. murder on the dancefloor

[dominic vinten cuvo]

His empty fingers glide through the air, grasp quickly occupied by the flute he tips back, vaguely wishing a caterer would follow him around with a tray of more before realizing a bottle would better provide such a service. Violet may be nearby to assist him. The vial screams from his pocket but the motion of the carousel momentarily distracts from the urge, Dom instead trying to discern faces from the other smears of color on the beach, almost sure of Calvin’s retreating figure and Kitty’s active recruit of another minion. With deft fingers he retrieved his phone and texted his night’s competitor: I’m bored, give me my assignment. Guests are joining him on the carousel, daunted by its speed but spurred on by Dominic’s fanaticism as their inhibitions were blunted by a stream of cocktails, crystal bowls of pills, and mirrored trays of white lines. His decoration contributions, naturally. Staff were made to sign NDAs and stripped of their phones, then assigned themed uniforms regardless of their duty. Speaking of staff, after another revolution Dominic barks the way of one passing by, waving off the tray and motioning toward the bottle instead, people ducking his outstretched arm as he snatched it by the neck, saluting his thanks and abandoning his horse in favor of dropping himself into a carriage meant for two—or children maybe. In it he sat backwards, opposing the motion, better able to watch (and critique) the claiming of horses around him. The tinny song rang and rang against the backdrop of waves and chatter, bubbles tickling his lips as his shaggy hair spread to frame his dark features, the same black, glassy eyes as his fake stallion.

[mirren hewitt]

& Do I Dare Disturb The Universe?

Mirren Outfit

“That was close.” She feels safer, suddenly, when Ruby's hand fills her grasp, able to focus on the best time to jump on now and ignore Sasha immediately upon her introduction. The past week had been better since they'd all formed some tenuous alliance on ignoring her, filling the hours with the three of them and leaving her up to her own devices. For better or for worse Mirren still wasn't sure but today she wouldn't care, finally signaling to jump and landing, luckily, without a bubble of champagne out of place. She downs it though, just in case, glass abandoned somewhere off the side as others drifted on and found a spot. Mirren sized up her options quickly before deciding on a caramel colored horse in front of her, dark mane and docile face enough to satisfy her as she perched sideways, carefully holding the shorter side of her dress down as she fished a slim vape pen out of her tiny metallic purse. It isn't until she's mid drag that she notices Dom's now sat right in front of her, cocking her head before the contraption whirled again and she held on to the pole in front of her, smoke spilling out of her mouth. How had he conjure a bottle of champagne? Is he also a magician? The thought consumes her momentarily before she reaches out in request, wondering if he'd share or if he was as in love with the vintage as he was the horses that surrounded him. Eyes narrowing in advance of another question. “How do you know Kath-...um, Kitty, again?”

[dominic vinten cuvo]

Kitty: “Stay bored. Get Ruby’s friend, the brunette.” And like a little sacrificial lamb delivered, Mirren appears. It shouldn’t be a surprise, of course, seeing as he had invited her and everyone else aboard. But the haze parts nonetheless and Dominic seriously regards the girl for the first time since their hurried introductions, setting his sights on her for the night. Her lanky limbs and thick brows and height elevated by heels he didn’t hate, gaze washing over her before she noticed, her recognition delivered through a cloud of vape smoke. Maybe it was the little carousel mirrors working their magic, but he almost saw his own features in hers—that instantly forged what he would need to win this bet. Already a girl after his heart, she wordlessly gestured for a refill of champagne. He leaned forward to extend the bottle to her, fingers lingering until he knew it to be secured, unfazed by the drops that splashed the antique floors. “Oh, Kitty?” he asked, as though he needed to be reminded of her existence hovering some feet away on the stationary earth. “She's an old childhood friend. Like a little sister, really,” he answered with private amusement, eyes on her as he tipped back the bottle and felt the surge of champagne flip a critical switch. “I’m Dominic, by the way,” he added, almost bashful they had not properly greeted. His eyes dance away, a smirk twitching his lip. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to stare,” he said sheepish if he ever could be, as if embarrassed to be caught at anything but his best in front of her. “It’s just that you have a timeless sort of beauty, it's rather arresting. I can think of several artists who would have loved to paint you.”

[kitty smith-sato]

LORD, WHAT FOOLS THESE MORTALS BE.                                                        

k a t h e r i n e        outfit

A flicker of recognition. Real recognising real— or in this instance, the total opposite. The darkness in Kitty's soul activates with the proximity of a kindred spirit, bolts of lightening flashing between them like a finger pressed to a plasma globe. Sasha's eyes give her away, teeming with resentment as she looks over at the giggling girls, though her lips are fixed into a smile that could almost pass for convincing, if she weren't stood next to a human lie detector. Her words are sugarcoated but oh so telling. "She is weird about him, isn't she?" she agrees flippantly, resisting the urge to watch her face for a reaction, Kitty's metallic coated eyes watching the carousel with perfected indifference. Of course it would be a boy that would drive conflict between them. Fresh in the knowledge of Ruby and Colton's intimacy, the pieces start to come together in her mind. The rumblings of a plan. Kitty's skin feels electric, her machinations notching up a gear as the air feels charged with renewed promise. She watches Mirren in particular, wondering what her role was in that little threesome. Was she chasing Colt Abernathy dick too? Katherine can't believe her old schoolmate has this hold over these girls, being a dullard of the tallest order. "He's hot, I get it," she lies, finally glancing back at Sasha. "Is Mirren weird about him too?" Sasha considers the question. "Not in the same way. But then she's got Matt." She says the name with open disdain, immediately conveying something she didn't need to put into words: Sasha felt that Mirren was one of those girls who wore her boyfriend like a badge of honor. Watching as the carousel spun, lights smearing into the cloud streaked sky, the first piece clicks into place. Wordlessly palming off her bottle to Sasha, she quickly types out a reply to Dom, locking the bet in place with barely disguised glee. "What's that guy's deal?" Sasha asks, her eyes following Kitty's as she watches him glance at his phone. "Oh, that's Calvin's boyfriend," she says, the corner of her lips fixed into a coy smile. "He's bad news, best avoided. Come to the bathroom with me? I need a bump."

[ruby anderson]

THE R I S E & THE F A L L

s a s h a

There was a lot to unpack here, her mind bouncing everywhere. The decor, the people, the little comments that Kitty was making towards the people around her. And her ability to instantly hone in on the Dunmere trio - whom intrigued and annoyed Sasha at the same time. But then Kitty's voice becomes sweet, almost honey-like and Sasha's unsure what to think. "He's really hot." Sasha smiles, biting her lip as the gossiping continues. Give her any opportunity to speak on Ruby. They chat back and forth about the weirdness of Ruby's actions towards Colt. Kitty further questioning if Mirren did the same, which she did not. Sasha delivers more information on a sliver platter, indulging the gorgeous girl next to her about Mirren's boyfriend Matt. It was fun to be on the outside of the group, to observe and learn in which ways she could potentially attack. Another name, that she'd forget, but she'd remember the information to avoid Dom. Who was apparently in a relationship with Cal? This was all hard to keep up with.. Nodding her head, Sasha begins to follow Kitty back up to the bathroom. Throwing a glance her shoulder at Mirren conversing with the man, as Ruby was a few horse behind, speaking with a few others who joined the carousel fun. The girls shuffled into the bathroom and Sasha watches with pleasure as Kitty pulls out a necklace, hiding the secret stash. "Do you share?" Sasha asks, having dabbled in the fun whenever she had the chance. "So it's obvious I have my eyes set on Colton. Think you could help me distract Ruby and Mirren, so I could get him alone again?"

[mirren hewitt]

& Do I Dare Disturb The Universe?

Mirren Outfit

She'd always heard tiny little warning bells when it came to Kitty. The abrupt changes in Ruby seemed to always carry her name with the tag, the mysterious addition to a new group of friends that Mirren hadn't really been invited to. She wondered now if it was these people, their world...until she realized that Ruby, too, had been introduced. It's all a lot oof pieces for someone whose buzz was starting to zing, surprised at how delicate the pale champagne felt in its sip. She almost goes to regard the bottle but thinks better of it, holding on to both the horse and her nerves as Dominic's full attention swung her direction. It, too, felt overwhelming. Not in its intensity but just in its...everywhere-ness. “I remember,” Mirren half lies, kind of proud that it had stuck around in her mind and not disappeared the second someone said it. But then he's quickly moving on, Mirren daring another sip and glad she did so once the compliment actually registers. Her wavy hair swings to the side as she tilts her head, liking how his voice carried but also wondering why the words sounded like he was lifted from a Jane Austen novel. “Thank you?” Mirren finally musters, looking back out to the dizzying crowds. Maybe she was actually the dizzy one, gripping tighter as they swung back around. “Is this your house? We're down the road but I don't know if I've ever seen you.”

[dominic vinten cuvo]

Mirren is almost perfect…Perhaps if she cut her hair shorter. Upturned her brows. Dimpled her chin. Like a narcissistic acid trip, Dominic imagined her face contorting to look more and more like his own, a silent thrill to imagine the sight and sensation of himself in female form. Kitty was too different in that regard—despite her insistence on being blood—so she could not scratch the itch of wondering what it would be like to bed his own lookalike. Maybe he would be like this girl if he were the opposite gender: awkward and unsure, demure at first glance but daresay wild in private. It was the latter Dom wanted to confirm, find out in what ways they were truly alike. He moved across the bench to still face Mirren, that much closer, resting his chin on his arm along the carriage edge, feeling boyish the way he looked up at her moving above him. Trying to keep his mind from sliding into the pornographic, catching the distorted reflections in the shiny surface of the pole she clutched, wondering where his gilded set of wings had gone to. “You could easily be a High Renaissance portrait or a nineties supermodel. It’s uncanny, really,” he explained, happy to pass the bottle to and fro, making real-time guesses about her before her sentence had even finished. “Don’t mind me. I talk a lot when I’m nervous. About art especially, it’s a crutch,” he dismissed, as if ever humble about it. Her question is as good as any because he doesn’t know, such trite details lost in his and Kitty’s party planning. “Oh, no, it’s Kitty’s,” he guesses, almost rebuking the idea as if it were too gauche for him…as they rode on the carousel he specifically tracked down. “Do you summer here as well?”

[kitty smith-sato]

LORD, WHAT FOOLS THESE MORTALS BE.                                                        

k a t h e r i n e        outfit

Kitty's eyes swept over Sasha's outfit, quickly noting the visible seams and unlined material. It made sense now why she seemed so impressed by Dunmere and its summer residents—maybe she had never seen anything like it in her drab little life. It was wild to think someone could be captivated by something so average, but that might explain her fascination with the only male in their trio. Kitty led Sasha through the crowds, careful not to touch anyone. The air around them seemed to shimmer with glitter, twinkling and blurring in Kitty's tipsy state. Once they were in the bathroom, Kitty firmly locked the door behind them and started searching for her signature necklace. "Duh," she responded to Sasha’s question, eager to keep her talking while also ensuring that if things went public, they would share the blame. Kitty snorted a small bump, the familiar rush hitting the back of her throat. She then fished out a much larger bump for Sasha, holding out the tiny spoon piled high with pure white powder. As she did, it gave her a moment to think. "I hate to rain on your parade, but don't you think his eyes might be set elsewhere?" she asked.

[mirren hewitt]

& Do I Dare Disturb The Universe?

Mirren Outfit

Is she in some sort of interactive play? Mirren looks around wildly for other potential characters, everyone dressed to the nines in one way or another. Girls in tiny, shimmering separates and boys in ruffled shirts, a strange amalgamation of costumes and youth and drinks flowing everywhere. Mirren's phone buzzes in her purse but she's too dizzy to try to focus on it, handing the bottle back off to her mysterious counterpart and wondering why she was sharing it in the first place. Spirit of the party, she guessed. As must have been Dominic's attitude, hamming it up in some dedication to the theme. She doesn't really even know what to say when he continues, thinking warmly of her mother whose looks she heavily resembled. Heidi still got hit on to this day but she was more lush curves than Mirren's slight frame, studying the curve of her arm until his mention of nerves popped her head back up? “Why are you nervous?” He didn't seem like the type to get nervous, confusion growing further at the obvious lie. She'd have known if this was Kitty's house, Ruby would have mentioned it...her unease and confusion at the situation grows, looking back to try to locate her friend. She must be on the other side of the carousel, Mirren sliding quickly off her horse as she nodded to his question. “Yeah, been coming here since I was little with Ruby and another friend of ours...I'm going to go find her, actually...it was nice to meet you.”

[ruby anderson]

THE R I S E & THE F A L L

s a s h a

"Are you the mastermind behind this amazing party?" Her smile grows larger at Kitty's 'duh.' Happy to partake in a bit of fun always. She'd been in a little bit of a dazed state, walking through this unfamiliar Hamptons house and seeing the various party patrons. The staff appearing everywhere too, something that she was not used to seeing in her former life. Standing next to Kitty in the bathroom, watching as she prepares the bump for herself, Sasha can see all the differences between the two of them. Kitty's class, wealth evident in the way she composed herself. Despite all of her feelings towards Ruby,  the Anderson family had done a lot for Sasha. But when it came to Ruby, Sasha wanted nothing more than to knock the blonde off of whatever pedestal she thought she stood on. Kitty goes first in snorting the bump, eagerness forming in Sasha's body as she watches the euphoria of taking a good drug succumb Kitty. Sasha's turn, and she carefully places the now empty glass of champagne on the counter beside the sink as the white powder is offered. "Thanks again." Snorting the bump, Sasha welcomes the rush it brings but feels the joy crushed with Kitty's words. This was what she had feared, his attention being elsewhere. There had been signs, all summer actually. While he was quiet, sulky to begin with, it was cranked up a notch after the two of them had hooked up. Her mind runs rapid as she thinks who could be occupying his time.. "Wait? What?" Sasha goes to Ruby then her best friend Mirren. Mirren didn't seem like the type to cheat on her boyfriend, but then again she didn't know her very well. It's a certain summer blow out with Ruby's little flame Everett that stops her from thinking any further. "Oh my god." The realization making her mouth pop open. Everything was right in front of her all along. "It's Ruby, isn't it? What do you know?" Sasha asks, her high feeling so good with the thought of taking down Ruby after all.

[dominic vinten cuvo]

Mirren is not as receptive to his charm as Dominic had hoped, quickly challenging the nervousness he claimed. His features were briefly touched by concern, pretending to hesitate to answer, avoiding another compliment. “I’m from the city but I just graduated. It’s been a while since I was out here,” he tried to smooth over, gesturing with his free hand to everything around them like a boy overwhelmed and hiding out from the party. Pull back, wait for her, modulate his approach. “And I’m trying to branch out, make new friends,” he added quietly, and so pathetically he felt truly immersed in his new part for the night. Kaz should be proud, his son is an actor! But her friend is an anchor pulling taut on her, a line he realizes he will need to sever at some point tonight if he wants to get her alone and win this bet. Dominic could be patient to an extent but the night itself was ticking away, and Mirren had too many excuses to wield. As she slid off the horse, Dominic pulled himself up to stand at full height, one hand gripping the pole and the other on the draining bottle. “Kitty’s old roommate?” he asked, proud to have remembered the name and connection. “I can help you find her, if you want,” he offered innocently enough, wearing his best and brightest smile. A suggestion rather than a choice, indulge her with the safety of her friend before figuring out how to pick her off later. “This thing will probably be more fun after sunset,” he said of the carousel, as if tired of it already and willing to leave it behind. "Let's all get a proper drink."

[colton abernathy]

LORD, WHAT FOOLS THESE MORTALS BE.                                                        

k a t h e r i n e        outfit

"Yes." Dominic's involvement is already diminishing in her mind, unable to think of any of his contributions now that the party was certified a success. She pats at the makeup around her nose, fishing out a puff to press powder into her skin, carefully focusing on her own reflection and again resisting the urge to look directly at Sasha, to see what impact her words are having. Needs to seem casual, off the cuff. Sasha takes the bait more quickly and enthusiastically than Kitty could have ever expected and she has to suppress a smirk, finally looking to the brunette, her face fixed in an expression of faux regret. "Oh my god, Sasha, don't worry, I don't know what I'm talking about!" She puts her makeup down, sighing. "God, my big mouth." Her hand goes to Sasha's arm, squeezing, imploring her as she tries her best to make her face seem etched with concern. "You can't say I said anything. I haven't said anything! I genuinely don't even know anything, okay? I'm only guessing."

WE'LL NEVER BE AS YOUNG AS WE ARE TONIGHT.                                                        

C O L T O N      outfit

"The mother of excess is not joy but joylessness." Colton finishes off the beer in his hand, looking out at the lawn filled with beautiful young people dressed like they might die any moment and want to have the most extravagant ghost outfit possible. In his usual ensemble that just so happened to fit the theme, he turns to Henry, hoping if he gives this one last go his friend will see sense. "We don't have to go, you know. We can just turn around now, go back to the bar, or go get wasted at Dunmere now it's empty... we could actually enjoy our evening." Immediately he catches the eye of someone he knew from school and hated then, finding that he still hates them now. The house is familiar in its similarity to all the other houses owned by the families of his former classmates, lush lawns and pristine facades, huge buildings that lay empty most of the year. This is worse, though, bedecked in ludicrous decorations, hosted by a girl he wouldn't trust if she was the last person on earth. He sighs, lighting a cigarette and offering the pack to Henry. "You're making a terrible mistake."

[henry albright]

LIFE WAS EUPHORIC WHEN WE DIDN'T KNOW MUCH

h e n r y o u t f i t

The two boys stood on the outskirts of the party, looking in at all the partygoers. Familiar faces passing by as Colton finishes muttering off a quote to him. One girl he recognizes from school, waves to the both of them. Neither Henry or Colt returning the favor as he contemplated his best friend's words. They didn't have to be here. Maybe this wasn't a good idea. Ruby had been invited, Colton the extension to that. Henry had been curious - of the party and Kitty's group. Knowing that the person he hated the most would be at the party, only encouraged Henry more. Wanting to further press his button, which would be a slippery slope. "I know this is a terrible idea." He accepts the cigarette pack, unable to pull his gaze away from the lavish party. Lighting the one and inhaling the vice he enjoyed while drinking. "Oh, look, there he is." Henry states with sarcasm laced in his voice, rolling his eyes. Colton had heard a time or two about his dislike for the man. His eyes landing on Dom, speaking with someone on the carousel. Looking a little bit more closely, Henry sees it's Mirren who's seated on the horse across from him. If he had a guess, this carousel and the theatrics that surrounded it must have been his idea. Mirren slides off the horse, and moves to another part of the machine. Ruby coming into sight now, Dom not too far behind.  "Well, I don't fucking like that." A pit forming in his stomach watching them interact with the devil. But especially Mirren.  He takes another drag of the cigarette. "Let's go take advantage of their free beer."

AND EVERYTHING COMES OUT, TEENAGE PETULANCE.

R U B Y  OUTFIT

Ruby migrated towards a horse with a yellow shaded mane. Bringing the champagne glass to her lips, she finishes the remaining liquid. Nervous to have to look after glass, especially on an unsteady surface. Champagne always went to her head, but she loved the feel. Smiling as she got fully situated on the children's ride. Mirren suddenly not next to her she realizes as she settles in, the carousel slowly starting to take off. Her eyebrow furrows as she looks around, certain she was just behind her. Ruby looks over to where she'd left Sasha and Kitty, and notices that they were making their way towards the house together. Ruby suddenly wishing she had a chance to warn Kitty of the schemes of her nemesis. A few people joined the horses closest to her. Conversation flowing as she learns their names, how they knew Kitty, compliments flying about everyone's outfits.  They spin around the beach, the classic music she'd remembered from being a child playing. Mirren moves towards her, coming from the other side as she suspected. "I was wondering where you went!" Happy to have her familiar person at her side again. Mirren's not alone though. "Oh hi. It's Dominic, right?" Ruby carefully maneuvers her body off the horse. "Want to get another drink?" The girls step off of the carousel and move towards the bar.

[calvin keller]

& Do I Dare Disturb The Universe?

Mirren Outfit

What sounds like honesty strikes strange to Mirren, simultaneously wary and curious of the guy in front of her as she stared for maybe a second too long. He didn't seem like the type to struggle making friends, or picking and choosing the ones he called that, posture almost too relaxed as the words fell. But then again her mind was already coaxing a gentle hum of drunkenness, the slip of a high, and who was she to sit here and judge someone for conversing with a stranger? It's why she relents when he offers to accompany her, shifting the hem of her dress again as she waited for him to unfold from the bench. It was all kind of strangely graceful, something she still rarely felt at her young age. Luckily Ruby's easy enough to find, fighting against the rotation of the machine until her shining blonde hair came into view. Also holding a court of her own, then turning to have the same thought as Dominic. Briefly she wonders how much these two have in common, the denominator obvious as she watched Sasha and Kitty stalk back up the lush grounds. “Another round sounds perfect,” Mirren agrees, grateful when her foot touches solid ground. It takes her a second to steady herself, hand pressed to Dominic's shoulder to catch her balance before she notices and snatches it away, red faced as she mutters an apology and quickens her pace up the hill. “What's the pink drink everyone has? With the big ice cube? I want that one.”

& WITH A KISS, CONSUMES

CAL FIT

The dismissal from Kitty was all he really wanted, immediately dropping the minimal effort he'd had to summon to converse with strangers. It wasn't that he wasn't interested per se, sensing something brewing at the edge of the water they'd inhabited, but whatever it would be paled in comparison to what he had to look forward to. Hovering near the edge of the outdoor bar he greets Violet with a quick kiss when she appears at this side, handing her the half of his bottle that remained as he exchanged it for a Peroni. Soothing the edges of his ratcheting buzz, biding his time until there. The man of the hour appeared in the doorway and Cal peeled eagerly away from his perch. “Henry,” Calvin greets warmly, eyes drifting briefly to his companion before clapping a hand to Henry's muscled shoulder. “Can I borrow him for a second? Won't take long.” He doesn't wait for the answer, already guiding Henry away to a quieter section of the party before he spun, brow quirking at the cigarette. He had no idea he smoked but then again, there was much to learn about Henry. Beginning with how much he'd divulge right now, knowing time was finite with Kitty's watchful eyes seemingly everywhere at once.“I discovered the most interesting thing recently,” he starts, voice hushed as to not be overheard by the swarming crowds. “It made me curious - did Kitty wear white, on your wedding night? Or did you fuck her in something a little more devilish? Don't try to deny it, Cape Cod marriage certificates are public record.”

[kitty smith-sato]

LORD, WHAT FOOLS THESE MORTALS BE.                                                        

k a t h e r i n e        outfit

"If you knew something, you'd tell me, right?" Sasha implores, presumably driven by pure desperation since she has no real connection with Kitty to appeal to. Kitty nods, tilting her head with slight pity. "Sasha, babe. Does it mean that much to you? Do you want me to go speak to him?" The offer is immediately accepted. Sighing as though it was a great imposition, she takes one last look at herself before heading out of the bathroom, her heels clicking against the staircase as she descends. Before long there's a fresh glass of pink champagne in her hand, her eyes roaming the crowds, thicker now. Her eyes settle on Colton quickly, thick curtains of hair falling into his face, which is wearing its signature broody pout. How droll. Giving Sasha a small wink, she presses through the crowds, her glass held high above her head.  "Abernathy," she coos, deciding not to take any offence when he visibly rolls his eyes at her presence. "You look..." she glances up and down, struggling to put words to what's in front of her. "... Clean."  He laughs shortly. "Thanks. You look like a Christmas ornament. This your house?" "Ew, no. I'd be tighter with the guest list if it was. Speaking of, who are you here with? Ruby, I suppose?" Her tone tinges with teasing knowingness, his eyes snapping to hers. A flicker of panic, gone as soon as it's there but not soon enough for Kitty to miss it. "And Mirren. Know where they are?"  "Hmm," she casts her eye outward, towards the carousel. "Ah. Here they come right now."