⌗ money, money, money !!

𖥻 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.  𝗈𝗎𝗍𝗌𝗂𝖽𝖾 𝗋𝗎𝖻𝗒'𝗌 𝗁𝗈𝗆𝖾.

her  phone  dings  and  the  faintest  warmth  rises  as  she  reads  the  words.  he's  ridiculous,  honestly.  but  it's  something  new  -  something  different.  a  quick  text  is  sent  in  return  before  she  throws  her  phone  down.  '𝖽𝗈𝗇'𝗍  𝗂  𝖺𝗅𝗐𝖺𝗒𝗌'.  she  takes  her  time  as  she  dresses  and  locks  up,  lest  she  seem  too  eager.  one  last  look  in  the  elevator's  reflection,  fingertip  raising  to  adjust  lip  liner  just  so  -  a  loose  hair  tucked  back  in  place,  before  she's  stepping  into  the  lobby,  smile  offered  to  the  doorman  as  she  walks  out  into  the  cool  spring  air.  he's  easy  to  spot,  drawing  her  focus  even  as  she  shakes  her  head  at  him  in  her  approach.  ❝     so  you  found  me.  are  you  a  detective,  too  ?  ❞

𖥻 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱.  𝖺𝖼𝖼𝖾𝗉𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗋𝖾𝗉𝗅𝗂𝖾𝗌 𝖿𝗋𝗈𝗆‚  @dynast1es.

❝    i  like  the  headband,  but  i  think  i'd  prefer  classic  blowout.  blair's  style  was  cute,  but  not  right  for  the  occasion.  you  need  to  look  serena  hot if we're going to find you a new man.    ❞

“  you've  got  to  catch  up  !  ”  gleeful  giggles,  result  of  the  shots  that  she'd  already  taken,  maybe  two  or  three  now.  who  was  really  counting  ?  “  what  are  you  drinking  ?  we're  got  tequila  over  there  but  if  you  want  anything  else  we'll  have  to  go  to  the  bar.  ”    

 ❝    oh  i  will,    ❞  she  expects,  by  evening's  end,  to  be  more  tequila  and  glitter  than  anything  else.  ❝    tequila  is  more  than  enough.  i  don't  need  all  the  sugar  to  leave  me  a  complete  zombie  tomorrow.    ❞

for  a  talk  show  host,  fawn  wonders  just  how  much  research  paloma  does  on  her  guests.  but  then,  fawn's  never  been  known  as  the  most  candid.  ❝    something  like  that.  not  exactly  a  morning  person.     ❞

the  goats,  her  beloved  furry  creature  who  lexie  had  gotten  adopted  to  a  farm  in  sweden?  or  was  it  switzerland?  either  way,  her  heart  went  out  to  her  soulmate  farm  animal  halfway  across  the  world.  “  and  they're  getting  enough  grass  and  have  a  big  field?  you  know  those  were  my  conditions  to  avoid  goat  napping.  ”

❝    oh,  but  of  course.    ❞  she  nods,  sincerity  in  bright  eyes.  ❝    they're  free  roaming,  mainly.  within  limits,  of  course.  we  have  to  keep  the  poor  things  safe  after  all.    ❞

glancing up from the script, he smiled at the person entering.  ❝ hey, i thought there was still twenty minutes until we needed on set. ❞   normally he wasn't the best at keeping track of time, mind wandering and prone to distraction, but if further marks against him began circulating while the former ones still lingered then the project that could be his career's savior might be its doom.

 ❝    there  was.    ❞  director  notes  as  eyes  wander  kieran's  trailer,  looking  to  discover  more  of  his  leading  man  from  what  he  surrounds  himself  with.  ❝    but  i've  made  some  changes  -  and  i  didn't  want  to  wait  for  a  pa  to  inform  you.  we're  not  shooting  the  scene  as  planned.    ❞

the normal quiet, full silence prevented by the muffled sounds of others working, an acceptable melody, was disturbed by a knock and subsequent opening of her door. pen stilled over the page.  ❝ i said i wasn't to be interrupted. ❞   dark hues carried ice as they rose, only to crack. her next words found some of the nearing summer's warmth.  ❝ oh, it's you. ❞

 ❝    it's  me.   ❞  echoes,  teasing  note  to  her  voice  as  she  holds  up  a  bag  in  hand,  ignoring  that  she'd  barged  in  without  notice.  ❝    and  i  brought  sweetgreen.  so  you  have  to  take a break.    ❞

features remain unbothered by own predicament, willing to entertain the conversation until barbie got bored of small - talk — then, she could struggle until heel was free from grabbing sludge beneath weight. amusement colours features, a statement that sasha no doubt resonated with considering every tree was almost identical. " easy done. " she replies, sinking deeper as she spoke. " i might do but i wouldn't want to get you stuck too and that seems likely considering your balance is probably hindered right now. " an attempt at light - heartedness, something she hadn't given the other in quite some time.

 ❝    the  bottom  of  my  dress  is  already  ruined.    ❞  valentina  insists,  giving  little  thought  to  the  grief  of  the  beautiful  design  destroyed  by  nature's  grasp.  what  matters  is  that  they  get  out  of  here.  she  laughs,  gesturing  down.  ❝    if  my  heels  are  too,  they're  easily  replaced.  i'm  planning  a  spree  after  all  this,  anyways.   ❞  bottle  long  emptied,  femme  drops  it  to  the  side  as  she  approaches  in  slow  steps  -  cautious  of  the  ground  beneath  her  feet.  she  reaches  a  hand  out,  ❝    come  on,  just  take  my  hand.  it's  worth  a  shot.    ❞

𖥻 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱.  𝖺𝖼𝖼𝖾𝗉𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗋𝖾𝗉𝗅𝗂𝖾𝗌 𝖿𝗋𝗈𝗆‚  @dynast1es.

❝    god,  if  you  need  to  sell  feet  picks  to  afford  a  saddle  bag,  you  don't  deserve  one.  maybe  i  should  buy  some  new  ones  so  they  give  up.    ❞

spine straightens, string pulled just shy of fraying, meaning beneath his words not lost on her. “ distractions never seem to suit me, senator .. i know i've given you reason to question that before .. but i am well aware of what is important. ” recalls time when mother's hands would turn child self this way and that before a mirror, learned then how easily a girl could be mistaken for something ornamental and decided just as early that she would not be. a useful lesson as father's world had no interest in dolls, no patience for ornament unless it served a purpose ⎯⎯ lion's den in all but name and still, she entered it without hesitation. “ my report is already drafted. you'll have it in your inbox the second we're back in the city .. with twenty twenty - eight approaching, i imagine your attention will be required elsewhere more often. i've already begun ensuring the people who matter are comfortable with me in the continuity of your seat. it seems prudent. that's in there, too. ”

  early evening,   polo bar,   𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺

“ senator. ”  there's  no  rush  to  it  -  the  word  lands  clean,  deliberate,  like  it's  been  practiced  time  and  time  again  under  the  supervision  of  his  parents  and  their  staff.  the  weight  of  his  costume  sits  well  on  him  -  dark  leathers,  something  pulled  from  a  story  he  knows  far  too  well  -  though  one  hand  lingers  just  slightly  behind  his  back,  not  quite  relaxed.  “i  was  wondering  how  long  it  would  be  before  we  ran  into  each  other.”  he  wasn't.  not  really.  the  hand  behind  his  back  shifts,  subtle,  but  enough  to  suggest  he's  adjusting  something  he'd  rather  not  draw  attention  to.  “ they've  committed  to  this  -  i'm  still  deciding  whether  that  makes  it  easier…  or  not. ”  there's  a  faint  smile  on  his  face,  polite,  not  entirely  interested  in  prolonging  conversation  but  knowing  his  mother  might  have  something  to  say  if  word  got  back  that  he  ignored  senator  stratton.  “ i  imagine  you've  already  made  your  mind  up  on  the  matter. ”

❝   mr.  mann.   ❞  let  it  not  be  said  that  anthony  believes  a  child  to  be  responsible  for  the  sins  of  their  fathers  (  or,  in  his  case,  mothers  ).  but  he  does  feel  that  their  actions  weigh  heavily  upon  their  shoulders,  just  as  his  children's  own  reflect  upon  him.  he's  raised  them  better  than  to  allow  their  pursuits  to  cause  him  any  negative  press,  but  he  knows  the  same  is  not  true  so  many  of  those  that  surround  them.  and  with  the  rumours  of  the  mayor's  children  …  well,  the  apple  does  not  fall  far.  ❝   yes,  well  ⸺  they  seem  to  be  enjoying  themselves  at  least.   ❞  tight  smile,  he  nods.  ❝   and  it's  a  good  cause.  one  your  mother  and  i  share  in  common,  though  i  don't  believe  i've  seen  her  tonight.  a  shame,  i'd  have  liked  her  thought  on  a  piece  or  two.   ❞

›     𝚂𝚃𝙰𝚁𝚃𝙴𝚁   𝚂𝚃𝙰𝚃𝚄𝚂   : open to @poetr1es, @dynast1es

❝   ms.  anderson.    ❞  senator  greets,  hands  folded  neatly  behind  his  back  as  he  regards  her.  ❝   i  wouldn't  say  i  scared  her  off.  but  she  did let  me  in  without  much  debate.  but  speaking of your tea, that's  just  why  i'm  here.  i  was  nearby  and  thought  you  might  like  to  do  lunch.    ❞

heel  still  sunken,  suction  pulling  stiletto  deeper  but  features  remain  unfazed  —  not  a  hint  of  bother  present,  appearing  almost  swan  -  like  ;  calm  exterior  but  cogs  turning  in  record  time  trying  to  process  an  escape.  sharp,  mahogany  gaze  dances  over  valentina  with  little  concern,  surprised  that  bodyguard  valmont  had  let  her  wander  so  far  away  from  the  castle.  "  is  that  so?  maybe  not  all  of  them  are  cut  out  for  such  extremes.  "  more  frustrated  and  pointed  at  self  rather  than  plastic  surgeon.  "  have  you  tried  retracing  your  steps?  "  sasha's  head  tilts,  but  she  understands  the  difficulty  in  finding  freedom  from  forrest,  everything  appearing  so  similar.  

❝   maybe  not.    ❞  agrees  with  a  hum,  resting  a  hand  against  a  tree  to  steady  herself.  so  rarely  does  she  allow  herself  to  let  loose  so  freely,  yet  without  the  eyes  of  the  press  and  her  family  staring  down  upon  her  she  finds  peace.  ❝   i  did,  but  honestly  i  think  i  may  have  been  walking  in  circles.    ❞  chocolate  hues,  murky  with  liquors  touch,  wander  companion's  frame  until  they  meet  where  she  stands  ⸺  where  heel  drops  further  into  the  med  with  every  breath.  ❝   um,  not  to  point  out  the  obvious,  but  do  you  need  some  help  ?   ❞

the red string tying them together turned him toward her as soon as she was no longer obstructed from his sight. warmth unfurled in his chest; it traveled up into sapphire hues as he drank her in. the departing staff are barely a blur in his periphery — pebbles couldn't steal a sliver of focus from the diamond.  ❝ the feeling is mutual. ❞   one hand grasped hers, fingers entwining, pulling her closer so the string no longer felt so taught. his other hand trailed along her waist.  ❝ we might have to leave the ball early. i can only share you with others for so long when you look like this. ❞   she a sight meant for his eyes alone.

 ❝   i  can  live  with  that.   ❞  coquettish smile,  plump  lips  curved  just  so  as  she  reaches  free  hand  to  settle  on  his  chest - trailing the patterns.  ❝   juliet  might  have  an  issue  with  it,  though.  it's  her  night,  after  all.  and  i'd  hate  to  upset  her  more  than  i  already  will.   ❞  for  how  she  fears  fashion's  own  decider  will  find  her  outfit  lacking  in  more  ways  than  one.  it's  thought  out,  it's  motivations  drawn  from  icarus's  anatomy  painted,  but  it's  still  so  bare.  ❝   hmm,  i  think  we  could  get  away  with  missing  at  least  one  of  the  after  parties.   ❞

❝ let the best way to spend may the fourth begin. ❞  grinning, he pressed play on the first movie of the day while passing the bowl of popcorn to winnie with his other hand. others could face the flashing cameras and stress of interviews; arthur would remain faithful to one of his favorite traditions. didn't mean he wasn't dressed up — jedi robes worn instead of normal attire and lightsabers not far.

❝   thanks.   ❞  when  he'd  opened  the  door,  jedi  robes  in  place  and  lightsaber  in  hand,  she'd  instinctually  called  him  a  nerd.  it  would  have  been more effective,  of  course,  were  she  not  in  custom  star  wars  pajamas  and  carrying  a  grogu  plush.  now,  she's  cozied  up  ready  to  start  their  long  honoured  tradition.  ❝   thinking  to  order  a  pizza  later.   ❞  dark  eyes  glued  to  the  screen  even  as  she  grabs  the  offered  bowl,  reading  through  the  long  memorized  words  as  the  fly  across  the  screen.  ❝   would  pair  well  with  the  blue  milk,  i  think.   ❞

›     𝚂𝚃𝙰𝚁𝚃𝙴𝚁   𝚂𝚃𝙰𝚃𝚄𝚂   : open to @dynast1es.

❝   it  was  great.  arthur  and  i  had  lot's  of  fun  ⸺  and  way  too  much  popcorn.   ❞  she'd  spent  the  day  curled  up  on  his  couch,  food  aplenty  shared  between  them  and  laughter  galore.   it  was  perfect.  a  tradition  she'll  never  let  up  on,  not  for  anything.  ❝   uh,  how  was  the  gala?  i  saw  some  pictures,  but  i'm  sure  being  there  was  better.    ❞