{"id":19525,"date":"2025-06-22T17:05:01","date_gmt":"2025-06-22T21:05:01","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-06-22T17:05:01","modified_gmt":"2025-06-22T21:05:01","slug":"event-567","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/havenrpg.net\/newsite\/2025\/06\/22\/event-567\/","title":{"rendered":"Genevieve&#8217;s Ballroom Breakup Bash"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n    .edgt-post-text-inner p {\n        margin-bottom: 35px !important;\n    }\n    <\/style>\n<p><strong>Date:<\/strong> 2025-06-21 17:03<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><span style=\"color:#008000\">               (<\/span>Genevieve&#8217;s Ballroom Breakup Bash<span style=\"color:#008000\">)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#008080\">        [<\/span>Sat Jun 21 2025<span style=\"color:#008080\">]<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#Acedfb\">I<span style=\"color:#a3e5f8\">n<span style=\"color:#9bdcf5\">s<span style=\"color:#92d4f3\">i<span style=\"color:#89cbf0\">d<span style=\"color:#81c3ed\">e<span style=\"color:#78baea\"> <span style=\"color:#6fb2e7\">a<span style=\"color:#67a9e4\"> <span style=\"color:#5ea1e2\">S<span style=\"color:#5698df\">e<span style=\"color:#4d90dc\">a<span style=\"color:#4487d9\">s<span style=\"color:#3c7fd6\">i<span style=\"color:#3376d3\">d<span style=\"color:#2a6ed1\">e<span style=\"color:#2265ce\"> <span style=\"color:#195dcb\">D<span style=\"color:#2666cb\">a<span style=\"color:#326ecb\">n<span style=\"color:#3f77cc\">c<span style=\"color:#4b80cc\">e<span style=\"color:#5888cc\">h<span style=\"color:#6491cc\">a<span style=\"color:#719acc\">l<span style=\"color:#7da2cc\">l<span style=\"color:#8aabcd\"> <span style=\"color:#96b3cd\">P<span style=\"color:#a3bccd\">a<span style=\"color:#afc5cd\">v<span style=\"color:#bccdcd\">i<span style=\"color:#c8d6cd\">l<span style=\"color:#d5dfce\">i<span style=\"color:#e1e7ce\">o<span style=\"color:#eef0ce\">n\/span<\/span\/span><br \/>The dancehall stretches wide beneath a high ceiling supported by white-painted wooden beams that arch gracefully overhead. Polished hardwood floors reflect the strings of Edison bulbs that hang at regular intervals, casting warm pools of light across the expansive space. Along the eastern wall, a series of tall archways stand open to the ocean air, their frames weathered smooth by salt and wind. White curtains hang from brass rods above each arch, billowing gently in the constant breeze that carries the rhythmic sound of waves breaking against the building&#8217;s pilings below. The western wall features a long bar of dark mahogany, its surface gleaming under pendant lights, with rows of glassware catching the light on shelves behind. Scattered support columns wrapped in rope break up the open floor, while small round tables with bentwood chairs cluster near the corners. The scent of ocean brine mingles with floor polish and the faint sweetness of spilled drinks from countless previous gatherings. Near the northern end, a raised platform serves as a stage, its boards worn smooth from decades of performers&#8217; feet.<br \/>It is about <span style=\"color:#ffff00\">70<\/span>F(<span style=\"color:#ffff00\">21<\/span>C) degrees.  The mist is heaviest <span style=\"color:#c1f9fe\">A<span style=\"color:#c4f7f8\">t<span style=\"color:#c6f5f2\"> <span style=\"color:#c8f3ec\">C<span style=\"color:#caf1e6\">a<span style=\"color:#ccf0e0\">r<span style=\"color:#ceeeda\">n<span style=\"color:#cfecd4\">a<span style=\"color:#d1ebce\">t<span style=\"color:#d2e9c8\">i<span style=\"color:#d3e7c2\">o<span style=\"color:#d4e5bc\">n<span style=\"color:#d5e4b6\"> <span style=\"color:#d6e2b0\">a<span style=\"color:#d7e0aa\">n<span style=\"color:#d8dfa4\">d<span style=\"color:#d8dd9e\"> <span style=\"color:#d9db98\">W<span style=\"color:#d9da92\">a<span style=\"color:#dad88b\">s<span style=\"color:#dad685\">h<span style=\"color:#dad57f\">i<span style=\"color:#dad379\">n<span style=\"color:#dbd173\">g<span style=\"color:#dbd06c\">t<span style=\"color:#dbce66\">o<span style=\"color:#dacd5f\">n\/span<\/span\/span><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Sup,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Miles<\/span> greets, approaching the bar with a languid swagger and pausing only to shoulder-nudge Buck with his elbow. He lifts his hand to wave lazily at Arachne then inquires of Genevieve, &#8220;How&#8217;s the zombie cat doing?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Buck fetches the attention of A young bartender in a crisp uniform with a tap of a couple fingers on the bar, &#8220;Whiskey double, neat.&#8221; he says as he turns around, leaning on the bar while he waits for it. He gives a tip of his hat to Helen and Evalina as they walk in, &#8220;Afternoon.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Genevieve is siting alterating between working on her phone and her champagne flute when people starting to come in and she looks up and offers a bright smile of greeting. &#8220;Hi Roberta, love the cape. You don&#8217;t see enough capes these days.&#8221; She claims, turning to greet Arachne and Aeryn in turn, &#8220;Love the shoes.&#8221; She tells Arachne, and for Aeryn, &#8220;I love lacing on your dress. I adore styles that mix elements of one type of clothing with another.&#8221; She enthuses. &#8220;Welcome, welcome all.&#8221; She says, smiling at Buck and Miles as well. <\/p>\n<p>Early enough for an entrance with little fanfare, but with all the poise of a runway model, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Arachne<\/span> is but one of several in procession for the bar as guests still arrive. &#8220;There were no real compliments,&#8221; she observes of Roberta in the gravest of tones, pale grays frosting over in feigned disappointment, the facade shattered by the helpless rueful curl of her mouth. Her fingers flick up in returned wave to Miles, her gaze lingering upon him for a moment, studying his features over in search for <i>something<span style=\"color:#c0c0c0\"> before she looks toward the entrance. <\/p>\n<p>Evalina walks in with somewhat-hurried steps, being a few minutes late is no strange thing of course, yet she seems uncomfortable nevertheless. She wipes the discomfort away, smiling at Buck, &#8220;Good Afternoon!&#8221; She greets him cheerfully, giving him a nod before heading towards the bar, where she settles down near a corner, then turns to watch thedance floor instead. <\/p>\n<p>A bare hand is lifted in a return wave to Roberta&#8217;s gloved one, and <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Aeryn\/i>\/span<\/span enters with a shimmer of crimson. She smiles to Arachne shortly after, making her way near the bar to settle herself as others arrive. \"Thank you,\" Her eyes focus on Genevieve, and she notes \"You look lovely yourself.\" \n\n<br \/>Miles says &#8220;<span style=\"color:#00afff\">Yes. <\/span>&#8220;<\/p>\n<p>The first thing that <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin<\/span> does is tell Roberta, &#8220;You didn&#8217;t rate my rap,&#8221; in a scolding tone as she&#8217;s approaching the bar, waggling an extended forefigner at her before simply winking at her playfully. &#8220;I put two whole minutes of effort into that song.&#8221; She stresses, &#8220;Two whole minutes, Pinn.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know whether to be jealous or envious of whomever you&#8217;re going to be breaking up with tonight,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Arachne<\/span> murmurs toward Marlow when the Pierce manages to catch her gaze, any words she had prepared for the guests around her already forgotten. <\/p>\n<p>Fashionably late and without pomp or circumstance as usual, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Ambrose<\/span> sidles up alongside the bar and leans against it, gentle and still. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So many hearts waiting to be broken,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> says with a macabre satisfaction as she walks in and sees the growing crowd. She heads toward the bar to join the larger group. &#8220;Who says it won&#8217;t be you?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> teases Arachne. &#8220;Love those shoes, what divine being picked those out?&#8221; she asks. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And I put exactly two seconds into processing it.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> counters, a replying finger directed Malin&#8217;s direction. &#8220;You can have a D plus, but only because I don&#8217;t remember it and cant be bothered to think more on it.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Leaning over from the bar as he gets his whiskey from the bartender, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Buck<\/span> raises it up to Evalina as he gives her a nonchalant toast with it, &#8220;I don&#8217;t believe we&#8217;ve met, Miss. You have me at a rare loss, I thought I knew everyone in this town.&#8221; he holds out a hand, &#8220;Buck Ransom, of the local ones. It&#8217;s my job to know people and things.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Obadiah slides in approaches Aeryn first. &#8220;I believe I have something of yours,&#8221; he says producing a black stick pin and gives it to the woman. &#8220;I believe it will be define with your corset. As Promised.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s fortunately unflappable.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> replies to Miles, &#8220;Nice of you to wear your brown jacket today, I know how you only break that out for special occasions.&#8221; She claims, continuing to greet the others. &#8220;Dobie, I love that dress, you look like a living flame, and we almost match.&#8221; She points out, &#8220;Helen, love the earcuffs.&#8221; She tells Helen with a smile. &#8220;Mars, the broken hearts on that belt are to die for.&#8221; She adds. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Look at you,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Aeryn<\/span> tells Malin, giving an appreciative glance over her gown. &#8220;Absolutely lovely.&#8221; She smiles, leaning in to whisper something to the woman before her head turns and she beams at Obadiah, accepting the pin with a nod of her head. &#8220;Thank you, so much.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Why the very gorgeous being in front of me, already wearing a broken heart on her hip,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Arachne&#8217;s<\/span> mouth curves into a softly humored smile at Marlow, finally shifting her attention toward Genevieve. &#8220;Vie, darling, I simply can&#8217;t wait to see what you have planned for tonight.&#8221; She slips up onto a barstool, settling her crystal-strapped clutch into her lap. <\/p>\n<p>Ambrose peels his sunglasses off and tucks them into his jacket pocket, leaving his people-watching and wandering attention undisguised. <\/p>\n<p>Malin pouts at Roberta through those lightly filler-enhanced lips, but then she decides, &#8220;I did get two seconds of your time, though, and you didn&#8217;t bite me, so I&#8217;m counting that as me winning.&#8221; She nods before giving a wave to Helen and then looks to Genevieve. &#8220;We do. Your outfit is gorgeous, and those shoes are incredible, Vie. We&#8217;re totally twins. I&#8217;m always finding twins.&#8221; As Aeryn compliments her, the Swede smiles at her widely. &#8220;You look amazing, Aeryn.&#8221; The whisper is taken in and then she leans in to whisper in return. <\/p>\n<p>Helen walks up towards the bar area near the crowd and she waves towards Genevieve and some of the others nearby, &#8220;Thank you. I&#8217;m really having to work with less these days since I&#8217;ve arrived mostly because someone lost most of my things!&#8221; She shakes her head and steps up with those boots towards the bar to lean into it, &#8220;Everyone is looking lovly tonight though, going to be an interesting one I&#8217;m sure.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Is that?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> starts to ask Genevieve after giving the shorter woman a head to toe glance over appreciatively, her brows lifting slightly at the sight of her shoes. &#8220;No, of course it isn&#8217;t, but I think you might have won the shoe game with those heels,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> admits somewhat begrudgingly. &#8220;Little mouse,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> greets Aeryn. &#8220;Whenever you&#8217;re ready to grade me, let me know so I can get a drink to calm my nerves first.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Far too many people around for that.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> quips. &#8220;Though you do still owe me a giraffe.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Evalina glances aside to Buck, then smiling, &#8220;Oh,&#8221; She starts, mischief in her eyes, &#8220;But while you don&#8217;t know me, I certainly know you.&#8221; She teases as she takes that hand, barely touching his, an elegant glide more than a shake, &#8220;Evalina Rothwell.&#8221; She finally introduces herself, &#8220;And I trust that you&#8217;ll remember that name, Mr. Ransom.&#8221; Her smile widens ever-so-slightly, and then returns to the dance floor. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Your necktie matches his suit.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> points out to Ambrose and Obadiah, &#8220;I definitely need to see you two dance together at some point together now.&#8221; She claims and then notices Evalina and quirks her head slightly &#8220;Evalina? Why darling lovely to see you.&#8221; She says, hopping off her barstool and heading over to give the other Rothwell a pair of airkisses on either cheek. &#8220;Well I do own a super fancy shoe store, so probably good for me to do so.&#8221; She points out to Marlow, and frowns a little at Malin, &#8220;Oh? What other Twins have you found so far?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Cat in wait,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Aeryn<\/span> greets Marlow in return, sliding into a seat at the bar and crossing one leg over the other. &#8220;I have indeed formed an opinion. I&#8217;ll let you drink first, of course.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Nemi heads over near the bar, sighing softly as she looks at everyone in attendance, and then waves softly to Obadiah and Ambrose with a smile&#8230; and then looks at all the unknown faces present. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> trots in daintily, making her way to the crowd of people at the bar. She waves to Arachne, Obadiah, Malin, Ambrose, Nemi and other familiar faces, holding a hand to her chest after. &#8220;My goodness I hope I&#8217;m not too late!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Buck gives a tip of his hat to Evalina, &#8220;Aah, yes. Your reputation precedes you. Glad to see you. I hope it&#8217;s nothing but good that you&#8217;ve heard.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> beams at Aeryn. &#8220;Wonderful! And what a gorgeous dress that is!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Your earrings are to die for, I was just telling Aeryn earlier that I&#8217;m really loving the gothic look,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> tells Malin as she flags down the bartender, ordering a glass of whiskey. <\/p>\n<p>Malin recalls to Genevieve, &#8220;Well, I&#8217;m Dobie because everyone thought I was Dovie my first few days here, so I just rolled with it until Dovie found out I was pretending to be her&#8230;&#8221; She pauses, and then nods to Marlow, &#8220;And I think we pinky swore we were twins&#8230;&#8221; Then she says, &#8220;And Mab and I are both being accused of dating Derek Fairchild, so we&#8217;re twinning there, and now.&#8221; A gesture is given to Genevieve gently with her right hand. &#8220;We kind of match.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>The commentary from Genevieve steals <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Ambrose&#8217;s<\/span> attention away easily enough, and it draws a little ghost of a smile back onto his lips for her. Following suit to Obadiah, he supposes placidly, &#8220;No surprise that we match in some ways, Mister Mercer.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Aeryn watches Marlow flag down that bartender with a grin curving her lips upward. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Sorry, was planning to pick up something fancy but I wound up spending three hours scrubbing gold body paint off while trying not to concuss myself in the shower this morning,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Miles<\/span> relays to Genevieve while raising his arms to model the jacket as though it were anything but everyday wear. Glancing over his shoulder, he calls out to Obadiah with a, &#8220;Cousin!&#8221; then tosses him a thumbs-up. &#8220;See, at least one Mercer decided to dress the heartbreaker today.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Evalina&#8217;s eyes flit to Genevieve and a bright &#8211; yet practiced &#8211; smile grows on her face as she returns the airkisses, &#8220;Likewise, Vie. I&#8217;ve heard you&#8217;ve been having some interesting experiences in this city,&#8221; She shares with an amused grin, &#8220;I&#8217;d love to hear about it, some other time, when you&#8217;re not mid-event.&#8221; Her eyes turn to Buck as she lets out a giggle at his comment, &#8220;Oh my. A reputation? For little me?&#8221; She smiles as she settles back on her stool, &#8220;How exciting..&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Obadiah smiles at Aeryn and winks at her, before looking around her and nodding to Arachne and looking to Dovie and letting his eyes drift to August. &#8220;Dovie! August! How good of you to join us.&#8221; He leans back against the bar with a mischievous grin before looking to Ambrose, &#8220;You have impecable taste, Warden. Great minds think alike.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Genevieve smiles brightly at Dovie, &#8220;I don&#8217;t believe we&#8217;ve met, I&#8217;m Vie. Love the crown, so few people know what to do with a good hair accessory these days.&#8221; She claims, although Malin&#8217;s explanation draws her eyebrows higher if anything. &#8220;I don&#8217;t believe I&#8217;ve met Derek Fairchild, is he awfully handsome then?&#8221; She wonders. &#8220;Gold&#8230; Body paint?&#8221; She wonders idly of Miles. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hey, gang,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> tells others &#8211; not discriminating at all about who to include in that gang while he fixes a few buttons at the top of his shirt. Obadiah gets a particular upnod, a faint smile, the usual &#8211; but he&#8217;s soon sliding into the nearest available space beside Marlow. &#8220;What do we have for drinks? I need to get sloshes before I&#8217;m breaking up with anyone.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Malin gives a sincere, pillow-lipped smile at Marlow. &#8220;Thank you. Your whole outfit is wowing, Mars. Plus, you have good taste in shoes, even if you are anti-rhinestone.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll second that,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Aeryn<\/span> nods her head to Obadiah. &#8220;I do love a good suit, I can&#8217;t lie.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>At the sound of her younger relation&#8217;s name, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Arachne<\/span> cannot help the subtle crinkle of her nose in distaste toward Malin. &#8220;You&#8217;re both forbidden from trifling with my cousin. I will not have my blood relations mingling. It&#8217;d be a headache for me,&#8221; she murmurs over the rim of her flute of champagne, gray eyes sweeping toward Dovie briefly, head coming to a slight tilt while she takes in the flower-crowned nymph&#8217;s attire. &#8220;Hmm,&#8221; she hums, more vibration than sound, before looking on toward Obadiah. &#8220;The burgundy does suit you best. I made a great choice.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Buck grins to Evalina, &#8220;Everyone&#8217;s got a story.&#8221; he gives a nod to Genevieve as he listens for a name from Dovie. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t even know him,&#8221; comes <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin&#8217;s<\/span> confession to Genevieve. &#8220;So, it was definitely news to me!&#8221; She stares at Arachne. &#8220;I don&#8217;t want your cousin. Don&#8217;t worry.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> glides over to Obadiah. &#8220;What are we drinking tonight?&#8221; she wonders before turning to Genevieve. &#8220;Oh, such a pleasure to meet you, Vie! Too sweet of you to say, I love your look as well. I&#8217;m an unabashed fan of roses. Dovie Rose Fairchild,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> says by way of reciprocated introduction, offering a smile too to Buck. <\/p>\n<p>That hint of a bow to <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Ambrose&#8217;s<\/span> lips lingers fo Obadiah, and he issues a nod of agreement, then looks past to Miles. It&#8217;s equally placid and toneless as always, deadpan. &#8220;That&#8217;s what that was. I thought it was raining or we had sprung a leak.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Nemi sighs softly, drifting to the sidelines, not one for socializing&#8230; or knowing many people to socialize with in such a setting that matter or would attend it seems. <\/p>\n<p>Obadiah glances to Miles, &#8220;Pfft. I break hearts, mine is too stone cold to be broken.&#8221; He motions to Evalina, and Genevieve, &#8220;The Rothwell ladies though might just win at breaking it&#8230; Who knows?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Aeryn casts an incredulous look at her phone before a brief glance upward and the hint of a sigh. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Wait, was that you?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> asks Malin when she mentions twinning. &#8220;I&#8217;ll admit things got so hectic that night I actually forgot to ask who my twin was, behind the mask.&#8221; She sticks out one foot, showing off a very basic Louboutin. &#8220;It&#8217;s not that I&#8217;m anti-rhinestone,&#8221; she claims. &#8220;I just&#8230;&#8221; A pause. &#8220;Well, maybe I am anti-rhinestone, actually.&#8221; She leans into August&#8217;s side briefly. &#8220;Whiskey, wine, how strong of a lubricant do you need to get your breakup juices flowing?&#8221; she asks him. <\/p>\n<p>As people gather <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> stands and makes a gesture to the DJ who starts a playlist of breakup themed pop songs:<i>13 https:\/\/w2g.tv\/?r=97u4vkmv4bniyqgcx0 <\/i> <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That we do.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Evalina<\/span> agrees with Buck, &#8220;But not all stories are best sellers.&#8221; She adds with mirthful eyes, then glancing to Obadiah. &#8220;Oh my. Are you trying to pit me against my own cousin?&#8221; She suggests, &#8220;I&#8217;m not the type to disrespect my family.&#8221; A shrug follows, and she&#8217;s back to watching the dance floor. <\/p>\n<p>Malin stresses to Obadiah, &#8220;Nobie, you wear Hawaiian shirts, like Matthew, and it breaks our hearts that you lack style. That&#8217;s all.&#8221; Looking to Marlow, she nods, confirming, &#8220;That was meeeee, yes,&#8221; as she stretches out that vowel sound. &#8220;You are anti rhinestone, that&#8217;s why I had to make a toast to rhinestones everywhere so they didn&#8217;t suffer too much from your rejection.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No rhinestones?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Aeryn<\/span> wonders of Marlow. &#8220;Not even one?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Buck gives a few long moments to take in Dovie as he fishes out his phone and taps on it, updating some notes. <\/p>\n<p>A brief wince ensues at that touch to his side, but <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> only manages to grumble under his breath, spare a long look at Marlow. That jaded smirk, sharp as ever, returns beneath the baleful green of his gaze. &#8220;Get me some whiskey and I&#8217;ll promise to ruin your make-up in public.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>The moment Ariana&#8217;s soft voice filters through the room, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Arachne&#8217;s<\/span> lashes lid over silver eyes, dust rose-glazed lips molding the lyrics in a silent sing-a-long as her hips lazily gyrate in her chair, sipping primly on her champagne glass. <\/p>\n<p>Obadiah laughs to Malin, &#8220;So what I heard you say, Dobie, is that I need to rent a boat and have a boat party, were the attire is no shirt no shoes no problem?&#8221; He smirks at her a little more, barely containing laughter, &#8220;I do think I will have to do that, come to think of it. Before summer is over. Maybe I can get King to take his shirt of.&#8221; He flips his head to Miles, &#8220;Hey! Do you think we can get King to take his shirt off?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I said what I said,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Miles<\/span> replies to Genevieve. &#8220;I was a golden god for the masquerade last night, and then I was the Fool.&#8221; To the bartender, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Miles<\/span> requests: &#8220;Whiskey, double neat.&#8221; He pauses to consider Obadiah seriously for a while, while his hand reaches out to take his whiskey. &#8220;No,&#8221; he decides. &#8220;But I bet we could get him to wear an open button-up or a real deep vee and show off all that chest hair.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If you can handle that much nippleage going on, why not?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin<\/span> says aside to Obadiah. &#8220;Besides, I&#8217;ve been thinking about wine boarding people lately, and a boat sounds like a great place to try that out at. A yacht would be preferable.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Mab made me concede to rhinestones on fingernails, because diamonds are impractical, but I still say why bother with rhinestones when crystals exist?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> asks Aeryn, as if this is the most reasonable thing ever. She reaches out for Malin&#8217;s hand expectantly. &#8220;You&#8217;re always wanting to ruin something, must be your genetics,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> tells August as she orders his drink. <\/p>\n<p>Buck gives a tip of his hat to Charlotte, &#8220;Afternoon, Miss Harker. Good to see you out and about.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> follows up her reply to ask Genevieve. &#8220;Are you the host this evening? If so, I must say, I was so tickled by hearing about the idea of this event! I&#8217;m terribly excited,&#8221; she gushes. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I can see both points, though I&#8217;d probably just go right for the diamonds,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Aeryn<\/span> notes to Marlow, before lifting a flute to her lips for a sip of champagne. <\/p>\n<p>Nemi sighs softly as she heads over to the bar yet stops halfway there. Seemingly lost in transition as she glances around at everyone present. Her voice fails her in that moment as she simply stands there before wandering to find a seat. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh my.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Cadalie<\/span> mutters once again. <\/p>\n<p>After a while of acquainting herself with the room, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Helen<\/span> begins to migrate slowly in Malin&#8217;s direction, the natural movement between people and places to try and get closer to someone else, which brings her towards Aeryn as well. She waves with a lifted hand of fluttered fingers and says to her, &#8220;A lot of new faces in here for me, trying to keep track of names, but it is going to probably be a disaster, might lead to a breakup if I can&#8217;t remember someone&#8217;s name, right?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>As the grat propher Kesha says, the party don&#8217;t start till <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Charlotte<\/span> walks in. She strolls over towards the bar, giving nods and smiles to her colleagues as she strolls through. Buck gets a slightly confused head nod in response to his greeting, but for the moment, she&#8217;s focused on booze. Conversation can come later. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Meridith<\/span> enters into the zoo of people and waves her hand over at the door as she loses sight of Cadalie. &#8220;Over here!&#8221; She calls. Then smiles, leaning back against the bar, peering at what&#8217;s available. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I suppose if your middle name is Rose it&#8217;s probably a good thing you like them.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> muses to Dovie, giving Charlotte a bright smile as she joins them. &#8220;Good evening, I don&#8217;t believe we&#8217;ve met, I&#8217;m Vie, and I must say, very impressive choice of neckline depth.&#8221; She says before nodding a little at at Dovie &#8220;Yes indeed, and why thank you.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Perfect reason for the breakup,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Aeryn<\/span> tells Helen, motioning toward a seat nearby. &#8220;Or, I would think at the least.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;My apologies, Miss Harker. Buck Ransom. I make it a habit to know people. You&#8217;re into jewelry, antiques, embroidery? Very interesting hobbies.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Buck<\/span> says with a grin to her. <\/p>\n<p>Malin stands near Aeryn, and beckons Helen over to her encourage her further. &#8220;Come here, Helen. Look at you! You look great!&#8221; But then Matthew is making his arrival and she yells to him, very unladylike, &#8220;Matthew Montrose! Get your ass over next to mine right this instant!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If you&#8217;re putting diamonds on your nails, where do I sign up to be your sugar baby?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> asks Aeryn, her hand still held out for Malin&#8217;s. &#8220;Here comes trouble,&#8221; she notes, seeing Matthew arrive. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Must be, or maybe I think you&#8217;d look better in shambles.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> tells Marlow while taking the drink she bought for him, sliding it closer. His other hand, however, slide along her back &#8211; slips around her waist. &#8220;Are you so sure we&#8217;ll be matched? I&#8217;d hate to break your heart, Mars. You might actually cry.&#8221; Thereafter, he takes a long sip &#8211; then sets his jaw on the top of Marlow&#8217; head to look over at others. <\/p>\n<p>Buck gives a tip of his hat to Robert, &#8220;Afternoon, Robert. Good to see you here.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Malin gives her hand over to Marlow, looking at the other woman curiously. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The silent woman at the front of my shop accepts all the applications,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Aeryn<\/span> grins to Marlow. &#8220;They&#8217;re rather lengthy, though, I have to warn.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Matthew<\/span> slips into the ballroom with a quiet ease of someone who was always meant to arrive late. His entrance is more whisper than statement, no fanfare nor spotlight, just some glittering shoes as he settles into the space. He&#8217;s scanning the crowd when his name&#8217;s being yelled though still he lingers where he stands, his smile working into a half-shadow of his usual charm. <\/p>\n<p>Charlotte takes a sip of her flute, then examines it briefly before cottoning on to Genevieve is speaking to her. &#8220;I&#8217;m Charlotte, dear. Lovely to meet you, and thank you. If you have amazing tits, why not show them off?&#8221; She&#8217;s honest, at least. Her eyes scan the room as she ponders who to post up next to. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> leans over towards Obadiah. &#8220;Did I hear someone criticizing you for Hawaiian style? I must have words with them. Strong ones,&#8221; she decides. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s my bestest friend,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin<\/span> stresses to Marlow about Matthew. &#8220;He&#8217;s part of the Ma-triarchy. Malin, Matthew, and Mab. It&#8217;s a secret cult,&#8221; she spills the secret. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Thank you, thank you. I managed to get something together in time,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Helen<\/span> says to Malin as she walks up closer to the woman and Aeryn, twisting side to side to send her skirts billowing out from herself and opening up the colorful brightness of the patterns before they cling back together towards her legs after the movement. She waves towards Matthew, but turns back to Malin and Aeryn, &#8220;You two look lovely. I can already tell we have a lot of big personalities in the room today, going to be funny to see everyone trying to outdo one another.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Aeryn nods her head. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Eminem gang,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Miles<\/span> greets Matthew with a thumbs-up, before burying his face in his whiskey. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Matthew&#8217;s<\/span> circuit carries him to the bar where Malin has called; the start of his social rounds, though, begin with family, and his cousin, Arachne, offering her a fond &#8220;Hey,&#8221; ships passing in the night as she makes her way to the windows. <\/p>\n<p>August stares at Aeryn as if she doesn&#8217;t get the joke. Then quietly takes another long sip of his drink, lays it back over the counter to rest his cheek back on Marlow&#8217; head and perusing people through that harsh, trademarked stare like they&#8217;re set on the chopping block, a wandering set of meat for the butchery. <\/p>\n<p>Robert raises his hand at Buck and meanders his way on over, &#8220;Hey, Buck. How&#8217;s it going? Last night work out good?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I am the lovable goofie squid who everyone lets get away with shit,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Obadiah<\/span> tells Dovie before nodding towards the windows. &#8220;She is over there.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> flutters over towards Arachne at the windows, away from the bar. &#8220;Darling cousin, a vision as always. &#8220;Cheers to heartbreaking breakups tonight?&#8221; she suggests, holding up her glass towards Arachne in a toast. <\/p>\n<p>Silent up until now, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> appears perfectly content to linger, though at the arrival of a few of the patrons, there&#8217;s the flicker of fingers in a wave. For all of that, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> is a small thing, and can therefor easily lose herself within the crowd, just as she likes, with the larger personalities&#8211; and people taking the fore. <\/p>\n<p>Raising his whiskey as <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Buck<\/span> takes a drink of it, &#8220;No, was a pretty heavy night. Ended up dealing with my own problems intead of someone else&#8217;s, but that&#8217;s probably healthy.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Arachne extends out her half-empty flute for a bartender to refresh with bubbly, rose-glazed lips upturning just-so to accompany her soft, &#8220;Hey,&#8221; spoken in turn. &#8220;You did not embarrass me. Keep it up, trouble.&#8221; She slips out of the larger crowd amassed around the bar, seeking a moment of respite out near the windows, content to sip and watch for a moment. <\/p>\n<p>Malin looks to August. &#8220;I have many names, and at least ten identities on me at the moment. So, I think I can pick whichever one I want right now, right?&#8221; She lifts both medium-width eyebrows and then looks back to Helen. &#8220;I look forward to it very much.&#8221; Blue eyes fall to Marlow&#8217; hand and she widens them some at the produced ring. &#8220;Are we engaged now? Twins can&#8217;t marry right? Matthew probably knows &#8212; I think he was researching the legality of marrying family members the other night.&#8221; A squinted look is given to Matthew before she winks at him playfully. <\/p>\n<p>Charlotte eyeballs Buck, tilting her head at his comment, then replies &#8220;Yes, well, it&#8217;s not difficult to read a MyHaven profile, is it?&#8221; she asks, tone polite, before turning back to the room at large. She decides, interestingly, to sidle up to Miles for the moment, greeting him with a cheerful smile and a &#8220;Ah, so the towel isn&#8217;t permanently attached to you. I&#8217;d wondered.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t treat me like I&#8217;m short when Arachne exists right there,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> ducks from under August&#8217;s chin indignantly, gesturing toward the much shorter woman in question. When she gets hold of Malin&#8217;s hand, she slips a ring onto the woman&#8217;s finger, the broken crystal heart matching the one hanging from her belt. &#8220;Twins,&#8221; she reiterates with satisfaction. <\/p>\n<p>Buck smirks to Charlotte, &#8220;You&#8217;d be surprised how much people don&#8217;t know the least bit about people in town.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Engaged?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Aeryn<\/span> gives Malin a look that includes a faux-pout. &#8220;I&#8217;ll have to sulk in my champagne a bit.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>After a few moments of apparent stillness, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Ambrose<\/span> backpedals away from the bar and drifts quietly back out. <\/p>\n<p>As the clock hits half past, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> steps away from the bar and chimes her drink a few times with a little silver spoon. &#8220;Welcome one and all to the Ballroom Breakup Bash, please feel free to circulate, dance and drink as you see fit. There&#8217;s no need to stay by the bar if it&#8217;s too loud for you.&#8221; She explains, &#8220;It&#8217;s a truism that love is the greatest thing in the world, that is of course, after messy and dramatic breakups.&#8221; She opines, &#8220;So tonight we&#8217;re all going to get to enjoy all the fun of a good, messy breakup without any of that pesky dating stuff first.&#8221; She says with a casual flip of her wrist. &#8220;So to begin put yourself forward if you&#8217;d like to try your hand at breaking up with someone, and you can choose someone you want to break up with, or I can choose for you, and of course I myself am always available as an option if there&#8217;s really nobody else&#8217;s heart you want to risk.&#8221; She concludes, &#8220;So, who would like you put their name forward first, you can tell me privately as well if you&#8217;d prefer.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Not engaged,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> assures Aeryn. &#8220;Just twins.&#8221; She then turns to listen to the hostess explain the rules. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s in my van,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Miles<\/span> informs Charlotte with a grin, firing off a quick text and then tucking his phone away again. &#8220;It&#8217;s always the moments when you think you won&#8217;t need a towel and neglect to bring it when you find out that you do, in fact, need one. I forgot it last night and immediately spilled my drink. Better safe than sorry, always bring a towel.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Malin gasps some as she looks over the ring, and then looks back to Marlow, mascara-laden lashes batting repeatedly. &#8220;She&#8217;s a very nice twin,&#8221; she says to Aeryn while staring at Marlow. &#8220;I think we have to move to Arkansas to get engaged when relations are that close.&#8221; Then she flashes an innocent smile. &#8220;I am sober right now. Something is wrong.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Nemi walks around, looking to those in the crowd, looking at the faces present as she remains open to be whisked away for a conversation for anything, a deep breath in being taken as she lets it out softly while she walks around and observes everything. <\/p>\n<p>Aeryn snickers softly, pausing to put a glass in Malin&#8217;s hand before leaning comfortably against her. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I volunteer as tribute,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> tells Genevieve gamely. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You are short,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> chastises Marlow when she slips out from underneath him, but he still keeps a hand set on her side, even if he too leans away to give her the room. A roll of those green eyes, and he finds Malin to stare next. Something that doesn&#8217;t linger, because he seems to decide that she&#8217;s forever to be dubbed Dobie. In further wandering, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August&#8217;s<\/span> gaze lands on Genevieve &#8211; and he breaks away from Marlow fully to turn in his seat, lift up his glass. &#8220;Count me in for the break-up, I&#8217;ll take on anyone.&#8221; The whiskey is tipped in a minute toast &#8211; then tipped back so he can take a hefty swig of it. Lubricating with liquid courage for the eventual public blow-out. <\/p>\n<p>Robert peels away from the bar, suddenly, as his phone beeps, his stride brisk and a subtle frown on his features. <\/p>\n<p>Arachne looks away from quiet words shared with Dovie when Genevieve steps away from the bar, the echoing ring of her silver spoon against glass summoning her attention full. She raises her glass high in salute to the hostess, immediately declaring, &#8220;I&#8217;ll throw my name in as well! Match me with someone who is going to leave me utterly <i>devastated<span style=\"color:#c0c0c0\">. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Not the worst policy&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Charlotte\/i>\/span<\/span concedes to Miles, snorting a little as she takes another sip. \"I asked Pax if it was you signalling a full commitment to the Margaritaville life, but she didn't know, so I figured I'd take my question ot the source.\" Damn girl, just tell everybody about the roast-y texts you're out there sending. She briefly checks her own phone (full of more shit talking?), then secrets it...somewhere. \n\n<br \/>&#8220;Your mom is short,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> tells August at his accusation. &#8220;See, this is why we&#8217;re breaking up,&#8221; she tells him, eyeing him over the rim of her glass as she sips her whiskey. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> chimes in after Arachne towards Genevieve. &#8220;I&#8217;ll leave my future up to Fate, and the whims of our hostess!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;First up I believe Mars will be breaking up with August.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> announces, &#8220;After a torrid, on again off again torrid affair I do believe I heard.&#8221; She claims, making space for Marlow and August. <\/p>\n<p>Buck gives a tip of his hat to Genevieve, &#8220;I&#8217;ll throw my hat into the ring, Miss Rothwell.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Matthew<\/span> 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&#8217;s tray, his gratitude subtle and delivered with a catch of eyes and a dipping head before he arrives to his final destination. &#8220;Hey, you all look&#8211;&#8221; a thorough up and down sweep of his eyes for each of the women, &#8220;beautifully stunning, and you&#8211;&#8221; his gaze cuts to Marlow, &#8220;handsome.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Malin accepts the drink gratefully from Aeryn, telling her, &#8220;Thank you. You just saved my life,&#8221; 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&#8217;s listening to Genevieve&#8217;s announcement, giving a gentle squeeze to Aeryn&#8217;s wrist briefly. <\/p>\n<p>With two fingers extended, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Miles<\/span> raises his hand to wish the odds ever be in Marlow&#8217;s favor, but otherwise remains preoccupied with his whiskey for the time being. To Charlotte, he advises that: &#8220;There are worse lives to lead, but if we&#8217;re being honest, Jimmy Buffett wishes he was as cool as me.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Helen looks towards the ring Malin is given and she says to Marlow, &#8220;That is a fetching ring, and I don&#8217;t know if we have met properly, but my name is Helen&#8230;&#8221; She gestures towards Malin and Aeryn, &#8220;I know those two, but still meeting plenty of people daily, yourself included.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Obadiah takes a drink of whiskey and lowers his glass saying, to no one in particular, but maybe Evalina, &#8220;I want to be like Miles when I grow up. He is so cool.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Malin tells Matthew, &#8220;We&#8217;re all matchy matchy again,&#8221; once he&#8217;s over by the gathered group. She nods to confirm the fact that Helen knows her. &#8220;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.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You can include me in the pile of randoms.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> decides, calling out to Genevieve from her place beside the bar. <\/p>\n<p>Evalina smells her champagne, about to take a sip as Obadiah says that, her eyes looking at him curiously. &#8220;You know, I don&#8217;t know Miles. I am sure he&#8217;s fantastic.&#8221; She suggests, softly bumping him with her elbow, &#8220;But you&#8217;re pretty cool yourself, you know? You&#8217;re you, and that&#8217;s more than enough for anyone.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;My mom is short.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> tells Marlow, starts to set his glass away and leave his seat, too. &#8220;It&#8217;s your own genes, so stop complaining and let&#8217;s play the game.&#8221; That tone, ever scathing, remains that way towards his one and dear cousin. &#8220;And you,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> nods towards Genevieve, &#8220;You&#8217;re getting into a habit of calling my name first in these things, calm your thunder before I start to get any ideas.&#8221; Naturally, Marlow isn&#8217;t given a hand to help her onto the stage he&#8217;s walking to himself. He&#8217;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. &#8220;It looks like I&#8217;m about to turn into a bachelor in the next few seconds, maybe give me a call after this.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Nemi meanders over to Evalina and Obadiah eventually with a smile. &#8220;Well look at the beauty my Boss has fished up out of all of the fish in the sea.&#8221; She mentions with a smile. &#8220;You would&#8217;nt be breaking his poor heart would you?&#8221; She questions with a smile, a joking grin maybe at the balls theme. <\/p>\n<p>Charlotte grins at Obadiah, bringing him into the conversation with &#8220;Is a man who announces his coolness to the room <i>truly<\/i> cool?&#8221; in a cheerful tone. &#8220;What do you think?&#8221; This question is turned towards Miles, giving him the opportunity to defend himself. Matthew gets a wave as he&#8217;s schmoozing and moving, and Mab&#8217;s entrance is acknowledged with a raise of her flute. <\/p>\n<p>Buck gives a tip of his brimmed hat to Mab, &#8220;Afternoon, Miss Montrose.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hey Matthew,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Helen<\/span> says to Matthew as he nears the group and she waves to him, &#8220;I like the outfit, brough the lasso just in case, too&#8230; I like how committed you are to labeling everything with &#8216;M&#8217; for Moo.&#8221; She tilts towards Malin as the woman explains and she says, &#8220;That is exactly right. I won simply because my name was longer, and I didn&#8217;t even know it was a competition, that is how well it worked out.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Malin squeals out, &#8220;Lady Mab!&#8221; at Mab, beckoning her over. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Here we go,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> says when she&#8217;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, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> takes a deep, unnecessary breath before she begins. &#8220;August. My love. My obsession. My&#8230; nephew,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> adds. &#8220;It&#8217;s been a whirlwind of a month?&#8221; She nods. &#8220;A month,&#8221; she decides. &#8220;But I&#8217;m afraid it&#8217;s just not working. You&#8217;re a Pierce. I&#8217;m a Pierce. You&#8217;re insufferable. I&#8217;m insufferable. You&#8217;re self-absorbed, I&#8217;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&#8217;s just a bit too much like sucking face with a mirror.&#8221; She lifts her glass toward him seriously. &#8220;We&#8217;re done.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>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&#8217;s got their names down on the list. &#8220;Do I?&#8221; She wonders of August, &#8220;I hadn&#8217;t even realized, it must be those tight slacks, a girl just can&#8217;t help herself.&#8221; She claims, giving Mab a bright smile of greeting as she joins the gathering. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Aeryn<\/span> beams at Matthew, &#8220;You look quite fetching,&#8221; she notes, a soft smile turned to Malin afterward. It doesn&#8217;t take long before her eyes are set on August and Marlow, and she takes a sip of champagne, watching. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> chokes a little on her champagne at listening to Mab&#8217;s &#8216;confession&#8217;, a giggle burbling from her lips. <\/p>\n<p>Malin watches as Marlow and August have their breakup. <\/p>\n<p>A laugh bubbles from <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Cadalie&#8217;s<\/span> throat, tragically popping against the flood of tea from her mouth. The result is catastrophic and nosey. <\/p>\n<p>Evalina grins at Nemi, then sticking out a hand to the other woman, &#8220;Evalina Rothwell,&#8221; She introduces herself, narrowing her eyes for a moment as she thinks, then grinning, &#8220;Professional Heartbreaker. I intend to leave the man soulless wreck.&#8221; She claims, then tilting her head, &#8220;Though I suspect my heart won&#8217;t be better for it either. Ah, woe to me. Why is it that every time I try to destroy a man&#8217;s sensitive heart, it hurts mine?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Fashionably late? <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> arrives in a resplendent golden corset dress, with black rhinestone Louboutins. &#8220;Sorry I&#8217;m late, I wouldn&#8217;t miss this though,&#8221; she announces as she arrives at the bar, in a strangely sarcastic sounding tone. Turning to the Montrose Clan, she then demands, &#8220;Forgive me?&#8221; 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. &#8220;Am I too late to participate?&#8221; she asks. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You haven&#8217;t met Miles?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Obadiah<\/span> says with a look of shock before he turns and gives Nemi a hug, careful not to spill his whiskey. &#8220;Glad you are safe. I am sure Miss Rothwell will make sure my heart remains unbroken,&#8221; he says releasing her before looking back to Evalina, &#8220;I really must introduce you to the better looking Mercer!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Obie is <i>way<\/i> cooler than I&#8217;ll ever be,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Miles<\/span> affirms Charlotte&#8217;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: &#8220;Mab banned me from calling her Drama because people were starting to think it&#8217;s her real name.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>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. &#8220;Those are amicable reasons for a break up. Not nearly messy enough,&#8221; she opines in aside to Dovie. &#8220;I wonder who you&#8217;ll be paired with.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And I wonder who you will be paired with as well, but I suppose that&#8217;s the fun, of Fate.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> watches August and Marlow, nodding at Arachne. &#8220;That is true that those are amicable reasons.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hey Helen,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Matthew<\/span> 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. &#8220;Yeah,&#8221; he says, keeping his voice low, laconic for the time being, &#8220;I am, if anything, committed.&#8221; He huffs a small breath of amusing, turning then to Malin, confirming, &#8220;Yes, we all got the red and black memo, didn&#8217;t we?&#8221; 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. <\/p>\n<p>Evalina cocks her head at Obadiah, &#8220;I matched him on MyHaven. Isn&#8217;t that enough?&#8221; She says with a chuckle, drinking from her champagne as she follows his attention to Miles, &#8220;I&#8217;ll admit he is handsome though.&#8221; She murmurs in a softer tone, &#8220;But I am not sure you noticed,&#8221; Her eyes return to Obadiah, &#8220;So are you. That outfit yesterday would have gotten a pride of lions riled up.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>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. &#8220;Well, we can&#8217;t have that. If I were so queenly named, I&#8217;d insist on a lack of nicknames as well.&#8221; I mean, her name IS Charlotte, but whatever. <\/p>\n<p>Nemi yelps as she&#8217;s given the big hug by Obadiah. She nods firmly over and over as she&#8217;s left embarrassed. &#8220;I must figure out why you treat my like a little sister-&#8221; She mumbles softly before she turns and nods to Evalina. &#8220;It&#8217;s lovely to meet you miss Rothwell, Nemi Ivorstead at your service, professional assistant and future tissue finance manager when Mister Obadiah&#8217;s heart shatters into many snowflake sized pieces as blue as the ocean.&#8221; She states dramatically. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re a stunner yourself,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> greets Matthew, &#8220;Bedazzled Js and all,&#8221; she tells him. &#8220;What are you drinking?&#8221; She looks to Helen then, expression thoughtful. &#8220;No, I don&#8217;t think we&#8217;ve met, Helen. I&#8217;m Mars. Mars Pierce,&#8221; she introduces herself in turn. &#8220;That&#8217;s a very unique looking pendant, does it mean anything in particular?&#8221; she asks, gesturing toward her necklace. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Flattery will get you anything,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> tells Genevieve, as if it&#8217;s the most natural thing for a sleazebag to do, to flirt in the midst of his own break-up. It&#8217;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 &#8211; Agast, he&#8217;s moving, in a clear stride to take hold of her wrist. Those hard-hewn features, and the harsh quality of his stare, they&#8217;re put right again Marlow.  <\/p>\n<p>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. &#8220;Drunkard.&#8221; And in the next breath, he lays it out. &#8220;You&#8217;re right, this lasted long enough.&#8221; The start is like the start of a confession, or a murder in the severity of his voice. &#8220;Without question, you&#8217;re the greatest mitake my blood has ever made. I should&#8217;ve known better than to date a symptom, but here&#8217;s what,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> inches closer to level his face against Marlow&#8217;s own, lips aligned to hers, just shy of touching. &#8220;If I wanted to fuck something with my own face, I&#8217;d pick a mirror that talked far less.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I was pretty frustrated,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Obadiah<\/span> acknowledges the rumor mill with a tilt of his glass. <\/p>\n<p>Genevieve shakes her head at Mab, &#8220;Not at all, would you like to break up with anyone in particular, or rather leave it up to fate?&#8221; She checks as she watches Marlow and August. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t have rhinestones today, though,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin<\/span> says, pouting at Matthew. &#8220;I wanted to support Mars&#8217; hatred of them today,&#8221; she claims, but is probably just bee essing, nodding at Marlow. Another large gulp of her champagne is taken. <\/p>\n<p>Malin gazes at Mab. <\/p>\n<p>Meridith giggles softly and gives a little smirk <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> watches August and Marlow, an eyebrow raising as a hand presses to her bosom. &#8220;Oh my&#8230;&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Fate has broken my heart one time too many,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> tells Genevieve, and then stretches out an accusatory arm to point firmly at Malin. &#8220;I wish to break up with Sir Malin, my homewrecker.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Both eyebrows raise, and <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Aeryn<\/span> nearly chokes a bit on champagne. &#8220;Wow.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Genevieve wipes at an imaginary tear as she watches Marlow and August, &#8220;Such a tragedy when incest doesn&#8217;t work out.&#8221; She faux-laments, &#8220;Let&#8217;s give them all a hand.&#8221; She tells the others, leading in a small round of applause for Marlow and August, &#8220;May you both find more appropriately toxic relationships in the future.&#8221; She prays before gesturing to Evalina and Obadiah, &#8220;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&#8217;s what I heard.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s blissful, really, that expression that forms across <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin&#8217;s<\/span> face as Mab chooses her. <\/p>\n<p>raising his glass of whiskey, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Buck<\/span> says, &#8220;I give that breakup an Oedipus Rex out of ten.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> claps politely for Marlow and August, raising her champagne in a toast afterwards before she grins at Obadiah, nudging his side. &#8220;Break a leg, and a heart!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Malin ups her blood alcohol content level to ready herself for Mab. <\/p>\n<p>Helen reaches up to touch the pendant near her clavicle and she moves the spiraling design slightly, &#8220;Thank you, and it is a pleasure to meet you&#8230;&#8221; She offers a hand out towards Marlow afterwards, &#8220;It probably has a specific story, but it isn&#8217;t mine. I acquired it in a shop on my travels one day when I spotted it, but I&#8217;ve yet to find the original owner or the history of it. I&#8217;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.&#8221; She gestures towards Marlow, &#8220;What is the story with that ring of heartbreak you gave Malin, you have&#8230; another one somewhere on you, right? Twins was it?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> brings her hands to the side of her face and claps, for both the devastated Pierces, and for Evalina and Obadiah&#8217;s ascent. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh, you&#8217;re going to need&#8230;.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Aeryn<\/span> seems to make a decision, procuring another drink for Malin. &#8220;More.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I matched with Jules, too,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Miles<\/span> relays to Evalina. &#8220;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,&#8221; he feigns sadness, then buries it in his whiskey. He tilts his head at Obadiah, seemingly lost in the sauce, and wonders dumbly: &#8220;Which two?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Helen waves towards Mab, especially once she notes that Malin is the one she will be breaking up with, &#8220;Hello, Mab, now, is she is a homewrecker in the traditional sense, or the more blatantly simple sense?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>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. &#8220;This is gonna hurt,&#8221; he pauses and looks to Genevieve, &#8220;Just to be clear, ghosting is not an approved strategy, right?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>When Genevieve announces the next ill-fated pairing for an explosive breakup, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Arachne<\/span> raises her flute of champagne toward Obadiah and Evalina in encouragement. &#8220;Make the breakup more tragic than his legendary pursuit of you!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Malin sets the empty flute down, and accepts the next beverage from the ever thoughtful Aeryn. &#8220;Thank you,&#8221; she tells Aeryn as she peers into the glass of whiskey. &#8220;This isn&#8217;t champagne.&#8221; Thank you, Captain Obvious. The captain proceeds to drink. <\/p>\n<p>Charlotte withdraws from her current conversation, shifting to lean against the bar with her drink in hand. She&#8217;s looking a little overwhelmed at the moment, and so focuses her attention on the breakup. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You&#8217;d need about six glasses more if it were,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Aeryn<\/span> tells Malin with a light grin. &#8220;Liquid courage, and all.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I didn&#8217;t even get to the public blow-out,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> complains, spends his breath in a sigh. Instead, he politely extends his hand &#8211; then very unpolitely takes Marlow&#8217; own in his own, laces their fingers to hold her hand up and lead her off the stage towards the bar. &#8220;I half-expected you to drop that clinical assessment of me you did the other day,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> adds to Marlow as an aside, &#8220;You would&#8217;ve killed me, and the crowd.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Marlow&#8217; words pull <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Matthew<\/span> from his laconic daze like a fish being reeled in from beneath the water&#8217;s surface. &#8220;Your words won&#8217;t fool me, Mars,&#8221; he banters back instead, &#8220;I know your angle, you&#8217;re just tryna butter me up so so it&#8217;s extra tragic when you break up with me!&#8221; He rests a hand over his bleeding heart, &#8220;Your tricks won&#8217;t work on me, I&#8217;m well guarded.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I should probably wait for our turn to start unpacking all of my problems with Malin,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> ominously tells Helen, &#8220;I absolutely love your dress though, you like the embodiment of a blade.&#8221; 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. &#8220;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.&#8221; When Malin approaches her, she grins, and turns to whisper back. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t read you like that in front of everyone, my love-hate is fickle like that,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> tells August, and with his face so close to hers, she nips toward his chin as if she might literally bite him. She doesn&#8217;t, though, instead turning toward the sound of Mab&#8217;s voice, and her issued challenge. &#8220;This should be interesting.&#8221; She gives herself a round of applause when bid do so by Genevieve, her eyes shifting then toward those next up. She takes Helen&#8217;s hand, her undeadly cold handshake firm but gentle. &#8220;On my belt,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> confirms. &#8220;I finally found my long-lost twin, of course I have to mark my territory.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Malin hardly needs any more courage than she already has, but Aeryn might just be creating a monster, and that&#8217;s way more fun. &#8220;You&#8217;re very thoughtful.&#8221; Then she&#8217;s listening to Mab&#8217;s words against her ear. &#8220;Oh, fuck,&#8221; gets blurted out and she nods repeatedly. &#8220;I love you, Lady Mab.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Marlow blows Matthew a kiss as he tries to guard his heart. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Definitely not.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> affirms for Obadiah and gives August a little apologetic shrug, &#8220;Sorry, need to keep things moving along fairly briskly, I&#8217;m sure it would&#8217;ve been an epic breakdown though.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>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. &#8220;Oh Obadiah&#8230; I wanted to love you, I did. We even had our fun &#8211; I&#8217;m having a kid. But as I spoke to my chosen nurser &#8211; I realized, I am with the wrong mercer. It&#8217;s not your face and not your flow. You&#8217;re just a bit of an asshole.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Evalina<\/span> rhymes, then throwing what&#8217;s left of her champagne in his face. &#8220;That&#8217;s for&#8230; Fun. Honestly&#8230;&#8221; Her eyes glance around, &#8220;If anyone&#8217;s looking for a bride, call me? I only break hearts on fridays.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You should&#8217;ve, winning is important.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> 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&#8217; hands. <\/p>\n<p>Malin mouths silently at Marlow at what looks like, if you&#8217;re a good enough lip reader and can factor in a Swedish accent to the rounding of her mouth, &#8216;Get that narcissist&#8217; with a nod at Matthew. <\/p>\n<p>Helen smiles when Mab comments and she says, &#8220;Thank you! And you&#8217;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.&#8221; 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&#8217; belt, &#8220;I&#8217;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.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Lottie, hmm?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Charlotte<\/span> asks Mab, raising an eyebrow. &#8220;Not a nickname that is used often for me, I prefer Charlie if we&#8217;re going to shorten my name.&#8221; She seems fairly unruffled, though, and her attention is pulled away by the current breakup. &#8220;This is excellent entertainment. Can&#8217;t wait for your go-round, Mab.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Matthew&#8217;s<\/span> shield becomes a missile defense system that is reaching high to catch the projectile kiss Marlow&#8217; sends his way. Snagging it, he plants it to his cheek. So much for using protection. <\/p>\n<p>Malin gives a few nods at Helen about the twin pandemic as everyone seems to want to be related to her. <\/p>\n<p>August mimes a gag at Marlow and Matthew. <\/p>\n<p>A hand flutters to <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie&#8217;s<\/span> mouth at someone&#8217; faux confession of being pregnant. <\/p>\n<p>A hand flutters to <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie&#8217;s<\/span> mouth at Evalina&#8217;s faux confession of being pregnant. <\/p>\n<p>Malin reads off a text, &#8220;Fam, Aeryn will be back later,&#8221; to inform Matthew and Helen, and Mab and Arachne. She has performed her duty and looks over at Obadiah. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Obadiah<\/span> 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. &#8220;I&#8230; Guess I am not the baby daddy. &#8221; And with that he starts to laugh, having been bested. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh so you&#8217;re just twinning with everyone out here?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> accuses Malin when Helen rats her out. &#8220;I&#8217;d say I&#8217;m heartbroken, but we&#8217;ve already covered that,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> laments, flicking the end of her belt. &#8220;Behave,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> demands of August when he starts making rude noises. <\/p>\n<p>Another raise of his glass as <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Buck<\/span> says, &#8220;I rate that breakup a Beyonce All the Single Ladies out of Ten.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m going to sneak off before somebody gets actually stabbed over a pretend breakup,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Miles<\/span> decides once he&#8217;s finished his whiskey. He gives Charlotte a grin and extends a: &#8220;Nice to meet you.&#8221; Then he&#8217;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. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No, no,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> tells Charlotte with a shake of her head. &#8220;It&#8217;s definitely Lottie, your name. Charlie doesn&#8217;t work.&#8221; 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&#8217;s face, she mutters out a quiet, &#8220;Damnit.&#8221; Looking somewhat put out, she then slides her drink further on down, towards Matthew. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> chuckles at Buck&#8217;s proclamation. <\/p>\n<p>Meridith offers a little wave to Miles. <\/p>\n<p>Nemi smiles, sneaking up and passing a napkin to Obadiah with a grin as she chuckles softly. &#8220;I think Miles may have ran before he was outed as the right Mercer.&#8221; She states with a soft chuckle. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh, Mars, you hardly pay me any attention,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin<\/span> says, doing a bit of her own breakup bit right now at Marlow. &#8220;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&#8230; well, you know how people called us The Queer Brangelina? I think we&#8217;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 &#8216;x.&#8217; That&#8217;s beside the point.&#8221; Then she says, &#8220;We&#8217;re over,&#8221; in the most dramatic way possible before asking, &#8220;How was that? I&#8217;m getting into character for Mab for when it is my turn.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Evalina leans in slightly to Obadiah&#8217;s side, whispering into his ear, her smile inscrutable on her face <\/p>\n<p>Out of all that, the only thing <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> seems to have caught is this one tidbit he asks with some level of sheer surprise, &#8220;Mars has a dog?&#8221; And in that revelation, he gives the Pierce in question a stare. &#8220;I hope you didn&#8217;t name it emergency rations.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Well Mercer&#8217;s do like to get wet.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> muses when Evalina throws her drink over Obadiah, &#8220;Still, sounds like it&#8217;s going to be a complex custody arrangement.&#8221; She muses and leads another round of polite applause for the breaking up couple. &#8220;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&#8217;ve known things might not last.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m just upset I&#8217;m breaking up with you looking like that,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> tells Malin, waving a hand on down her ensemble, &#8220;the black and red is so good, you look like a sexy volcano.&#8221; 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. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m just upset I&#8217;m breaking up with you looking like that,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> tells Malin, waving a hand on down her ensemble, &#8220;the black and red is so good, you look like a sexy volcano.&#8221; 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. <\/p>\n<p>doesn&#8217;t argue with Mab further on the subject of her name, probably because the other woman is right. This lady&#8217;s vibe is distinctively not that of a Charlie. As Mab floats away, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Charlotte<\/span> shrugs and goes back to her drink, looking a little like she&#8217;s counting down to her own irish goodbye. <\/p>\n<p>Charlotte doesn&#8217;t argue with Mab further on the subject of her name, probably because the other woman is right. This lady&#8217;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&#8217;s counting down to her own irish goodbye. (fix for announce) <\/p>\n<p>The first breakup sees that familiar (to some) grin spread across <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta&#8217;s<\/span> features, too wide, too fae, and fanged as is only to be expected. The second however has <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> more thoughtful, tapping her lip with a single gloved finger, and then there&#8217;s Malin and Mab. It&#8217;s worth the wait, and so <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> looks on from her spot, waiting for fireworks to come from it. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Matthew<\/span> tips his gaze down as Mab approaches, favoring her with a small, entirely too fae smile, &#8220;This ain&#8217;t Arkansas,&#8221; he drawls to the other Montrose, &#8220;but even here we both know thsi branch of the family tree&#8217;s growin in the wrong direction.&#8221; He pauses dramatic, like he were allowing space for ache to slip in, &#8220;Time we pruned it, yeah?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Obadiah takes his napkin and wipes his face still laughing. Mab&#8217;s dammit doesn&#8217;t go lost on him and he flashes her a grin, before looking back to Evalina, &#8220;My poor cold dead heart has been sundered.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We can go more than once?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> peers more suspiciously. There&#8217;s another sigh before he hooks up his elbows on the bar, and sits facing the stage &#8211; briefly waves two fingers towards Genevieve. &#8220;Throw my name back in, if you can match me with anyone other than my cold hearted aunt, I&#8217;ll owe you a favor.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Staring at Malin as she in unexpectedly dumped, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> turns slowly toward August. &#8220;This is the first time I&#8217;m hearing about a dog,&#8221; she tells him. &#8220;But I&#8217;m definitely suing her for custody. I&#8217;ll name him &#8216;Lunch Box&#8217;.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;More like a volcan-yes,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin<\/span> quips back at Marlow. &#8220;Lava at first sight and all that.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;But Lunch Box loves my horse, Al Capony,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin<\/span> cries out after Marlow. <\/p>\n<p>Malin might be a little drunk already. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Matthew<\/span> 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. <\/p>\n<p>Malin in in her inebriated element. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Well you can go once as dumper and once as dumpee.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> clarifies to August, &#8220;So sure, but also you know, I&#8217;m making up the rules as I go along.&#8221; She points out. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> leans in to whisper something to Obadiah. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If we&#8217;re going more than once, I&#8217;m throwing my name back into the hat for a chance at a fate,&#8221; says <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span>, &#8220;I just have unresolved business with Malin.&#8221; She shoots daggers at the woman, and then looks to Marlow with a shake of her head. &#8220;I would be so shocked and kind of mad if you got a dog,&#8221; the Montrose tells the Pierce. <\/p>\n<p>Evalina runs her fingers down Obadiah&#8217;s arms, &#8220;Awww. You poor thing. Don&#8217;t worry. I brought glue, we can make it a puzzle game. You know? So we can play with it some more?&#8221; She winks at him as she settles back down on a barstool <\/p>\n<p>Malin gestures at Marlow while telling Genevieve, &#8220;She thinks I&#8217;m a sexy volcano,&#8221; and then leans against the bar for stability. <\/p>\n<p>Malin blows a kiss towards Mab. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Tch.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Cadalie<\/span> manages a too easy scoff, shaking her head sourly. &#8220;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&#8217; if I cain&#8217;t be carnal!&#8221; Indelicately, without remorse, she flings out her thermos of tea at Meridith. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Is there such as thing as an unsexy volcano though is the question.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> points out to Malin. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You can be shocked and mad at me all you want, looking that good,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> tells Mab shamelessly. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;She&#8217;s lying,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> claims flatly. <\/p>\n<p>Buck murmurs back to Genevieve, &#8220;Pompeii wasn&#8217;t that sexy. Killed a lot of people.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Genevieve&#8217;s attention is caught by Camille and she offers her a bight smile, also noticing Nemi and including her. &#8220;Evening, I don&#8217;t believe we&#8217;ve met. I&#8217;m Vie. Sorry it&#8217;s just a little busy in here.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Meridith<\/span> blinks thrice, covered in tea, and perhaps, literally bonked by it. She begins to giggle madly and swats at Cadalie. &#8220;You bitch!&#8221; She squeals with deep amusement. &#8220;All you ever care about is your baby eating and bloody fornication!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Only if they&#8217;re dormant, perhaps, Vie, and I don&#8217;t see Malin as dormant that&#8217;s for sure,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Helen<\/span> 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. <\/p>\n<p>Malin supposes, &#8220;When the eruption is pending, like&#8230; indefinitely. They are just all ash, and no sizzle, and they&#8217;re all like emotionally crusty because they are tectonically slow and unavailable,&#8221; to Genevieve. &#8220;Or something like that.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Just as boldly, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> tells Marlow with a lift of her chin, &#8220;I dressed this way just for you.&#8221; 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. &#8220;You look absolutely ravishing, Sky,&#8221; 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. <\/p>\n<p>Malin flutters her lashes at Helen. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Matthew<\/span> begins to drift through the body of the crowd, passing near Buck, whom he pats briefly on the shoulder, &#8220;I can&#8217;t keep chasing clues and cleaning glitter of my sheets, Ransom,&#8221; is his quiet and solemn greeting. &#8220;So the case, <i>us<\/i>, it&#8217;s officially closed.&#8221; The Montrose doesn&#8217;t linger too long for the detective&#8217;s reply, they broke up apparently, and the current of the crowd carries him on. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> stares at Mab. &#8220;The&#8230;dinner party?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> asks slowly, more incredulous than hesitant, her eyes narrowing slowly. <\/p>\n<p>Malin guesses, &#8220;I&#8217;d call them Mount Meh-suvius.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Nemi looks over to Genevieve as she smiles softly and nods. &#8220;I believe we have&#8230; You fight quite well in the field.&#8221; she says with a soft smile and a nods after, a soft chuckle comes from her. &#8220;My Name is Nemi, Its a wonder to properly meet you Vie.&#8221; She states as she bows her head softly out of respect for the superior fighter. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Well while Arachne prepares herself why don&#8217;t we also have Dovie take a stand, and break up with poor Helen.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> announces, &#8220;I guess it&#8217;s true that her love of flowers trumps that of any other one person.&#8221; She muses. <\/p>\n<p>Raising an eyebrow as he didn&#8217;t know he was paired, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Buck<\/span> says back to Matthew, &#8220;It&#8217;s not for everyone.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Malin claps for Helen and Dovie. &#8220;Do this one to impress me, okay?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> steps up to the center breakup area, looking around for her partner, from the look on <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie&#8217;s<\/span> face, she clearly doesn&#8217;t know who they are. <\/p>\n<p>Hearing Marlow&#8217;s incredulous worlds, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> turns halfway towards Camille, and grins over her shoulder. &#8220;Forgive me,&#8221; she repeats, words spoken to her family on her arrival at this party. <\/p>\n<p>Obadiah turns his head to whisper something back to Dovie before she leaves then takes a seat next to Evalina at the bar. <\/p>\n<p>The momentary widening of <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Camille&#8217;s<\/span> 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 &#8220;You&#8217;re gilded garb astounds all who behold it.&#8221; she says with a cleverly half-curved smile. <\/p>\n<p>Malin catches one word that Obadiah whispers to Dovie and she goes, &#8220;They must be talking about swimming.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Helen, you don&#8217;t have to take it lying down,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> encourages Helen when her imminent breakup is announced. <\/p>\n<p>Cadalie takes the slap hard, a seismic <span style=\"color:#800000\">*<span style=\"color:#c0c0c0\">THWAP<span style=\"color:#800000\">*<span style=\"color:#c0c0c0\"> 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. &#8220;I&#8217;ll have you know I extend my unholiness to sodomy and preaching about the untruth of Santa and Kindergardens. You never <i>did<\/i> keep up with my passions!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>As her name is called out, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Helen\/span<\/span\/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, &#8220;Oh, my dear! Finally! I was looking for you for ages in the crowd!&#8221; She pushes away from the bar and moves towards where the breaking up might be done. <\/p>\n<p>Malin eyes Obadiah like she doesn&#8217;t think he&#8217;s talking about swimming. <\/p>\n<p>When Camille matches her rather than kiss her hand, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> looks at her with amusement, and then leans in closer, dropping her own hand. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> muses to Malin, &#8220;Even when everything is still on the outside, you know that deep down in their deepest they&#8217;re all roiling heat and pressure building, building building&#8230;&#8221; She points out, &#8220;That sounds pretty sexy to me.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Meridith insists upon Cadalie. &#8220;There isn&#8217;t a person alive! Saint or sinner! Who could possibly keep up with your twisted&#8230;delightfully hot passions&#8230;!&#8221; She insists of the pontifex. &#8220;The mind numbing heights of ecstasy!&#8221; She covers her face and faux weeps. Dripping of tea. <\/p>\n<p>Genevieve nods Dovie towards Helen just in case she missed it. <\/p>\n<p>Gliding over to Buck and Matthew, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> interjects herself between the two in parting. &#8220;You deserved that.&#8221; the albino decides, with a tip of the much more fanciful hat to Buck. &#8220;But don&#8217;t worry. I&#8217;d dump you far more publically.&#8221; she assures the PI. <\/p>\n<p>Even certified hotties get social anxiety, and it&#8217;s clear that <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Charlotte<\/span> 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. <\/p>\n<p>Buck raises an eyebrow to Roberta as she interjects, &#8220;Oh? Are we paired up together?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>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. <\/p>\n<p>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. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hmph.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Cadalie<\/span> huffs indignantly, hand to her breast, flipping her head off to the side. &#8220;Certainly not you. Not excuse me while I go court the dead, then.&#8221;  <\/p>\n<p>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. <\/p>\n<p>Malin smiles innocently at Genevieve and sips at her whiskey further. Surely, she needs more. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Not that I know of.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> assures Buck with a smirk. &#8220;Why? You worried?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>As the bar conversations splinter into infinity, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> slips out of her seat, moving to the dance floor with her drink still in hand. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> lights up for a moment at seeing Helen. For&#8230; a moment, that is, until the features on her own face fall, flashing through anxiety, anguish, and something like sorrow. &#8220;Helen&#8230; Helen&#8230; Helen&#8230;&#8221; She cleaves close to the other woman, reaching for Helen&#8217;s hand, the one that doesn&#8217;t hold a champagne glass. &#8220;Helen. We need to talk.&#8221; She lets that line sit there, pregnant. &#8220;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&#8230;. And you&#8217;ve left me feeling like I lost the battle, but I&#8217;m here to tell you that I&#8217;m winning the war today, darling. I&#8217;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&#8230; I&#8217;m not heartbroken&#8230; I&#8217;m free range, now.&#8221; She lets go of Helen&#8217;s hand. &#8220;Good luck unpacking that in therapy.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> coughs, &#8220;Like buying a mattres off of Cragislist.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Marlow says &#8220;<span style=\"color:#00afff\">We can still hear you.<\/span>&#8220;<\/p>\n<p>Whether it&#8217;s the natural current of the crowd or <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Matthew&#8217;s<\/span> own two feet, it&#8217;s hard to say. But soon the tallest Montrose finds himself nearing one of the guests &#8211; a woman on her way out that catches his attention as his eyes are drawn towards the door. A moment after and he&#8217;s reaching to his pocket, for the first time taking a study of his phone. <\/p>\n<p>Genevieve&#8217;s eyebrow continue to raise slowly as Malin continues to speak privately to her and when the other woman concludes she nods. &#8220;Yes.&#8221; She replies simply. <\/p>\n<p>Malin mmhmms at Genevieve, nodding some more as she swirls her whiskey about with a gentle rotation of her wrist. <\/p>\n<p>Nemi whispers under her breath near Genevieve with a warm smile. <\/p>\n<p>Helen takes Dovie&#8217;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&#8217;s face really does cleave straight through that bright countenance. The &#8216;we need to talk&#8217; line sits there, and she gasps softly, listening to the woman&#8217;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, &#8220;Hold that&#8230;&#8221; She reaches up towards her earcuffs as well, plucking them from her ears, &#8220;And those&#8230;&#8221; 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, &#8220;You said the chaps were just what you needed in your life, excitement of the rodeo! Non-stop you said! I&#8217;m saddle sore from riding so much!&#8221; She starts to twirl the lasso around her head now, and she&#8217;s decent at it, but no expert, &#8220;You can&#8217;t get away from me, I&#8217;ve got you all roped up!&#8221; She tries to cast the lasso out towards Dovie to try and &#8216;capture&#8217; her, which might work or might not because the next thing she is asking is, &#8220;Wait, my toothbrush? I thought that was your toothbrush&#8230; who&#8217;s fucking toothbrush was that!?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Helen uses an a lasso: <b>72The lasso flops to the ground with all the drama of a limp noodle, landing just shy of its target.<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Malin watches Dovie and Helen with great interest. <\/p>\n<p>Obadiah looks aside to Evalina and mentions to to her, &#8220;You gave me a high brow break up but this? I am here for this.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> 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: &#8220;Have we been using the same toothbrush this whole time?!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Malin murmurs, &#8220;I haven&#8217;t gone on a date or had a breakup in over sixty-two years, so I really need to tap into my acting skills.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>raising his glass, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Buck<\/span> proclaims, &#8220;I give this breakup a Brokeback Mountain meets Craigslist Killer out of ten.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Malin turns her head sloooooooowly to look at Buck, unblinking. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh my fucking God!&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Helen<\/span> says to Dovie as she steps closer to the other woman, &#8220;See? We&#8217;re MEANT to be together! We use the same toothbrush!&#8221; She scoots even closer, and closer, &#8220;Even if we won&#8217;t make it&#8230; one last rodeo? Breaking up isn&#8217;t as fun without the break-up ride, right?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin&#8217;s<\/span> eyes are speaking what her mouth does not. They say &#8216;WTF?&#8217; <\/p>\n<p>Evalina giggles to Obadiah, &#8220;It&#8217;s a bit like a comedy routine isn&#8217;t it? I am enjoying it a lot.&#8221; She shares with a grin, her head swaying <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> giggles girlishly at the bar when Helen publicly proposes &#8212; or at least heavily implies &#8212; break-up sex. <\/p>\n<p>Genevieve winces as Dovie breaks up so harshly with Helen &#8220;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.&#8221; She laments with a little shake of her head. &#8220;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.&#8221; She muses, &#8220;And also Mab is going to break up with Malin. They say the relationships that burn hottest also burn out the fastest.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>August gives a little shrug of his shoulder, but the lift of his drink towards Buck seems to indicate he agrees with his scoring. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> giggles at Helen, &#8220;Amazing rope skills, darling. You&#8217;ll have to teach me a thing or two?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Malin shouts, &#8220;Shibari for the win!&#8221; at Dovie. <\/p>\n<p>August coughs into his glass, suddenly. <\/p>\n<p>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. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> asks Malin. &#8220;Who is Shibari?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Obadiah gives Malin another salute with his empty glass. &#8220;You get to tell her.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Back, what&#8217;d I miss?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> asks as she returns from the balcony, reaching for August&#8217;s drink to steal. <\/p>\n<p>Buck motions with his cigarette to Evalina, &#8220;Hey, easy on the throwing drinks, I just got the blood dry cleaned out of these.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>August clears his throat, and seems much less interested in finishing his drink that Marlow steals so quickly. &#8220;Yeah, I wasn&#8217;t finishing that or anything.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Helen laughs softly after Genevieve announces the next contestants. She nods towards Dovie and says, &#8220;Costume Matthew helped me with and&#8230;&#8221; Then Malin is shouting out, &#8220;Rope is useful, true&#8230; but it is nice meeting you. I&#8217;ve heard all good things about you, even if Malin did try to steal your name, shameful really, but she&#8217;s paying the price as being Dobie now.&#8221; She does get her ear cuffs back and her drink, signaling the person who brought them, &#8220;Bring another champagne please? My ex seems to have lost hers&#8230;&#8221; She offers the champagne out to Dovie afterwards, &#8220;It was a pleasure though, should we match up on MyHaven if we aren&#8217;t already or exchange numbers? I&#8217;m sure with a little practice you could use the lasso, as well, at least as good as anyone.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Malin reels back her head, almost dropping her whiskey as shock slams into her via Dovie&#8217;s question. &#8220;Oh, I&#8217;m going to show you later. I keep the rope in the trunk for&#8230; other reasons, but it&#8217;ll be fine.&#8221; She winks at Helen. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Toothbrush confusion.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> explains to Marlow. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> accepts the new glass gratefully from her &#8216;ex&#8217; Helen. &#8220;Thank you, darling. I&#8217;m someone on MyHaven, but feel free to text me too seven ten, double zero fifty one.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Mab says &#8220;<span style=\"color:#00afff\">One last rodeo.<\/span>&#8220;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Nobie can be the model,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin<\/span> informs Dovie. &#8220;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 &#8212; 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.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Nemi meanders her way back over to Obadiah as she hums softly and poses a question. &#8220;I&#8217;m going to have to start doing your drycleaning as your assistant now are&#8217;nt I?&#8221; She poises with a soft smile <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You don&#8217;t need it, you&#8217;ve already been broken up with,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> rationalizes her theft toward August. She gives Genevieve a completely confused look. &#8220;Did someone come out tonight without brushing their teeth?&#8221; she asks, scandalized. &#8220;Is it even a proper breakup without a tearful orgasm or two?&#8221; she wonders of Mab. <\/p>\n<p>Genevieve motions to Buck and Evalina, &#8220;Buck&#8217;s going to break up with Evalina.&#8221; She explains and then motions to Mab and Malin, &#8220;And Mab is going to break up with Malin, we&#8217;re double barreling it.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Malin looks to Mab, features alight. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re welcome,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Helen<\/span> says to Dovie as she takes her phone out and taps against the screen for a few moments, &#8220;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&#8217;t ever share a toothbrush though.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Buck nods to Genevieve as he puffs a few times on his cigarette, &#8220;I&#8217;m just waiting for my future ex lover to join me out here.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> blinks at Malin. &#8220;Well all of that sounded fun until the being left in a trunk for two hours while you walk away part. That seems&#8230; excessive.&#8221; She nods at Helen, giggling. &#8220;Oh yes, let&#8217;s not do that, but I&#8217;m terribly pleased to meet you at last, we should grab a coffee sometime!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Be careful, she&#8217;s a pro,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> tells Malin, though at her expression, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> shakes her head. &#8220;Masochist,&#8221; she decides. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh, so I guess we&#8217;re still together?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> asks Marlow by the bar, airing her dirty laundry out with a bump of her brows. &#8220;Unless solitude counts &#8230; Ah, I&#8217;m up.&#8221; She flutters her fingers adieu, and then drifts on over to Malin. <\/p>\n<p>Obadiah glances to Nemi and smirks a moment, &#8220;I don&#8217;t know that you should offer to do my dry cleaning, but certainly won&#8217;t say no.&#8221; He leans his head around and says to Malin, &#8220;Oh hey! Speaking of rope play and your trunk. I need a lift home.&#8221; He winks at her, his car keys on the bar in front of him. <\/p>\n<p>Marlow narrows her eyes at Mab, but leans in toward Malin after. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Make her bleed,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Arachne<\/span> calls in encouragement toward Mab when the Vice President rises to join Malin in their turn for messy break-ups of the evening. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> waves to Kurt. &#8220;Welcome to the break up ball!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I feel like history has been re-written without my consent,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> says, as dirty laundry starts flying, but she just looks into her stolen glass of whiskey irritably. <\/p>\n<p>Malin looks up and over at Mab and she struts her stuff over there. &#8220;Oh, this song is partially sung by two Swedes,&#8221; she comments suddenly. &#8220;My trunk misses you, Nobie. It&#8217;ll give you a wild ride.&#8221; She explains, &#8220;I&#8217;ll hit every pothole on the way home to give you that motion in the ocean feel.&#8221; She gazes at Mab expectantly. <\/p>\n<p>Kurt strolls on in, meandering his way over to the bar as he takes a seat, nodding to the few he recognizes. &#8220;Apologies for my tardiness, and all. I&#8217;d meant to come, but&#8230; Such is what is.&#8221; Turning to Dovie, he flashes a faint grin, nodding towards her. &#8220;Evening, Miss Dovie.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That sounds lovely,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Helen<\/span> says to Dovie as she laughs at Malin&#8217;s comments, &#8220;Her and that trunk. I swear she has everything in there, I really wouldn&#8217;t be surprised if it is just a lot bigger on the inside and leads to some alternate world of chocolate, wine, and ropes.&#8221; She takes a sip from her champagne and says to Dovie, &#8220;Now we get to watch everyone else break up, definitely waiting to see what Mab says to Malin.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Genevieve gives Kurt a bright smile. &#8220;Not a problem, I&#8217;m Vie.&#8221; She introduces herself. <\/p>\n<p>Ice in her eyes, the very first thing <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> does is raise her hand and, seemingly, slap Malin right across the face. &#8220;How DARE you,&#8221; she seethes.  <\/p>\n<p>But it isn&#8217;t really a slap, it&#8217;s a stage-slap. It&#8217;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 <\/p>\n<p>Alcohol for the alcohol God, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> 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. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> gasps loudly at the slap! <\/p>\n<p>Evalina glances aside to Buck, blinking twice, &#8220;I am breaking up with two people in one night?&#8221; She wonders in her confusion, crossing her arms, thinking, &#8220;Mm&#8230; I don&#8217;t know if I have many ideas left for a breakup&#8230; I try to only dump one man a day&#8230;&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Buck&#8217;s breaking up with you this time.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> clarifies for Evalina, &#8220;Although I can find someone else if you need me to.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Standing there nonchalantly, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Buck<\/span> keeps smoking his cigarette and holding his whiskey while he gives a slight shrug. &#8220;Hey, two hundred bucks is two hundred bucks.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Matthew<\/span> slips back as quietly as he&#8217;d slipped out, his eyes tracking towards the window and a lone figure seated there. He heads that way to approach. <\/p>\n<p>Obadiah pats Evalina on the shoulder, &#8220;Good luck in there. Buck is a good guy. For a Ransom.&#8221; He glances back to the stage, &#8220;This will be good.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>And so, it all begins with <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin<\/span> 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. &#8220;Me?!&#8221; Wildly, she uses her free hand to point at Buck. &#8220;I know what you did! I saw you two together!&#8221; Seething, she dramatically exclaims, &#8220;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!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Genevieve weaves her head a little side to side and can&#8217;t help but sing along a little to Torn half under her breath. &#8220;I&#8217;m all outta faith&#8230;&#8221; She murmurs as she watches the unfolding drama between Malin and Mab. <\/p>\n<p>glancing over at Malin, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Buck<\/span> says, &#8220;Damn, that breakup is so spicy, I&#8217;m catching strays.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Out of nowhere, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> blows smoke at Marlow&#8217;s face. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh, don&#8217;t you act all high and mighty with me!&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> throws her hands dramatically in the air, fanged teeth clenched and bared Malin&#8217;s way, &#8220;You were sleeping with him too! I know! Everyone knows! Buck Ransom already told everyone!&#8221; She whirls around to point a finger at Buck, &#8220;About how you were fucking Derek Fairchild, and using me to get to him!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Nemi whispers to herself with a soft sigh. <\/p>\n<p>Nemi hums and nods softly to Dovie with a smile. Looking and smiling softly to Genevieve. &#8220;I&#8217;d like to participate if possible, randomly of course.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll break up with you, Nemi.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> tells Nemi from the side, offers her a wan little smile, &#8220;But you have ot promise to be really, realy, cruel, otherwise we&#8217;re not selling it.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This is just playacting, right?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> asks for a moment, her gaze on Mab and Malin. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Fine! yes! That&#8217;s how I knew it was a euphemism, because he told me the same thing while we were having sex!&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin<\/span> reveals to Mab, seeing that they were both cheating on each other. &#8220;But I&#8217;m me! Look at me, Mab!&#8221; She is still holding at her face where it was supposedly slapped, glancing at Buck and then she goes, &#8220;AHHHHHH!&#8221; and leaps at Mab, tackling her full on. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You really know how to push my buttons,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> tells August, but there&#8217;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. <\/p>\n<p>Genevieve grins at Nemi, &#8220;Sure.&#8221; She agrees, arching an eyebrow as Malin jumps on Mab, &#8220;Not sure my insurance covers this&#8230;&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Obadiah smirks at something before looking at the time on his phone. &#8220;I have to go change for the Order party,&#8221; he mutters before sending off a couple of texts. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I could&#8217;ve pushed different buttons,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> warns Marlow, &#8220;But you broke up with me.&#8221; His glass is pointed at her with that accusation, then he downs much of his whiskey. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> swivels her gaze to Buck. &#8220;So your name is Buck, and apparently you like to fuck and use the same lines?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Nemi oos softly as she walks over to August and gets a chair next to them as she smiles. &#8220;Cruel as in I just found out you were cheating and I&#8217;m never going to stop being a bitch way or-?&#8221; She asks, a hint of a tease in her voice as she wiggles her eyebrows a tiny bit. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Not enough hair pulling.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> cat-calls over to where the Malin and Mab drama unfolds. &#8220;You&#8217;ll only sell this to Fox if you don&#8217;t commit.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>And <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> 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&#8217;s throat. &#8220;You have taken everything from me!&#8221; she yells out, &#8220;My cousins, my gay boyfriend &#8230; even the first two letters of my name!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d be lying if I said I wasn&#8217;t secretly hoping this breaks one of those rhinestone-studded heels,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> says aloud as bodily contact is made. &#8220;Shush,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> tells August at his incestuous aside. &#8220;Don&#8217;t you see there&#8217;s a catfight on?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>a slight shrug comes from <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Buck<\/span> as he glances over at Dovie, &#8220;I suppose in the fantasy that Mab and Malin have, I&#8217;m involved in both of them.&#8221; he speaks up as he says to them, &#8220;If you fantasize about me, you can just text me about it, ladies.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> nods at Kurt and begins discretely pointing people out. &#8220;The two arguing are Mab and Malin, the guy who just spoke about texting is Buck.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Evalina stands up casually, looking as innocent as she can as she looks Buck up and down. &#8220;Not my usual type,&#8221; She admits, &#8220;But I can work with it. Just a short reminder: I am a Rothwell.&#8221; She grins, &#8220;You haven&#8217;t seen angry brothers like my own. They&#8217;re paid and carrying.&#8221; A wink follows, and she leans back, waiting for the inevitable onslaught. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I guess he&#8217;s holding their relationship&#8230;&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Helen<\/span> reaches up and fake places sunglasses over her heads, &#8220;FOR RANSOM!&#8221; She laughs softly and watches Mab and Malin begin to fight on the floor, leaning in closer to Dovie, &#8220;Look at them go, I really didn&#8217;t expect such a show!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>As Mab falls, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin<\/span> ends up on top of her and she&#8217;s struggling to grapple the woman, and in a gown, her legs aren&#8217;t very easily used to entwine and hold her theatrical lover down. So, she&#8217;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&#8217;s encouragement, she grabs at those pastel ringlets, and hair is being pulled. &#8220;And was going to steal back your heart, dammit!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> points out Genevieve for Kurt. &#8220;That&#8217;s Vie, hosting the event!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Taking Evalina in stride, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Buck<\/span> takes a few puffs of his cigarette as he listens, and then he nods and takes a drink before speaking.  <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You go by Cats and Coffee online, because cats are the only pussy you get and coffee is the only bean you&#8217;ve tasted in your life.&#8221;  <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Out of the four Rothwell women, you&#8217;re by far the ugliest, and that&#8217;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.&#8221;  <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Evaline, you own The Nocturne Key, but you&#8217;re a lock that nothing would dare open. Look at you, all dressed up with no one to look at you, and it&#8217;s fitting that you wear silver, because you&#8217;re not worth gold.&#8221;  <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I hope your family loves you, because I never did.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Well that might take a while.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> muses as she watches the catfight, &#8220;You should never steal someone&#8217;s gay boyfriend though, those are hard to come by.&#8221; She muses nodding as Evalina steps up to Buck. &#8220;Alright Roberta, want to break my heart?&#8221; 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. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Sounds fine to me.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> tells Nemi, but pauses to look her up and down in some consideration. A finger around his glass lifts to point at her. &#8220;Make it more personal, let&#8217;s get nasty.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie&#8217;s<\/span> jaw drops at Buck&#8217;s tirade. <\/p>\n<p>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. &#8220;My word,&#8221; she murmurs to Matthew aside, lips curving in a faint, almost admiring smirk. &#8220;Now that&#8217;s a breakup worth bottling. Cross detectives off your date list, darling.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Baby, if you want to beat him up, we&#8217;ll all hold him down for you,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> tells Evalina after a long moment after Buck unloads a full clup. &#8220;Just say the word.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Marlow said clip, of course. <\/p>\n<p>Kurt turns to face Buck, brows quirking up slightly, before he lets out a low little whistle, nodding, evidently impressed. &#8220;That&#8230; Was quite the series of quips. I&#8217;m impressed.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> screeches out loud for all the room to hear, flailing, although perhaps perceptive observers might notice she&#8217;s also pushing her head back into Malin&#8217;s grip, because this is all staged. She ends up on her stomach, heels kicking in the air, but alas for Marlow &#8212; rarely actually touching the floor.  <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If only I still had a heart to steal,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> laments, with Shakespearean melodrama as she somehow brings up an arm to her forehead to swoon. &#8220;You are the stake that pierced it! I let you into my home, into my family.&#8221; She spins back around to press two hands to Malin&#8217;s chest and push her off her. &#8220;Only for you choose Matthew and Aeryn over me. And you couldn&#8217;t even stick to just Montroses, could you?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Marlow finds her attention stolen by the play being acted out between Mab and Malin once more. <\/p>\n<p>Evalina grins as she regards Buck, and at first, it seems she&#8217;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.  <\/p>\n<p>&#8216;<span style=\"color:#905858\"><span style=\"color:#8d4e4e\"><span style=\"color:#8b4444\"><span style=\"color:#893a3a\">S<span style=\"color:#873030\"><span style=\"color:#852727\"><span style=\"color:#831d1d\">M<span style=\"color:#811313\"><span style=\"color:#7f0909\"><span style=\"color:#7d0000\">A<span style=\"color:#7d0000\"><span style=\"color:#7f0909\"><span style=\"color:#811313\"><span style=\"color:#831d1d\">C<span style=\"color:#852727\"><span style=\"color:#873030\"><span style=\"color:#893a3a\">K<span style=\"color:#8b4444\"><span style=\"color:#8d4e4e\"><span style=\"color:#905858\">!<\/span>&#8216;  <\/p>\n<p>She slaps the man full in the face, for a moment appearing furious, then breaking out in a giggle. &#8220;Not bad Mr. Ransom, I appreciate the bravery. Though&#8230;&#8221; She smirks, then leans closer, &#8220;&#8230;Sometimes, a lock can break a key-&#8221; With that, she&#8217;s turning about, back to her seat. <\/p>\n<p>Obadiah looks over to Dovie and up from his phone and holds his hand out to Kurt with a practiced grin, &#8220;Since Dovie is doing introductions. I am Obie Mercer. I own the Brine Pool.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>His hat flying off at the weight of that slap and <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Buck\/span<\/span\/span> rolls his head with it. Working his jaw a few times as his cheek reddens, he says, &#8220;Probably deserved that.&#8221; he notes as he finishes his whiskey and scoops up his hat to put it back on his head. <\/p>\n<p>Helen has her attention split between Malin, Mab and Buck now. She takes an eager sip of her champagne, but when Mab&#8217;s last words are heard, she clears her throat and looks around herself awkwardly, &#8220;All of those non-Monstroses are such a real problem.&#8221; She looks between Nemi and August as she says, &#8220;Everyone is striking the anvil quite hard now, such insults.&#8221; She looks over towards Obadiah, &#8220;I&#8217;m Helen, just in case someone missed it.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Genevieve is taken aback by Buck going all in, and blinks a few times in surprise. &#8220;Well uh, that&#8217;s definitely one way to ensure you don&#8217;t get any rebound sex.&#8221; She muses, &#8220;August and Nemi do you want to take to the stage or you good doing&#8230; whatever that is?&#8221; She checks with a wiggle of her finger between August and Nemi. <\/p>\n<p>finishing his cigarette, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Buck<\/span> also extinguishes it and finds a place to put it out. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> tells Kurt and Obadiah. &#8220;Helen and I just broke up!&#8217; <\/p>\n<p>It seems like Mab has inspired <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin<\/span> even further, &#8220;Thou flailist and cryest betrayal, when thy heart &#8212; if heart it even be!&#8221; She gets shoved off of Mab, and rolls onto the floor, onto her own back, defeated as fingers release curls. &#8220;&#8211; was pledged not to one, but scattered like rose petals upon the winds of Court intrigue!&#8221; It&#8217;s too hard to keep up Shakespearean-speech so she goes back to, &#8220;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!&#8221; Then she wonders, &#8220;Which one of us was getting the sloppy seconds, though?!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Matthew&#8217;s<\/span> 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&#8217;ve made of heartache. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No, you&#8217;re not allowed to bring his mother into it,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> tells Nemi, overruling August. <\/p>\n<p>Obadiah nods to Helen and flashes her a wide smile, &#8220;We have met somewhere else before. A pleasure to see you again.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August&#8217;s<\/span> finger swivels to point at Genevieve around his glass, &#8220;We&#8217;re on it!&#8221; And he chugs the rest of his whiskey. &#8220;Alright, let&#8217;s go. Improv the rest.&#8221; He leaves his seat, without a stop to look at Marlow, and head straight up into the stage. <\/p>\n<p>Kurt lets out a soft laugh, turning to Obadiah and extending a hand. &#8220;Kurt Steiner. Only recently arrived, but glad to meet you!&#8221; Turning slightly to Helen, he nods. &#8220;Helen, pleasure to see you again, of course.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Marlow sticks a foot out to try and trip August, but she doesn&#8217;t try to hide it. <\/p>\n<p>Genevieve nudges Roberta&#8217;s heel with her own. &#8220;Still with us and wanting a go?&#8221; She checks. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> stumbles onto the stage. Too drunk? Tripped? Who knows. <\/p>\n<p>Malin sings out, &#8220;Womanizer, womanizer!&#8221; loudly at Buck from her place on the floor on her back. <\/p>\n<p>Obadiah shoots off a text then after releasing Kurt&#8217;s hand and says, &#8220;Hope to see more of you Kurt. Talk soon&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We did just break up, unfortunately,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Helen<\/span> says as an aside to Dovie with a heavy sigh, &#8220;One of the great tragedies of the evening&#8230;&#8221; She nods and smiles towards someone and Kurt, &#8220;Nice to meet you both again.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We did just break up, unfortunately,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Helen<\/span> says as an aside to Dovie with a heavy sigh, &#8220;One of the great tragedies of the evening&#8230;&#8221; She nods and smiles towards Kurt, &#8220;Nice to meet you both again.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t believe we&#8217;ve met,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> tells Evalina from where she sits at the bar. &#8220;Evalina Rothwell, I believe I overheard?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Sure thing, Doll.&#8221;  <\/p>\n<p>Stepping out from the gathering at the bar, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> squares up to Genevieve, diminutive form coming to rest, arms crossed as she stares through that mourning veil up at the taller woman. &#8220;I was going to begin this with a combat, as is classicly appropriate.&#8221; the albino begins, tone deadpan, a fanged smirk ticking the corner of <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta&#8217;s<\/span> lips upwards in what might pass in most situations as amusement. It&#8217;s not though here. It&#8217;s contempt, and that contempt oozes from <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> as she very petulantly hams this up, a finger stabbing towards Genevieve like the sword of Damacles. &#8220;I was going to challenge you to a battle of wits, but I see you are unprepared for such a conflict. So instead, I&#8217;ll offer up something more your speed.&#8221; A foot stamps. &#8220;When we fell in love about five minutes ago, we promiced to be faithful to eachother until the end of time&#8211; Or well, I did.&#8221; the vampire assures Genevieve. &#8220;You&#8217;re going to die in like sixty years or so. Unfortunately for you, this leaves us at an impass&#8211; Oh, you&#8217;re young and beautiful and full of blood now, but what about in five years? In ten?&#8221;  <\/p>\n<p>Sadly, mournfully, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> shakes her head slowly, with all the tact of an extra in an episode of Scrubs. &#8220;The tragic fact is, I will always remain young and beautiful, but you&#8217;re going to get old, and I&#8217;m not staying with someone who needs skin cream for preservation rather than decoration. Look&#8230;&#8221; There&#8217;s a sigh then, and <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> concludes with, &#8220;It&#8217;s not me&#8230; It&#8217;s you.&#8221; Then, with a flouncing pirouette, the albino lifts her chin, dismisses Genevieve with a sniff and wanders back into the crowd. &#8220;I should have dated Buck Ransom. At least that way I&#8217;d have had some spice in my life when those two stepped in.&#8221; A final motion to Mab and Malin, and she&#8217;s gone- <\/p>\n<p>At this point, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> 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&#8217;t have functional tear-ducts anymore.  <\/p>\n<p>Until she hears Malin accusing Buck of being a womanizer &#8212; and perhaps misunderstanding their next assignment &#8212; joins her in song, to the tune of Britney Spears:  <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Womanizer womanizer oh baby you&#8217;re a womanizer!&#8221; Yes, their breakup is now a musical, apparently. <\/p>\n<p>Nemi follows after August with a smile and a nod with a tiny chuckle in her voice. <\/p>\n<p>Getting another whiskey after he finished his, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Buck<\/span> looks back up from the bar to Malin as he says, &#8220;Apologies, Miss Havstrom. If you were better in bed we&#8217;d still be together. But I can&#8217;t fuck all of your personalities at the same time.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>A deep breath stills <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> 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&#8217;s putting more effort into this than his go to with Marlow, clearly &#8211; 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. &#8220;I&#8217;ve been waiting to go all out all along,&#8221; And he lets her have the first bout, &#8220;Come on, bitch-&#8221; He actually stops here, to clear his throat, &#8220;Sorry, too in character. Go ahead, break-up with me.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Evalina&#8217;s eyes flit to Marlow as she waits for her drink, her smile all-too-plastered on her face. A nod follows, &#8220;That I am. And you would be&#8230;&#8221; She looks him up and down. &#8220;Mars Pierce. How wonderful to meet you at last.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Nemi says, she was taken aback for a moment but simply chuckles softly. <\/p>\n<p>When Roberta goes in on her <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> is at first caught off guard but then she listens and as the pale woman continues her tirade <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> 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. <\/p>\n<p>Kurt shifts his gaze towards Dovie, a brow raising slightly, &#8220;So, since I arrived fairly late&#8230; Any other break ups stand out of the crowd? All the ones I&#8217;ve heard thus far have been fantastic, I&#8217;ll confess.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>The musical has gotten real, and <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin<\/span> is all into what Mab is bringing to the effort, but then Buck goes and says all <i>that.` Blue eyes grow wide and large. Not at all in offense. It&#8217;s a challenge! &#8220;Oh, Buck, it&#8217;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.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh, does my reputation precede me?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow\/i><\/span asks Evalina a touch shamelessly. \"If it was unflattering, it's propaganda, and if it was anything good, I assure you it's one hundred percent true.\" She asks, \"How are you finding the new City In-Between?\" \n\n<br \/>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think Dovie and my own breakup cut so deep with the insults, but there was a lasso involved,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Helen<\/span> explains to Kurt while listening to the others. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> nods at Helen. &#8220;Physical comedy but more lighthearted than the cat fight.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m glad that you&#8217;ve found a hobby, because I enjoy sorting case files more than being around you, toots.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Buck<\/span> says with a smirk. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> has to cover her mouth with her elbow to stop herself from ruining the act by laughing at the disses hurled out between Buck and Malin. She tries to disguise it as just crying into her arm, shaking her head, but then rises to her feet. &#8220;Your fire exploded over me like a sexy volcano, and burned me to my core,&#8221; she tells her, clutching a fist to her dead heart, &#8220;I never wish to see you again!&#8221; Draping that arm back to her forehead, she then storms off back to the bar, abandoning her scene-partner. <\/p>\n<p>Genevieve slips back to the bar, using a tissue from her handbag to clean up her cheeks. <\/p>\n<p>Kurt lets out a snort of laughter, turning towards Helen with a bemused grin tugging at the corners of his lips. &#8220;I&#8217;ve heard of tying the knot, but I didn&#8217;t think either of you the sort to take it quite so&#8230; Literally.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> was going to make a full go of it&#8211; She really was. She left Genevieve without rebuttal, and she begins to meld into the throng, and then Malin calls Buck out with that quip.  <\/p>\n<p>The illusion not only broken but shattered, she breaks down, tears flowing as she snorts out through chipmunk-like cackles. &#8220;Dam, Ransom. First you fail to fit in with the puppers, then you get career shattering proclamation.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Moved to tears?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> asks Genevieve, watching her. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> adds kindly to Genevieve. &#8220;Would you like some whisky?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What can I say. I am a business woman, you&#8217;re a financier.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Evalina<\/span> remarks with a wink, thinking for a moment after. &#8220;I am quite enjoying this city. It&#8217;s ripe with opportunity and really, I am loving the balance sheets.&#8221; Pause. &#8220;And the food. Goodness there&#8217;s some good food in this city. And the theater&#8230; The poetry&#8230;&#8221; She sighs, then returns to a smile, &#8220;&#8230;Sorry about that. How about you?&#8221; She wonders <\/p>\n<p>Raising up his whiskey in a toast as he takes a drink from it, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Buck<\/span> says, &#8220;Apparently in everyone&#8217;s worst breakup, I&#8217;m the tragedy. Here&#8217;s to bad luck and worse habits.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh no I&#8217;m fine thanks.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> replies to Dovie with a little grin, &#8220;Purely perfomative tears.&#8221; She clarifies. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Then don&#8217;t you dare come back to build your love shack on the edge of my caldera, darling. You know how I erupt on schedule!&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin<\/span> calls after Mab, and then looks to the audience, saying, &#8220;Besides, I know she&#8217;ll be back. No one quits magma this hot and good.&#8221; She touches the pad of a finger to her tongue, and then lowers her hand to touch that dampening digit to the side of her gown-clad ass, mouth producing a sizzle sound. &#8220;Sszzzzzt.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We moved quickly, which was why it ended so quickly. If it wasn&#8217;t the whirlwind romance rodeo, maybe it could have worked out, maybe next time,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Helen<\/span> says to Kurt with a shrug of her shoulders, but she does look concerned over towards Genevieve, lips pressing together thinly, her hand moving to drift fingertips along her bracer, and towards her bag. There is something there, fingertips curling into fist briefly before it seems hearing Genevieve clarify has her relaxing once more. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You did accuse both of us of fucking Derek Fairchild, we just ran with it,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> calls to Buck, after retaking her spot at the bar. Though she turns with a look of amusement to see that Malin is still performing, and blows her a kiss. <\/p>\n<p>Malin points at Buck over Mab&#8217;s words. <\/p>\n<p>August slides his hands in his pockets, evidently waiting for Nemi to start breaking his heart. <\/p>\n<p>Malin blows a kiss to Mab in return. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m glad that my tragedy can become your romance.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Buck<\/span> says with a smirk. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Well, it&#8217;s certainly ripe with opportunities, but I have to confess I don&#8217;t quite think I&#8217;m as enamored of it as you seem to be,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> tells Evalina with some mild amusement. &#8220;Do you have a favorite eatery yet?&#8221; She looks between Buck and Mab, her brows lifting high. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Shadow vampire dumpings are the worst.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> claims, &#8220;Arachne are you still ready to break a heart? Mars has been looking far too smug over here throwing commentary at everyone.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Nemi clears her throat&#8230;. vanishing into the crowd to come up behind August. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Nemi<\/span> with fierceness in her step as she comes up behind him, grabbing his ear, softly to anyone who&#8217;s perceptive, as she strains her muscles to make it look like she just grabbed a drunk from wandering off while they were testing. &#8220;And where do you think you&#8217;re going! Already drunk again just like your grandfather- When will you stop following in that mans steps and grow up! This is why we&#8217;ve been spending longer and longer nights in separate beds yet you just drink and DRINK until you can&#8217;t remember! All instead of facing his problems like a MAN so you won&#8217;t lose everything and repeat history for the tenth, twelfth, something-th time!&#8221; she states, pulling him back by the ear without any real force as to avoid hurting him, more sort of reeling him back into the conversation at hand. &#8220;And again with this nonsense maybe if you actually cared-&#8221; She states before moving her hand to swat his which carries her phone after she spots what hes doing with it.. &#8220;You SISTER FUCKER!&#8221; She yells suddenly! <\/p>\n<p>Marlow lowers her brows immediately at the accusation from Genevieve. &#8220;How did I just get shot while lying down? I&#8217;m innocent.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Malin insists to Mab, &#8220;Once you go volcano, nothing else erupts quite the same. They tremble. You remember.&#8221; Then she just stares at Nemi. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> stares at Nemi and begins to laugh at the accusation of August. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Once she&#8217;s caught her breath&#8211; That she doesn&#8217;t need in the least&#8211; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> makes finger guns in Genevieve&#8217;s direction. &#8220;Nah. I&#8217;d not break up with you.&#8221; she announces with the kind of lack of shame that only ryan Reynolds can make professionally work. &#8220;I&#8217;d turn you first. Besides, Buck&#8217;s been promicing to find my two hundred year old husband for days and instead, he&#8217;s been cheating on Dobie, Mab and god knows who else. I bet he&#8217;s been cheating on me, too, the hussy.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The Key of course.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Evalina<\/span> plugs to Marlow, shamelessly, &#8220;&#8230;Though I suppose we&#8217;re more of a lounge. I am renovating La Vie est Belle right now. Once that&#8217;s done, that&#8217;ll be my choice.&#8221; She cocks her head, &#8220;There&#8217;s this cute place in Bayview I like, too.&#8221; A shrug follows. &#8220;Good luck on your breakup&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Arachne glances up from her quiet conversation with Matthew at the sound of her name, mouth opening to respond to Genevieve before Nemi&#8217;s words steals her attention. Softly arched brows creep up just the faintest. <\/p>\n<p>Malin starts busting up laughing over what Roberta says. <\/p>\n<p>Looking nosily over at Genevieve, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> tries to feign some concern as an excuse to ask her, &#8220;Hey Vie, are you OK? You&#8217;re &#8230;&#8221; She points to her wet cheeks. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Take it as a compliment.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> instructs Marlow, &#8220;It means I think you&#8217;d be entertaining as a break up victim.&#8221; She points out before blinking when Mab addresses her. &#8220;Hmm? Yes, uh, fine.&#8221; She assures her. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh, my breakup has both been finalized for some time and yet continues to evolve daily,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> tells Evalina vaguely. &#8220;I accept all compliments,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> nods obediently at Genevieve when she explains the choice, and she looks to Arachne expectantly. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August&#8217;s<\/span> hand is brought out of his pocket in a fist, held up to clear his throat into it just like Nemi &#8211; while he gets into that character. His neck is craned, hand back in his pocket, and he stands straighter, shoulders square. His initial expression, as soon as Nemi shows up from behind to catch is ear is to laugh, and mouth a quiet, &#8220;What the fuck-&#8221; Before he fixes himself, his posture and attitude. A swivel, a turn on his heel, and <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> lifts his hand to break away that hold over himself by shoving away Nemi&#8217;s hand.  <\/p>\n<p>His voice is sterner, expression darker. That trademarked Pierce stare is ever present, as always, and it seems all too real when he looms over Nemi, closer and close enough to raise his voice himself. &#8220;Maybe if you didn&#8217;t lay limp like an underpaid whore, I&#8217;d spend more time in your bed than your sisters.&#8221; The sheer dejection, dismissiveness at least, is very real and addled by his actual over-alcohol consumption. &#8220;Who are you take a shot at my family anyway, getting my name was the best thing that happened to you, you nobody.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Malin goes back to her date with her beloved whiskey. <\/p>\n<p>Malin murmurs, &#8220;We lay limp when you suck between the sheets and we&#8217;re just praying it&#8217;s over with soon&#8230;&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Genevieve applauds for Mab and Malin once they&#8217;ve concluded, &#8220;I guess at least now we can all say we&#8217;ve seen what happens when someone wrestles with a volcano.&#8221; She claims. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Lie back and think of God and the queen,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> suggests to Malin with a quiet nod. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Someone needs to break up by just singing Not Fair by Lily Allen.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Evalina<\/span> opines in a sudden revelation <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Things get hot,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin<\/span> insists to Genevieve. <\/p>\n<p>Malin nods to Marlow. &#8220;And stare at the ceiling and try to find interesting shapes in the dried plaster.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> looks curiously between Genevieve, and then back at Roberta who seemingly made her cry, no doubt concocting some hilariously off-the-mark pet-theory about what just happened between them. But all that she vocalises about it, with a disbelieving smirk, is, &#8220;If you say soo &#8230;&#8221; And she keeps looking back at Roberta again to try and piece whatever that was together, but for now, she ends up drifting back to Marlow. To the Pierce, she pointedly states, &#8220;Isn&#8217;t make-believe so much better than real?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Are you asking or insisting?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> asks Mab with a small, fake smile. <\/p>\n<p>Kurt lets out a snort of laughter at Roberta&#8217;s short tirade, snickering softly. &#8220;That&#8230; Was something.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m insisting, but I forget that you&#8217;re a sadist,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> remarks to Marlow, too oddly icy and low in tone to be a brand new performance for the proverbial stage. <\/p>\n<p>Malin peers at Mab. &#8220;Weren&#8217;t you going to tell me some other sort of kissing practicing technique, or is sticking my tongue in a wine bottle the only option?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Nemi scoffs as she turns around as her bedwork is commented on. But she GASPS when her name is slandered and his is boasted. &#8220;Is that so- Well at least my new blood in the family will solve the issue of your mother.&#8221; She states, moving back into August&#8217;s face as she bears a grin for a split second. &#8220;Because then there will have been a woman in the family that the photographer does&#8217;nt need to go across the street to manage to fit them in a photo!&#8221; She states, fury in her voice as she uses the pure venom she can deliver. &#8220;And what is there to your name anyways? Two cents, you could&#8217;nt even afford to get your mommy to cut your own hair properly! Or was she a cheating bastard child just like you-&#8221; She states, a venom filled grin worn on her face as each word strikes deeper and true to the last&#8230;. supposedly that is. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If I weren&#8217;t, you wouldn&#8217;t enjoy stabbing me nearly as much, I suspect,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> murmurs toward Mab. When Malin addresses Mab, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> turns back toward her drink. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh dear,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> murmurs at the insults to the Pierce family with a look on her face that seems rather scandalized. <\/p>\n<p>Nemi adds on in a mocking tone. &#8220;Far too poor, off with another man and never home.&#8221; The same venom filled grin of theatrics rests upon her face once more. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Some people swear by the hand method, but the bottle is the only way,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> insists to Malin, &#8220;you&#8217;re just not a good kisser unless you can pop a champagne cork with nothing but your tongue, so keep practicing.&#8221; She then turns with a look of amusement to observe the drama still unfolding between Nemi and August, now that she&#8217;s solely a member of the audience. &#8220;Do we get to vote on the winner?&#8221; she wonders aside of Genevieve. <\/p>\n<p>as Mab looks on over, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> waves a glove-clad hand in her direction all innocent-like. &#8220;Personal business. Just a breakup. And she even ruined her makeup for the bit.&#8221; Motioning to Genevieve, there&#8217;s a grin. &#8220;I&#8217;d not dump her outside of the game. She&#8217;s gonna turn me gay, which is unfortunate for Buck&#8217;s dating life, apparently.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Helen finishes the flute of champagne and moves to place the glass down somewhere glasses go as she says, moving over closer to Malin and Mab, &#8220;Hey, I have to head out for a little while, have a meeting coming up shortly, but I&#8217;ll be available later. You two were great.&#8221; She waves and calls out to Genevieve, &#8220;This was fun! I&#8217;ll see you all around!&#8221; She smiles towards Dovie and says, &#8220;Nice to meet you, let&#8217;s do that coffee sometime?&#8221; Then she is heading over towards the exit, stopping briefly to say to Arachne and Matthew, &#8220;Hey, Matthew, good to see you, might have to formerly introduce me properly to Arachne there, but I have to run! See you around!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Incest is really a theme for August tonight.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> muses, and applauds for Nemi and August, &#8220;Well I think we&#8217;ll end things here then. Thanks to everyone who took part, all the breakups were amazing really, and as hard as it is to overlook incest, sister fucker claims, sexy volcano catfights, and Buck&#8217;s sheer dickishness I&#8217;m going to say the winners for tonight are Dovie and Helen.&#8221; She proclaims. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Preston<\/span> makes his way into the ballroom, rather fashionably late, and not at all that fashionable. A wave of a hand towards everyone, but he doesn&#8217;t say much, not wanting to disturb whatever is going on, just slipping into a spot near the bar. <\/p>\n<p>Helen does pause though in her stride, as Genevieve announces the winners, waiting, &#8220;Wait, us?&#8221; She turns back around, laughing softly and pointing to Dovie, &#8220;See, we&#8217;re destined for each other&#8217;s toothbrush!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Eagerly, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin<\/span> aborbs Mab&#8217;s instructions, and she nods. &#8220;Will do,&#8221; she says about Frenching an empty wine bottle&#8217;s mouth. &#8220;Someday I&#8217;m actually going to kiss someone, so I need to kind of remember what I&#8217;m doing.&#8221; As Helen prepares to head off, she says, &#8220;It was great to see you, Helen. And congratulations!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> gasps and gives Helen a hug. <\/p>\n<p>Nemi chuckles softly suddenly, smiling as she looks over and smiles at the two winners, looking back to August. &#8220;No hard feelings?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Buck gives a tip of his hat to Helen, &#8220;Have a pleasant evening, Miss Wagner.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> claps and cheers for Helen and Dovie when they&#8217;re declared the winners. &#8220;Woo! Now that&#8217;ll definitely bring them back together for a wild ride.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Helen leans in towards Dovie and returns the hug, giving her a fond squeeze as she says, &#8220;Now we can afford the coffee, for sure! Fancy coffee even, extra shots, extra flavors!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Congratulations,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> applauds politely when Genevieve announces the winners. <\/p>\n<p>Evalina waggles her fingers towards Preston, her cheeks then tinging red as she reads something on her phone. She starts typing like a possessed woman. <\/p>\n<p>The your momma joke seems to strike a chord within <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span>. He holds his heart, looks grief-stricken for a second. Then turns away from Nemi. &#8220;Don&#8217;t insult my mother, she has a condition, that&#8217;s all.&#8221; But it&#8217;s clear that slandering his own mother is what gives <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> that edge of a smile. Until he can&#8217;t continue &#8211; sighs out so he can stop masking his smile. &#8220;Shit.&#8221; A shake of his head then, and <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> concedes. &#8220;I can&#8217;t continue if she hits my family, I&#8217;ll just start to agree. You win this round, nerd.&#8221; To end things, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">August<\/span> gives Nemi a nudge between her brows with an index, then drifts away to drop back on the bar, give Dovie and Helen a thin applause. &#8220;Good play, you two. I should&#8217;ve won, but I don&#8217;t have great tits.&#8221; Ah, yes, the whiskey finally speaks. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Seeing as I&#8217;m on a roll right now.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> decides. &#8220;Blackwell, you&#8217;re dumped. Vie turned me gay.&#8221;  <\/p>\n<p>Business concluded, she turns to deliver her attention to Genevieve as she announces the winners, clapping for Dovie and Helen. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Dovie<\/span> chuckles at August. &#8220;There&#8217;s always flesh forming.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Arachne seems to be locked in a serious conversation with Matthew, pausing mid-sentence to flit a distracted smile that doesn&#8217;t thaw the thin veneer of ice shadowing her eyes. &#8220;An opportunity to find yourself within my web will come soon enough,&#8221; she murmurs in parting acknowledgement to Helen when the woman stops near them, but it&#8217;s her older, taller cousin whom holds her attention. <\/p>\n<p>Buck raises his glass of whiskey in a toast to the winners as he then drinks from it. &#8220;Congrats.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Voting is a lot of effort.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> points out to Mab, &#8220;Wait I did?&#8221; She wonders of Roberta, catching up on the conversation at last. &#8220;Well, I guess it is Pride month.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Nemi nods softly to August. &#8220;I think I have enough for the both of us at the least.&#8221; she states with a nod as she raises her hand to heft her bosom a bit, a tiny tease as she sits down next to him. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I can help with that part,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> offers August. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I mean&#8230;&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> doesn&#8217;t finish that. It would appear that she never thought anything of it past the initial quip. &#8220;Sure, why not. You only die once and all that.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>August briefly glances at Nemi, and her hefted bosom, with knit brows and some alcohol addled-distraction, then shakes his head clear and turns back upon the bar to order a, however many&#8217;th double whiskey. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They are pretty nice,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Helen<\/span> comments after August points out that one fact about herself and Dovie, &#8220;See you around, Dovie. Definitely that coffee sometime, and also, love the shop! I found a swimsuit there that really spoke to me, might have to talk to you about clothing in the future though, do need a few more fits.&#8221; She takes a moment, nodding to Arachne and Matthew, &#8220;Didn&#8217;t mean to interrupt, have a good night.&#8221; Then she is actually off this time. <\/p>\n<p>Nemi chuckles softly, a sigh coming after as she smiles. &#8220;We did good I think at the least.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Kurt lets out a soft laugh, nodding towards Dovie, &#8220;It was entertaining, even just as an observer. Could I have participated? Quite likely, yes, but honestly, I enjoyed what of it I saw. Definitely glad I showed up.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Matthew<\/span> hears his name and it briefly draws his attention from the deep discussion he&#8217;s sharing with Arachne, a smile ready and bright for someone when she speaks. &#8220;Hey, yes, sorry I missed you tonight but we&#8217;ll hang out soon. Cannon bowling, I need your help with that, still!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Matthew<\/span> hears his name and it briefly draws his attention from the deep discussion he&#8217;s sharing with Arachne, a smile ready and bright in the direction where Helen had called from. &#8220;Hey, yes, sorry I missed you tonight but we&#8217;ll hang out soon. Cannon bowling, I need your help with that, still!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You did great, I laughed.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> agrees with Nemi, &#8220;Honestly I think almost all of them were great, maybe there was a meh one I&#8217;m just memory holing though.&#8221; She admits. <\/p>\n<p>Marlow scoffs. <\/p>\n<p>Malin covers her face with a palm over what Mab says about men. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Shrodinger&#8217;s bisexual.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> adds sagely. <\/p>\n<p>Malin tells Genevieve, &#8220;I hear he&#8217;s also really good in bed. He&#8217;s into superpositions.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Totally mishearing Malin, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab&#8217;s<\/span> attention is drawn back that way, and she counters, &#8220;No one who&#8217;s into superheroes is good in bed.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Well, now that I&#8217;ve been broken up with, I&#8217;ve got some work to do. I&#8217;ll just drown myself in this whiskey and cry quietly to muted jazz in my smokey office.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Buck<\/span> claims with a smirk. <\/p>\n<p>August gives Mab a serious nod of agreement and toasts with a small lift of his drink. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;But hear me out.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> counters, suggesting to Mab. &#8220;Henry Cavil.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Genevieve snorts faintly at Malin, &#8220;Those are risky though, high chance of ending up entangled.&#8221; She points out. <\/p>\n<p>Nemi says &#8220;<span style=\"color:#00afff\">You deserve such. You&#8217;re an amazing and hard working part of everything.<\/span>&#8220;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Can&#8217;t believe I missed it,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Preston<\/span> reports to nobody in particular. &#8220;I could use a good breaking-up with.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Mab makes a face at Roberta. &#8220;Ew,&#8221; she says to her, &#8220;so not my type. Loki is hotter, Cavill is a guy&#8217;s guy.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Aww.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Genevieve<\/span> frowns at Preston, &#8220;I&#8217;m sure if you try you can find someone to break up with you the old fashioned way.&#8221; She assures him. <\/p>\n<p>Nemi says &#8220;<span style=\"color:#00afff\">Oh for sure I actually have what I need to change into on hand. <\/span>&#8220;<\/p>\n<p>Buck smirks to Roberta as he says, &#8220;I&#8217;ll check the cemetaries and send you a &#8216;Save the Date&#8217; with an obituary.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I feel like if someone is really into superheroes they believe in long arcs and slow burns, and really epic climaxes, though,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin<\/span> is informing Mab of her thoughts. &#8220;It sounds like it could be sexy. And superheroes like to make sure a happy ending is had more often than not.&#8221; Then she tells Genevieve, &#8220;Yes, but isn&#8217;t that the thrill? You get close enough and suddenly your state depends entirely on mine.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Preston<\/span> snorts at Genevieve, then just actually laughs. &#8220;Yeah, probably,&#8221; he says, lifting his shoulders in a half-shrug, but his face pulls into a little grin, almost shit-eating in nature, and he levels that grin at Genevieve. &#8220;You wanna go out, then?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Sneaking into the bar, <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Eloa<\/span> tries to blend in with the crowd, glancing around curiously as she comes up next to Nemi and Buck, &#8220;Ola. Miss all breakup fun?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Writing the next great American novel over there?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> teases Evalina as she texts. <\/p>\n<p>Buck nods to Eloa, &#8220;Yeah, just finished and gave out the prizes. It was pretty dramatic, all told.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh who won?&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Eloa<\/span> asks Buck curiously as her shoulders drop a little in disappointment that she missed the show. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yeah but they&#8217;re all about brute force and like, posing unrealistically, they&#8217;d never pay you the attention you need,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Mab<\/span> opines to Malin. Abruptly, she then bumps her brows and declares, &#8220;Okay, this was fun! I gotta talk to Sky.&#8221; Departing the Old Money bubble, she drifts further on down the bar, approaching instead the little wallflower that is someone. <\/p>\n<p>Evalina glances at Marlow, stealing a look at Buck before nodding at her. &#8220;It&#8217;s a crime novel. About a detective.&#8221; She tells her with a mischievous glint in her eyes. &#8220;So what&#8217;s this about coming out I hear?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That&#8217;ll do.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta<\/span> nods to Buck. Reaching for her phone, she sends off a text or two. <\/p>\n<p>Nemi smiles to Eloa. &#8220;Helen and Dovie dear, they did amazing.&#8221; She states with a soft nod. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Fake nonsense,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> tells Evalina. &#8220;It&#8217;s rife these days.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Buck gives a shrug to Eloa, &#8220;I wasn&#8217;t really paying attention after I got slapped in the face. The slap at least felt pretty authentic.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Eloa smiles at Nemi, &#8220;Can imagine they would be good a ac-&#8230;.&#8221; Her voice trails off and she blinks at Buck, studying his face, &#8220;Buck got slapped? Who slapped buck?&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Evalina raises an eyebrow at Marlow, &#8220;Oh? So what&#8217;s the fake and what&#8217;s the truth then?&#8221; She wonders, eyes scanning her face <\/p>\n<p>Genevieve snickers at Malin and gives Preston a sad shake of her head. &#8220;Unfortunately if we went out I&#8217;d turn you gay, it&#8217;s been established that&#8217;s my magical curse already.&#8221; She explains. &#8220;Alright, my brain is pooling in my shoes, I need to go lay down on something fluffy before I go full bimbo.&#8221; She says, giving a little wave. &#8220;See you guys later, thanks for coming!&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Buck motions to Evalina, &#8220;I broke up with her and said some mean things and she slapped me. Probably even, I suppose.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Nemi says &#8220;<span style=\"color:#00afff\">This is a pool party. Don&#8217;t even need to wear a shirt. Pretty sure if you don&#8217;t get in well throw your ass in.<\/span>&#8220;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I could slap you if you like.&#8221; If she wern&#8217;t veiled, the flutter of <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Roberta&#8217;s<\/span> lashes might actually work, but instead, there&#8217;s only the pout on show. &#8220;You&#8217;d have to lean down so I can reach though.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Thank you for hosting, it was wonderful,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Malin<\/span> says to Genevieve, giving her a wave. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That sounds like a fantastic breakup,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Preston<\/span> admits &#8211; nodding his head at Genevieve, &#8220;Hey babe,&#8221; he begins, lamenting it. &#8220;I gotta break up with you, because you&#8217;ve turned me gay.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Buck gives a tip of his hat to Genevieve, &#8220;Thanks for hosting. Have a pleasant day, Miss Rothwell.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Nemi says &#8220;<span style=\"color:#00afff\">Pardon my language- Apologies.<\/span>&#8220;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If you find out, Rothwell, please let me know,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> tells Evalina dryly as she leaves her seat. &#8220;Thank you for hosting, short stuff,&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Marlow<\/span> tells Genevieve. &#8220;Later, all,&#8221; she adds, heading for the door. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Sorry I no make but was busy at hospital.&#8221; <span style=\"color:#ffffff\">Eloa<\/span> waves at Genevieve then turns back to Buck, &#8220;Uh is name of lady who slap buck? Eloa not know.&#8221; <br \/><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Date: 2025-06-21 17:03 (Genevieve&#8217;s Ballroom Breakup Bash) [Sat Jun 21 2025] Inside a Seaside Dancehall Pavilion\/spanThe dancehall stretches wide beneath a high ceiling supported by white-painted wooden beams that arch gracefully overhead. Polished hardwood floors reflect the strings of Edison bulbs that hang at regular&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[133],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19525","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-calendarlog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/havenrpg.net\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19525","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/havenrpg.net\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/havenrpg.net\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/havenrpg.net\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/havenrpg.net\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19525"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/havenrpg.net\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19525\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/havenrpg.net\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/havenrpg.net\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/havenrpg.net\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}