#bxdybcg

“We should strike some sort of pose when we walk in,” Lucia mused and glanced at the other two. “What do you think?” she asked them, her eyes flicking from Evelyn to Farid. Would they play along? Perhaps. It was also just as likely she’d blind half the room with her sparkly dress. 

He’s here.

That was the ominous message that Adrienne had left for her and she froze. There would only be one ‘he’ that her friend would remind her about. Only one that would make her freak out again and want to run for the hills… through no fault of his own of course, but her own cowardly ways. 

And in case that wasn’t panic inducing enough, Adrienne sent a picture as proof. 

Samuel.

There was no denying that it was him as much as she would’ve preferred that to be the case. No, that was him, in the flesh. After all these years he’d finally stumbled upon her home... was it on purpose? Did he know? Or was it simply the attraction of Maladh? It was where so many like them ended up... she should’ve known this would happen eventually, but no. She was completely blindsided. At least Adrienne gave her some warning so she could be on her guard. 

But life was funny sometimes. 

She didn’t usually go anywhere after work, but tonight was different. The news had her anxious... restless... and she thought this would distract her. She’d just ordered herself a glass of something red and lukewarm when a familiar figure was caught in the corner of her eye. She tried to tell herself she was imagining it and to just look. It wouldn’t be him. There were far more popular locales in town after all... Her head turned slightly for a better look and she froze. Oh god. Oh god. It was him... shit shit shit... she had to find a way to get the fuck out of here before he noticed. Her eyes flicked back and forth, but she couldn’t focus properly on what she needed to do... ACK. 

Buttercup was strolling around downtown... looking for a job, or, well, that’s what she’d told Bianca anyway. She was strolling to see what she could see. There was a rather imposing looking building and she was staring up at it when someone walked out. Holy shit. He was like some sort of god or something. Her jaw drop and she openly stared at him. “Like, wow, who are you?” she asked, rather awed. 

Odette knocked on the door and let herself into Nadia’s place, carefully stepping inside and looking around for her. “Nadia?” she called out and sensed she was in the kitchen? But oh what a sight that was awaiting her. She was standing there and staring into the freezer... so she moved around to see what was so exciting in there. Is that- a head? A severed head... okay, so now she was curious and she cleared her throat to get her attention. “What do you have there?” she asked, lifting an eyebrow. 

Ratnavali knew it was time that the siblings caught up, so she invited them both over to her place. She got some of the little goodies from that restaurant in the casino and set the table up all nice. She did miss hosting dinner parties, but that was about the only thing she missed from her human life. Farid arrived first, not a surprise, and she greeted him with a hug at the door. “Brother! I’ve missed you, come in, come in. I’m certain Gagan with be right behind you,” she remarked and held the door wide open, gesturing to the sofa with her warm. “How have you been?” 

Odette surveyed the well decorated room, noting some amused looks at her outfit, but she was searching for someone else. She’d almost texted him several times but couldn’t seem to find the right words to say. She didn’t even know if he’d be here, but she had to look. Excusing herself from her companions, she circled the room and then there he was. She walked up to him and smiled. “Samuel, what a pleasant surprise to see you here,” she greeted, sincerely. 

Nikolaj walked in the front door and was immediately greeted by the scent of something delicious baking in the oven. “What’s that- a roast? Please, please, tell me it’ll be done soon,” he said as his stomach grumbled, not even noticing that his feet were taking him straight to the source.  “Sis!” he greeted with a wide grin after he spied her in the kitchen. “For me? Aww, shucks, you didn’t have to,” he joked, but he was there for it. Daria spoiled him and he was grateful, even if he seldom told her so. 

Poppy had invited Iris out for dinner to just catch up, but she hadn’t expected her to actually agree. She arrived at the restaurant right on time and Iris was already waiting for her. She walked over to the table and smiled in greeting. “Hey, sis, how are you?” she asked and leaned down to give her a hug. She knew things weren’t... the best between them... never really had been, but with Gavin off somewhere... she needed... something. So why not start with her actual family.