welcome home | {clue plot}

[umber vivuus 12b 🥀 [dars]]

The morning hadn't come fast enough. She already gotten too excited and packed her things two days before her scheduled departure, doing a wonderful job of both promising her parents she was ready to leave home, and herself. She laid in her bed, eyes staring at the blank ceiling in the dark for what felt like weeks before the sun finally broke over the horizon.

She made quick work of getting ready, a steady hand drew on her make up, she fixed her hair so that it was up with a few ebony curls cascading down her back, and she wore her black dress. As soon as she was finished, she hefted her bags up (there were far too many for her to carry alone, so she ended up calling on her father for help.) and sat in the living room, reassuring her parents that if this all worked out well, she would be set for the rest of her life, how this was her golden opportunity, her shot of a lifetime. Her mother cried, why, she had no idea. It wasn't like they'd ever been close. Her sister tried to at least act sad about her leaving, but it was obvious she was just as excited as Scar was. Her father didn't say much, just patted her on the back and whispered his love for her, then there was a knock on the door.

"That'll be them," She said, and after one last hug from her mother, she was out the front door, a bulky man helping her with the bags. She got her own boat, and it even came with a rower that didn't try to make small talk with her for the entire ride. Last time she had been on these waters, it had been night time and she hadn't been able to notice much. This early, though, when the sky was still young and the water was calm, the view was breathtaking.

And it only got better when she saw the house. Before, it was dimly lighted from the outside, obviously extravagant, but nothing special. Now she could see everything, the walls, some crafted completely of stone, some of glass, some of wood. A huge, glittering pool with sparkling clear water, a freshly cut lawn, part of which was devoted to what looked to be some kind of a garden, and the whole thing sat on top of a hill on a small island, various docks surrounding the space.

Upon entering, she found the inside of the building was just as gorgeous as the outside. Spotless, and decorated with gold and diamonds and shiny things in every corner, and she couldn't help smiling. "Not too shabby," she said to herself. She was lead to the ballroom, the same place where the announcement that she had a chance at this money was made, and found once getting there that she was one of the last to arrive. Good, she thought, Being fashionably late is always the best way to enter.

"Ah, Scarlet, how wonderful to see you," Mr.Black called, his voice enchantingly dark and smooth. "I believe you are the last one here, so I guess I'll start." She looked around at the others, all of them young. There were a few cute boys that she would have to get to know later, and a few girls she would have to remind she was in control. After all, this money was going to be her's. "I'm sure that, now that you've all had some time to think, you are wondering why you were selected to, ah, compete, if you will. I chose the lot of you because each of you are exceptional in your own way. Each of you have defined yourselves, and that is something some people never do, yet here you all are, some of you not even fully grown. You all are people that could achieve greatness, it is my want to make sure at least one of you gets it." She felt flattered, even though all of the others were being told the exact same thing.

"Now, Blanche will have your room keys, but for now, take some time to explore. Get to know each other. After all, you are going to be seeing a lot of each other from now on." And then, with his signature handsome grin, he was gone, and Scar found herself wishing he would come back. Shaking it off, she turned to a boy with bronze hair and freckles. Cute, a little rough around the edges, but definitely not bad. "Hey there, handsome,"

---

and in a pipe she flies to the motherland
and sells love to another man
it's too cold outside
for angels to fly

---

table by zoe

scar

[[nyte]]

Priscilla  Sheppard
{i walk a lonely road;

Mother didn't bother to see me off. A mere lump on the bed, head buried beneath her sheets as I threw various commodities into bags and fussed about my hair. As careless as I wished to be, I made sure the designer garments were folded carefully into place. I wouldn't be caught dead wearing one of them had they even the slightest imperfection. It would tarnish my reputation and ruin the illusion of perfection. 

Today I had decided that simplicity was the best option. Not wanting to intimidate my new housemates, I adorned a simple tank-top and bottoms to match. Still designer brand, of course, I'm no heathen. Nervousness crept through my fingers, grabbing slender wrists and shaking them violently. I was no socialite, despite what I've led myself to believe. I'd never been around more than five people in my life and I'm unsure what to make of myself currently.

Selfishness is what had led me to accept such an invitation. Their words stroked my ego in just the right way, giving me no other choice than to indulge my many fatal flaws. I would not be attending to make friends, from the get go I must remember to make such clear. My image, my fame, was sure to increase by simply standing in the company of others, and that is what excited me most. 

The knock at the door was what finally caused Mother to stir. I heard her groans from the bedroom as I threw open the front door, arms laden with bags and cases.  Without even asking his reasons for being here, I shove a number of the bags at him, regarding him with the utmost spite. He was no doubt of a lower class than I and therefore was not to receive any kind of acknowledgement.  Rule 53 of 227, to be exact. 

My palms collide in excitement as without a word he leads me to my own boat. "I hope you don't expect me to row it myself." I mutter, careful not to get any dirt upon fair skin or clothes as I settle in. Despite growing up near the ocean, I'd never been a fan of it. Too salty and rough, threatening to wash off carefully applied makeup and causing my hair to smell of fish shit for days. A shame too, given the amount of bathing suits I possess. 

As far as I could tell I was one of the first to arrive. Mr. Black and the help awaited me, giving the most enthusiastic of greetings as I gazed awe-struck at the mansion. I'd grown up in a generously named mansion, but it was nothing of this sort. Goldens and blacks and metals of all kind mingled, creating a cacophony of gorgeous design that made my knees go weak. 

Instead, they folded delicately beneath me, body resting upon the bottom-most step of the grand staircase, allowing my mind to wander as the room filled around me. I didn't allow myself to overanalyze the situation, to stress myself by imagining the poor folk lucky enough to be swept up in this sea of elegance. They did not deserve to lay eyes on such gorgeous foundation, but alas the world is not fair and I felt that soon I would have to deal with such disgusting creatures. 

"I believe you are the last one here, so I guess I'll start."  Mr. Black's words startle me, dragging me back to reality in a burst of excitement and impatience. About damn time. 

"I'm sure that, now that you've all had some time to think, you are wondering why you were selected to, ah, compete, if you will. I chose the lot of you because each of you are exceptional in your own way. Each of you have defined yourselves, and that is something some people never do, yet here you all are, some of you not even fully grown. You all are people that could achieve greatness, it is my want to make sure at least one of you gets it." Oh I am sure I would. I hang on his every word, ego growing with each perfectly pronounced syllable. Perhaps my mother thought me the scum of Panem, but this man had at least given me a chance. 

He goes on about some woman handing out room keys and other nonsense I couldn't have given two shits about and when told to socialize, I had to force myself to turn to the nearest beings.  A man and woman, one with raven locks and the other's resembling prescious metal. "Hey there, Handsome." I doubt she was talking to me, unless my less than feminine figure gave me a boyish charm from behind.

Nonetheless, I smile at the both of them. Not looking for friendship, but an alliance. They didn't need to know that, however, not yet. "Hello you two."  

[template by elegant]

[Python]

A L P H O N S E B R U N T

Transporting a forged painting from point A to point B turned out to be surprisingly tedious. He had to cover it, carry it, and then store it somewhere on the boat where it would not be subject to salt spray or moisture. He had to ensure that for the duration of the ride there was absolutely nothing that could potentially scrape, scratch, smudge or dampen the paint. He was not about to ruin his greatest piece because of one little trip, as life-changing as it was. He planned to amplify his impression on the mansion folk and perhaps sell it to an eager spender, especially if it was Mr. Black who expressed interest in the decoration. Mr. Black buying one of my forgeries would make be the best con-man the world has ever seen. If he turned down the offer, there was an entire pool of wealthy saps left to coerce. At least one of them would be impressed with his so-called “finding.”

As his boat bounced across ocean waves Alphonse covered his mouth and kept his body hunched, focusing on the smell of salt and seawater. The last thing he needed was another bout of sea sickness; he could ruin his new suit or end up walking into the mansion colored green, and everyone would know why. A District Four resident who can’t stomach a boat ride? That would leave a nasty stain on his reputation, and it was a weakness he couldn’t afford. Keep it together, you ate a light breakfast. Two pieces of toast, actually, with no butter and extra jelly, and a glass of water to wash it down. Nothing that would upset his stomach too badly if the boat’s incessant rocking started to churn it up. Just ignore the smell of oysters.

He pretended not to be eager when he grabbed his painting and walked off the boat. Dry land was a welcome sight and the mansion’s silhouette was an even grander invitation. It looked exactly the way he remembered it from the first visit – extravagant, enormous, and well within Al’s decorative taste. Every bush was trimmed to perfection, every garden devoid of weeds, every wall polished and painted without error. There was not another home in the district that could trump this masterpiece. He couldn’t wait to behold its interior again.

The bowels were even more spectacular. Everything was of expensive taste, even the chandeliers that dangled from a perfect ceiling. He passed vases and candles and paintings and sculptures of every type. Maybe I can add my masterpiece to his collection. He smiled at the thought. Upon entering the ballroom a servant offered to store his painting in a safe place, and although Alphonse trusted no soul with his own artwork he couldn’t express this mistrust of Mr. Black’s staff, so he agreed. If I find it scratched I’ll make you bankrupt. He was sure Mr. Black would be kind enough to compensate for a mistake like that, however, so he didn’t dwell on it for very long.

He adjusted his tie as they waited for the final guest to arrive. ”Ah, Scarlet, how wonderful to see you.” He turned and looked at his fashionably late competition. How wonderful indeed. If Mr. Black was talented at anything it was delivering long, eloquent speeches composed of flattery and charms. All of them drank it up like thirsty dogs, but Alphonse had his doubts. How had these people “defined” themselves? Was it because they were born rich and beautiful? He would bet a whole painting that none of them had ever lifted a finger to earn their prestige. I’m the one who defined myself through hard work. Of course, nobody should ever know just how hard he truly worked to sell paintings to the public (not a single one of them drawn by any other hand but his own). Still, it was bothersome to know that his competition was just a bunch of special snowflakes that happened to be born into the right families.

One of these snowflakes decided to speak to him. ”Hey there, handsome.” Ripred’s sake. He could hardly believe a woman like her knew anything about sincerity. If this was an attempt at flattery then two could play at that game. ”Hey,” he said, flashing a courteous smile. There was no other natural way to react to a beautiful girl, yet it felt against his character. If she wants to win this money by crawling into beds, forget it. He hadn’t gotten frisky in the bedroom since his parents kicked him out. It was too risky and too distracting. He wasn’t about to break that dry spell, as tempting as it was. You only fuck people you can trust, that’s a rule. His rule.

”You know, they say that women with black hair are the most exotic,” he said. It was actually dark skin, but compliments didn’t need accuracy.

”Hello you two.” A second girl with lighter hair approached. How awkward; he was discussing the beauty of dark hair and now this girl decided to show up. ”And now I have two pretty ladies talking to me,” he said, eyes darting between the two of them. ”I’m Alphonse, by the way. Alphonse Brunt.”

A name that would soon dominate this district.

template by chelsey

[shrimp]

L A V E R A C H O

ooc: hello i don't know what i am doing also lavera is talking to blanche at the end of the post but if this needs to be changed i'll happily do so^^

They dropped her off with a sigh and the tightest hug she's ever gotten ("Be safe darling, and if you ever change your mind there's nothing wrong with it. Just try your best."). Aunt Anne and baby Nicole wave as the boat sails off, the boat sinking further and further into the horizon. Lavera is still waving when it fades from view.

They're all she's ever known, but there are far more things in the universe for her to experience, and this opportunity is one of them. A year on a beautiful island with orange mock blossoms leading her right towards the door. I bet the garden's breathtaking, she figures - after all, who else would decide to give her this chance but another flower connoisseur? Lavera's got this in the bag. Most definitely. Yes.

As she wheels her suitcase behind her, her eyes are fixated on the mansion's facade, covered in a trellis that's decorated with Candytufts and Cyclamen and Geraniums galore in beautiful red hues. She picks a Candytuft off of the wall - to press later - before heading inside, her high heels clacking away on the marble floor.

It's even more beautiful than before - and that had been for a party. This was for welcoming guests, and it's clear that Mr. Black had put out all the stops. Tapestries of colors Lavera didn't know could exist in fabrics hung from the ceiling and pooled on the floor. A handful of maids and a particularly attractive butler unf took her stuff for her "Oh alright, thank you so much oh my godd this is so nice!"

The flowers are the best part, bouquets laid in vases hung on the walls, placed on the tables, the purest white petals, pristine and velvety soft. I'll press this one too. Maybe he wouldn't mind if I took some for a crown? These white carnations would look lovely with the Candytufts from outside.

She almost doesn't notice the other guests, entering the room one by one - she had arrived somewhere in the middle, so she truly hadn't gotten a chance to look around too much yet - but she did notice that they were all dressed with a purpose. Like this was some business deal and they had to impress everyone at every second of the day - I mean first impressions are important but why is that girl wearing a floor length gown when it's 90 degrees out in the middle of the day? Like she looks gorgeous but it's gotta be hot. Lavera can't help but glance down at her own dress, larger in size than the other girls. She hopes that she looks presentable - at least, she was pretty sure of this when she checked herself out in the mirror before she left. I look sexy okay and if they don't get that then they don't deserve any of this mmhm. Her floral lace dress was one of her favorites after all, simple and elegant and filled with her favorite things.

There was nothing wrong with her appearance. Lavera was sure of it. They all look stunning though. I do too. And she couldn't forget of course, that these children of Aphrodite were her competition, with as much drive and passion as she. I got this. I got this and then I'll open my flower shop and then I'll be able to make everyone else happy. This is a means to an end.

---

"Now, Blanche will have your room keys, but for now, take some time to explore. Get to know each other. After all, you are going to be seeing a lot of each other from now on."

---

But it can't hurt making friends while I'm at it.

The girl in the floor length gown gets a head start, already talking to a wow 10/10 boy with copper hair and freckles and a blond who looked like she could kill someone if they looked at her the wrong way.

So the question is, who to talk to? Lavera scans around the room for a moment before she figures it's best to get her key first and then socialize, so that she isn't stuck in the mad rush for a room. Her eyes narrow, searching the room for "Blanche" until she finds the blonde-haired green-eyed girl, smiles and waves, walking quickly towards her. She heard Blanche was one of the people selected as well, so of course it can't hurt talking to her as well.

"Hiya, you're Blanche, right? Mr. Black said that your name and that you had our keys I think and I mean like it's not that I came over here just to get my key although I do eventually need my key but since he pointed you out I figure you're the only one whose name I can get right on the first try."

She chuckles, blood rushing to her face and wow I'm so bad at this whatever fuck it

"Uh, sorry. But anyway hey! It's great to meet you, I'm Lavera." She holds out her hand for Blanche to shake (if she wants to of course I mean it's not like I should force people to shake my hand that's rude.).

Well at least the introduction is unforgettable at best.

[Kire]

[presto]

Oh, the things you see
Makes ignorance bliss for you and me,
When arrogance does publicity,
Smiling happily

It's a merry go round and around and around

[/presto]

The begging boy becomes the begging man

I had been here since dawn, or rather I had been awake since dawn and working on a couple little things while I waited. Mr. Black had decided there was no point me living outside of the manor at this point and thus I moved my meagre belongings into one of the smallest rooms in the place - I knew because I had been in near every one of them at some time or other. Apparently he couldn't waste any of his bigger rooms on the mechanic. Now, so many hours later that I thought it might never happen, everything was starting. They had been waiting on the last guest, one by the name of Nirvanna Maeve - I had the opportunity to look through the guest list before everyone arrived - though everyone called her Scarlet. I had had little enough to do with her during the party and I wanted little enough to do with her now.

"Ah, Scarlet, how wonderful to see you," Mr. Black had a manner of courtesy that could smooth over any ruffled feathers, even his own. I had seen him do it enough times, but right now I was paying more attention to my attempt at not paying attention to the newcomer. "I believe you are the last one here, so I guess I'll start." A silent call of finally filled the room, and I felt like maybe I wasn't the only one eager to get things going. "I'm sure that, now that you've all had some time to think, you are wondering why you were selected to, ah, compete, if you will." I clenched my teeth, eyeing my "competition" to see who would cause me the most trouble. Already I had drawn a circle around Nirvanna's name on my mental list of people and it was in bright red ink. I didn't trust her in the slightest.

"I chose the lot of you because each of you are exceptional in your own way. Each of you have defined yourselves, and that is something some people never do, yet here you all are, some of you not even fully grown." If I had been new to the manor, or at least new to Mr. Black and his habits, I might have puffed out my chest and allowed myself to feel pride. Instead, I knew better than to get my hopes up and watched in casual amusement how every person reacted to the words. They meant nothing in the long run, but Mr. Black always made it feel like he was talking directly to you - no matter the size of the crowd. "You all are people that could achieve greatness, it is my want to make sure at least one of you gets it." The at least caught me by surprise, I was thinking that only one of us would get the money and not more. Unless Mr. Black was implying that none of us were going to be up to the task.

Surely I wasn't the only one to pick that wording up? Everyone else heard it, they must have, but how many realized what he meant by it. A knot of jealousy grew in my stomach at the thought of sharing that money with anyone else. It was meant to be mine, I had worked hard for Mr. Black for so many years, and my father before me. He owed it to me. And that's why you're here, he thinks you have a shot and so he's offering it to you. It wasn't enough though, there was still a chance I wouldn't get it. I couldn't let that happen.

"Now, Blanche will have your room keys, but for now, take some time to explore. Get to know each other. After all, you are going to be seeing a lot of each other from now on." I didn't need a room key, I already had my room and my key and everything laid out in it. If I wanted I could slip off and go to my room and leave all of these people behind. No one would ever notice, no one ever does. However, this was the perfect opportunity to size up my competitors. No one notices me, so maybe no one will pay me much mind. With Mr. Black gone, and people starting to disperse, I was free to do as I wished. The only problem was I had no idea who I wanted to talk to. That Nirvanna woman was already attacking Alphonse with flirtations and I wanted none of it. It eliminated Priscilla too, for she was sticking her nose into their conversation.

Lavera Cho was talking to Blanche, and from the look on both of their faces I would only add to whatever awkwardness was spreading between them. No, I had to find someone else. My eyes cast around for anyone not engaged in conversation but it's hard to tell because everyone seems to be talking. Giving up that hope, I look for someone interesting. The guest list hadn't been all that full of information, but I could put a face to a name - or a name to a face, depending on how you looked at it. I would have to go by my gut to see who might make an entertaining conversation, though at this point I may as well have gone by the instinct of the dog I never had.

Lost in a group of people I have never known, and yet I know so much more about them than they know of me, I stood silently. My eyes bounced from person to person, head to head, face to face. Sometimes I wished that I was more than just the background guy, and sometimes I realized just how much freedom I had because I wasn't. Right now, it was more of the former.

The zealot never saves the sacrificial lamb

[presto]

Oh, the things you see
Makes arrogance seem the way to be,
When ignorance spreads conformity,
Smiling happily

It's a merry go round and around and around

[/presto]