Who says murder's not an art?

So, anyone else as amped about the Tonys as I am? It’s like easily my favorite holiday of the year.

I don’t believe there is a single person who could surpass you in “amped-ness”, hon. I’m excited for you--go out there and soak up as much of the limelight as possible.

Is it appropriate to wear a bowtie to this shindig? Or should I stick with a classic one? This is my first nomination, I want to look snazzy. 

First time nomination? Congratulations! I would suggest for you to wear a bowtie; begin a tradition and it’ll get you to stick out in the crowd in a hipster-esque way.

I’m not even nominated, but I’m so excited to get all dressed up and go to the Tonys. I placed a couple of bets with a couple different show crews so we’ll see if I managed to predict any of the winners. How about you? Are you going? Did you choose any picks? 

Going to the Tonys with a nominee is a magical experience, have tons of fun! I don’t believe that I will be attending this time--I will be rooting from afar. I would love to see The Color Purple win and Ingrid Simms and, of course, for Ev to take home hers, too.

Evie looked taken aback as she gingerly pushed a book back into its place on the shelf. Turning herself toward her friend, she held out two books and began, “We came here because you thought it would help, you’re not making my day bad and um, it’s not like you’re trying to be a huge debbie-downer or anything on purpose.”

Heather glanced at the titles of the books and took them from her friend, rotating them around and around in her hands in an effort to half distract herself from the conversation. “Thank you, and while I’m not attempting to be, I’m sure that you could be using your time otherwise. I think I should wait this out until it... is gone? That should work, yes.”

Steven shook his head but laughed good-naturedly, “It’s Steven, actually, but it’s cool. And yeah, I do. I play a couple actually. I’m doing okay, thanks for asking.” It was clear to him that she didn’t want to talk about whatever was wrong, so he shrugged, “Just stopped in to pick up a comic book I ordered. Are you looking for anything specific?”

“Steven?” Heather peered at him for a few seconds before recognition struck, causing her mouth to open in a perfect ‘O’ for a moment. “Steven from Chicago? You must be Darcy’s roommate; good to finally meet you.” With ease from having practiced turning the conversation around to focus on the other person, Heather gave a small smile and nodded, encouraging him to speak further about his reasoning to be here. “Which comic book and how is Darcy? Have you two been getting along peachy?”

Evie released a deep sigh as she looked through the dystopian novels in front of her, trying to find a book that met Heather’s demands for a book. “I don’t think there’s one where they’re erased but I can look for a female protagonist?” Evie offered meekly.

Heather looked over the other girl’s features and the venom she felt gushing out of her soul lessened at the simple sight of how much of a toll this was taking on Evie. With a heavy sigh she slumped against one of the shelves, crossing her arms and staring down at the thin carpeting meant to be inviting and cozy. “Ev, you have my deepest apologies for having to deal with my unhealthy mood today. I don’t believe this trip will be doing much for it either and perhaps we should leave and get you home before this dampens your day further. I cannot do this to you in good conscious.”

Evie let out a soft laugh and rolled her eyes, “I mean I am very much in ooey-gooey-sappy love, but I kind of like things that don’t always mimic life. Dystopian fiction is always way more interesting that romance novels,” Evie nodded at Heather’s reasoning for the dystopian fiction and quickly asked, “Zombies, natural disaster, or politics?”

“I find that zombies have become far too mainstream to produce quality content at this moment. How about politics in the vein of George Orwell?” Heather did her best to feign complete attention to the conversation but her mind began to wander back to the cold blade in her back placed by her father. It took a handful of moments for her face to return to a cold scowl. “Perhaps a novel where males have been erased from the race and women rule the world and have begun to systematically take over the universe?” She mumbled.

Evie’s face dropped slightly and she let her hands slide down Heather’s arms to meet her hands, giving them a gentle squeeze before letting go and mumbling, “Yeah, I read a lot of dystopian books, um do you want dystopian sci-fi, YA Novel, or just general fiction? We kinda have to go by section but um, I can recommend some?”

Heather’s eyebrow shot up and she stared down at the smaller girl with an amused smirk. “Ev I cannot imagine dystopian books being the genre that you should be taking part in, especially with your ooey-gooey-sappy love life as it stands nowadays.” Knowing that Ev was simply being as supportive as she could of her, Heather breathed out a sigh, causing her shoulders to slump a little. “I don’t mind either way I suppose, although I would prefer to a lengthy read due to the fact that painting isn’t distracting me enough at the current time. Perhaps a series would suffice.”

“I was just called really hot for a short guy. Thanks, that’s good, right?”

“Perception seems to be what truly matters here and with the assumption the person truly meant what they mentioned about your appearance, then yes I would suppose that was good. A compliment, even. Congratulations.”

Darcy sighed at the pile of books before her, knowing that she’d have to put them all back if she wanted to eat this month. Or, most of them back. She got up and headed first to the fantasy section, and nearly crashed into a familiar face. “Heather,” she said, “um, hey. Fancy seeing you here.” She felt flustered as her books fell from her arms. “Just holding these for a friend,” she muttered sarcastically.

“Goodness!” Heather’s eyes went wide as the books went tumbling down and she hurried to aid in picking them back up and placed back into a tower. “Of course, I’m sure that friend is thrilled for you to be purchasing them too. Don’t let your roommate know or he might get concerned about your extracurricular activities.” A slight scowl had firmly placed itself on Heather’s face and she glanced away from Darcy, hoping to find a way to excuse herself before the blonde could begin to pry. “I do hope you have been getting along well enough.”

Steven had popped in to see if the shop had the newest edition of Fables he had ordered. The man behind the counter said he’d have to check in the back, so Steven decided to look around a bit. He was skimming the titles of the biographies when a thud resounded from the other side of the shelf. He peeked over the top and cleared his throat when he saw the upset woman storming off. “Hey. It’s Heather, right? Sorry to bother you, but are you okay?”

Heather froze at the sound of her name and felt a harsh pang of annoyance at herself for having made enough of a scene for a person to feel the need to vocalize it. She didn’t recognize the voice and as she turned, careful to have a neutral expression on her face, it took a moment to place him as one of the pit players she had seen a number of times coming and going from the theatre. “Yes,” there was a pause accompanied with a crease in her forehead, “you play an instrument for Chicago, yes? Kevin, was it? My apologies for forgetting if it isn’t. How are you doing today?”

Evie had agreed to trek with Heather to their nearest Barnes and Nobles in hopes of settling her mood. But no, there was the taller girl, essentially stomping around the store while Evie glanced around the cheesy romance novel section to amuse herself. Once Heather had made her way over to Evie, the petite woman gently grabbed her shoulders and mumbled, “Hey - hey - listen,” She started, shaking Heather slightly, “You have to at least give the books a chance. They aren’t the ones who hurt you.”

Heather stared at Evie dully, wondering for the eighth time that day why the woman decided to tag along, knowing full well that Heather was in no mood to be sociable. “No, but they are full of lies and frilly hopes of life working out in the best way possible.” She bit back the snapping instinct to tell Ev to get her hands off of her shoulders but instead she licked her lips and mumbled, “perhaps I should look into the dystopian genre today. Do you happen to know where that might be?”

It was, and I like to think she is. I’m certainly excited to be home with her. 

I hear there’s a new kitten in the house. Has Ev decided upon an appropriate shelter to bring it to?

What is with the agenda you have against cats? It didn’t track in used toilet water. I gave her a bath too. She’s very clean. A respectable kitten.

I don’t have a particular agenda against cats. No, but it does track kitty litter around that either is or has touched dirty, used kitty litter, no matter how dutiful you are with cleaning the box. If the kitten steps in its own urine or feces and runs over to climb on you, you wouldn’t have a clue.

It was, and I like to think she is. I’m certainly excited to be home with her. 

Goodness, I bet she is! I couldn’t imagine reasons why she wouldn’t be; she adores you. I do hope you two have been getting along well enough?