difficult. But he turns, glancing at the room. “God, I really hope it gets interesting soon.”

It was late and misty, and there was truly nothing Leo longed for more than to curl up in white sheets and drift off to a blissful sleep that she knew she likely wouldn’t achieve any time soon. Her eyes weighed themselves down as she shuffled her way back through the commons, now a deep hunter green as opposed to the emerald that shone in the sun hours earlier. The girl was working on a piece for the newspaper, and while she wasn’t truly behind, she couldn’t feel more like she was. It wasn’t until a familiar voice – Cassian’s, she realized – called out to her that she blinked back to reality. An exhausted sigh leaving her lips, she debated on whether or not to make a snide a remark or indulge with him. Deciding on the latter, a small shrug saw her shoulders rise and fall before she sat next to him, picking up a slice. “Thanks,” she mumbled, “how come you’re out so late? Dracula, is that you?”

“The moons awake, so i’m awake.” He recites before laughing, a shrug of his shoulders the only indicator. “Pizza sounded good, I was heading back here. Not much more to it than that. But now you’ve joined me so it’s a party, what a turn things have taken.” He takes another bite before setting the piece down, wiping crumbs off his hands as he swallows. Cass studies her for a beat or three, curious. “You look wiped, Leo.” Not an insult, an observation. He probably really was keeping her from some sort of sleep, a twinge of guilt he pushed down with more carbs. “Was your night as fun as mine?”

his reassurance was well received, earning a more relaxed smile and nonchalant shrug from the girl. something of a big reaction, where she was concerned. it wasn’t often that she was on the receiving end of such a complement, not that she’d point that out in some sort of depressing, sappy, YA novel character-esque way. not a shot in hell. but even if cassian wasn’t being entirely serious, it had been nice in its own playful way. on second thought, that was how a lot of their friendship had played out, really—in its own interesting little way. they were special people, the ones saffie clicked with, and cass may as well have been leading the small pack.

her nose scrunched at the idea of him being scary, head shaking in agreement with his sentiment. she then leaned back as he continued to speak, heels coming up to rest at the edge of her seat. when he’d finally spoken of his dire situation, her expression remained the same. blank. the seconds passed and she just blinked back at him, frowning a bit as she shifted her weight. “the proposition was a whole lot more exciting before the whole hard drive thing.” the look on saf’s face bordered on that of a stubborn child who just got their toy taken away. “but… could be fun. what’s the poor person got on there that’s got you ready to take them out?”

Cass watched her, watched nothing but blank emotion flashing back as she processed. It was a part of what intrigued him so much to her. Her mind, quick wit, and the fact no matter what he could never get a 100% read on the girl. She outwitted him in most ways, and it was hot as hell. “If it’s an insult to come to you with a menial task, we could always just do it the fun way and you distract him with your looks and spectacular wit while I shimmy in his window and steal the whole laptop.” he muses, shrugging. Hacking is what he assumed was the easier process, less theft of property or whatever. Was it easier? He didn’t know much about how she did what she did, just that he pictured it as a lot of typing and then that hacker line from the movies ‘im in.’ The complexities beyond him. 

At the question he sighed, eyes closing in shame. All the past week had taught him was the importance of keeping certain things private even more, and the fact that freshmen needed to be ultimately banned from the bed list. “A fucking sex tape. Fucker hid it in his rick and morty alarm clock and got the whole thing. And I am a lot of things, but a kim kardashian copy cat not currently on the roster. My ass is nowhere as impressive, even I can admit it.” The biggest tragedy being that now he had to admit it to her, the topic was off limits for his next episode. A lose lose all around.

a hand left the laptop’s keyboard and reached up to take out one earbud. it happened before her eyes had even left the screen, a minor showcase that she was listening, but would still take the next few seconds to wrap up what she was doing. her remaining digits tacked against the keys, pupils moving as saf scanned the screen one final time. then, finally, she took out the other earbud and looked over at cassian, messy ponytail thwacking the back of her chair. “i require at least three more compliments before i can lend my assistance,” she replied, tone flat. maybe if her lips hadn’t immediately formed a smirk he would’ve taken the comment seriously. alas, saffie had cracked. it was minor, but still, she wouldn’t torture him—especially when he was in danger of dying. “it’s gotta be bad if you’re pulling light of my life,” the girl teased, batting her eyelashes dramatically. “what’s up? and how’d you even know where to find me?” sure, the library wasn’t the most difficult guess, but she’d been in the far corner, alongside some remaining decorations from the party the other night. was it that predictable?

“You are the light of my life, never think otherwise. Clearly I need you to remind you of it and often,” He grinned, sitting up from his rather dramatic collapse onto the table surface. “I’d lie and say I know you and your hideaways and have eyes everywhere... but i’ve never quite pulled off scary. I wandered around likely places until I spotted you here. This is actually only the third place i’ve checked, angels clearly smiled upon me today.” But that was neither here nor there, and there was a reason he’d come beyond ogling her beauty.  Cassian schooled his face back into a tone of deathly seriousness, voice low. “I need you to help me make a freshman disappear.” The sentence lingering for a moment or three. “Or at least his hard drive.”

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orpheus had no idea who he was hanging out with at the current moment, but he heard the siren song of pot and decided that they were going to be friends.  he’d just finished clearing the bong when someone called out his name like a slightly out-of-tune melody.  passing it off to — chad?  brad?  vlad?  whatever — orpheus decided he’d rather spend this time in winthrop with someone he knew.  “cass, my dude.”  he laughed at the british accent, although it wasn’t like he could do much better.  “you can beseech me any time you want,”  he replied, putting his mad hatter hat on the taller boy’s head.  “makes you look seven feet tall.”

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Cassian practically preened as the hat was placed on his head, his own he’d showed up with far gone by now to the clutches of a wiley sophomore who’d thought it seductive. A shame, he’d liked the hat. “Do I look regal? Mystical? Feel very free to lie.” Still, he led them away from the bong boys towards the open window, reaching for his cigarettes. “Having fun so far? Any wonderland bunnies catch the eye?”

“You’re late,” It’d been a sharp look - eyes gazing up from shuffling cards; the table set up for a tea party, ribbon lacing the edges of table cloth and mismatch fine china. No cup the same size - no liquid the same in each one, either. “You’re late, you’re late, you’re late,” It was more repeated phrase than chastise - a chant, almost - eyes gazing down, again, scanning the card she’d just drawn. “Four of spades - that’s pretty bad. Signals, fuckin’ - major change in the universe. Anyways - “ Holli spread out the deck - they’d all been four of spades, patterned black and red, “ - Y’wanna play a card game? Y’can bet anythin’ - money, drugs, secrets, clothes. Your pick.”

“For a very important date? How rude of me.” he mused, brow quirked at the girl he’d come upon in his wanderings. The sophomore he’d been kissing had been dragged away by her friend, and now? He was bored once more, ever flitting from person to person to appease the lightning flashes of his attention span. “Sure, gorgeous. I’ll play a game. I’m shit at cards though, for your information.” Not a whole truth, it really did depend how many drinks deep he was. “I pick....secrets. Clothes can always be a second choice if you’d rather.”