Worlds into Words

There was a time when Soren would have leaped at the chance to revel in a night like this. Of the Trevelyan twins, he had been the wild one—the life of the party, his name splashed across tabloids, his face a fixture in celebrity magazines. But after the scandal, he hated to admit it—the wind had gone from his sails, and the fire that once burned so fiercely in him had dimmed. His father had succeeded in breaking his rebellious spirit—the bastard—but at least he was dead and couldn’t revel in his victory.

Soren didn’t budge from his seat, though the temptation to ruin Alice’s party was an enticing challenge. Instead, he took a slow, deliberate drag of his cigarette, making it clear he wouldn’t move unless he damn well wanted to. "Close the door, Sutherland," he muttered, exhaling a lazy curl of smoke. "Sit down. And bring us a drink, yeah?"

James practically breathed a sigh of relief when it seemed as if Soren was going to stay put. For now. He could hear the remnants of the party as he neared the door. He wasn't even the least bit tempted to return --- he had come here for a bit of quiet in the first place. Although this was not the silence he had wanted, it was infinitely better than dealing with the noise in his great room. He shut the door, glancing back at Soren as he did so. No doubt the other man was happy to get his own way. He stopped at the wet bar on his way back to grab a bottle and snag two glasses. Then he settled across from the other man, a glass and the alcohol set between them.

He filled his own as he listened to Soren speak. A hint of a smile played on his lips. "You're right. No one will fully believe it --- at least not privately. Publicly, I suspect most will play along. At least until you do whatever you plan to do to keep that reputation of yours alive." He brought his glass up to his lips and took a sip. The alcohol slid down his throat and settled quite nicely in his stomach. He suspected that sooner or later someone (Alice) would come looking for him. He hoped by then he was just the right side of numb.

he knocks over things in his wake, seeming to care but not really. destruction could be his middle name if he really worked at it, blissfully unaware of what was underlying the surface in this gathering tonight. vincent freezes, knowing when to take a hint. “oh, you really shouldn’t be in here.”

a woman… alone? either something bad happened to her or was about to. if there’s one thing that isn’t a good idea, it’s being at a party surrounded by high-profile clientele with the power and influence to do anything their hearts desired. him included. he keeps a distance between them for both of their sakes.

She shrugged her shoulders. "I got lost," she lied, giving him a look that hopefully garnered some sympathy. She wondered if he was capable of any --- she had a feeling this whole place will filled to the brim with people she wouldn't want to get to know. Maybe that was unfair to the man standing before her but she had heard enough rumors to make her think otherwise. It was why she was here after all --- chasing a story that she thought should be told.

"I went looking for the bathroom, ended up here. This place should come with a map or something." Sabine took a step towards the door, noting that he was standing between she and the way out. "Maybe you know your way around here?"

"i have never left a single soul, man, woman or otherwise, anything less than satisfied." he tries not to let the sting of the insult bleed into him, because for all that he is, murphy likes to think of himself as a good and giving lover. someone happy to make sure whoever his partner is has been fully satisfied. a hand moves, wraps around alice's middle from behind and he lets that hand rest gently on her stomach as he drags her back against his chest. "and i don't do anything in half measures. feel free to ask for references."

"I'll take your word for it," she retorts easily. The implication is clear: she is not going to find out first hand if he is telling the truth or not. Because that means she will have broken one of her current rules: do not remotely get involved with playboys. She has dealt with the fall out far too many times.

That doesn't mean she isn't tempted. Especially with how his hand rests against her stomach. She can't help but think what it could be like if there were no clothes between them.

(Behave Alice)

"it's a shitty job." he tries to ignore the way anger continues to bubble in his chest, ignores the way she outright pokes him, and focuses on his new client, the obsessive one, the one he's desperately trying to get out of this job with, but only after the money clears. because the truth is, since his job with molly, finding jobs has been a hassle, and while he would never accuse the woman in front of him of directly sabotaging him, he's not going to pretend he doesn't have the suspicion.

"But a necessary one," she reasons. Without people like him --- well, she doesn't want to think might have happened. Despite her bad behavior, she knows deep down that she owes part of her sanity to him. He had ensured that she didn't fall victim to some creep who watched one of her movies from ten years ago and decided she was in love with him. And how has she repaid him?

Suddenly, the guilt hits her.

"no good at being the center of attention, and yet you draw eyes like moths to flame." she's teasing him a little, her smile hiding just a quirk of mischief as she gently guides him through the steps, without making it obvious to the gawking onlookers that that's what she's up to. the public face is the important thing here, she can only assume, but it's more of a kindness for him, to carefully help him through the dance that the crowd is eating up with oohs and aahs, offering support as a wife should, while also simply wanting to do something nice for him, as he's already done so many nice things for her.

"They only look to me because my money paid for this party," he jokes in response. He thinks it is worth every penny for a multitude of reasons. He has finally taken the step towards solidifying the Sutherland name and therefore people will stop asking him about such things. He also, perhaps a bit foolishly, feels as if he has given her a bit more freedom from her overbearing mother. It may be a bit arrogant of him but he likes to think that he is better company than that woman. Ellie is now the head of the Sutherland household. She has control of something and no longer will have to bend to her mother. He sincerely hopes that she takes advantage of that.

(and there is part of him that hopes that she is considers it a somewhat fair trade off for the fact that he cannot give her the love match she craved)

He continues to move around the space with his wife in his arms. There is a small laugh at her words. "Oh, you did not realize I had all the mamas chasing me with marriage contracts?" he asked with a subtle roll of his eyes. "Thank goodness I no longer have to worry about such things --- and add to that, I think I shall be quite happy..." He meant and he hoped that she would come to understand that. They would make the best of this situation.

Zahid wondered how life would be for them now. He never had an immortal partner, not until now. The prospect was both exciting and terrifying. What if he did not take care of her properly? What if he did not teach her to control her hunger? The possibilities were endless, he would need to come to terms with the unknown.

"Easy..." His hand now rested on the back of her head. "Take it slow, don't rush..."

(only she shouldn't, couldn't)

She became more aware of him. The way his hands held her. The way his breath tickled his skin. The hardness of his body against her. She focused more on that. She used it to ground her. When his hand moved to cup her head, his voice soft and urging, she told herself to listen.

Sabine finally pulled herself free, blood trickling down the corners of her mouth. She looked at him, her eyes focusing on the reality that surrounded her instead of the high the blood gave her. "Are you alright?"

"As normal as they can be." Contessina said. "Sofia is not going to like it, not one bit. I understand your anger and frustration, but we cannot uproot our children's lives completely." Contessina thought it overkill. "Sofia may be more acceptable to the idea, but Luca will protest. I just want to get to the bottom of everything, so that they can go back to their lives." Contessina moved to the door, intent on getting her things as suggested.

"It will only be temporary. So I can do some digging, start pulling at threads until this whole plan unravels. Add to that, I want to be sure that I have the right security measures in place at the school. They might not like it but they will have to endure it. Temporary pain for long term gain." He was prepared to take any blowback from his children. They could even claim to hate him for messing with his social life but he could take it. He would rather them be alive and angry with him than the alternative.

The sound of Roman’s chuckle made Indiana perk up a little in his seat. That was a good thing, right? He offered the older man a smile in response, his fear starting to slip away from him the longer he sat here and conversed with the Roman. “People always find it a bit… uh, interesting?” He offered, laughing lightly, scratching his own head. He hadn’t met people with his siblings names in all the places they’d been since going on the lam, but that didn’t mean they weren’t out there. “We did move around a lot. Way too much. And not just in the United States.” He knew that now, though his awareness of where they were when he was growing up nonexistent. He was learning now where the cult had forced blinders on them before. “Are you from these parts?”

Indiana felt some of the tension leaving his shoulders, his hands relaxing from the fists they were curled into. His expression was softer, too, less fearful as he slowly let his guard down. He had trespassed on this man’s space, after all, it was just nice to know that neither one of them was going to wind up hurt or worse. The question made his mouth open slightly, his brow furrowing as he thought of how to put it into words. “Like… a smooth stone in a riverbed.” He replied, nodding his head slowly. “Cool and smooth. But your laugh is warmer, more jagged – like a sundried stone in the sand, far from water so its edges have never been smoothed.” He shook his head then, holding up a hand. “No, please, I don’t mind at all.” He didn’t typically talk this much, didn’t have anyone to talk to, and this made him feel more grounded. He was enjoying himself for once.

"All over --- a well travelled person then. I hope you were able to find some joy in that even if you were also constantly being ripped up from your roots." He imagined that would be what it felt like. Once he had settled into this house, made it his home base, he knew that he would stay here for as long as he could. Taking that from him was akin to taking a piece of flesh. "I am not originally from here, no. But I have come to see this place as my home. I would not want to be anywhere else. What about you? You are young --- I am sure that you have plenty of things that you still wish to see." If he were Indiana's age (not to mention free from his obligations) he might still wander.

Roman found himself fascinated by the idea that his voice would have such a sound attached to it. He could only imagine that it was overwhelming, however, to have to guard yourself from the constant barrage of sounds one would face in a day. He made a mental note to ensure that his voice was even, not too loud if he could help it. The threat of the situation was gone. They were simply two men talking now.

For now, his immediate challenge would be getting back into Longbow's good graces. They would've witnessed his capture, and he had to think of some tale to spin for why he was still alive. And he would try; he would try his damned hardest to succeed because -- even if his life wasn't on the line, even he wasn't owned by Roman fucking Novak -- he wanted to see them burn.

As Sophie asked about any ‘flaws’ he might have, Alexei laughed again. By that point, he’d dressed himself properly, the final item being his beloved vintage leather jacket that he slipped onto his torso. Thinking of a few moments, a grin still on his lips, Alexei chuckled before he said, “I snore sometimes. Is that what you’re looking for? Either after intense performances on stage or… you know… intense performances elsewhere.” Again, Alexei grinned wickedly, his eyes alight with mischief. 

@worldsintowords

"Strong, flexible --- I can see why you were chosen to model," she told him with a nod of her head. She hummed in approval of what was to come. "But you know, I am really not the best with just looking. So I am glad that I will get the chance to touch too." She grinned, a hand coming out to touch his arm. She could imagine them around her, holding her up as he promised.

With him ready to go, she began to lead the way, eager to get out of this place in case she gave into instinct and jumped him right there. That was the last thing she needed --- someone walking in on it and the scandal reaching her father's ears. "Everyone has to have a flaw. Mine is the fact that I can get a little loud at times. Especially if I am properly motivated." She gave an innocent shrug.

“Miss, I am indeed one of the staff members here," he replied, his voice as calm and composed as ever. "And I understand that these parties can certainly be quite overwhelming. However, I must admit that this area of the mansion is usually not accessible to guests. These rooms are private.” Rocco pointed out, gesturing towards the signs on the door which indicated “staff only”.

He took a step closer to her, closing the distance between them slightly. His eyes narrowed, and a hint of suspicion entered his tone. tone.

"But don't worry, I'm here to help. If you're lost, I can escort you back to the main event. It's just down the hall and around the corner." He gestured to the corridor behind him. "Let's go. I'm sure you'd prefer to be among the festivities rather than in here." The tension in the room grew thicker, and it was clear that he was not entirely convinced by her act. Despite this, he kept his smile in place, a polite facade that didn't quite reach his eyes.

(she thought not)

Sabine held fast to her sunshine facade, keeping the smile on her face even in the face of his suspicions. She could play the part of a clueless guest --- she was often underestimated by people around her and she had always used it to her advantage. She was hoping for continued success here even if she was starting to doubt herself.

"I am sorry," she said, her voice more firm this time, as if she were trying to interject real remorse into the situation. "I didn't realize my wandering away from the crowd would cause such a problem. It's loud in there --- bit stuffy and if I am being honest, there is a man who is a bit too handsy for my liking." That last part wasn't even a lie. She had danced with him once and practically had to pry his hands off her. "But clearly I should have asked permission. Is there someplace more quiet you could direct me to instead? Or do I really have to head back to the middle of the chaos?"