What An Awkward Situation

The closer she got, the more apparent her beauty became, and by the time she was standing there in front of him Eric was convinced she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.  “Malia,” He repeated, the smile on his lips growing wider, “I’m Eric.” He would’ve offered his hand to her, he should have offered his hand to her, but instead, he bent down and gathered his luggage. He motioned for her to lead the way, eyes trained on the floor to keep himself in check. “So - uh, where are you from? I couldn’t help but notice your accent.” 

Anyone who’s ever been thrust into a new environment knows how overwhelming it can be, but for Eric Anderson, who had lived in the same house, in the same small town, with all the same people for twenty-six years, it was not only incredibly overwhelming but incredibly exciting as well. Exciting the car and walking up the path that led to the constellation compound felt as significant to him as the first steps taken on the moon. Though he knew he’d never be completely free from the hold his father had on him, this was good, this was a start. Once inside, Eric took out the information packet that had been mailed to him along with his acceptance and found his room number. Knowing full well that a room number wasn’t enough to go on in a building as big as the compound, he waved down a passerby and subconsciously offered them an Anderson’s businessmen smile, the very same smile that his mother credits with the success of the Anderson Corporation all these decades.  “Excuse me. Do you mind helping me find apartment B501?” 

Fresh out of the nail salon, Malia was admiring her newly manicured Fingernails. The matte black that now rested on her fingernails, like usual, made her grin. She hadn’t had her nails done in such a long time, she figured she would treat herself. Malia was on her way back to her apartment when out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a man; an attractive man, waving her over. The raven haired woman sauntered over to him with a bright smile on her lips. She listened to his question and then nodded her head. “Oh, but of course sweetheart. I’ll show you what building. I’m Malia, by the way.”

 Madden had found a long board. Not much past that needed to be said, because he’d found a long board and he was determined to use it. Had he skateboarded before? No. Was that stopping him? Also no. The man quickly learned, though, that turns were hard. He found that out when he had to bail before running into someone.

 “Sorry!” he called from his new spot on the ground.

Malia had been walking around town, getting some things done. She had a few shopping bags in her hands as she was rounding a corner and that was when someone fell to ground in front of her. She spotted the long board and placed her foot on it, keeping it from rolling away into the street. “Learning how to skate, are we?”

Another sadistic smile, really? That was what Duchess got? Her arms still crossed and her gaze intense on the woman, she momentarily diverted her attention from the dog. She was just done with this situation and wanted to get away, but she wasn’t able to. How messed up.  “Excuse me for asking, but what is your problem? I’ve been nothing but polite to you and you refuse to accommodate me. I’m dealing with a serious phobia and allergy! Does terrifying people make you happy? Because that’s the behavior of a psychopath, and you might want to see someone for that. Please, move your dog away from me and the exit so that I can leave.”

“Problem? I don’t have a single problem in the world.” Malia shrugged her shoulders slightly. “Just because you’re polite doesn’t mean people will do what you want. Sometimes you have to take what’s yours and be harsh to get the things you want in life. Fear will only hold you back. If you want to leave, then go. Don’t let anything hold you back. If you can’t manage to simply walk around a sitting dog, you’re weak and pathetic and the world will eat you alive.”

Shannon was bored. The feeling seemed to be a lot more common now that she was stuck with her brother at some old-ass program geared towards dreams. She wasn’t one of them. Even if she could label herself as an astranaut, she knew she would rather drop dead than do as much.

So instead of singing kumbaya with the other people at the compound, she decided to venture out to the nearest pub. She had ordered herself some food and sat on a bar stool, eyeing people up. Someone in here had to be worth her time. Just one person. 

And then someone sat beside her. Perfect opportunity to see if they were entertaining enough. “If you buy me a drink, I’ll make out with you. It sounds stupid, but I promise I always make the reward worthwhile.”

It had been a rather long and tiresome day for Malia. People who worked for her were taking their sweet time getting shit done, so she had to teach them a lesson. Needless to say, they were working harder and faster than ever and now Malia could relax a little. On her way back to the compound, the raven haired woman decided to stop off and have a few drinks before she went back home to Thomas.

Malia had just sat down and the woman beside her spoke to her. Glancing over at her, she arched a brow slightly. “Aren’t you little young to be so desperate sweetheart? And aren’t you a little young to even be here? Are you lost? Do you need me to call your parents?” She smirked and waved down the bartender, ordering herself a glass of whiskey.

Duchess had been introduced enough pretentious officials and slimy socialites to know a fake interest when she saw one. In fact, she’d had to put on a façade like that herself on many occasions. This woman wasn’t about to move, neither herself nor her dog, and although Duchess was still terrified, there was a tinge of anger added to that feeling now, and she was not interested in making polite conversation anymore. “Thank you for the compliment. I will happily introduce myself and tell you whatever you want to know, if you could just… move.” The final word was said with a little more force than before, but not enough to sound the least bit threatening. That wasn’t her forté, after all. 

The other woman was getting feisty and it only brought a wicked grin to Malia’s lips. “Oh, of course. Silly me.” Malia walked away from where she had been standing, moving a few feet away, but King remained where he was because Malia hadn’t told him to move, and he wouldn’t move until she did so. Cocking her hip to the side and placing a hand on said hip, Malia grinned at the woman. “How is that, princesa?”

Lach: no. it's for grumpy old lunch ladies

Lach: aight, on it

Lach: ps sonya is a bad name

It wasn’t that he didn’t expect a place like Astra to be exciting, but he just didn’t expect this much excitement so soon. It was pretty clear that Hercules was around people from a lot of different places, but that was the thing he was most used to out of everything that was happening at the moment. Somehow he’d managed to pull together a costume at the literal last minute before the start of this Halloween party. That was something he was grateful for. Now it was just too much excitement happening at once and it was starting to get a little overwhelming. Still, he somehow managed to keep his cool as he turned to the person closest to him. “I guess this place never likes to let things get boring? I’m just asking…”

Malia stood off to the side slightly, finishing off her fourth drink of the night. She wasn’t nearly as tipsy as she wanted to be, but that just meant she would have to keep drinking and she didn’t have a problem with that. She made her way over to the bowl of spiked punch again and was in the process of pouring herself another cup when she heard someone next to her. Dark eyes glanced over at the man and looked him up and down. “Hardly. This is the most ‘entertaining’ thing that’s happened since the trips to Barcelona and Spain. Otherwise, it’s been quite dull.” She finished pouring her drink and then took a long gulp from her cup before looking at the stranger again, offering him her free hand that also had the red glowing bracelet on it. “I’m Malia. I don’t think I’ve seen you around before.”

No, Duchess did not miss the terrifying grin that overtook the woman’s face; in fact, she quite admired her for showing that much of her teeth in public. She would never do that herself, because it was not considered ladylike or attractive in her circles. Nevertheless, she knew the implications such a smile could have (she’d seen it before), so she kept her guard up, as well as her politeness. She crossed her arms defensively. “I’m sure he is, really, I don’t doubt it at all if you say so, but I’d really appreciate it if you could move away from the stairs or the elevator? Either way works, I’m not picky!”

This was just too easy. Poor girl didn’t know what she got herself into. “Of course.” However, Malia didn’t move at all. Instead, she faked an interest in the girl with a polite smile and a small tilt of her head. “I don’t believe I’ve seen you around here before. I’m sure I’d remember a woman as elegant looking as you. Are you new here?” Malia had no intentions of giving the girl what she wanted and it made her quite happy to be so cruel for no reason. Her hand lightly pet King’s head while he stood at her side, his eyes locked on the woman across from them.

Lach: ohhhHHH. okay. where should i pick him up at then

Lach: what sort of effort is this favor gonna take

Malia: I have a friend who wants to see the lake.

Malia: Oh darling husband of mine