SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY

“Wait, seriously?!” Rhia gaped, her widened eyes unblinking as she waited for Mabel to rescind the offer. Well, not for you. I was just kidding. “I mean, that would be amazing. I know it’s really competitive out there, but the professors say I have the spirit!” Not really the discipline or the experience side of ballet, but those were things that would come with time. What she lacked in ballet etiquette, she made up for tenfold with her stage presence. “Just for you. Because you’re such a cutie,” she enthused, hmphing with triumph as she moved into place. Rhia had been one of the understudies for last year’s production of Romeo and Juliet, and thus knew the choreography of the famous pas de deux of the pair’s descent into maddening love. “I’m honored to pay this homage to your home,” Rhia laughed, and made a small signal toward Will to begin his opening steps. Rhia followed suit on her cue, though only basic metronome beats played from the studio’s speakers. She moved in sweeping motions, her practiced elegance mimicking a young lover in the arms of her true love, a grin as bright as the sun across her features. She twirled and pirouetted, falling into the man’s arms with an innocent faith, twinkling and giggling as he tossed her around in the air. She huffed a deep breath after, beaming at Mabel in search of her approval, practically already forgetting about the boy she’d used as a live doll. “So?” Rhia asked in expectancy. “What’d you think?”

“yes, of course, beloved. i would never make such propositions if they weren’t serious. i know how important these things can be.” it’s not a lie, or a rouse, but perhaps it would be better to call it modern trade. the art of making future allies. she looks at rhia and she sees a girl that’s so capable, and yet malleable, and in the right and artful hands, she could very well be a masterpiece. she can’t seem to recall what alex thinks of her, but the potential, she thinks, ought to be taken into consideration. “i can see it, rhia, and trust me, once you’re there, they’ll hone your skills and offer to the world the next margot fonteyn.” like with most things in life, connections and money get you everything and everywhere, and as a true patron of the arts, mabel knows it would be a shame to hide such a gem. “i won’t forget this, rhia.” certainly, it’s an honour to have another student perform just for her, and while she was initially looking for someone else, it’s hard to deny the fact that rhia has captured her attention with astounding success. graceful, light on her feet, with gentleness of a feather that’s been plucked from wings of a swan, watching her feels like falling in love with ballet all over again. finally, she offers her an applause, and when she catches a glimpse of rhia’s search of approval, she nods, smiling widely. “that was brilliant. thank you, truly. you’ve made my day much brighter. i’d love to watch you dance again whenever you’re free. oh and feel free to drop by my dorm sometime soon, we could actually talk about my idea more seriously. and get some coffee.”

-

“Past tense in referring to those messages is grammatically correct - not a reflection of what I think about her,” Jacqui corrected, reaching up and brushing their thick waves back from their shoulder as they let their eyes trailed off after the officers again. “She did do it to the people she supposedly loves most though,” they pointed out, shrugging up a shoulder - perhaps it was insensitive, but it was the truth. She wasn’t here, was she? “And I’m definitely not…someone who will help you understand that. Like I said, I don’t know what happened. Hopefully they can get their shit together and figure it out soon, though,” Jacqui added, chin motioning up towards the cops. 

“ i — it’s just that ... all right.” she yields, knowing that all that’s left is surrender. admittance of defeat. there are no more battles to fight in greer’s name, no more places to secure, people to put in their place. what’s left for her now? something greater perhaps? “did what exactly? no one knows what really happened.” if the other is telling the truth, then yes, it’s an act of betrayal, a knife in the heart, but she has yet to see something that would support that claim. “but you just mentioned her a few seconds ago. it seems like you’re pretty invested in the story. it’s quite a usual thing to form an opinion. as for the offices, i can only hope that they’ll solve this issue.”

Closed for the princess of the campus herself,  @mdesantis​

When Mabel opened the door of her place, Alex was waiting for her leaning a near wall, a slight smirk appearing on his lips the moment she appeared. “Long time no see.” What had been, a week? They were busy people, but that didn’t mean that Alex had forgotten about her. “I got you something.” Straightening himself from where he was leaning, he raised his gift in his hand and shook it a little; the bottle of the most expensive white wine that the nearest liquor store to the campus had to offer was waiting for them to open it. “Bottle for your thoughts?” 

with droplets of water still clinging to her smooth skin, she reaches the door of her dorm room in a rush and tightens her bathrobe, clearly delighted to see none other than alex before her. “far too long i must say,” she chuckles when her eyes focus on the bottle, impressed by the distinct attention to details. “white wine. my favourite. you remembered.” it goes without a saying perhaps, but mabel likes to be noticed, adored, given everything that she wants. “it’s a fair trade. my roommate’s not here tonight so we have the entire room to ourselves. please make yourself comfortable while i go and try to find a bottle opener.”

Dulce chuckled at Mabel’s sudden defensiveness, “yes, our friend. Believe me you’re not the first, and you probably won’t be the last, to doubt my friendship to Greer. Sure, we weren’t all rainbows and sunshine, sharing secrets and getting our nails manicured together.” Maybe in another life Greer and Dulce would’ve been better friends, but no matter how much any of them tried, they couldn’t figure out how to stay friends for too long before forgiving one another. No matter their relationship at the time of her disappearance, Dulce was invested in finding out more. “I wish, but I don’t. Complete radio silence from her all summer.” Not that she’d cared too much given her busy schedule and drama-less summer.

Listening to Mabel’s rules with her arms crossed in a defensive stance, Dulce slowly nodded her head with every new rule being added. “Fine. Don’t worry, my rules will be just as simple. One – don’t withhold information about anyone, no matter who. Tell me. Two – don’t lie to me either and we got a deal.” Dulce chuckled, “Oh, Mabel. Are you ready to make a deal with the devil? So they say.” at least she’d heard Satan being used for her before.

“really? because i know what greer thinks about you, so i wouldn’t exactly say that the friendship is mutual.” it's the privilege of being greer’s best friend; no gossip or detail ever miss her. “i can’t say that i’m shocked. were you hoping to hear from her over the summer?” this time, however, she could not offer much in regard to information. she had only spoken to greer at the beginning of summer, but the rest she spent in a state of disarray thanks to her troubled relationship and now, what else is there to feel other than regret for not reaching out to her sooner? if only she had known. “why would i withhold information?” the notion of trusting dulce is far too sweet; she knows that it’s a promise she can’t keep. “but of course. i’ll try my best.” it’s sympathy, mabel concludes, sympathy that she at last harbors for the girl before her.  “you’re not the devil, dulce. you’re just a girl who needs something to make her feel larger and more frightening than she is. but i see the real you. you’re bright, strong. you don’t have to pretend. not around me. still, what shall we do first?”

-

Success! Kit grinned, mouth pulling upwards at the corners causing indents to form on his cheeks. He knew it wasn’t the greatest joke in the world but it got Mabel to laugh, so it was basically one of the top three jokes in his arsenal from this moment on. At her invitation, Kit nodded his head and moved places, walking around the couch and settling down to occupy the space beside Mabel. Once seated, the first thing he noticed was the fragrance that met his nose now that he was near her. Man, girls always smelled so good. He wondered why that was. “Yeah? I’ve got a feeling I’ll get more pity laughs than anything but I’ll give it a shot.” He shrugged a shoulder. Eyes meeting the beverage on the table at Mabel’s mention of it, Kit wet his lips at the sight of the whipped creamed covered cup of warm chocolatey goodness. He wanted to but he shouldn’t. It’ll probably just keep him awake longer than he wanted to be, and he was hoping to tire himself out enough in the day time so he could pass out at a normal hour at night. “I’m good for right now, thanks. You enjoy it,” he encouraged, offering a warm smile and an appreciative touch to her arm.

“Most fronts..?” Kit echoed, a brow of his raised in question. He figured Mabe would elaborate given his curiosity. Though with the question now turned around on him, Kit couldn’t help but let out a sigh. “Well… I guess mine was eventful in an uneventful kind of way.” He wasn’t sure if that made sense but he was rolling with it. “My girlfriend pretty much ghosted me,” hence uneventful, “and from the asking around I’ve done since getting back to campus, it seems she ghosted pretty much everyone.” Talking about it made him feel like someone dug a hook into his chest and was yanking at him, tugging him down and down until he was six feet deep and counting. “The rumors going around campus aren’t helping. Because instead of just thinking my girlfriend ghosted me, talk around campus has now got me thinking she’s missing. Or worse.” There was always worse when you left it to the imagination of other people. “Now instead of just feeling pissed off at Greer, I’m insanely worried about her and would probably cut off my left foot if it meant she’d text me back.”

“pity laughs? don’t be ridiculous, kit. people like you. genuinely like you. that’s quite rare these days.” among the array of friends, acquaintances, and exes in greer’s neatly crafted circle, it’s kit that’s always been her favourite, undoubtedly, irrevocably, truly. he’s not like her, not like the people that have always been around her. there’s no imperiousness, disdain, no cavalier attitude fueled by a notorious family name. his genuineness cannot be counterfeited nor mastered. it’s his. only his. coming back to him must be like coming back to a home in which you know that you are always loved. a house, a room, a kitchen, the lull of sweetness is always there. it’s why she was the happiest when she saw him in the arms of greer, in the arms of the girl who needed that love more than most. “it’s only fair that i offer, but all right. we’ll get something sweet later just for you.”  

it’s difficult to move on. to admit that the vulnerable spaces of her heart are now vacant, jaded, desolate, abandoned, and not just by one person. but it’s even more complicated to lie. “i’m sorry, talking about it is just going to make me cry,” in spite of her best efforts, she can’t seem to conceal the tears that well up in her eyes or scatter across her cheeks, crystalline and clear. she immediately pulls out a tissue, not wanting nor needing attention. “no, kit, please, she didn’t ghost you. i just think that she’s somewhere in europe, probably with a bad signal. these things happen, especially during long cruises. i’m only upset because she didn’t invite me,” this she murmurs with a slight laugh for kit’s sake as she extends her hand towards him. “the only thing that i want you to remember is that she loves you, very very much. the most. it’s natural to be worried, but she wouldn’t hurt nor leave us, kit.”

who: open starter where: the quad when: a couple days after greer being declared missing

“It’s eerie, isn’t it?” Jacqui said, shielding their eyes with a large pair of sunglasses as they peered at the cops that were striding towards the faculty building they had been working out of for the week. “The timing of it all. The day after she was…someone, at least, was in posting messages as her. Something is just unsettling,” she mused, glancing towards her phone as if half expecting another message from Greer to appear. After a moment, a shake of their head refocusing their eyes, Jacqui looked up again, offering a small smile. “Sorry. Who am I to say anything? I didn’t actually know her at all.” 

hiding, mabel thinks, only invites suspicion, creates a concoction of distrust, and for greer’s sake, the best she can do now is be willing to cooperate with the police even when getting out of her bed feels like the hardest thing to do. she’s missing. officially. “i hate hearing past tense used in any sort of story related to greer. it just doesn’t sound right to me. it’s incorrect.” you don’t know her, she wants to say. you’ll get to know her. “but that’s just me.” a girl caught in a web of denial. “i refuse to believe that was her writing those messages. she wouldn’t do this to us. to those she loves the most, and yet maybe the one person i need to speak to right now is someone who’s on the outside. someone who doesn’t know her, like you. based on your observations, what do you think happened?”

.

Parisa nodded understandingly at Mabel’s response. While Parisa lived with Greer and knew her as a roommate, she had to admit that she preferred the company of many of Greer’s associates over the blonde herself. At least Mabel was honest if anything, and not saying that she was fine to save face. “I can imagine, I’m sorry that all of this is happening. You don’t deserve it,” Parisa mentioned, giving a nod. The women weren’t close, but they ran in a lot of social circles together and seemed to have quite a bit in common. “That’s all you can do right now. I don’t know what that was all about, but you deserve to enjoy your night.” Surveying the crowd as their peers checked their phones as well, Parisa sighed and was desperate to change the subject so as to avoid too much despair at the moment. “How are things with the sorority? Diego talked to me about the possibility of rushing for one, and I did promise him I’d keep an open mind even though I’m already a junior.”

“no, parisa, it’s fine. it’s not your fault. besides, i’m not the one that’s missing.” what she fears is already knocking at their doors  — the notion that greer isn’t playing a trick on them. the notion that she’s actually gone. that mere hours separate them from a real police report and investigation. “i don’t know either but at this point, i’d much rather be in my room and my pajamas, with roman holiday playing in the background. you can never go wrong with audrey.” it’s one thing that always helps her with her nerves, a bad exam, lover’s quarrel or a rainy afternoon meant to be spent lounging around. “oh, the sorority. well, i’ve been in one since day one. it’s really all that i know so i’m not certain that i can be completely objective. especially not as a vp. i was supposed to be the president, but i turned it down. it’s just a lot of work. however, there’s always time, even for a junior. what interests you the most? better said, what made you want to consider it? other than diego.”  

closed starter for ( @mdesantis​ )

There was really no reason to, but he’d bided his time at the Gala until Mabel didn’t seem like she was too busy before approaching. There was no reason because he was sure she’d be happy enough to chat with him whenever he’d decided to come over. Still, Diego didn’t want to deal with a lot of people at the moment, sucked that he was in the middle of an entire event right now. Shaking his head ruefully, he reached out and placed a hand on Mabel’s shoulder as she stood off on her own, for the time being, at the bar and gave her a smile. “Hey stranger,” he greeted, giving her a quick side hug. “Having a happy Homecoming? You look great.” Of course she did, but how they looked verses how they were all currently feeling? That was more what he wanted to talk to her about. 

Complicated would be a gross understatement to define Paloma’s friendship with Mabel. Despite the various differences, she was perfectly fine with having Mabel as her roommate, as long as they didn’t talk too often. There was a time they used to be very close, Paloma considered Mabel one of her closets friends until her ridiculous rivalry with Greer got in the way. The overpriced coffee table book she’d ordered from Amazon finally arrived, and Paloma didn’t waste any time to flip through the pages. “Yes?” she responded immediately, still flipping through the pages. Her gaze shifted to Mabel, she was going to play nice. Besides, there was no way she would turn down some macarons and cake. Paloma carefully closed the book and put it onto her desk before getting up from her chair. “Thank you,” she mused, tucking her hair behind her black locks. “Are these from a secret admirer?” Paloma teased, even though she knew they were probably from Mabel’s mother. Her roommate’s parents loved showering their daughter with gifts, Paloma picked up on that real quick. 

“not this time around, no. they’re just from my mom.” taking one framboise macaroon ouf of the box, she leaves the rest on paloma’s bed, neatly wrapped but ready for inspection. “they’re from my favourite shop back in new york. i’ve been a regular client for over twelve years now. or well my mother has. i think there are framboise, vanilla, and pistachio macaroons in this box, as well as, ispahan, tarte passion, tarte citron, and arabica cake from what i see. so take your pick,” she offers, but what she really wants to ask is: how long has it been since the last time it was just the two of them? without greer and the imagined rivalry, without the need to pretend. they were friends once, weren’t they? it’s only now that mabel sees just how many jaded pieces greer has left behind. “but of course, this is only one box. there are plenty of other types and flavours in the other ones. also, is that a table that you’re building? it looks interesting. pretty. ”

.

Dulce contacted Mabel for one, simple reason: manipulation. A simple test of loyalty for Greer, with her just watching it all unfold, hoping to find answers why she hadn’t showed up yet. Surely the best friend had to know something, didn’t she? For whatever reason Dulce suspected Mabel to know more and, if not, be at least interested in some form of alliance á la Sherlock and Watsom. “Ah, Mabel,” she’d spotted her in an instant and, without skipping a beat, proceeded with explaining her shenanigans. “Considering no one knows where Greer is or what she’s up to I’m willing to team up and get our friend back. Maybe she’s just in dire need of some advice but is too stubborn to reach out. You know how she is,” Dulce smirked, “so, interested? I guess you’re just as curious to find out where your bestie’s hiding, or why.”

Mabel was so chivalrous, so elegant; watching her speak sent a thrill through Rhia. Hey honeyed words melted the brunette’s small defenses, and in a moment’s notice, Rhia was prepared to hand over her heart’s contents to the other. “It’s a dream of mine to perform in New York,” Rhia said airily, swaying left to right. She didn’t expect Mabel to bust out her extensive knowledge about ballet performances, but it made Rhia feel out of place in comparison. “Oh!” she announced excitedly, clapping her hands together upon her realization. “Class hasn’t started this year but I remember most of our Romeo and Juliet performance from last year. Will!” Rhia demanded, staring down one of the quiet prodigies of their class. He abruptly came to her side, listening intently to Rhia’s  rushed whispers “There’s a bench right over there, milady. Feel free to sit back and enjoy the show,” Rhia invited, a giant-sized grin on her face. She crossed her legs, performing a deep, nearly perfect curtsy to Mabel.

“i’m certain that someday you will. i could get you in touch with one of my father’s friends, he’s the co-director of american ballet theatre back in new york. that is, if that interests you, so you never know, miss rhia.” connections are a currency in the haut monde, traded faster than business cards, but none of them come for free. favour begets favour. one good turn deserves another. “really? romeo and juliet just for me? how lovely of you, thank you,” she chirps, well-aware that the tale of two doomed lovers will uncover a fresh wound that she’s masked so well with powder and lies. turning on her heel, she finds her designated spot and takes a seat, tilting her legs diagonally without crossing them, mimicking the famous duchess slant. “thank you again for this. i can’t wait to see you twirl. i miss home and everything that comes with it just a little too much these days.”

who: open where: the homecoming gala when: night of september 3, 2022

Declan relished the burn from the whiskey as he took yet another swig from his flask. His knuckles had gone white as he clenched his phone in a sweaty palm, eyes scanning the message that had sent shockwaves through the crowd. Frustrated, he tossed it onto the table in front of him and shook his head in disbelief. Muttering under his breath, he was unaware anyone was lingering within earshot. “The bitch squealed, huh,” he scoffed, “good fuckin’ riddance–”

“what did you just say, declan? the bitch?” mabel interjects, cutting off the standard hello one would expect to hear from me as well as an array of pleasantries. tilting her head back, her lips part as though she's about to say something, but all she can do is glare. this is about greer. like everything else is. “do you care to repeat yourself?” uncharacteristically bitter, she stands before him ready to conduct a trial, ready to jugde him once more. it’s just that none of it matters now. not when her best friend’s not around. “i wanted to see how you were doing, but it’s quite clear how you’re truly feeling.”

CLOSED STARTER for @mdesantis​​ LOCATION: The Commons

Of everyone in Greer’s vast and totally confusing circle of friends and non-friends, Kit was arguably closest to Mabel. They’d met first after all. He knew her well before he knew Greer, first making her acquaintance at the first Animal Rights Coalition meeting he’d attended. Mabel was… in short, the absolute best. She’d made Kit feel so welcomed when he first arrived – asking him questions about his life, inviting him out, introducing him to Greer. It was all thanks to her that Kit had the standing he did at a college that made him feel so out of place. If there was anyone at Ogden who would know where Greer was, it would be Mabel.

Spotting her on a couch in one of The Commons’ many lounges, Kit approached the piece of furniture from behind and made a cheeky entrance.

“Hey, uh, did you hear what that buffalo said to his son when he went off to college?” Kit started, comfortable enough with Mabel to rock up unannounced and say absolute nonsense. He rested his hands on the back of sofa Mabel was sitting on and finished his joke. “He just waved and said Bison!” The punchline made him feel red in the cheeks. Kit let out a soft chuckle and shook his head, having the decency to be embarrassed at his absolutely terrible attempt at being funny.

“Yeah, uh… I’ve been working on that joke all summer,” he admitted sheepishly. “Couldn’t save it till the next Animal Rights Coalition meeting so I thought I’d try it out on you early.” His lips pulled at the sides and formed a warm smile. “Hey, Mabe. How was your summer?”

it’s uncomfortably lonely. painful too to hope that every wisp of flaxen hair in the distant crowd will turn out to be greer’s. thoughts, questions, assumptions, and deductions, just like wine in a drunkard’s glass, vehemently swirl inside of her head, bound to leave a headache behind by the end of the day. averting her gaze, she busies herself with the rich hot chocolate decorated with whipped cream in her hands that surely won’t fix her problems but it does make the heart happy. not even the perfume-soaked silk that she wears can do the trick. if one were to see her, they’d hardly notice the single silver tear that clings to her lashes, and if they were to request an explanation, she’d easily blame her new mascara. “no, what?” it’s only when she hears a familiar voice that her face lights up, thankful that it’s kit of all people — and who else would it be, who else doesn’t feign their genuineness other than him?

“bison,” mabel echoes and laughs, amused by the play on words. “well working on it all summer paid off because i’m certainly entertained.” she taps the seat next to hear with a smile, indicating that he should join her on the sofa. “come on, take a seat. but you should say it at our next meeting. i’m sure the other members will like it too. oh, and would you like some hot chocolate? i don’t mind sharing.” his fondness for sweets, from what she recalls, has always been fierce, just as much as her own.

“hey, kit,” wistfully she whispers as she meets his eyes, but looking at him always feels like she’s doing it for the first time. there’s always something new. something interesting. something inexplicably tender in his eyes. “eventful to say the least.” where should she even begin? “i’m starting anew. on most fronts. what about you?”  

                            𝐌𝐀𝐁𝐄𝐋 𝐃𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐒 .    PROM. 

closed starter for @mdesantis​ event: homecoming gala

Having parted from Oran so that they could socialize with their own friends, the fringe of Parisa’s sleeves swung as she moved briskly across the room. If anyone would know if there was any truth to the message the student body had collectively received, it was Mabel. “Hey,” she greeted as she approached the other woman, giving her a once over and nodding in approval. “You look great, unsurprisingly. I expect nothing less,” she complimented, her smile softening a bit. “You alright? I saw that text, we all did…“ Trailing off, Parisa once again plastered a smile on her features. “I’m not planning on letting it ruin my night, and I hope you don’t either. It’s likely just someone pranking all of us.”

attending the homecoming gala with none other than her ex boyfriend is certainly an audacious choice, but she knows that their separation is still only a rumor to most, and on this night when she was supposed to be celebrating with her best friend, she appreciates a familiar face more than anything else, even that which she no longer loves. the truth is that she didn’t want to go, didn’t wish to celebrate nor acknowledge the yearly bash, and yet she was forced, and nearly dragged, lured into the trap. “hello, parisa,” mabel greets back as she takes a flute of champagne, needing a distraction. “thank you. as do you. i’m fine, i suppose.” doubt, precise and frighteningly sharp, slices every word like a gleaming dagger, leaving far too much space for delusion. “i don’t know. my night’s already ruined. as are others. my best friend’s nowhere to be found and i’m out here dressed up, mingling as if everything’s all right. at least i’m not trying to hide much even if it’s true.”