Emily Lockwood

𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐌𝐈𝐑𝐊𝐒 once she downed the liquid down on her own throat, the familiar ardor burning in her insides in which she was very much accustomed to. With the video online, airing about her and Klaus Diedrich… Being sober wasn’t a option for her, not with all the pressure she’s being through. The blonde try to refill a bit clumsy because she only had an arm available to do stuff while her other was plastered but she did it with all the hard work for her at the moment, and handed the glass to Emily, and did the same thing for herself.

❛ Feel free to try if you want. I like to make notes about the stars.❜ She told her, as she observed Emily using her telescope, and drinking her Bourbon. ❛ I never thought about that. But maybe I can use it to see a hot neighbor. ❜ She says jokily, as she took a seat in her sofa. ❛ I’m joking. ❜ Sometimes people can’t tell she was joshing, so she remarked it was a joke.

Seeing the effort it was costing Bluebell to pour the whiskey, Emily realized she had to help, but it was too late, and the brunette wasn't known for her quick insight into a situation. It was one of her weaknesses, and she knew she needed to work on it, but she never had time for it, or rather, always found an excuse not to do it. She took her refilled glass and glanced through the eyepiece at the moon again before giving Bluebell her full attention. "I don't think I'll need the telescope. Just taking a look at this lovely apartment and they'll be  at my feet. Or the bed - not much difference." she laughed , before raising her eyebrows at the comment about the stars, but realizing the hostess was joking, she couldn't contain herself and burst out laughing. "I have to admit, I was on the verge of believing you." she shook her head and sipped her whiskey again. "Well are you in the mood for conversation yet?" Emily didn't want to be presumptuous, but seeing that their companions were busy and devoted to their pursuits, she decided now was the time to ask this question. She wouldn't be upset if Bluebell didn't feel like talking, but she was willing to listen without judgment if her new friend needed it.

“There aren’t enough bottles in the world for you Em, let alone changing money into them.” Rylan quipped with a smirk, watching as her fellow models expression changed at the sight of the shot being pushed back over to her again. Unconsumed. Anyone who knew Rylan for more than five seconds knew she was always the first to snuggest shots, often buying rounds for everyone just so they could all keep drinking together, but well…things were different now. Trying to look innocently confused Rylan shrugged her shoulders, placing a hand delicately on the bar next to her. “Something to tell you? I don’t know what you mean. Both your boobs are still in your dress and you haven’t got anything in your teeth so I can imagine what you mean.” Except she could, she knew exactly what Emily meant. Glancing around them as if she was entirely calm, which she was anything but, heart rate speeding up as her friend tiptoed ever closer to the truth and she’d only so far asked one singular question. There was just something in her eyes though, she knew, well no she didn’t but she certainly suspected or she wouldn’t have asked that very pointed question.

Hearing Rylan's response, Emily raised her eyebrows and sighed. It was clear as day that her friend wasn't in the mood for sharing, but that wasn't something that would stop Emily. She reached over and drank the rejected shot.  It wasn't her style to leave alcohol undrunk, after all, and she felt she needed some extra shots to deal with the situation and the stubborn Rylan. "You know I'm not asking that. And I don't think anyone would be mad if my breasts showed." she said, looking at her friend questioningly. "You can tell me anything. And not a sound will come out of my mouth. Anything you say stays between us." Emily decided to try a softer tone, realizing that the more assertive she was, the more secretive Rylan would be, and she definitely wanted to know what was going on.

“You know what I’m inclined to agree with you on that.” Rylan smirked, because even if Emily was more dramatic than she was…sometimes…well no actually they were both as dramatic as each other. It just so happened that tonight it was Emily’s moment to play the drama queen. Which was fine by the model, she had enough drama in her life at the moment without more being thrown in under her own invention. “Funnily enough they were offering money, not bottles, but hey are they not just one and the same? One turns into the other. God I’m so fucking wise sometimes.” Complimenting herself a she grinned at the compliment directed towards Nate but she took as one for herself because he was her boyfriend, and she adored him. Anytime someone else loved him .. well she loved that. “Ah yes well, my boyfriend is a giver so I’m not surprised he’s been a big help. Plus he’s just so talented and I’m not even saying that as someone who is biased, it’s just a fucking fact.” Eyes sliding down to where the shot was pushed towards her again, raising her eyebrows and looking right back at Emily as she used one finger to return it right now. She was going to get questions, she could already see the shadow of them forming on the other girl’s lips.

“Nah, it’s still too much work. I mean why they couldn't convert this money for bottles for me.” she laughed. “But still you have a point.” She nodded in agreement, but her gaze slid over the glass again, which Rylan refused to drink. She realized she didn't need to hand it over a third time. The brunette's gesture was firm, but Emily couldn't find any logic in it. There was something strange about it, and even her addled brain could sense it. Rylan wasn't like that, she was always on the crest of the party, never refusing alcohol. Why now? What had changed?  Emily looked at her friend again and the question came out before she even considered if she should ask it. "Do you have something to tell me?" Her mind was trying to find a logical reason in the change of her friend's behavior, and although it was unsuccessful, she knew she wouldn't stop until she had some sort of meaningful answer to the questions that were popping up one after another in her mind. 

☆ﾟ*·ﾟHIS DANCE MOVES were absolutely questionable. You’d think that having some Hindu blood in him that he’d be good at at least Bollywood dancing, but no, the doctor had literally zero rhythm inside him. So these dance moves, well, they were pretty ridiculous. But he was more than glad that he was out with Emily. She was one of his favorite people from college, and honestly, he missed her. Adi knew that she was an incredibly special person in his life, there when he really just needed a friend. “I don’t even know what this song is!’ He responded, his voice just as loud. Laughing, he turned to face her, feeling a rush of blood to his head. “Woah, I think…. I think I am. What do I do with this new found information? ‘cause I’m feeling silly and I wanna like, I don’t know, cause mayhem, ‘cause I don’t do mayhem. I’m not a mayhem person, but it sounds fun and I just think that maybe we could do something grand and silly and it could be this totally awesome night of shenanigans and mischief and hooliganery and malarkey and am I speaking English anymore because it really doesn’t feel like it anymore,” Adi rambled. No, really, he was rambling and most definitely sounding like a hooligan.

"We should definitely do something crazy!" Emily agreed enthusiastically with Adi. Of course tonight had to be perpetuated in some way. They had to do something crazy that would go down in history, something they would tell their grandchildren about, but Emily had no idea what that something might be. She wanted to be something as crazy as they used to do in the college but weren’t they too old for this? Well she didn’t feel but still..While she was thinking about it she spun around with a dance step and grabbed her glass of whiskey that rested on the bar behind her and sipped thirstily as inspiration hit her suddenly. "Tattoos! We should get matching tattoos!" she said first to herself and then to Adi when she turned around to him. “We should do it!”

More often than not, Nate took on late shifts,  knowing that people were bound to get just a little bit more drunk, that they were willing to tip just a little bit more. And he needed the money. The rent was increasing, and while he had no idea why he was still renting when he spent most of the time at Rylan’s, he couldn’t just stop. Not yet.

He was deep in thought as he made his way down the street, not really noticing anyone and nearly jumping when antoher person ran right into him. “What-” He gasped, taking a step back, still scared that something might have happened. But then she burst into laughter, and finally, the boy cracked a smile himself. “Out of all the places, this is where you opt to run right into me? That’s cheesy.” He teased her playfully.

"I have the ability to surprise people and like to appear from the most unexpected places." Emily laughed as she realized exactly who she bumped into. Nate was one of her favorite people, not only because he was Rylan's boyfriend, but because there was something about his nature that won her over almost immediately. And his background in dance was just an aditional plus - who wouldn't want to be around people they could learn new and new things from. "The question is what are you doing here? I haven't seen you in a while. You and Rylan seem to be hiding from the world in your little bubble." she teased him.

“Only if you want to, sweetheart. But classic movies are always a good idea” the man replied with a soft smile. For someone like Klaus, who spent most of his time at bars or private events, it was a difficult task to avoid the obvious pastimes, but since the beginning of the night, he had been seeking ways to make his time with Emily meaningful. Even if it meant putting aside his controlling nature for a few hours and allowing the woman lead the way. Klaus had already been through two divorces, he knew the feeling of grieving the loss of a person still living, and truth be told, he didn’t like seeing Emily alone or drowning her sorrows in random bars. She has always been full of life and that was how he wanted her to remain "It’s not a secret that I’m easily persuaded by you, so if you told me you wanted to go to fucking Coney Island, I would" admitted, and it was something few could say about him.

“It wasn’t a suggestion, by the way, just to make it clear" the man said in a playful tone, raising his hands defensively, offering another smile before carefully spinning his dance partner one more time "My point is, I’m glad you’re here. Going out alone has been stressful due to the recent circumstances, the video and all” he admitted, though it was a subject he tried to avoid, all the pressure made it impossible to pretend it never happened.

"I love classic movies." It was true, but few people knew about this passion of hers. It was a side of her that she showed to select people, and only those closest to her knew it, and it wasn't all that surprising that Klaus was one of the people who did. "I didn't know I had such power over you, Mr. Diedrich. You shouldn't say things like that to me, because I would take advantage." She laughed at her joke and leaned her head on his shoulder, grateful for the way he made her feel...good. "The video means nothing. People will forget about it the moment some juicier gossip pops up.” She lifted her head and looked Klaus in the eye, reinforcing her words with a look. She believed what she was saying. New York never changed, and with a little more luck, the bored socialite's gaze would be diverted from another juicy scandal and the spotlight would shift to another hot spot. Still, she understood Klaus and wanted to help him, just as he helped her not only now, but almost every time she needed someone by her side. “And besides everything you should know I am on your side. If you want to stay at home and hide, I would come with you. Well, okay I wouldn’t. I would find a way to make you go out using my newfound power.”  she tried to cheer him up.

         “I don’t think you should have anymore whiskey, unless you want to wake up in ER, which I guess can be fun to some,” she laughed while those closer to the brunette joined in. “And trust me, if that happens, we’ll take that as an idea for a skit,” she added as her laughed died in and instead turned into a friendly smile. Jamie was well aware how at one moment everything was okay, but then that one damn drink would come and the night would turn into a complete blur. “I’m Jamie, and these are..” she was about to start introducing the group when she figured out it was not necessary. “Never mind, you probably won’t remember anyone tomorrow.”

"Well at least I could meet a sexy doctor there. It's worth the effort." Emily laughed at her own joke, though in her real state nothing would stop her from throwing herself at some sexy paramedic if he decided to rescue her. "I hadn't gotten up the inspiration for the skit, but I guess I should take that risk." She shook her head with a laugh and still took the glass of water the bartender set in front of her and sipped thirstily. "Don't doubt my memory. It may not seem like it, but this isn't my first night like this, and my brain is already trained. Well I guess that doesn't speak for me, but.." she shrugged. "It's not that important. I'm Emily by the way."

He was about to order drinks for everyone, it had been a while since he’d been out to just enjoy himself. With work and life it felt like almost every hour of his days were filled with some sort of obligation that neded to be fulfilled and as happy as he was about the success and the state of his personal life, the work was still exhausting. Sometimes he just wanted to feel “normal” again. Around people without being asked questions, the flash of bulbs or being followed by paparazzi all the more often these days. The bar wasn’t the place for privacy but that wasn’t what he was looking for. It was simply to let loose. Luckily he wasn’t tipsy enough yet to miss the girl he watched practically climb over him as he was waiting to order at the clamoring bar, his arm shot out instinctively as she started to sway, placing a hand firmly in the middle of her back to help steady her, an immediate look of concern, although mixed with amusement as he speaks. “No need to apologize. I’ve had plenty of conversations and even sleepovers with those pesky floors after a night out. Ya gotta get home before the nap part comes in though, I’m afraid.” He chuckles in return. 

Emily was drunk. Quite drunk, but still not drunk enough to not realize that she had bumped into someone, and she even managed to realize how ridiculous her words sounded, even though they made perfect sense at the moment they were spoken, but still she quickly forgot about it as she put all her effort into focusing on the man across from her, who looked extremely familiar, but at the moment she couldn't realize from where. Well apparently she was too drunk after all, and it was a good thing it was his hand that was definitely helping her keep her balance, and at this point she certainly wasn't sure if she could handle this simple task on her own. "The ship with the floor is priceless." She shook her head in acknowledgement. "But I don't think nap time is near. The party's just getting started. There's more alcohol just waiting to be tested." She said intently.

☆ﾟ*·ﾟKIANNA LAUGHED AT the sous chef’s response to Emily. At least now he knew that no matter what was happening in the kitchen that she was always allowed inside. Raising her eyebrows, she looked at her sister. “I don’t know that I entirely believe you, but I know you’ll tell me when you’re ready.” Kianna hugged her sister again, always glad to see her. She really was one of her favorite people and treasured every moment they got to spend together. “We’ve got a group of business men in today, doing family style meals, which makes it easy for us. Did you want something to eat? You know I’ll always whip up something for you!”

"Family style? Sounds boring. They should have gone for something fancier like sushi." Emily laughed looking around her. "Well I wouldn't turn down something warm. Soup?" She asked hopefully, realizing she needed just that, something that always made her feel comfortable and safe, especially when that same soup was made by her sister, the person Emily was sure would always be by her side. "I'd eat anything, actually. I don't want to give you a hard time. And I'm not sure your sou chef would not kill me if i am distracting his boss from work. Or even worse, having him cook for me. He’s not my fan.” She whispered to Kiana, glancing once more at the chef she was now sure didn't like her.

Lucian had been hanging around outside the bar, waiting on an Uber that seemed determined not to show up, when someone suddenly crashed straight into him. He turned quickly, casting a glance toward them, eyes narrowing very playfully as soon as he realised who it was. “Was it really?” he questioned, brows lifting now, mouth curving up into a bemused smile. “I’ll believe you, thousands wouldn’t.” A pause and a chuckle. “Having a good night?”

Putting all her effort into keeping her balance, Emily was also trying to assimilate the words of the man across from her, which certainly wasn't easy for her intoxicated brain. It certainly took her a little longer to make sense of his words, but when the meaning reached her brain, she laughed uncontrollably. "That's because other people are stupid and don't get the point of the things." She shook her head, the world spinning around her eyes, which told her how bad idea this action was, but it only pulled another dose of laughter from her lips. "I'd even say it's perfect. Are you leaving?" She asked raising an eyebrow. "You do know that after 2 a.m. the drinks are going to be on the half of their price. That's why I like this place."

As she waved her finger at his order of a beer, Owen raised his eyebrows some as he looked across the table at her. A clear look of amusement written across his face as she mentioned the tequila. Usually he didn’t go for much besides beer and wine, maybe a good ale every now and then but that was it. Hell, he couldn’t even remember when he last did a shot of anything. Though it was probably back in his college days. Besides, one shot wouldn’t hurt. So with a grin he took the offer shot, raising it in a cheers manner, hitting it against the table some before he downed it- barely making a face as he did so. With a huff of a laugh, Owen reached for his phone. I don’t even remember the last time I did a shot. Turning the phone back around so Emily could read it. 

Reading Owen's response, a satisfied smile appeared on Emily's face. She loved it when things went according to her plan. A crazy drunken night out with a friend sounded like a really great plan. Drooling, she waved curtly at the bartender and ordered a round of shots before Owen had a chance to change his mind. "So now is the time to remind yourself how it feels." She said turning to him as the small glasses were lined up on the bar in front of them and the bartender poured the tequila into them. "Ready?"  Emily asked handing one of the shots to him and taking one for herself.

“Yeah duh, you fucking asked me to, I’m not in the habit of turning down a night out that I can use to deflect from my current problems.” Rylan grinned, looking around the bar to see if there was anyone else there she recognised but it was a no. Thank god, she wasn’t in the mood for pretence tonight. “Where have I been? In the fucking depths of hell, pretty much. Might sound dramatic but trust me it’s really not. It’s like an avalanche of shit just keeps rolling down the hill towards me and I have no option but to stand there getting smacked in the face by it.” Taking the shot that was passed to her by Emily before putting it down on the bar in front of her, not taking it, instead just attempting to continue with the conversation without drawing attention to her lack of drinking. “I had a lot of stuff to do for fashion week which has kept me pretty busy, then I got sick so I spent most of my time holed up in the apartment with Nate. I’m going to have to go to Paris to do a shoot soon but I’m honestly trying to get out of it because I really can’t be bothered…Wanna go instead of me?” She joked, wrinkling her nose as she spoke about what was probably the most first world problem possible. “You been working?”

"Things could never sound too dramatic.” Emily laughed, shaking her head before pouring down her tequila shot in the throat. She certainly wasn't the person to judge someone else's acceptance of things in their life being overly dramatic. After all, she was the one who sought solace in the incessant partying just because she couldn't get over her divorce, something she was sure a lot of people went through, and that was without getting into the spiral of self-pity she'd gone down. "As long as paying is in bottles, I'll would go instead of you on a photo shoot at the North Pole." Emily laughed, but they both knew that she was willing to do anything for Rylan, after all, she was one of her closest friends. And being one, it didn't escape her gaze how the model nudged the shot in front of her. "I've taken a long break. For now, just the studio is my priority, which reminds me to thank all the powers who brought Nate there. Your boyfriend has been a constant help." She said nudging the glass towards her friend again.

        BLUEBELL’S companions the guys helped her to opening the drinks, and she went to put the music on, and the other two women already made themselves comfortable on her sofa, chatting. She grabbed with her only good hand the glass of whiskey, and clinked it with Emily’s. ❛  Saluti. ❜ She says after clinking with her glass before chugging it, feeling the familiar burn down on her throat but she wasn’t grimacing. The Italian blonde, put her glass on the counter, and opened a drawer in the living room. ❛ As a promised… Here’s the cards for the game. Make yourself at home, ladies and gentlemen. ❜ She says it very cordially and posture that seems like she was giving people’s speech, and her guests smiled at her.

     The Italian blonde back her attention to Emily, while the rest were distracted with themselves and playing with cards. ❛ So... Is there anything you want? ❜ And here she was trying to be a good hostess to all. ❛ Have you seen this… ❜ She says as she grabbed her glass of whiskey, and put it in another table in her living room, and got closer to the window, where she showed Emily her sky-watcher. ❛ You can look at the moon with it. ❜ She used her sky-watcher, adjusting it as the tries to point to the moon, although she was struggling in adjusts with only a hand, but at the least she could be able to see the sky with it. On the side, there is a open pad with Blue’s handwriting as if she was noting things she sees on her precious object, her sky-watcher.

Emily took the proffered glass, raising it in a toast before pouring its contents down her throat. The amber liquid scalded her pleasantly and she closed her eyes enjoying the sensation. Although she had been using the whiskey instead of water for the past few days, she still enjoyed its aroma, especially when it was expensive like this. Her gaze fell on the label and she couldn't help but shake her head with a smile on her lips as her eyes recognized a familiar expensive brand - it was obvious that the daughter of the Italian president had taste.

"Maybe another one of those." She replied quickly to Bluebell as her words caught her attention and she shook her glass before her gaze shifted to the telescope and she approached it with interest. "I've never looked through one of those." She said and brought her eye to the eyepiece, trying to adjust the lens so she could see the moon more clearly. "Do you realize how easily you could use it for dumping?" She laughed, imagining how she would personally take advantage of such an advantage.

☆ﾟ*·ﾟSINGING TO HERSELF as she prepped some of the vegetables for a dish, Kianna wasn’t paying much attention to anyone else in the kitchen. On occasion, she’d just get in the mood and barely listen to anyone. But there was always one voice that would knock her out of a trance, especially when it was followed by a very annoyed response from her sous chef. Her head snapped around with a bright smile on her face. “Em!” Kianna rushed over to her, enveloping her sister into a hug before turning to her sous chef. “This is my sister. She’s always allowed in. Remember that, or we’ll have issues.” Guiding Emily away from the annoyed sous chef, she brought her into her office in the back of the kitchen before tilting her head to the side with a pout on her face. “Something’s wrong. Who do I need to torch or bake into a stew?”

Emily was starting to get angry at sous chef who tried to make her leave. How the fuck he was thinking she was? The brunette was about to start yelling at him when Kianna finally appeared and the smile appeared on Emily’s lips again. “Hey.”she waived to her sister and while she sidesteped the chef she stopped for a second just to tell him. “As you heard I am always welcomed.” she said and then  stepped in her sister’s office. “No, no, nothing wrong.” Except she wasn’t able to do one of the easiest jumps on the ice but she shouldn’t care since she wasn’t skater anymore, right? “I just missed you and thought why not to come and see what are you doing.” she shrugged realizing it was not very kind to interrupt people at their work but she didn’t care too much.

              Manhattan. The only place Jamie considered New York. Fine, she was a snob when it came to neighborhoods. Who cares? But from time to time, she would leave her island, and not just to go to the airport. Tonight, her friends wanted to go to this bar in Brooklyn. Disco times for disco people, her friend texted. One of the SNL actors said it was a great place, so in a second or two, it was not just Jamie that was coming all the way to Balearica, but also two SNL actors and a writer. Their table consisting of nine or ten people was probably the largest, yet if not the largest, the loudest for sure. And Jamie had fun. With the third Las Salinas Old Fashioned in her hands, she lost the track of time, doing nothing but laughing, drinking and dancing.. until someone bumped into her. “It was what..? Is that one of those I didn’t attack the floor, the floor attacked me lines?” Chuckling, Jamie shrugged as she gave the woman a quick once over. “You need water, not alcohol. Hey, Michael,” she called over the famous SNL cast member, “go get her some water. And another Las Salinas for me. Anyone else wants something? It’s on me.”

Emily was more drunk than she would admit and like the most people she didn’t realize it. She was sure she was able to drink more and more until she passed out like it actually happened last few times. And she thinking to do it even when her eyes were blurred and she felt like she started seeing double. But it seems like the brunette she bumped into didn’t think the same. “Water?”she asked with raised eyebrow while she spread her arms like she was trying to keep her balance. “I would be more satisfied with whiskey.” she said and she looked around her trying to figure out how she managed to end in completely new company but the truth was she didn’t mind at all. She liked new people, well not all people but the party people.

          BLUEBELL MADONNA met her gaze with hers grey-bluish hues. ❛ Technically I’ve got a bunch of scratch which my clothes are covering it, and got a stitches here… ❜ She pointed to her neck, one visibly scratch on her forehead close to her hair line, which was kind of cover up with make up. ❛ Yeah, I’m good. That was nothing. ❜ The fact the blonde didn’t take the gravity of situation as badly, she was more worried with her reputation only. And how much in trouble she is with her own parents. Once the lift arrived on her triplex, she passed in front of everyone, putting her finger to unlock the door, and turned to all her guests. ❛ Welcome. Make yourself at home. ❜ Her living room have a big sky watcher, close to one of her biggest window. The decoration was minimalist, grey, white and black. She went to the kitchen, inviting the others. ❛ I can’t exactly bartendering anyone today. ❜ She says as she picked her bottle of Bourbon, and the opener. ❛ Anyone?! Per favore?! ❜ It was her way to ask for people opening her bottle. ❛ I’ve got beers, vodka, tonic, and gin. ❜ She says that when her kitten Bruce appeared after hearing his owner voice, and she picked it up in her good arm, and it began to purring.

As soon as she entered the apartment, Emily was glued to the window revealing a stunning view of New York at night. The view was amazing, even if it was dark outside. The multitude of twinkling lights created the feeling of a starry sky, while at the same time reminding that this was the city that never sleeps. Emily stood staring out, lost in the sensation. The view had managed to erase her thoughts, something so rare lately that she enjoyed it without a second thought. However, Bluebell's voice snapped her out of her trance and she turned sharply, regaining her party spirit. “The place is amazing.” Emily told her hostess and walked over to the bar where one of the companions was already opening a bottle of whiskey and pouring it into glasses. With a sweep, Emily grabbed two glasses and approached the Italian, handing her one. "To the new home," she said, raising her glass in a toast, then pouring the scalding contents down her throat.