#sequls

" sorry, kid, takes one to know one – i know when i'm being followed. pretty sure you didn't just find that camera on the ground, either. who put you up to this ? "

harvey's expression barely shifts at the words. just a tired sort of stillness that settles the longer he keeps his eyes on nicholas. the witch does have an irritating habit of making everything he says sound like a threat and an alluring invitation at the same time. it's so effortless, too, as if he expects people to be drawn in no matter what. what's worse is that it often works . . . at least when it comes to harvey. he doesn't move right away. he keeps his arms crossed, shoulders tense, and gaze locked on nicholas with quiet distrust.

“ your secret, ” he repeats with a hint of annoyance. the boy considers his options carefully. “ ughhh, you know you always say things like that as if it's supposed to mean something. ” he's too tired to play these games with the witch. harvey shakes his head, the decision to leave already made up. “ i'm not following you, nick. i'm not in the mood for riddles or whatever this is, ” he gestures vaguely in his direction.

but when nick starts to walk away, harvey can't help but feel that familiar pull of desire. a desire for the witch? a desire for the truth? to wanting to know more than what as good for him? harvey always refuses pull on that specific thread. with a quiet sigh, he takes a reluctant step towards nick's direction. “ . . . this doesn't mean i trust you, by the way, ” he grumbles, already upset he can feel the witch's devilish grin forming.

IT WOULD BE FAIR to say that geralt does not PREFER to be at the head of a KINGS table. too many eyes , those who wish for him to preform at the drop of a hat. HUMANS are interesting sort of creatures , geralt living somewhere in between. there's the candles that burn the room smelling of beeswax as the shadows dance and eyes linger.

' it is the sort of thing i find rather disinteresting ' there's the rise of a chalice , it feels UNCOMFORTABLE within grip. the cup itself a testament to the sort of OPULENCE that settles between GREED and FEAR. ' much like this cup ' though a generous sip is taken as he sets it back down.

" he for sure has small yacht energy, " brooke replies, standing on the gangway with her head tilted as she takes it all in. she, naturally, is joking — but mona seems to be taking this very, very seriously. " i'm not the one that wanted to come to this, " she's quick to remind the other woman, " i was perfectly content to get down to business on my couch with my boyfriends ben and jerry, but no. you were all, brooke being a spinster is so not chic in your thirties! "

" besides, it's not the size of the boat that matters, right? it's how you use it. " she holds for laughter. or applause. whichever comes first. tonight, it looks like it's neither. " okay, with windy it is tonight, there's no way this baby's actually leaving the dock. i say we stay an hour, see if the apps are good, then irish exit the hell out of this thing. i bet we can find somewhere more fun and fabulous to head to after. " for mona, she'll have to rally, even though she'd rather be in a face mask and pajamas right about now.

fred blinks slowly at her like he's buffering. her words are like trying to solve a puzzle that keeps rearranging itself. another moment passes and his empty eyes sparkle in realization. “ so what you're saying is... my plan would work even if i was a woman?! ” the insult goes way over his head. he's far too invested in his plan... and trap !

he scribbles furiously on the paper in front of them. only a few more minor adjustments and it should be perfect. suddenly a thought races across his mind. “ hmm, i wonder what i'd look like as a girl. ” his gaze unfocuses slightly as he begins to imagine it. “ same hair, obviously. maybe just... longer? ” perfect, pearly white teeth nibble on the end of the pencil in his hand. “ definitely have to keep the ascot. i think. or maybe i'll ask daphne for her advice. ”

his mind breaks free from the hypothetical. “ gee, veronica! ” beaming eyes look toward the blonde as he refocuses on the trap at hand. he's eager to finally see this in action. “ you're so supportive! ”

aria's eyes lock with mona's in the bathroom mirror, the other looming just over her shoulder, too close for comfort. if she were the minnow and mona the shark she would be a goner by now, swallowed whole in an instant. but big a has teeth of her own — sharp and primed to do some damage. she still has a part to play, however, all doe-eyed and innocent — a victim through and through. she can sense that mona can see right through her, to the rot that's underneath. but she won't be dropping the mask. not tonight. not when doing so has no benefit for the overall game.

" i don't sleep at night anymore, mona. " she punctuates her sentence with a raise of her brows, wide eyes going even wider. " that's the point. and you're the reason for that. " her performance is practiced and convincing. " i think you should leave. and leave mike alone too. "

" i don't think this was a good idea. " of course this is where the doubts creep in – on the subway, less than ten minutes away from the thing you're doubting. " this is stupid... can't we just go catch a movie or somethin' ? i don't need to do this. " it's just an art fair. but it's an art fair that has agreed to showcase one of her paintings. & it's just a painting. but if it's all so inconsequential, why the hell does it feel like she's about to burst into flames from the inside out ? why is her throat closing up at the thought of her art hung up on a wall for everyone to see ? she hasn't felt like this since high school. & what'll be worse ? watching people pass it by ? spare no glance ? or watching them linger on it... judge it... connect to it & everything else in-between ? she's not used to overthinking – or... thinking, really. but this is different. it feels big. & that's why she's got her shrinking ray on hand. if it's not a big deal, who cares what happens ?

that's when jess gives her a look – one that she could swear means he's gonna trip her if she tries to get off this damn train at the next stop. & before she can decide to risk it anyway & bolt, he's shoving the earbud in her face. brows arch, hesitant, almost cracking a smile just to show how ridiculous she finds his attempt at stopping her spiral. " y'know, one of these days, god's gonna take away your gift of speaking if you don't use it. " ...mocking helps. she plucks the earbud from his hand, slumping back into her seat & in moments' time, suffragette city's playing in her ear. she takes a breath. maybe it's not that ridiculous after all. " if we get there & i barf, you owe me money. not kidding. "