“Not the worst policy” Charlotte/i>/span“Your mom is short,” Marlow tells August at his accusation. “See, this is why we’re breaking up,” she tells him, eyeing him over the rim of her glass as she sips her whiskey.

Dovie chimes in after Arachne towards Genevieve. “I’ll leave my future up to Fate, and the whims of our hostess!”

“First up I believe Mars will be breaking up with August.” Genevieve announces, “After a torrid, on again off again torrid affair I do believe I heard.” She claims, making space for Marlow and August.

Buck gives a tip of his hat to Genevieve, “I’ll throw my hat into the ring, Miss Rothwell.”

Matthew continues on his plotted course towards Malin, Aeryn, Helen, and Marlow, scanning faces along the way with the delivery of a smile that turns up and grows in volume. A flute glass of champaign is snagged off a watier’s tray, his gratitude subtle and delivered with a catch of eyes and a dipping head before he arrives to his final destination. “Hey, you all look–” a thorough up and down sweep of his eyes for each of the women, “beautifully stunning, and you–” his gaze cuts to Marlow, “handsome.”

Malin accepts the drink gratefully from Aeryn, telling her, “Thank you. You just saved my life,” in a dramatic manner as she draws the flute to her lips and she drinks, not at all daintily like she was parched and alcohol is the only thing that can bring her back from near death. She winks at August, though. Then she’s listening to Genevieve’s announcement, giving a gentle squeeze to Aeryn’s wrist briefly.

With two fingers extended, Miles raises his hand to wish the odds ever be in Marlow’s favor, but otherwise remains preoccupied with his whiskey for the time being. To Charlotte, he advises that: “There are worse lives to lead, but if we’re being honest, Jimmy Buffett wishes he was as cool as me.”

Helen looks towards the ring Malin is given and she says to Marlow, “That is a fetching ring, and I don’t know if we have met properly, but my name is Helen…” She gestures towards Malin and Aeryn, “I know those two, but still meeting plenty of people daily, yourself included.”

Obadiah takes a drink of whiskey and lowers his glass saying, to no one in particular, but maybe Evalina, “I want to be like Miles when I grow up. He is so cool.”

Malin tells Matthew, “We’re all matchy matchy again,” once he’s over by the gathered group. She nods to confirm the fact that Helen knows her. “I found Helen originally because she had a longer MyHaven handle than I did, so I had to congratulate her and give her a prize.”

“You can include me in the pile of randoms.” Roberta decides, calling out to Genevieve from her place beside the bar.

Evalina smells her champagne, about to take a sip as Obadiah says that, her eyes looking at him curiously. “You know, I don’t know Miles. I am sure he’s fantastic.” She suggests, softly bumping him with her elbow, “But you’re pretty cool yourself, you know? You’re you, and that’s more than enough for anyone.”

“My mom is short.” August tells Marlow, starts to set his glass away and leave his seat, too. “It’s your own genes, so stop complaining and let’s play the game.” That tone, ever scathing, remains that way towards his one and dear cousin. “And you,” August nods towards Genevieve, “You’re getting into a habit of calling my name first in these things, calm your thunder before I start to get any ideas.” Naturally, Marlow isn’t given a hand to help her onto the stage he’s walking to himself. He’s the perfect thing to break up, evident when he glances at Marlow, then back to Genevieve to add; offer a lazy wink atop the faint edge of a smirk on his mouth. “It looks like I’m about to turn into a bachelor in the next few seconds, maybe give me a call after this.”

Nemi meanders over to Evalina and Obadiah eventually with a smile. “Well look at the beauty my Boss has fished up out of all of the fish in the sea.” She mentions with a smile. “You would’nt be breaking his poor heart would you?” She questions with a smile, a joking grin maybe at the balls theme.

Charlotte grins at Obadiah, bringing him into the conversation with “Is a man who announces his coolness to the room truly cool?” in a cheerful tone. “What do you think?” This question is turned towards Miles, giving him the opportunity to defend himself. Matthew gets a wave as he’s schmoozing and moving, and Mab’s entrance is acknowledged with a raise of her flute.

Buck gives a tip of his brimmed hat to Mab, “Afternoon, Miss Montrose.”

“Hey Matthew,” Helen says to Matthew as he nears the group and she waves to him, “I like the outfit, brough the lasso just in case, too… I like how committed you are to labeling everything with ‘M’ for Moo.” She tilts towards Malin as the woman explains and she says, “That is exactly right. I won simply because my name was longer, and I didn’t even know it was a competition, that is how well it worked out.”

Malin squeals out, “Lady Mab!” at Mab, beckoning her over.

“Here we go,” Marlow says when she’s called on first, and she takes a bolstering sip of whiskey as she eyes her victim, who ever so conveniently happens to be sitting right next to her. Turning toward August, Marlow takes a deep, unnecessary breath before she begins. “August. My love. My obsession. My… nephew,” Marlow adds. “It’s been a whirlwind of a month?” She nods. “A month,” she decides. “But I’m afraid it’s just not working. You’re a Pierce. I’m a Pierce. You’re insufferable. I’m insufferable. You’re self-absorbed, I’m self-absorbed. This romance has to end. I thought falling in love with my nephew was the strangest of crossed stars, but it turns out it’s just a bit too much like sucking face with a mirror.” She lifts her glass toward him seriously. “We’re done.”

Genevieve settles back a little against the bar to give Marlow and August space, nodding a little to Obadiah, Evalina, Arachne, Dovie, Buck and Roberta to let them know she’s got their names down on the list. “Do I?” She wonders of August, “I hadn’t even realized, it must be those tight slacks, a girl just can’t help herself.” She claims, giving Mab a bright smile of greeting as she joins the gathering.

Aeryn beams at Matthew, “You look quite fetching,” she notes, a soft smile turned to Malin afterward. It doesn’t take long before her eyes are set on August and Marlow, and she takes a sip of champagne, watching.

Dovie chokes a little on her champagne at listening to Mab’s ‘confession’, a giggle burbling from her lips.

Malin watches as Marlow and August have their breakup.

A laugh bubbles from Cadalie’s throat, tragically popping against the flood of tea from her mouth. The result is catastrophic and nosey.

Evalina grins at Nemi, then sticking out a hand to the other woman, “Evalina Rothwell,” She introduces herself, narrowing her eyes for a moment as she thinks, then grinning, “Professional Heartbreaker. I intend to leave the man soulless wreck.” She claims, then tilting her head, “Though I suspect my heart won’t be better for it either. Ah, woe to me. Why is it that every time I try to destroy a man’s sensitive heart, it hurts mine?”

Fashionably late? Mab arrives in a resplendent golden corset dress, with black rhinestone Louboutins. “Sorry I’m late, I wouldn’t miss this though,” she announces as she arrives at the bar, in a strangely sarcastic sounding tone. Turning to the Montrose Clan, she then demands, “Forgive me?” But the way she tilts her head just makes it seem so obviously insincere. She tosses her hair, then turns and smiles over at Genevieve. “Am I too late to participate?” she asks.

“You haven’t met Miles?” Obadiah says with a look of shock before he turns and gives Nemi a hug, careful not to spill his whiskey. “Glad you are safe. I am sure Miss Rothwell will make sure my heart remains unbroken,” he says releasing her before looking back to Evalina, “I really must introduce you to the better looking Mercer!”

“Obie is way cooler than I’ll ever be,” Miles affirms Charlotte’s claim with a nod of agreement. He lifts his whiskey glass and tips it in a long distance cheers to Mab on her late arrival, then confides to Charlotte that: “Mab banned me from calling her Drama because people were starting to think it’s her real name.”

Arachne shakes her head with hushed laugh half-surpressed behind her flute of champagne as Marlow and August begin the first in a long series of break ups for the night. “Those are amicable reasons for a break up. Not nearly messy enough,” she opines in aside to Dovie. “I wonder who you’ll be paired with.”

“And I wonder who you will be paired with as well, but I suppose that’s the fun, of Fate.” Dovie watches August and Marlow, nodding at Arachne. “That is true that those are amicable reasons.”

“Hey Helen,” Matthew delivers in return to Helen, his eyes sweeping down in a study of his fit, giving the lapel of his sweater a slight tug for emphasis. “Yeah,” he says, keeping his voice low, laconic for the time being, “I am, if anything, committed.” He huffs a small breath of amusing, turning then to Malin, confirming, “Yes, we all got the red and black memo, didn’t we?” A wink for her and Aeryn before a flash of gold entering the room catches his eyes, which have them training towards the even more fashionably late Montrose in the room, Mab.

Evalina cocks her head at Obadiah, “I matched him on MyHaven. Isn’t that enough?” She says with a chuckle, drinking from her champagne as she follows his attention to Miles, “I’ll admit he is handsome though.” She murmurs in a softer tone, “But I am not sure you noticed,” Her eyes return to Obadiah, “So are you. That outfit yesterday would have gotten a pride of lions riled up.”

Charlotte was in the middle of a sip when that tidbit was shared, and she laughs, sputtering a little as she coughs and tries to quickly get herself under control. After a moment, she swallows, then gives Miles a grin. “Well, we can’t have that. If I were so queenly named, I’d insist on a lack of nicknames as well.” I mean, her name IS Charlotte, but whatever.

Nemi yelps as she’s given the big hug by Obadiah. She nods firmly over and over as she’s left embarrassed. “I must figure out why you treat my like a little sister-” She mumbles softly before she turns and nods to Evalina. “It’s lovely to meet you miss Rothwell, Nemi Ivorstead at your service, professional assistant and future tissue finance manager when Mister Obadiah’s heart shatters into many snowflake sized pieces as blue as the ocean.” She states dramatically.

“You’re a stunner yourself,” Marlow greets Matthew, “Bedazzled Js and all,” she tells him. “What are you drinking?” She looks to Helen then, expression thoughtful. “No, I don’t think we’ve met, Helen. I’m Mars. Mars Pierce,” she introduces herself in turn. “That’s a very unique looking pendant, does it mean anything in particular?” she asks, gesturing toward her necklace.

“Flattery will get you anything,” August tells Genevieve, as if it’s the most natural thing for a sleazebag to do, to flirt in the midst of his own break-up. It’s when Marlow starts speaking that he turns to her with the utter disdain naturally etched into his gaze, and for once, he appears to listen to the woman talk – Agast, he’s moving, in a clear stride to take hold of her wrist. Those hard-hewn features, and the harsh quality of his stare, they’re put right again Marlow.

His fingers slip around her own drink to tilt it down right between them in a spill onto the floor, where he mirrors what she might call him. “Drunkard.” And in the next breath, he lays it out. “You’re right, this lasted long enough.” The start is like the start of a confession, or a murder in the severity of his voice. “Without question, you’re the greatest mitake my blood has ever made. I should’ve known better than to date a symptom, but here’s what,” August inches closer to level his face against Marlow’s own, lips aligned to hers, just shy of touching. “If I wanted to fuck something with my own face, I’d pick a mirror that talked far less.”

“I was pretty frustrated,” Obadiah acknowledges the rumor mill with a tilt of his glass.

Genevieve shakes her head at Mab, “Not at all, would you like to break up with anyone in particular, or rather leave it up to fate?” She checks as she watches Marlow and August.

“I don’t have rhinestones today, though,” Malin says, pouting at Matthew. “I wanted to support Mars’ hatred of them today,” she claims, but is probably just bee essing, nodding at Marlow. Another large gulp of her champagne is taken.

Malin gazes at Mab.

Meridith giggles softly and gives a little smirk

Dovie watches August and Marlow, an eyebrow raising as a hand presses to her bosom. “Oh my…”

“Fate has broken my heart one time too many,” Mab tells Genevieve, and then stretches out an accusatory arm to point firmly at Malin. “I wish to break up with Sir Malin, my homewrecker.”

Both eyebrows raise, and Aeryn nearly chokes a bit on champagne. “Wow.”

Genevieve wipes at an imaginary tear as she watches Marlow and August, “Such a tragedy when incest doesn’t work out.” She faux-laments, “Let’s give them all a hand.” She tells the others, leading in a small round of applause for Marlow and August, “May you both find more appropriately toxic relationships in the future.” She prays before gesturing to Evalina and Obadiah, “Next up Evalina is going to break up with Obie, and that is such a tragedy, we all thought they were in it for the long haul, his romantic pursuit of her was so legendary after all, or at least that’s what I heard.”

It’s blissful, really, that expression that forms across Malin’s face as Mab chooses her.

raising his glass of whiskey, Buck says, “I give that breakup an Oedipus Rex out of ten.”

Dovie claps politely for Marlow and August, raising her champagne in a toast afterwards before she grins at Obadiah, nudging his side. “Break a leg, and a heart!”

Malin ups her blood alcohol content level to ready herself for Mab.

Helen reaches up to touch the pendant near her clavicle and she moves the spiraling design slightly, “Thank you, and it is a pleasure to meet you…” She offers a hand out towards Marlow afterwards, “It probably has a specific story, but it isn’t mine. I acquired it in a shop on my travels one day when I spotted it, but I’ve yet to find the original owner or the history of it. I’ve come to just enjoy the weight of it and how it moves. Sometimes, the light just hits it right and when it has the freedom to move, it makes me remember that things are always moving, and so will I.” She gestures towards Marlow, “What is the story with that ring of heartbreak you gave Malin, you have… another one somewhere on you, right? Twins was it?”

Mab brings her hands to the side of her face and claps, for both the devastated Pierces, and for Evalina and Obadiah’s ascent.

“Oh, you’re going to need….” Aeryn seems to make a decision, procuring another drink for Malin. “More.”

“I matched with Jules, too,” Miles relays to Evalina. “But she stopped responding unless I send her pictures in my underwear. Tough negotiating tactic but it left me feeling like a slab of beef,” he feigns sadness, then buries it in his whiskey. He tilts his head at Obadiah, seemingly lost in the sauce, and wonders dumbly: “Which two?”

Helen waves towards Mab, especially once she notes that Malin is the one she will be breaking up with, “Hello, Mab, now, is she is a homewrecker in the traditional sense, or the more blatantly simple sense?”

Obadiah pounds the last of his whiskey and takes a step back and waves out his hands, bouncing back and forth on his feet as if he is getting ready to go to a boxing match. “This is gonna hurt,” he pauses and looks to Genevieve, “Just to be clear, ghosting is not an approved strategy, right?”

When Genevieve announces the next ill-fated pairing for an explosive breakup, Arachne raises her flute of champagne toward Obadiah and Evalina in encouragement. “Make the breakup more tragic than his legendary pursuit of you!”

Malin sets the empty flute down, and accepts the next beverage from the ever thoughtful Aeryn. “Thank you,” she tells Aeryn as she peers into the glass of whiskey. “This isn’t champagne.” Thank you, Captain Obvious. The captain proceeds to drink.

Charlotte withdraws from her current conversation, shifting to lean against the bar with her drink in hand. She’s looking a little overwhelmed at the moment, and so focuses her attention on the breakup.

“You’d need about six glasses more if it were,” Aeryn tells Malin with a light grin. “Liquid courage, and all.”

“I didn’t even get to the public blow-out,” August complains, spends his breath in a sigh. Instead, he politely extends his hand – then very unpolitely takes Marlow’ own in his own, laces their fingers to hold her hand up and lead her off the stage towards the bar. “I half-expected you to drop that clinical assessment of me you did the other day,” August adds to Marlow as an aside, “You would’ve killed me, and the crowd.”

Marlow’ words pull Matthew from his laconic daze like a fish being reeled in from beneath the water’s surface. “Your words won’t fool me, Mars,” he banters back instead, “I know your angle, you’re just tryna butter me up so so it’s extra tragic when you break up with me!” He rests a hand over his bleeding heart, “Your tricks won’t work on me, I’m well guarded.”

“I should probably wait for our turn to start unpacking all of my problems with Malin,” Mab ominously tells Helen, “I absolutely love your dress though, you like the embodiment of a blade.” Briefly, she drifts on over to Charlotte and Miles, having overhead their conversation, and props her elbows up on the bar between them, perhaps to offer yet more reasons they might break up. “Did you know that a lot of people go through life wearing the wrong name? It really bothers me when that happens. Names like Leon, or Camille. I always try to correct it when I can, as an act of charity. But Miles and Lottie are just right. They capture your essence.” When Malin approaches her, she grins, and turns to whisper back.

“I wouldn’t read you like that in front of everyone, my love-hate is fickle like that,” Marlow tells August, and with his face so close to hers, she nips toward his chin as if she might literally bite him. She doesn’t, though, instead turning toward the sound of Mab’s voice, and her issued challenge. “This should be interesting.” She gives herself a round of applause when bid do so by Genevieve, her eyes shifting then toward those next up. She takes Helen’s hand, her undeadly cold handshake firm but gentle. “On my belt,” Marlow confirms. “I finally found my long-lost twin, of course I have to mark my territory.”

Malin hardly needs any more courage than she already has, but Aeryn might just be creating a monster, and that’s way more fun. “You’re very thoughtful.” Then she’s listening to Mab’s words against her ear. “Oh, fuck,” gets blurted out and she nods repeatedly. “I love you, Lady Mab.”

Marlow blows Matthew a kiss as he tries to guard his heart.

“Definitely not.” Genevieve affirms for Obadiah and gives August a little apologetic shrug, “Sorry, need to keep things moving along fairly briskly, I’m sure it would’ve been an epic breakdown though.”

stands up with her champagne in hand, then getting off of her stool, on her feet, positioning herself in-front of Obadiah. She smiles at him most sweetly, then glances around the room. “Oh Obadiah… I wanted to love you, I did. We even had our fun – I’m having a kid. But as I spoke to my chosen nurser – I realized, I am with the wrong mercer. It’s not your face and not your flow. You’re just a bit of an asshole.” Evalina rhymes, then throwing what’s left of her champagne in his face. “That’s for… Fun. Honestly…” Her eyes glance around, “If anyone’s looking for a bride, call me? I only break hearts on fridays.”

“You should’ve, winning is important.” August chastises Marlow anyway, and slips his hand out of hers to let Marlow applause. Something he joins when he sits back on his seat, and takes hold of his whiskey again. Another order is made with a hand and a quiet word over his shoulder to replace the alcohol he spilled from Marlow’ hands.

Malin mouths silently at Marlow at what looks like, if you’re a good enough lip reader and can factor in a Swedish accent to the rounding of her mouth, ‘Get that narcissist’ with a nod at Matthew.

Helen smiles when Mab comments and she says, “Thank you! And you’re right, air your grievances in public in front of everyone for that proper break-up spirit, making sure to interrupt all dinners around you and causing people to stare, aghast. I do like your color choice tonight, the dress, the bracelet, it all really is working quite well.” She turns towards Marlow afterwards, that undeadly cold hanshake is firm, but gentle, and the returned shake is much warmer, though similar in style, eyes drifting to Marlow’ belt, “I’m sure there will be new stories forged with Malin and that twin, though at this point, she is acquiring twins at a rate of about one a day, might have to have a twin-off to see who is the victor after a few more months.”

“Lottie, hmm?” Charlotte asks Mab, raising an eyebrow. “Not a nickname that is used often for me, I prefer Charlie if we’re going to shorten my name.” She seems fairly unruffled, though, and her attention is pulled away by the current breakup. “This is excellent entertainment. Can’t wait for your go-round, Mab.”

Matthew’s shield becomes a missile defense system that is reaching high to catch the projectile kiss Marlow’ sends his way. Snagging it, he plants it to his cheek. So much for using protection.

Malin gives a few nods at Helen about the twin pandemic as everyone seems to want to be related to her.

August mimes a gag at Marlow and Matthew.

A hand flutters to Dovie’s mouth at someone’ faux confession of being pregnant.

A hand flutters to Dovie’s mouth at Evalina’s faux confession of being pregnant.

Malin reads off a text, “Fam, Aeryn will be back later,” to inform Matthew and Helen, and Mab and Arachne. She has performed her duty and looks over at Obadiah.

Obadiah was ready to come back with something, he had his whole retort lined up, but when the spash of champagne comes to his face he blinks several times and lets out a breath. “I… Guess I am not the baby daddy. ” And with that he starts to laugh, having been bested.

“Oh so you’re just twinning with everyone out here?” Marlow accuses Malin when Helen rats her out. “I’d say I’m heartbroken, but we’ve already covered that,” Marlow laments, flicking the end of her belt. “Behave,” Marlow demands of August when he starts making rude noises.

Another raise of his glass as Buck says, “I rate that breakup a Beyonce All the Single Ladies out of Ten.”

“I’m going to sneak off before somebody gets actually stabbed over a pretend breakup,” Miles decides once he’s finished his whiskey. He gives Charlotte a grin and extends a: “Nice to meet you.” Then he’s on his way out, pausing to peer curiously at Obadiah and mime disappointment at the deprivation of another Mercer cousin before completing the Irish goodbye.

“No, no,” Mab tells Charlotte with a shake of her head. “It’s definitely Lottie, your name. Charlie doesn’t work.” When the bartender drifts on by, she leans further across the counter to place her order, but when she turns and sees Evalina splashing champagne in Obadiah’s face, she mutters out a quiet, “Damnit.” Looking somewhat put out, she then slides her drink further on down, towards Matthew.

Dovie chuckles at Buck’s proclamation.

Meridith offers a little wave to Miles.

Nemi smiles, sneaking up and passing a napkin to Obadiah with a grin as she chuckles softly. “I think Miles may have ran before he was outed as the right Mercer.” She states with a soft chuckle.

“Oh, Mars, you hardly pay me any attention,” Malin says, doing a bit of her own breakup bit right now at Marlow. “Did you see I posted a Carousel? It was an aesthetic reflection on solitude, featuring artul lens flares as well as a quote by Sylvia Path. I tagged your dog in it because she looked sad and I thought it added pathos, and I wanted it to be more focused in that direction instead of like a press release because or a YouTube video with me ugly crying about how unhappy I am, but… well, you know how people called us The Queer Brangelina? I think we’re actually following in their footsteps, and not just because we adopted five goats and gave them names that reflect all kinds of cultural backgrounds that end in the letter ‘x.’ That’s beside the point.” Then she says, “We’re over,” in the most dramatic way possible before asking, “How was that? I’m getting into character for Mab for when it is my turn.”

Evalina leans in slightly to Obadiah’s side, whispering into his ear, her smile inscrutable on her face

Out of all that, the only thing August seems to have caught is this one tidbit he asks with some level of sheer surprise, “Mars has a dog?” And in that revelation, he gives the Pierce in question a stare. “I hope you didn’t name it emergency rations.”

“Well Mercer’s do like to get wet.” Genevieve muses when Evalina throws her drink over Obadiah, “Still, sounds like it’s going to be a complex custody arrangement.” She muses and leads another round of polite applause for the breaking up couple. “Next up we have Arachne, breaking up with Mars. We all thought that rebound relationship might not have been a good idea and when they started trying to out-shoe each other we should’ve known things might not last.”

“I’m just upset I’m breaking up with you looking like that,” Mab tells Malin, waving a hand on down her ensemble, “the black and red is so good, you look like a sexy volcano.” But her attention is quickly stolen in the direction of August and someone when she hears what the artist has to say, and her eyebrows shoot straight up.

“I’m just upset I’m breaking up with you looking like that,” Mab tells Malin, waving a hand on down her ensemble, “the black and red is so good, you look like a sexy volcano.” But her attention is quickly stolen in the direction of August and Marlow when she hears what the artist has to say, and her eyebrows shoot straight up.

doesn’t argue with Mab further on the subject of her name, probably because the other woman is right. This lady’s vibe is distinctively not that of a Charlie. As Mab floats away, Charlotte shrugs and goes back to her drink, looking a little like she’s counting down to her own irish goodbye.

Charlotte doesn’t argue with Mab further on the subject of her name, probably because the other woman is right. This lady’s vibe is distinctively not that of a Charlie. As Mab floats away, Lottie shrugs and goes back to her drink, looking a little like she’s counting down to her own irish goodbye. (fix for announce)

The first breakup sees that familiar (to some) grin spread across Roberta’s features, too wide, too fae, and fanged as is only to be expected. The second however has Roberta more thoughtful, tapping her lip with a single gloved finger, and then there’s Malin and Mab. It’s worth the wait, and so Roberta looks on from her spot, waiting for fireworks to come from it.

Matthew tips his gaze down as Mab approaches, favoring her with a small, entirely too fae smile, “This ain’t Arkansas,” he drawls to the other Montrose, “but even here we both know thsi branch of the family tree’s growin in the wrong direction.” He pauses dramatic, like he were allowing space for ache to slip in, “Time we pruned it, yeah?”

Obadiah takes his napkin and wipes his face still laughing. Mab’s dammit doesn’t go lost on him and he flashes her a grin, before looking back to Evalina, “My poor cold dead heart has been sundered.”

“We can go more than once?” August peers more suspiciously. There’s another sigh before he hooks up his elbows on the bar, and sits facing the stage – briefly waves two fingers towards Genevieve. “Throw my name back in, if you can match me with anyone other than my cold hearted aunt, I’ll owe you a favor.”

Staring at Malin as she in unexpectedly dumped, Marlow turns slowly toward August. “This is the first time I’m hearing about a dog,” she tells him. “But I’m definitely suing her for custody. I’ll name him ‘Lunch Box’.”

“More like a volcan-yes,” Malin quips back at Marlow. “Lava at first sight and all that.”

“But Lunch Box loves my horse, Al Capony,” Malin cries out after Marlow.

Malin might be a little drunk already.

Matthew is more than willing, however, to accept a second glass of champagne from his cousin. Two at once? No problem; he uncouthly chugs that first one down befor discarding the glass on the tray of a passing waiter.

Malin in in her inebriated element.

“Well you can go once as dumper and once as dumpee.” Genevieve clarifies to August, “So sure, but also you know, I’m making up the rules as I go along.” She points out.

Dovie leans in to whisper something to Obadiah.

“If we’re going more than once, I’m throwing my name back into the hat for a chance at a fate,” says Mab, “I just have unresolved business with Malin.” She shoots daggers at the woman, and then looks to Marlow with a shake of her head. “I would be so shocked and kind of mad if you got a dog,” the Montrose tells the Pierce.

Evalina runs her fingers down Obadiah’s arms, “Awww. You poor thing. Don’t worry. I brought glue, we can make it a puzzle game. You know? So we can play with it some more?” She winks at him as she settles back down on a barstool

Malin gestures at Marlow while telling Genevieve, “She thinks I’m a sexy volcano,” and then leans against the bar for stability.

Malin blows a kiss towards Mab.

“Tch.” Cadalie manages a too easy scoff, shaking her head sourly. “And you, Thorn, are far too kind. My! Why, I have not seen you eat a single baby in all our time together! How can I usher in the Apocalypse of of dog-gone puppy hurtin’ if I cain’t be carnal!” Indelicately, without remorse, she flings out her thermos of tea at Meridith.

“Is there such as thing as an unsexy volcano though is the question.” Genevieve points out to Malin.

“You can be shocked and mad at me all you want, looking that good,” Marlow tells Mab shamelessly.

“She’s lying,” Marlow claims flatly.

Buck murmurs back to Genevieve, “Pompeii wasn’t that sexy. Killed a lot of people.”

Genevieve’s attention is caught by Camille and she offers her a bight smile, also noticing Nemi and including her. “Evening, I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Vie. Sorry it’s just a little busy in here.”

Meridith blinks thrice, covered in tea, and perhaps, literally bonked by it. She begins to giggle madly and swats at Cadalie. “You bitch!” She squeals with deep amusement. “All you ever care about is your baby eating and bloody fornication!”

“Only if they’re dormant, perhaps, Vie, and I don’t see Malin as dormant that’s for sure,” Helen says to Genevieve as she begins to get herself a drink, watching the various back and forths, trying to follow along the conversations and the new faces.

Malin supposes, “When the eruption is pending, like… indefinitely. They are just all ash, and no sizzle, and they’re all like emotionally crusty because they are tectonically slow and unavailable,” to Genevieve. “Or something like that.”

Just as boldly, Mab tells Marlow with a lift of her chin, “I dressed this way just for you.” But for the time being, she turns on her heel to stalk on down the bar towards Camille, right on the heels of being accused of falsehood by her ex-to-be. “You look absolutely ravishing, Sky,” she greets the young woman in the black dress with a smile. Her arm is extended out towards her, palm facing downwards, as if she expects a courtly kiss upon it.

Malin flutters her lashes at Helen.

Matthew begins to drift through the body of the crowd, passing near Buck, whom he pats briefly on the shoulder, “I can’t keep chasing clues and cleaning glitter of my sheets, Ransom,” is his quiet and solemn greeting. “So the case, us, it’s officially closed.” The Montrose doesn’t linger too long for the detective’s reply, they broke up apparently, and the current of the crowd carries him on.

Marlow stares at Mab. “The…dinner party?” Marlow asks slowly, more incredulous than hesitant, her eyes narrowing slowly.

Malin guesses, “I’d call them Mount Meh-suvius.”

Nemi looks over to Genevieve as she smiles softly and nods. “I believe we have… You fight quite well in the field.” she says with a soft smile and a nods after, a soft chuckle comes from her. “My Name is Nemi, Its a wonder to properly meet you Vie.” She states as she bows her head softly out of respect for the superior fighter.

“Well while Arachne prepares herself why don’t we also have Dovie take a stand, and break up with poor Helen.” Genevieve announces, “I guess it’s true that her love of flowers trumps that of any other one person.” She muses.

Raising an eyebrow as he didn’t know he was paired, Buck says back to Matthew, “It’s not for everyone.”

Malin claps for Helen and Dovie. “Do this one to impress me, okay?”

Dovie steps up to the center breakup area, looking around for her partner, from the look on Dovie’s face, she clearly doesn’t know who they are.

Hearing Marlow’s incredulous worlds, Mab turns halfway towards Camille, and grins over her shoulder. “Forgive me,” she repeats, words spoken to her family on her arrival at this party.

Obadiah turns his head to whisper something back to Dovie before she leaves then takes a seat next to Evalina at the bar.

The momentary widening of Camille’s eyes is brief, subtle, and the expression of surprise is quickly replaced. In a voice that begins softly but picks up a boldness to it, she extends her hand, palm face down to Mab “You’re gilded garb astounds all who behold it.” she says with a cleverly half-curved smile.

Malin catches one word that Obadiah whispers to Dovie and she goes, “They must be talking about swimming.”

“Helen, you don’t have to take it lying down,” Marlow encourages Helen when her imminent breakup is announced.

Cadalie takes the slap hard, a seismic *THWAP* against the cheek as her face just so happens to catch it dead-on. She holds such a thing- flabbergasted and gawking, failing to keep back the grin like a skull. “I’ll have you know I extend my unholiness to sodomy and preaching about the untruth of Santa and Kindergardens. You never did keep up with my passions!”

As her name is called out, Helen/span perks up and then recognizes what it was for. She takes a big sip of her champagne glass and looks through the crowd, finding Dovie, after Malin points her out, “Oh, my dear! Finally! I was looking for you for ages in the crowd!” She pushes away from the bar and moves towards where the breaking up might be done.

Malin eyes Obadiah like she doesn’t think he’s talking about swimming.

When Camille matches her rather than kiss her hand, Mab looks at her with amusement, and then leans in closer, dropping her own hand.

“I don’t know.” Genevieve muses to Malin, “Even when everything is still on the outside, you know that deep down in their deepest they’re all roiling heat and pressure building, building building…” She points out, “That sounds pretty sexy to me.”

Meridith insists upon Cadalie. “There isn’t a person alive! Saint or sinner! Who could possibly keep up with your twisted…delightfully hot passions…!” She insists of the pontifex. “The mind numbing heights of ecstasy!” She covers her face and faux weeps. Dripping of tea.

Genevieve nods Dovie towards Helen just in case she missed it.

Gliding over to Buck and Matthew, Roberta interjects herself between the two in parting. “You deserved that.” the albino decides, with a tip of the much more fanciful hat to Buck. “But don’t worry. I’d dump you far more publically.” she assures the PI.

Even certified hotties get social anxiety, and it’s clear that Charlotte has reached her limit of crowds for today. She keeps her champagne glass in her hand as she heads for the door, brushing by Matthew on her way out.

Buck raises an eyebrow to Roberta as she interjects, “Oh? Are we paired up together?”

Nemi smiles softly at the breakup taking place, a chuckle comes from her as she bounces between of of her heeled feet in a slight sway. Looking over to someone whom she stands near after the introduction she was given and the one she gave as she smiles softly.

Nemi smiles softly at the breakup taking place, a chuckle comes from her as she bounces between of of her heeled feet in a slight sway. Looking over to Genevieve whom she stands near after the introduction she was given and the one she gave as she smiles softly.

“Hmph.” Cadalie huffs indignantly, hand to her breast, flipping her head off to the side. “Certainly not you. Not excuse me while I go court the dead, then.”

She walks out with an exaggerative pompous sway, hand neatly flipped at her side.. In the wrong direction of the exit, rectified by walking the perimeter of the building before she sets off, presumably, to the nearest cemetery.

Malin smiles innocently at Genevieve and sips at her whiskey further. Surely, she needs more.

“Not that I know of.” Roberta assures Buck with a smirk. “Why? You worried?”

As the bar conversations splinter into infinity, Marlow slips out of her seat, moving to the dance floor with her drink still in hand.

Dovie lights up for a moment at seeing Helen. For… a moment, that is, until the features on her own face fall, flashing through anxiety, anguish, and something like sorrow. “Helen… Helen… Helen…” She cleaves close to the other woman, reaching for Helen’s hand, the one that doesn’t hold a champagne glass. “Helen. We need to talk.” She lets that line sit there, pregnant. “You took over my heart like the Trojan horse that you are, taking my heart on a non-stop rodeo. Loving you was like buying off of Craigslist. You looked decent and had some history, but after a few weeks, I was waking up sore and confused…. And you’ve left me feeling like I lost the battle, but I’m here to tell you that I’m winning the war today, darling. I’m returning your toothbrush, your hoodies, your shoe collection except for the Jimmy Choos, and leaving behind the illusion that you were ever really in love with me… I’m not heartbroken… I’m free range, now.” She lets go of Helen’s hand. “Good luck unpacking that in therapy.”

Dovie coughs, “Like buying a mattres off of Cragislist.”

Marlow says “We can still hear you.“

Whether it’s the natural current of the crowd or Matthew’s own two feet, it’s hard to say. But soon the tallest Montrose finds himself nearing one of the guests – a woman on her way out that catches his attention as his eyes are drawn towards the door. A moment after and he’s reaching to his pocket, for the first time taking a study of his phone.

Genevieve’s eyebrow continue to raise slowly as Malin continues to speak privately to her and when the other woman concludes she nods. “Yes.” She replies simply.

Malin mmhmms at Genevieve, nodding some more as she swirls her whiskey about with a gentle rotation of her wrist.

Nemi whispers under her breath near Genevieve with a warm smile.

Helen takes Dovie’s hand in her own, she plays the part of brightened smile, excited for what might come, but the change in tone and the woman’s face really does cleave straight through that bright countenance. The ‘we need to talk’ line sits there, and she gasps softly, listening to the woman’s break-up reasoning. Her hand is released, and she sits there for several moments before stopping one of the people assisting in serving drinks and says, “Hold that…” She reaches up towards her earcuffs as well, plucking them from her ears, “And those…” She starts digging around in her bag now, and soon, of all things, out comes a lasso! She starts to get it situated and says to Dovie, “You said the chaps were just what you needed in your life, excitement of the rodeo! Non-stop you said! I’m saddle sore from riding so much!” She starts to twirl the lasso around her head now, and she’s decent at it, but no expert, “You can’t get away from me, I’ve got you all roped up!” She tries to cast the lasso out towards Dovie to try and ‘capture’ her, which might work or might not because the next thing she is asking is, “Wait, my toothbrush? I thought that was your toothbrush… who’s fucking toothbrush was that!?”

Helen uses an a lasso: 72The lasso flops to the ground with all the drama of a limp noodle, landing just shy of its target.

Malin watches Dovie and Helen with great interest.

Obadiah looks aside to Evalina and mentions to to her, “You gave me a high brow break up but this? I am here for this.”

Dovie gets roped in by the lasso, her own champagne glass tumbling to the ground, the liquid spilling out. But the look on her face is even more horrified at the realization: “Have we been using the same toothbrush this whole time?!”

Malin murmurs, “I haven’t gone on a date or had a breakup in over sixty-two years, so I really need to tap into my acting skills.”

raising his glass, Buck proclaims, “I give this breakup a Brokeback Mountain meets Craigslist Killer out of ten.”

Malin turns her head sloooooooowly to look at Buck, unblinking.

“Oh my fucking God!” Helen says to Dovie as she steps closer to the other woman, “See? We’re MEANT to be together! We use the same toothbrush!” She scoots even closer, and closer, “Even if we won’t make it… one last rodeo? Breaking up isn’t as fun without the break-up ride, right?”

Malin’s eyes are speaking what her mouth does not. They say ‘WTF?’

Evalina giggles to Obadiah, “It’s a bit like a comedy routine isn’t it? I am enjoying it a lot.” She shares with a grin, her head swaying

Mab giggles girlishly at the bar when Helen publicly proposes — or at least heavily implies — break-up sex.

Genevieve winces as Dovie breaks up so harshly with Helen “Well, Dovie is certainly one to look out for, although it is important to always know which tooth brush is which, this is the problem with gay relationships, too hard to gender color code toothbrushes.” She laments with a little shake of her head. “Alright, next up Buck is going to break up with Evalina, those long hours at the office maybe became too much, or maybe a romance that started when a woman of mystery darkened his door was never destined for success.” She muses, “And also Mab is going to break up with Malin. They say the relationships that burn hottest also burn out the fastest.”

August gives a little shrug of his shoulder, but the lift of his drink towards Buck seems to indicate he agrees with his scoring.

Dovie giggles at Helen, “Amazing rope skills, darling. You’ll have to teach me a thing or two?”

Malin shouts, “Shibari for the win!” at Dovie.

August coughs into his glass, suddenly.

Buck takes a drink of whiskey as he walks out in front of the bar, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a cigarette to light it up casually.

Dovie asks Malin. “Who is Shibari?”

Obadiah gives Malin another salute with his empty glass. “You get to tell her.”

“Back, what’d I miss?” Marlow asks as she returns from the balcony, reaching for August’s drink to steal.

Buck motions with his cigarette to Evalina, “Hey, easy on the throwing drinks, I just got the blood dry cleaned out of these.”

August clears his throat, and seems much less interested in finishing his drink that Marlow steals so quickly. “Yeah, I wasn’t finishing that or anything.”

Helen laughs softly after Genevieve announces the next contestants. She nods towards Dovie and says, “Costume Matthew helped me with and…” Then Malin is shouting out, “Rope is useful, true… but it is nice meeting you. I’ve heard all good things about you, even if Malin did try to steal your name, shameful really, but she’s paying the price as being Dobie now.” She does get her ear cuffs back and her drink, signaling the person who brought them, “Bring another champagne please? My ex seems to have lost hers…” She offers the champagne out to Dovie afterwards, “It was a pleasure though, should we match up on MyHaven if we aren’t already or exchange numbers? I’m sure with a little practice you could use the lasso, as well, at least as good as anyone.”

Malin reels back her head, almost dropping her whiskey as shock slams into her via Dovie’s question. “Oh, I’m going to show you later. I keep the rope in the trunk for… other reasons, but it’ll be fine.” She winks at Helen.

“Toothbrush confusion.” Genevieve explains to Marlow.

Dovie accepts the new glass gratefully from her ‘ex’ Helen. “Thank you, darling. I’m someone on MyHaven, but feel free to text me too seven ten, double zero fifty one.”

Mab says “One last rodeo.“

“Nobie can be the model,” Malin informs Dovie. “He promised to let me throw him in my trunk, and the whole experience is great with the decadent chocolates and the wine, but the being tied up part first makes it more erotic especially after the aphrodisiacs — I should put chocolate covered strawberries in there. It becomes less sexy when I close the trunk on you and walk away for two hours, though. Sorry.”

Nemi meanders her way back over to Obadiah as she hums softly and poses a question. “I’m going to have to start doing your drycleaning as your assistant now are’nt I?” She poises with a soft smile

“You don’t need it, you’ve already been broken up with,” Marlow rationalizes her theft toward August. She gives Genevieve a completely confused look. “Did someone come out tonight without brushing their teeth?” she asks, scandalized. “Is it even a proper breakup without a tearful orgasm or two?” she wonders of Mab.

Genevieve motions to Buck and Evalina, “Buck’s going to break up with Evalina.” She explains and then motions to Mab and Malin, “And Mab is going to break up with Malin, we’re double barreling it.”

Malin looks to Mab, features alight.

“You’re welcome,” Helen says to Dovie as she takes her phone out and taps against the screen for a few moments, “Sent you my information. It is nice to put faces to names after hearing about them for a while, and you did wonderfully. I do hope we don’t ever share a toothbrush though.”

Buck nods to Genevieve as he puffs a few times on his cigarette, “I’m just waiting for my future ex lover to join me out here.”

Dovie blinks at Malin. “Well all of that sounded fun until the being left in a trunk for two hours while you walk away part. That seems… excessive.” She nods at Helen, giggling. “Oh yes, let’s not do that, but I’m terribly pleased to meet you at last, we should grab a coffee sometime!”

“Be careful, she’s a pro,” Marlow tells Malin, though at her expression, Marlow shakes her head. “Masochist,” she decides.

“Oh, so I guess we’re still together?” Mab asks Marlow by the bar, airing her dirty laundry out with a bump of her brows. “Unless solitude counts … Ah, I’m up.” She flutters her fingers adieu, and then drifts on over to Malin.

Obadiah glances to Nemi and smirks a moment, “I don’t know that you should offer to do my dry cleaning, but certainly won’t say no.” He leans his head around and says to Malin, “Oh hey! Speaking of rope play and your trunk. I need a lift home.” He winks at her, his car keys on the bar in front of him.

Marlow narrows her eyes at Mab, but leans in toward Malin after.

“Make her bleed,” Arachne calls in encouragement toward Mab when the Vice President rises to join Malin in their turn for messy break-ups of the evening.

Dovie waves to Kurt. “Welcome to the break up ball!”

“I feel like history has been re-written without my consent,” Marlow says, as dirty laundry starts flying, but she just looks into her stolen glass of whiskey irritably.

Malin looks up and over at Mab and she struts her stuff over there. “Oh, this song is partially sung by two Swedes,” she comments suddenly. “My trunk misses you, Nobie. It’ll give you a wild ride.” She explains, “I’ll hit every pothole on the way home to give you that motion in the ocean feel.” She gazes at Mab expectantly.

Kurt strolls on in, meandering his way over to the bar as he takes a seat, nodding to the few he recognizes. “Apologies for my tardiness, and all. I’d meant to come, but… Such is what is.” Turning to Dovie, he flashes a faint grin, nodding towards her. “Evening, Miss Dovie.”

“That sounds lovely,” Helen says to Dovie as she laughs at Malin’s comments, “Her and that trunk. I swear she has everything in there, I really wouldn’t be surprised if it is just a lot bigger on the inside and leads to some alternate world of chocolate, wine, and ropes.” She takes a sip from her champagne and says to Dovie, “Now we get to watch everyone else break up, definitely waiting to see what Mab says to Malin.”

Genevieve gives Kurt a bright smile. “Not a problem, I’m Vie.” She introduces herself.

Ice in her eyes, the very first thing Mab does is raise her hand and, seemingly, slap Malin right across the face. “How DARE you,” she seethes.

But it isn’t really a slap, it’s a stage-slap. It’ll take a keen eye to spot the little clap at her side that makes the sound ring out at the hallway, although how well it sells it up to Malin

Alcohol for the alcohol God, August orders another double glass of whiskey after being so quickly usurped of his last sip at his last glass. His legs cross slowly, one over the other, but his drink is left untouched for now as he slips a hand into his coat to retrieve a pack of cigarettes. Begin a silent dance to draw a single one out of it with one hand and lay it between his teeth and then light it.

Dovie gasps loudly at the slap!

Evalina glances aside to Buck, blinking twice, “I am breaking up with two people in one night?” She wonders in her confusion, crossing her arms, thinking, “Mm… I don’t know if I have many ideas left for a breakup… I try to only dump one man a day…”

“Buck’s breaking up with you this time.” Genevieve clarifies for Evalina, “Although I can find someone else if you need me to.”

Standing there nonchalantly, Buck keeps smoking his cigarette and holding his whiskey while he gives a slight shrug. “Hey, two hundred bucks is two hundred bucks.”

Matthew slips back as quietly as he’d slipped out, his eyes tracking towards the window and a lone figure seated there. He heads that way to approach.

Obadiah pats Evalina on the shoulder, “Good luck in there. Buck is a good guy. For a Ransom.” He glances back to the stage, “This will be good.”

And so, it all begins with Malin getting faux bitch slapped by Mab. That song that now plays looks like it catches her off guard briefly, but then she refocuses, sputtering and then shrieking as she touches a hand to her face. “Me?!” Wildly, she uses her free hand to point at Buck. “I know what you did! I saw you two together!” Seething, she dramatically exclaims, “I heard him talking in that monologue at you when you asked him how his day was and he started talking about how the city never sleeps and neither does he, and I know! I know that was a euphemism!”

Genevieve weaves her head a little side to side and can’t help but sing along a little to Torn half under her breath. “I’m all outta faith…” She murmurs as she watches the unfolding drama between Malin and Mab.

glancing over at Malin, Buck says, “Damn, that breakup is so spicy, I’m catching strays.”

Out of nowhere, August blows smoke at Marlow’s face.

“Oh, don’t you act all high and mighty with me!” Mab throws her hands dramatically in the air, fanged teeth clenched and bared Malin’s way, “You were sleeping with him too! I know! Everyone knows! Buck Ransom already told everyone!” She whirls around to point a finger at Buck, “About how you were fucking Derek Fairchild, and using me to get to him!”

Nemi whispers to herself with a soft sigh.

Nemi hums and nods softly to Dovie with a smile. Looking and smiling softly to Genevieve. “I’d like to participate if possible, randomly of course.”

“I’ll break up with you, Nemi.” August tells Nemi from the side, offers her a wan little smile, “But you have ot promise to be really, realy, cruel, otherwise we’re not selling it.”

“This is just playacting, right?” Dovie asks for a moment, her gaze on Mab and Malin.

“Fine! yes! That’s how I knew it was a euphemism, because he told me the same thing while we were having sex!” Malin reveals to Mab, seeing that they were both cheating on each other. “But I’m me! Look at me, Mab!” She is still holding at her face where it was supposedly slapped, glancing at Buck and then she goes, “AHHHHHH!” and leaps at Mab, tackling her full on.

“You really know how to push my buttons,” Marlow tells August, but there’s no heat behind the words as she fans the smoke out of her face, watching the Mab and Malin drama unfold, slaps and accusations flying.

Genevieve grins at Nemi, “Sure.” She agrees, arching an eyebrow as Malin jumps on Mab, “Not sure my insurance covers this…”

Obadiah smirks at something before looking at the time on his phone. “I have to go change for the Order party,” he mutters before sending off a couple of texts.

“I could’ve pushed different buttons,” August warns Marlow, “But you broke up with me.” His glass is pointed at her with that accusation, then he downs much of his whiskey.

Dovie swivels her gaze to Buck. “So your name is Buck, and apparently you like to fuck and use the same lines?”

Nemi oos softly as she walks over to August and gets a chair next to them as she smiles. “Cruel as in I just found out you were cheating and I’m never going to stop being a bitch way or-?” She asks, a hint of a tease in her voice as she wiggles her eyebrows a tiny bit.

“Not enough hair pulling.” Roberta cat-calls over to where the Malin and Mab drama unfolds. “You’ll only sell this to Fox if you don’t commit.”

And Mab goes crashing down to the floor as Malin tackles her, kicking her expensive heels in the air and jutting out her hands to grab the other woman’s throat. “You have taken everything from me!” she yells out, “My cousins, my gay boyfriend … even the first two letters of my name!”

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t secretly hoping this breaks one of those rhinestone-studded heels,” Marlow says aloud as bodily contact is made. “Shush,” Marlow tells August at his incestuous aside. “Don’t you see there’s a catfight on?”

a slight shrug comes from Buck as he glances over at Dovie, “I suppose in the fantasy that Mab and Malin have, I’m involved in both of them.” he speaks up as he says to them, “If you fantasize about me, you can just text me about it, ladies.”

Dovie nods at Kurt and begins discretely pointing people out. “The two arguing are Mab and Malin, the guy who just spoke about texting is Buck.”

Evalina stands up casually, looking as innocent as she can as she looks Buck up and down. “Not my usual type,” She admits, “But I can work with it. Just a short reminder: I am a Rothwell.” She grins, “You haven’t seen angry brothers like my own. They’re paid and carrying.” A wink follows, and she leans back, waiting for the inevitable onslaught.

“I guess he’s holding their relationship…” Helen reaches up and fake places sunglasses over her heads, “FOR RANSOM!” She laughs softly and watches Mab and Malin begin to fight on the floor, leaning in closer to Dovie, “Look at them go, I really didn’t expect such a show!”

As Mab falls, Malin ends up on top of her and she’s struggling to grapple the woman, and in a gown, her legs aren’t very easily used to entwine and hold her theatrical lover down. So, she’s using her weight and bouncing, which looks a little bit like erratic dry humping, really, but no sexy areas are making contact. With Roberta’s encouragement, she grabs at those pastel ringlets, and hair is being pulled. “And was going to steal back your heart, dammit!”

Dovie points out Genevieve for Kurt. “That’s Vie, hosting the event!”

Taking Evalina in stride, Buck takes a few puffs of his cigarette as he listens, and then he nods and takes a drink before speaking.

“You go by Cats and Coffee online, because cats are the only pussy you get and coffee is the only bean you’ve tasted in your life.”

“Out of the four Rothwell women, you’re by far the ugliest, and that’s saying something because your family has the money for plastic surgery to go around, but I guess you lucked the bottom of the handouts -and- the gene pool.”

“Evaline, you own The Nocturne Key, but you’re a lock that nothing would dare open. Look at you, all dressed up with no one to look at you, and it’s fitting that you wear silver, because you’re not worth gold.”

“I hope your family loves you, because I never did.”

“Well that might take a while.” Genevieve muses as she watches the catfight, “You should never steal someone’s gay boyfriend though, those are hard to come by.” She muses nodding as Evalina steps up to Buck. “Alright Roberta, want to break my heart?” She suggests to Roberta, stepping around the catfight and being sure to give space to Evalina and Buck as well as she squares her shoulders and prepares to be dumped.

“Sounds fine to me.” August tells Nemi, but pauses to look her up and down in some consideration. A finger around his glass lifts to point at her. “Make it more personal, let’s get nasty.”

Dovie’s jaw drops at Buck’s tirade.

Arachne very nearly chokes on her sip of champagne, a delicate cough masked behind slender fingertips, just slightly. She draws in a shallow breath through her nose, recovering with practiced grace. “My word,” she murmurs to Matthew aside, lips curving in a faint, almost admiring smirk. “Now that’s a breakup worth bottling. Cross detectives off your date list, darling.”

“Baby, if you want to beat him up, we’ll all hold him down for you,” Marlow tells Evalina after a long moment after Buck unloads a full clup. “Just say the word.”

Marlow said clip, of course.

Kurt turns to face Buck, brows quirking up slightly, before he lets out a low little whistle, nodding, evidently impressed. “That… Was quite the series of quips. I’m impressed.”

Mab screeches out loud for all the room to hear, flailing, although perhaps perceptive observers might notice she’s also pushing her head back into Malin’s grip, because this is all staged. She ends up on her stomach, heels kicking in the air, but alas for Marlow — rarely actually touching the floor.

“If only I still had a heart to steal,” Mab laments, with Shakespearean melodrama as she somehow brings up an arm to her forehead to swoon. “You are the stake that pierced it! I let you into my home, into my family.” She spins back around to press two hands to Malin’s chest and push her off her. “Only for you choose Matthew and Aeryn over me. And you couldn’t even stick to just Montroses, could you?”

Marlow finds her attention stolen by the play being acted out between Mab and Malin once more.

Evalina grins as she regards Buck, and at first, it seems she’s amused, about to laugh along. But as he goes on, something in her eyes fade. The smile remains, but a coldness creeps into her eyes. She nods slowly, then sashays closer to Buck, tilting her head, eyes fixed on him. A smile.

‘SMACK!‘

She slaps the man full in the face, for a moment appearing furious, then breaking out in a giggle. “Not bad Mr. Ransom, I appreciate the bravery. Though…” She smirks, then leans closer, “…Sometimes, a lock can break a key-” With that, she’s turning about, back to her seat.

Obadiah looks over to Dovie and up from his phone and holds his hand out to Kurt with a practiced grin, “Since Dovie is doing introductions. I am Obie Mercer. I own the Brine Pool.”

His hat flying off at the weight of that slap and Buck/span rolls his head with it. Working his jaw a few times as his cheek reddens, he says, “Probably deserved that.” he notes as he finishes his whiskey and scoops up his hat to put it back on his head.

Helen has her attention split between Malin, Mab and Buck now. She takes an eager sip of her champagne, but when Mab’s last words are heard, she clears her throat and looks around herself awkwardly, “All of those non-Monstroses are such a real problem.” She looks between Nemi and August as she says, “Everyone is striking the anvil quite hard now, such insults.” She looks over towards Obadiah, “I’m Helen, just in case someone missed it.”

Genevieve is taken aback by Buck going all in, and blinks a few times in surprise. “Well uh, that’s definitely one way to ensure you don’t get any rebound sex.” She muses, “August and Nemi do you want to take to the stage or you good doing… whatever that is?” She checks with a wiggle of her finger between August and Nemi.

finishing his cigarette, Buck also extinguishes it and finds a place to put it out.

Dovie tells Kurt and Obadiah. “Helen and I just broke up!’

It seems like Mab has inspired Malin even further, “Thou flailist and cryest betrayal, when thy heart — if heart it even be!” She gets shoved off of Mab, and rolls onto the floor, onto her own back, defeated as fingers release curls. “– was pledged not to one, but scattered like rose petals upon the winds of Court intrigue!” It’s too hard to keep up Shakespearean-speech so she goes back to, “You speak of Montroses! But look at you, you are a fickle sprite of fractured loyalties! Blaming me for straying with Buck Ransom when you, too, lay in his bed!” Then she wonders, “Which one of us was getting the sloppy seconds, though?!”

Matthew’s laugh cuts through the air sharp with amusement at the theatrics on display, but it rings loudest for Mab and Malin. For anyone glancing his way, his expression if all fond disbelief, caught mid-gawk at the spectacle they’ve made of heartache.

“No, you’re not allowed to bring his mother into it,” Marlow tells Nemi, overruling August.

Obadiah nods to Helen and flashes her a wide smile, “We have met somewhere else before. A pleasure to see you again.”

August’s finger swivels to point at Genevieve around his glass, “We’re on it!” And he chugs the rest of his whiskey. “Alright, let’s go. Improv the rest.” He leaves his seat, without a stop to look at Marlow, and head straight up into the stage.

Kurt lets out a soft laugh, turning to Obadiah and extending a hand. “Kurt Steiner. Only recently arrived, but glad to meet you!” Turning slightly to Helen, he nods. “Helen, pleasure to see you again, of course.”

Marlow sticks a foot out to try and trip August, but she doesn’t try to hide it.

Genevieve nudges Roberta’s heel with her own. “Still with us and wanting a go?” She checks.

August stumbles onto the stage. Too drunk? Tripped? Who knows.

Malin sings out, “Womanizer, womanizer!” loudly at Buck from her place on the floor on her back.

Obadiah shoots off a text then after releasing Kurt’s hand and says, “Hope to see more of you Kurt. Talk soon”.

“We did just break up, unfortunately,” Helen says as an aside to Dovie with a heavy sigh, “One of the great tragedies of the evening…” She nods and smiles towards someone and Kurt, “Nice to meet you both again.”

“We did just break up, unfortunately,” Helen says as an aside to Dovie with a heavy sigh, “One of the great tragedies of the evening…” She nods and smiles towards Kurt, “Nice to meet you both again.”

“I don’t believe we’ve met,” Marlow tells Evalina from where she sits at the bar. “Evalina Rothwell, I believe I overheard?”

“Sure thing, Doll.”

Stepping out from the gathering at the bar, Roberta squares up to Genevieve, diminutive form coming to rest, arms crossed as she stares through that mourning veil up at the taller woman. “I was going to begin this with a combat, as is classicly appropriate.” the albino begins, tone deadpan, a fanged smirk ticking the corner of Roberta’s lips upwards in what might pass in most situations as amusement. It’s not though here. It’s contempt, and that contempt oozes from Roberta as she very petulantly hams this up, a finger stabbing towards Genevieve like the sword of Damacles. “I was going to challenge you to a battle of wits, but I see you are unprepared for such a conflict. So instead, I’ll offer up something more your speed.” A foot stamps. “When we fell in love about five minutes ago, we promiced to be faithful to eachother until the end of time– Or well, I did.” the vampire assures Genevieve. “You’re going to die in like sixty years or so. Unfortunately for you, this leaves us at an impass– Oh, you’re young and beautiful and full of blood now, but what about in five years? In ten?”

Sadly, mournfully, Roberta shakes her head slowly, with all the tact of an extra in an episode of Scrubs. “The tragic fact is, I will always remain young and beautiful, but you’re going to get old, and I’m not staying with someone who needs skin cream for preservation rather than decoration. Look…” There’s a sigh then, and Roberta concludes with, “It’s not me… It’s you.” Then, with a flouncing pirouette, the albino lifts her chin, dismisses Genevieve with a sniff and wanders back into the crowd. “I should have dated Buck Ransom. At least that way I’d have had some spice in my life when those two stepped in.” A final motion to Mab and Malin, and she’s gone-

At this point, Mab seems to have no more words for Malin, but instead curls up into a foetal position and then sits up, opposite her, with her back to the other woman. She lifts up her long nailed hands to her eyes, buries her palms into her face and seemingly cries very loudly, which is quite the feat considering she doesn’t have functional tear-ducts anymore.

Until she hears Malin accusing Buck of being a womanizer — and perhaps misunderstanding their next assignment — joins her in song, to the tune of Britney Spears:

“Womanizer womanizer oh baby you’re a womanizer!” Yes, their breakup is now a musical, apparently.

Nemi follows after August with a smile and a nod with a tiny chuckle in her voice.

Getting another whiskey after he finished his, Buck looks back up from the bar to Malin as he says, “Apologies, Miss Havstrom. If you were better in bed we’d still be together. But I can’t fuck all of your personalities at the same time.”

A deep breath stills August on the stage, and although disheveled, quite vehemently drunk, he fixes his jacket in place. Next comes the few buttons at the top of his shirt. He’s putting more effort into this than his go to with Marlow, clearly – and after unbuttoning it a little, the tenseness of his jaw eases somewhat. His partner in crime, Nemi, is given a look, as well as a nod. “I’ve been waiting to go all out all along,” And he lets her have the first bout, “Come on, bitch-” He actually stops here, to clear his throat, “Sorry, too in character. Go ahead, break-up with me.”

Evalina’s eyes flit to Marlow as she waits for her drink, her smile all-too-plastered on her face. A nod follows, “That I am. And you would be…” She looks him up and down. “Mars Pierce. How wonderful to meet you at last.”

Nemi says, she was taken aback for a moment but simply chuckles softly.

When Roberta goes in on her Genevieve is at first caught off guard but then she listens and as the pale woman continues her tirade Genevieve starts to blink very quickly and a few seconds later tears start to run down her cheeks from the corner of her eyes. She stands perfectly still, just watching Roberta with wide eyes, tears silently running down her cheeks and dripping from her chin as her glitter cover lip quivers.

Kurt shifts his gaze towards Dovie, a brow raising slightly, “So, since I arrived fairly late… Any other break ups stand out of the crowd? All the ones I’ve heard thus far have been fantastic, I’ll confess.”

The musical has gotten real, and Malin is all into what Mab is bringing to the effort, but then Buck goes and says all that.` Blue eyes grow wide and large. Not at all in offense. It’s a challenge! “Oh, Buck, it’s hard to keep your attention when the only thing you bring to bed is unresolved childhood trauma and a barely there rhythm, really. If I wanted to feel nothing while something sweated on top of me, I would just lie under a broken air conditioner and think about your career.”