neon moon

timestamp : the tour around the vatican museum @eversincc​

she stands with little intent as she watches the initiates spare momentary glances towards her; as they flutter around her like nervous birds. oh, if only she could’ve skipped the entire day — she would’ve rather have been in the south of france with a glance of wine and a record spun against the needle ( a first pressing of one of elvis’ records, soothing for the weather and her temperament that seemed to battle with her sense of sanity in the prolonged april sunny days ). 

“abigail?” she calls, her voice low and clear as she sways from one foot to the other, sharing her weight out upon heels that dig into her feet ( but she had been raised on such instruments, so it was strange not to feel the pain of a day’s embrace ). 

“abigail, let us go get some fresh air. there must be… a balcony of some kind,” marianne muttered, bringing her purse forth as she fondled its contents for her organic cigarettes. 

though her relationship with the scottish politician was private, marianne was falling into old traps of comfort — reaching for her hand, kissing her cheek.. it would only be a matter of time for the unveiling to the public ( ah, the police wouldn’t be too happy about it. ). 

“abigail.” 

Why did it seem she was the only one enjoying herself today? She, who had spent most of the day before swapping bitter thoughts on the expense, the extravagance, the pompous, pressing heat of it all. Was it the nature of those accustomed to wealth to be so constantly bored of it? 

Privacy felt like something of a cage. Like shackles at her wrists, holding back her hands from welcoming touch, leaving only her eyes to spin affections back to her lover. 

“Marianne,” she began gently, lips curled in fond amusement. “You sound like a broken record.”

Turning her head from her admirations, she begrudgingly detached her attention from the tour ahead of them, latching on to her partner. Was she reading too much into it, or was there anxiety in her voice? A gentle frown crossed her features, one hand raising against its shackles to touch her elbow, guiding her onwards. 

There was a balcony, stretched beyond two french windows that opened with a push. Though it was not locked, though they had the most exclusive of access, the space felt strangely liminal. Distinctly like somewhere they ought not to be. All the same, the view it awarded was spectacular, spanning the rooftops of the grand museum stretching out to the Basilica and the square beyond. 

With a little privacy, Abigail allowed herself to drift closer, hand scouring up the other woman’s arm. “You going to tell me what you’re fussing over, or are you just that desperate for a smoke?” she asked with a quiet chuckle. 

“You will find yourself used to it, as the time passes.” Alessandra offered, along with another smile and a touch to her forearm. “Relax. You have proved your worth a multitude of times over; you belong here and that cannot be taken away from you.” Well. There were acts so egregious that the Society would have no choice but to distance themselves from the actor, though she had not seen such yet in her lifetime, nor did she know of any examples, and regardless she did not think Abigail capable of doing anything heinous. She was a stellar person, a pinnacle of grace and virtue to Alessandra’s eyes. “For now, allow yourself to enjoy being on this side. What do you look for in our youthful initiates?”

Had she? She hoped so. To hear it said aloud warmed her heart all the same. Perhaps it was vapid, yet from Alessandra, she doubted it. Their past was a little too colourful to bother being polite with one another, even in such esteemed company. Even under watch, as they no doubt were.

“Asking me to relax and enjoy myself may, sadly, be pretty much futile,” she admitted, casting a grin toward the other woman. Absently, fingertips grazed her own forearm, tracing where she had been touched. Her eye, however, moved to scan the newest faces within the Palazzo. As always, she searched for familiarity, though with it always followed some degree of horror. 

he cannot help but beam at such an agreement, almost as if this little thing is success enough for him and that it is naught but a symbol of providence that they have come across each other today.   ❛  you spoil me,  ❜  he says, an almost wicked smile on his face. he directs a lazy glance towards the others.  ❛  you’d think after several iterations of this, they’d be up to do something else other than talk—but no, clearly chatting about this certain lord’s sartorial choices at a party several weeks past is clearly more important.  ❜

it’s the difficulty with aristocracy and landed nobles, he’s found, even though he himself is one of them. they’re too stuck on image when really they should be talking about action. it’s the platform he run on—and look where it got him.

(  look, too, where all the rest are: content to sit on laurels achieved hundreds of years ago, as if that’s going to get them anywhere.  )

he makes himself comfortable on plush leather seats, leaning back and spreading his arm on the backrest. the way the table’s set up right now, he’s positioned to take the side of black but, still, there was no harm in asking:  ❛  your choice,  ❜  he asks.  ❛  black or white ?  ❜

It was impossible not to return such a smile. Genuine or not, it was echoed in kind, her own eyes naturally bright, naturally warm. They move together to the table, though before she sits, she ponders. Casting a critical yet marvelling eye across the finely carved chess pieces, she picks up a pawn to press between thumbs and forefingers, feeling its shape, the cool stone it was made from. 

As it is set down again, she is seated, legs crossed at the ankles, attention once again on him. Quietly, she hums in amusement, her brows lifting in sympathetic exasperation. “I may not have been here long, but its clear to see this place is fuelled by rumour. I just wish the talk were a little more interesting than fashion and money.” She tutted, eye turning again to the pieces. “Maybe they’re only pretending to be vapid, but they are very good at it.”

Leaning forward, she takes the same pawn as before. Holding it by the neck, she advances it two paces. “This time around, I’ll take what I’m given. White’ll do me.”

with @eversincc at the introduction of the society

the society is no stranger to politics, as privilege and power often make authority and public affairs their familiar bedfellows. napoleone himself is one such specimen, groomed by the hands of a historical lineage with himself restoring his family to the halls of power once more. he is a new face for a new government, heralding a brighter era where hope is at last resurrected and confidence brought back into the government—never mind if he was cut from the very same cloth whose threads he supposedly would unspool. he is charming, charismatic, and competent: a trifecta of qualities that endeared him to any disaffected voter who could care less about his past and ultimately cared more about what he promised to do.

being the head of government of italy, he cannot help but pursue greater and deeper ties with other heads of state—especially if they carry the flag of a platform so very similar to his own. what use was the society if it didn’t precipitate to meetings such as this ?    ❛  abigail,  ❜  he says, greeting her with a nod. then he tips his head to an empty tableau, with a chessboard all set-up as if waiting for players to come take control of it.  ❛  i took all this time trying to set up a board but couldn’t find anybody willing to play with me,  ❜  he says, and he almost shakes his head—just a little—as if in dismay, though the words themselves were a complete fabrication. he didn’t even bother looking that hard.  ❛  you’ll play with me, won’t you ?  ❜  he asks.

In the sea of familiar faces, she so often felt one rung down from the rest. Napoleone was most certainly counted among her betters, with perhaps only one other from their political fellows she might place above him. These people with entire countries at their heels, with so much possibility. Yet so often wasted. Still, it wasn’t as though she could feel any more anxious if she tried. Though she flitted among crowds of characters, she felt watched. Worse than that, out of control. Lesser than. 

Still, she maintained the very picture of politeness. Stern and resolute in her smiles, most especially to Napoleone. Matching his movement, she dipped her head. No matter her modicum of respect, she wouldn’t scrape to him. Nor, did she imagine, he wished her to.

“What a terrible pity,” she mused, not quite dryly, tilting her head to the side in a playful show of sympathy. “Of course I’ll play. I can even promise you a good match.”

@eversincc

LOCATION: INTRODUCTION AT THE PALAZZO

It was her fourteenth iteration of the New Moon Ball, and never once has its magnificence ceased to be awe-inspiring, gathering fresh-eyed initiates in grandiose rooms that imposed upon all who dared to step upon its floors. Each had different sparkles in their eyes — awe or ambition or determination or even disdain. Of course, there were the familiar faces of members of the society, new and old, and one such face was a particular pleasure to come across — Abigail Brandon. “Lethe,” she called, her voice smooth and sweet, a smile forming on her lips. “It’s been some time, darling.” She stepped forward and greeted her with a customary kiss to the cheek. “It wasn’t long ago that you stood with this crowd, was it? How do you find life on the other side of the fence?”

She doubted it was possible to ever sicken of such beauty. It was the sort unique to bygone eras, a time where gold leaf ceilings and marvellous, wall spanning frescoes were simply the done thing. To walk these halls now, as a private party, felt like walking through a dream world. These surroundings were so detached from reality as anything other than tourist spots, home for artefacts far older and grander than the family names that held such gravity among Society’s elite. 

A familiar voice turned Abigail’s gaze away from the ceiling, back in to reality. Where her drink had been held loosely between fingers at her side, it rose, resting stomach height as she adorned herself with a glowing smile for the sake of Alessandra. “Kharis!” 

It seemed she would set the tone for their meeting. Touching a hand to the other’s arm, she mirrored her greeting with a kiss to the opposite cheek. Europeans, she cursed, would make intimacy a sport. Noticeably, she held back a touch, so wary of initiating discomfort that she radiated it regardless. 

FRIENDS.   childhood friends  /  work friends  /  family friends  /  recently friends  /  turning antagonistic  /  turning into something romantic  /  stable  /  falling apart  /  friendship of need  /  friendship of circumstance  pen - pals or internet friends  /  coworkers  /  partners  /  other .

ROMANCE.   childhood sweethearts  /  newly entered  /  soulmates  /  skinny love  /  unrequited from my muses side  /  unrequited from your muses side  /  friends with benefits  /  awkward  /  fading  /  turning  toxic  /  toxic  and  destructive  /  other .

FAMILIAL BOND.   sibling bond  /  older sibling figure to your muse  /  younger sibling figure to your muse  /  parental figure to your muse  /  parental figure to your muse  /  guardian figure  /  legal  guardian  /  other .

FRIENDS.   childhood friends  /  work friends  /  family friends  /  recently friends  /  turning antagonistic  /  turning into something romantic  /  stable  /  falling apart  /  friendship of need  /  friendship of circumstance  pen - pals or internet friends  /  coworkers  /  partners  /  other .

ROMANCE.   childhood sweethearts  /  newly entered  /  soulmates  /  skinny love  /  unrequited from my muses side  /  unrequited from your muses side  /  friends with benefits  /  awkward  /  fading  /  turning  toxic  /  toxic  and  destructive  /  other .

FAMILIAL BOND.   sibling bond  /  older sibling figure to your muse  /  younger sibling figure to your muse  /  parental figure to your muse  /  parental figure to your muse  /  guardian figure  /  legal  guardian  /  other .

FRIENDS.   childhood friends  /  work friends  /  family friends  /  recently friends  /  turning antagonistic  /  turning into something romantic  /  stable  /  falling apart  /  friendship of need  /  friendship of circumstance  pen - pals or internet friends  /  coworkers  /  partners  /  other .

ROMANCE.   childhood sweethearts  /  newly entered  /  soulmates  /  skinny love  /  unrequited from my muses side  /  unrequited from your muses side  /  friends with benefits  /  awkward  /  fading  /  turning  toxic  /  toxic  and  destructive  /  other .

FAMILIAL BOND.   sibling bond  /  older sibling figure to your muse  /  younger sibling figure to your muse  /  parental figure to your muse  /  parental figure to your muse  /  guardian figure  /  legal  guardian  /  other .

FRIENDS.   childhood friends  /  work friends  /  family friends  /  recently friends  /  turning antagonistic  /  turning into something romantic  /  stable  /  falling apart  /  friendship of need  /  friendship of circumstance  pen - pals or internet friends  /  coworkers  /  partners  /  other .

ROMANCE.   childhood sweethearts  /  newly entered  /  soulmates  /  skinny love  /  unrequited from my muses side  /  unrequited from your muses side  /  friends with benefits  /  awkward  /  fading  /  turning  toxic  /  toxic  and  destructive  /  other .

FAMILIAL BOND.   sibling bond  /  older sibling figure to your muse  /  younger sibling figure to your muse  /  parental figure to your muse  /  parental figure to your muse  /  guardian figure  /  legal  guardian  /  other .

Platinum  : what has been your muse’s proudest achievement to date ?

Reaching where she is now. At present, she’s the happiest she’s ever been, and is perhaps quite right to be proud of herself. Her career has reached higher than she ever hoped it would, and with the political trajectory of the moment, it has the opportunity to reach even higher. 

Sure, things might not be amazing with her brother just now, but she’s found herself a loving relationship and career success, a townhouse in London, and membership to the Society - which might not be an exclusively good thing, of course. She has her fair share of hang ups where that’s concerned, but she cannot deny the leg up it has given her. 

Copper  : what was your muse’s past like ? do they talk about their past or are they tight-lipped about such matters ?

Abigail believes her past has been utterly normal. Which, for the most part, it has. Most people might not take the trajectory she has, but they all have ups and downs in family and work life. Largely, she speaks freely about her past, and all the struggles and disappointments she’s made; including her earliest career, her unfortunate relationship with her father, her unusual brother, and all the rest. The only thing she’s reluctant to speak of is some of the finer details. Not everything she’s done has remained as moral and principled as she would have preferred. She doesn’t speak about the society, nor about the bribes she’s given and the favours she’s owed. Those are secrets between her and the soil, and though they eat at her, she tells herself they were necessary. 

Chocolate : does your character have a sweet tooth ?

Of course! Who doesn’t? There was a bakery back in Leith that she always frequented, and another independent shop around the corner from her place in London. She loves a fancy French patisserie when she’s abroad. In most things, she struggles not to indulge herself, and chocolate and creams fall very definitely into that category. 

Seychelles : what kind of sports does your muse practice ? are they good at it ?

Caviar  : what’s your muse’s favourite food ?

Salmon linguine with good heaps of Parmesan cheese. Alright, maybe Scotland isn’t the best place to enjoy Italian food, but too many family dinners to the same particular restaurant a few streets from their home cemented the dish as a childhood and lifelong favourite. Since then, she’s had the dish all over - including Florence and Rome - but will freely admit that they don’t do it the same, and no matter how classless it makes her sound, she just doesn’t like it as much. 

Sausalito  : what kind of things does your muse watch for leisure ? what are their favourite films and tv shows ? what’s on their my list in netflix ?

Preferring hands on activities to keep herself entertained, she doesn’t watch a lot of tv or films. She has her leisurely habits in her garden, in weekly tennis matches and a run every other day. A lot of her time is naturally taken up by work, but she’s blessed to enjoy that as well. Otherwise, she does a lot of reading. 

Dependence. Whatever it may entail, in any other person, or in herself. Its in herself that she recognises it most of all, but try as she might, she struggles to annihilate it. Its too easy to latch on to people for safety.