#deepstdesxres

petal was walking through the intricate maze, hand trailing along the lush green hedge that blocked her from seeing anywhere but here. she loved it. the mystery and the wonder. she enjoyed getting lost in the beautiful foliage. she wasn’t here looking for anyone, but if she happened upon someone, she’d feel successful. she skipped through the labyrinth, excited to meet new people at this extravagant party. everything was so lavish and beautiful. sure, petal was no stranger to money, but it was nothing as grand and beautiful at what she was experiencing at rosewood. this was the life she decided she was meant to have. 

The fire was still burning, but everyone was out. There was still a sense of dread in Camille’s stomach. A count would need to be taken to ensure that everyone was accounted for, but she wasn’t in a place to do manage it. She swore to herself, the next event they had, she’d have a tablet with her so that all the information needed could be accessed then and there. She also promised herself that at the next event, she’d keep closer tabs on Raphael, Baby, and Luca, crowds be damned.

At least she knew they were safe. As much as she wanted to hold them close and not let go, Camille knew she wasn’t the only one who needed them. They had others who would want to see for themselves that they were okay, and that they would have others to check in on. The submissive padded around on still-bare feet, observing the people around her. A part of her wish she’d thought to keep the length of skirt she’d cut off of her dress to wrap around her. She kept an eye out for familiar faces, pausing when she caught sight of familiar blond hair. “Jett?” Camille called out as she approached him, dark eyes trying to appraise him for any sort of injury. “Are you okay? Were you hurt?” 

Camille flashed an apologetic smile at the guard. It felt..almost silly to have someone assigned to her. If anything, he should be looking out for either of the girls, or for Raphael or Luca. All the same, she couldn’t help but feel grateful for his company. Humming softly as she started pulling out ingredients, setting them out in a neat row on her countertop. “I hope you’re hungry,” she commented, breaking the silence between them. “I was thinking we could do a nice salad, paired with pasta carbonara? Are you okay with these vegetables? I was thinking we could toss them with some lemon olive oil and a pomegranate balsamic vinegar?” Camille asked, waving a hand over what she’d set out. “I can make you a cocktail, as well if you’d like,” she continued, watching for Jett’s reaction to judge if she’d need to change course.

Camille knocked briskly against the door to Roxana’s home. “Roxana!” she called out with a grin. With a box of treats from the bakery under her arm, it was easy to look forward to seeing the other woman. Hopefully Roxana could use some company as well. Uncharacteristically impatient, she knocked again. The prospect of seeing the other submissive had her feeling lighter than she had in a while. It lacked the distinct dread of needing that seemed to taint her mind when it came to so many of the people she interacted with. For once, guilt didn’t tug at her mind. Instead, the submissive was excited to spend time with the other.  “If the cakes melt, it’s not my fault,” she added a moment later, a grin tugging at her lips.

Diego was usually very capable of handling himself in a stressful situation, considering that he’d been through more than a few in his forty three years.  Being fairly level headed during times of crisis had gotten him out of a couple of scrapes or so he liked to think.  For some reason, however, he’d been frozen in place for a minute when the chaos started -- not exactly a good thing to do, considering he’d been relatively close to the fire at the time.  It had taken someone knocking him slightly off balance to get Diego to move, sprinting out the doors and toward the safety of the forest.  He hovered near a group of fellow subs, the gardener’s gaze fixed on the burning building.

“Well, shit.”  Diego muttered, one hand moving up to roughly push through his hair, trying to decide if he should run back and offer to help somehow.  Just as he’d been about to do just that, a familiar face caught his eye and Diego turned to walk toward the other man instead.  Mateo.  “Hey.  Kind of crazy, huh?  You alright?”