i crossed that thin thin line between love and hate

A laugh parted from his lips at her words, “Twenty nine is still youthful, grandma.” He grinned over to her as he sat near her and glanced around for his own drink to start. “Good that won’t be for another century..at the very least several days from now. Are you going to get to ten, old timer?”

....

“I wouldn’t know-- I barely remember the days of my twenties.” Not that twenty-nine had been a great year. Another sip of the drink in front of her, “I’m fairly certain you’re only like six months younger than me so keep having fun with the old age jokes, pal. Remember I have more time to get you back on yours.” And with those words she grinned, “You know I would, but we both know Mum would smite us both if we even tried for number seven.”

______________________________________________________________

- && “I have always liked being a closed shell. It’s what have kept me alive. If I tell people every single thing about me? I will just lose every sense of personality. I will be an open book and that terrifies me” he told her and shuddered at the thought. There was not a single person in his life that he talked to about the demons living inside his head. And he wanted it to stay that way. Lifting the glass in the air, he flashed her a smile before he downed his own drink. 

....

“I don’t think there’s an issue with that at all. I’ve spent my life in front of a camera-- but that’s by choice. And trust me, no one knows every single thing about me. They know what I’ve curated them to see.” Not even her closest friends knew the full extent of most of the things the brunette had been through. And the world? The world knew the innocent radio host and always would if she had her way. No flinch as the vodka burned, Kat instead reaching to pour another one for the both of them. 

⋅・⋅ ∘ ✦ ∘ ⋅・⋅

DESPITE APPEARANCES OF JOVIALITY AND harmlessness, zosia had been unable to quell the subtle dread that niggled at her all night. by now, she was well accustomed to how disastrous the city’s events could become and, as it happened, her inkling had been proven right. the flames that licked at the surrounding walls and the ear-splitting explosives detonating nearby sent the girl into adrenaline-induced action. luckily, she’d barged her way through the frenzied crowds mostly unscathed, save for a few fresh surface cuts and minor bruising taking formation upon her skin. it was the sudden voice calling out that had her halt in her tracks, instinctively reaching for the sheathed blade she’d artfully concealed beneath the layers of her dress. “ right back at you, ” zosia warned, squinting through the smoke only to discern none other than her pakhan. immediately, her hand recoils and she takes a hesitant step forward in the hopes she would become more visible to the other woman. “ i’m a friendly—a vasile. you can trust me. we need to find a way out of this mess. ”

....

as the woman came closer katerina recognised her, eyes darting down to the knife as it was pulled away from a threatening position at the pakhan. “keep that up, you never know if we might need it.” she at least pointed the gun away from zosia, looking behind herself again to be sure that there wasn’t anyone holding some kind of weapon at her. there was no time for pretence right now-- it didn’t matter if someone figured out who she was, they just had to get out. “have you seen any kind of exit?” find a way out of the flames and they could go from there-- regroup at the manor with the rest of their people.

Rafe wanted to have a smoke but according to the many, many signs posted all over the place, doing it inside was not gonna happen. As much as he wanted to leave the entire event altogether but since he came with Maggie, he didn’t want to leave her behind. He was pretty sure after his smoke he was gonna find her and suggest they go to that diner like they said. Rafe had only been in the states for about two years and wasn’t all too familiar with the people who roamed the streets in the city, mostly he only knew the people within the Walsh clan and the people he worked with a the dispensary and at Eden. He was off in his own world when the elevator came to a crashing halt, immediately sending him into a panic. “Fuckin’ hell!” Rafe didn’t have claustrophobia but he was sure after this he was taking the stairs, “I’m not fuckin’ okay, we’re in a metal death box!” He had his hand on the elevator wall, feeling it get warmer than it should, “The walls are getting hot. Is that screamin’?”

@isabella-faust​

Isabella glanced at the other man to make sure he was also doing okay. It seemed like he was physically fine, that all his wounds were in his mind. The no data signal coming from her phone caused her heart to sink. Nobody was coming for them. With that thought in her mind  Isabella started to panic. She took a deep breath knowing panicking wouldn’t help them get out of this elevator.”We might be in a metal box, but nobody is dying today.”  Taking a few steps ahead of her Isabella turned to look at the ceiling of the elevator.  “Do you think there’s a panel that leads to a hatch? Or is that only in movies?” She didn’t think they had any items on hand that would be able to pry the door open, but maybe someone could crawl up through the panel. 

@rosesjustdie​

....

“Okay so the first thing we are not going to do is panic. We are not going to panic.” Authoritative and clear, this was just like being on another call. Wyatt was quick to press the alarm button, aware that it wouldn’t be heard with whatever was going on outside but it would at least call out to emergency services. “Yeah it exists but it’s locked from the outside, it’s designed for emergency services to get it. Doesn’t help when emergency services is locked in.” He looked between Isabella and Rafe, slightly sizing up the man. “I think we’re going to have to pry it open. Usually the best option is to wait but we don’t have that luxury right now.”

@crimsxnsins​

﹃﹄

“i get it.” konstantin nods with a lopsided smile, “i was so surprised when i turned thirty, i thought i was invincible, was a bit of a dickhead for a month.” he lets out a gentle bout of laughter looking back to his own drink, “you have a long life ahead of you, washington.”

....

“oh i already did that when i was 21. greece will never be the same and some of the photos that came out of it-- well you remember the blonde don’t you?” her signature hair colour from the age of 16. now glaringly obvious in so many of her stupid photos. “so do you, vasile.”

A spy? Zeke found that to be utterly ridiculous. “Absolutely not,” Zeke reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder, “No matter what dad said or has said, I’ve always supported you, Rosie.” His face was as serious as can be. “You’re my sister and I’m proud of you.” He smiled, “And I love you.” He meant it. He may have been a terrible brother growing up, always agreeing with their father, but he always supported her. He wished he was a better brother but hoped to make up for lost time. 

...

It did sound stupid the more that she thought about it, maybe it was just the alcohol talking. Her eyes darting down to his hand and then back up to his face, the shock was clear. But he was her older brother and well she only had four of those as she’d always been reminded. “Okay.” He wasn’t their father and so Rosie knew the right thing to do was to give her brother a chance. “Okay, I’m willing to open up this door. And I’ve missed having you around.”

location: the pint @crimsonstarters​

even though she had only been in the states for a month and some change, tatiana found a few places to go and have a decent drink with even better company. the russian was able to knock back shots of vodka like a champ, and figured things would be more fun if she had someone to do them with. she only had 2 shots in her when she settled on sipping on a screwdriver, or whatever the bartender called it. with luck on her side, someone sat right beside her and thats when she decided to make her move. she motioned to the bartender to catch their attention before looking at the person beside her, “whatever they order, it’s on me.”

....

his brother had taken elliot to the pint for his 21st birthday and since then it had become one of his favourite bars-- well this one and the one that his father owned. father. still weird to think of jameson as his father but that’s what the man was. he didn’t drink so of course the food was what he came for, sliding up to the bar and smiling when he heard the voice. “oh. thank you. it’s just a cola but thank you.”

“Well, I don’t know if this is cursed being trapped in an elevator after that whole fiasco.” Zane’s hues flicker from the person across him to the flickering level 3 on the elevator. “I phoned up and they said it’s going to be a half hour. So may as well get comfortable.” 

....

She must have been cursed. Already the thought the second the brunette had walked into the elevator and seen the Washington, though this time there wasn’t anyone to scold her when she got home for however she acted towards him. Kill them with kindness. Always kill them with kindness. A shrug as she leaned against the wall, “I’m sure this is your very definition of a nightmare.”

Ezekiel nodded as he felt the tension between them. “Rosie, I’m sorry I never kept in touch with you…” He lowered his head, staring at the ground as he continued on with his apology. “I don’t hate you. Hell, you’re the only one I have love for in our family…” He admits as relief washes over him.

...

An apology. That wasn’t even close to what she was expecting at all. “I mean, I didn’t try that hard either.” Rosie fully aware that she was also to blame for any breakdown in familial relationships. “So you’re not here as a spy for Dad to tell me I’m still wasting my life and trying to convince me to move to a job that we both know I’m not smart enough for?” A small smile broke though at her words, the last part a joke. Mostly.

It wouldn’t be a normal event if he didn’t take the time to harass his nieces, especially Zoe. Considering they were more like hybrid twins on a disastrous level. He was nursing a glass of amber liquid as he looked to her and did a quick swooping gaze around the building. “I think they did a nice job, but..an open bar with paintings may not be a good idea.” He swiveled his head in slight contemplation. “I mean … we’re here but at least I haven’t seen anything on fire.” 

....

It was like he had a radar for the best times to harass her, though Zoe couldn’t comment. She shared the same skill when it came to Zane. Shaking her head she couldn’t help but grin at him, they’d had more than enough wild adventures to fill too many books. “Yeah that’s what I was thinking. Well let’s hope it stays that way, would be a waste of a good dress.” Taking a sip of the glass in her hand, her grin dropped as she felt the floor rumble and saw the flames follow. “And we spoke too soon.”

Isabella was on her way back down to the main floor. She had an early day tomorrow and knew it was best to wrap up tonights activities before it became even later. The exhibits were breathtaking. She enjoyed getting to see pieces of work by different artists. Before the elevators closed Isabella was pleasantly surprised to see a familiar face. Putting her thoughts aside to give Wyatt her full attention. She wanted to know how he was doing and how his hand was healing up. Of course Isabella also wanted to know how little Bella was. One moment she was catching up with an old friend the next a loud boom crackled from beneath them. Isabella held onto the railing for dear life as the elevator shook. “What the hell is that!?” She had never had an incident with an elevator, but deep down she knew this wasn’t normal. This was Chicago after-all. “Are you okay?” Little did she know the chaos that was happening outside these sliver walls or the flames that were rising. 

@rosesjustdie​

....

The curfew getting closer wasn’t something that Wyatt was too concerned about-- no he kept an eye on the time to try and find a reasonable time to get out of this whole event. Not that he was overly a homebody but there were things he’d rather be doing on a night off that he shared with his boyfriend. One more lap before he could go home and he’d broken out into a bright smile when he recognised Isabella. An innocent conversation and he’d been showing her his hand when the elevator shook and then he noticed the lack of noise-- the elevator had stopped. “I’m okay. Are you okay?” Turning to the other guy in the elevator. He pulled out his phone, no service and he wasn’t surprised. “I’m sure it’s just a power outage.” But it was getting hotter quickly and the screams in the building were getting louder. “Or not.”

@crimsxnsins​ 

open to: everyone ( @crimsonstarters​ )

so either the walsh’s had lured everyone into yet another trap-- or someone else had ideas of revenge. either way if she were honest with herself, katerina was a little bit impressed. fire and things going boom? those were some of her favourite ways to go about things. bigger numbers, more anonymity. she hadn’t been dumb enough to trust the night, keeping people on her at all times, her own people having smuggled in their own weapons to make sure the vasile princess wasn’t seen with one herself.

all of that out the door now as she swiped the gun off the body of one of her own men. she didn’t have time to grieve-- no it was time to get out of the on fire building, and find some safety from the bullets that seemed to be flying everywhere. a graze against her own arm, but not enough to stop the brunette as she shuffled towards an exit, trying not to draw attention to herself. at least not until she noticed a living person near her, holding up her own weapon. the smoke thick, it was hard to tell if they were friend or foe. “unless you have a way out, don’t come any closer.”

+ open, event pt. 2 || location: gallery, post explosion || @crimsonstarters​

hand waving in front of her face to push the stink of smoke away, evelina coughed in annoyance, holding a useless painting over her head to catch any stray flakes of drywall as they cascaded down. bombings were too dramatic for her liking; evelina enjoyed the stalk of her pray and the surprise of her kill. clearing out rooms and rooms felt superfluous; in her mind, it was more fun to pick them off one at a time, using the party as a distraction to end whoever she wanted whenever the opportunity struck. everybody loved a good murder mystery, after all.

stepping over a severed limb, cautious of the spread of blood on her shoes, evelina meandered toward the back corridor, humming under her breath. she coughed again, sensing a presence behind her. dagger sheathed inside the corseted bodice of her dress, evelina rested her hand over it, lifting her chin. “there is no exit. go play somewhere else.” 

....

why? why had she been stupid enough to come? it never ended the way that things were supposed to and if she were honest with herself, rosie was a little bit over it. the art gallery had always had such a big place in her heart and now-- now she would never be able to look at it the same, never be able to go back without thinking of this night. someone’s blood in her hair, the singed train of her dress as she tried to find a way out.

god she wanted to get out of her heels but that would have to wait, wait until she wasn’t surrounded by bodies and gunshots everywhere. the last time there had been this much gunfire-- her hand subconsciously touched her back. still disorientated when she heard the blonde she couldn’t stop the scream at the thought of not getting out. “no. no. there has to be some way out of here.”

TRIGGERS: ANIMAL DEATH, BLOOD, EYE INJURY, DEAD BODY, INJURY, EXPLOSION

The piece of mason had splattered a few people by him, and he was caught in a state of shock as he stared at their broken limbs. The dead eyes partly removed from their corpses staring back at him. “I don’t know what we expect anymore. Always crimson and darkness. Right, Speed?” A jagged breath unleashed with the realization as chaos was in a throw around them. The other person’s blood dripped down from his face, but then a much more closer dagger struck his heart. Speedy’s messenger bag sanctuary of the Art institute was crushed under a sphere of wood that came out of the painting frame. “Speedy!” His voice breaks and shrieks with anguish as he rushed to the rubble. Not minding that his form was becoming covered in rubble and crimson while he started to try to move out the sphere covered in blood. “No, no no no no.” He hushed whispered as his voice cracked against the busted foundation.

Enthralled by his grief he hadn’t even noticed the blood that leaked out of the gape of his side. His hands splintered by the wood as he grabbed for it, weakly unable to grip it hard enough to fully move it out from the piercing hole. Unable to stop the tremors in his hands in sync with his grief-stricken sobs.

....

The shaking of the room clearly not something Elliot had expected, though really who could expect something like this? In retrospect he should have-- Chicago never seemed to go the way people wanted it to, this just happened to be the first time that Elliot had been caught in the crossfire of it all. He was quick to jump in to help where he could, splinting a woman’s arm before he heard the familiar voice, running to where he saw Audric. “Hey. Hey, Aud. We have to go.” Standing in front of the man, trying to give him something to look at. “We have to get out of here. Now.”

Ezekiel nodded, “I would think so.” He turned to face his younger sister, the nerves he felt were indescribable. “Hey Rosie.” He smiled, “How’ve you been, kid?” He felt guilty for not being in her life more. She was the only sibling he really had love for.

....

Just be normal, she could do this. It would be just like talking to Jesse or Abe. Except that this was her brother and she was always so on edge with her family. She knew how most of their siblings felt about her, and it was hard to think that someone might not have been poisoned by the same thoughts. “Hey. Depends on the day, honestly. But good. You?”

A wise man would’ve had enough tact to lie or tip toe around the question. However, Sal was far from wise, and his daft brain failed to recognize the potential for danger ahead of him. “The fact that you’d even suggest you’re here for the art and not the publicity means that yes, you are an asshole.” At that, Sal tipped back his head and downed the last of his drink. “Me, on the other hand, I’m not here for the booze or the bullshit. I have some honor. I’m here for the shrimp.”

....

“Publicity is my job, which means it’s actually implied. But I’m actually here because my therapist seems to think big crowds are a good idea and she hasn’t been wrong so far.” Taking a sip of her drink, a tight smile on her face, “Don’t presume to know everything about me because of who I am or what I do. You don’t.” 

The sound of her voice, Liam wanted nothing more to toss back both drinks with the ease he’s all too familiar with. Not that he cared what the people around him thought but he didn’t need to give off the impression that he was just knocking back drinks. Although, if someone where to believe he’d be too intoxicated to defend himself or fight when he knows how to handle his alcohol like the champ that he is, then who would he be to stop someone from assuming? While he didn’t knock back the entire first drink, Liam did take quite a big gulp before he addressed the Vasile, eyes staring straight ahead, “Ms. Vasile, a pleasure. Keeping a clear head for the night?”

....

The innocent smile on her face remained, kill them with kindness. Or even just try her best to piss them off by being nice. Under the radar had always been the Vasile girl’s speciality and she had to keep it that way. It was bad enough that she’d implied things to the Faust lead in her need for vengeance, she didn’t need to do it to a Walsh as well. “Not so much. Health issues. When I drink I come down with a raging case of ending up in bed with the wrong person. It isn’t pretty.” Not the real health issues she had with alcohol now, but it was still a joke she was going to make. Plus she was sure the Walsh man knew all too well what the truth was there.