ariadenassau

[ariadenassau]

ophelianovikoff·:

“I mean, I suppose that’s only fair,” Ophelia had to laugh, watching as the man now swam around in circles in the pool, hollering along to the music that was throbbing throughout the building. “It must be heated because he did take off all of his clothes. And I don’t really feel like calling a doctor because he has hypothermia, so hopefully he’s alright.” There was something crazy about randomly jumping in a pool, but Ophelia did wish that she could be that brave. She’d never quite do something that out of the blue. At least not without a lot of alcohol. “And what brings you to the pool?”

“Curiosity, mostly,” Aria said, taking a seat by one of the drier poolside chairs. “Hadley really outdid herself with this party. Really not my cup of tea, but then again, my cup of tea isn’t what’s popular,” she continued, gesturing lightly towards the myriad of party goers besides her. They all seemed… happy. Ecstatic, even, which was feeling Aria never understood, even at her best. “Perhaps I’m too much of a nihilist to enjoy these kinds of things.” Biting her lip, she gave the woman a sheepish look. “What about you? Are you planning a dip in the pool?”

[ariadenassau]

rhetthawkins·:

“She does haunt me.” He admitted quietly, looking over at her, smiling even though the situation didn’t call for it. He lived in the same apartment, kept small tokens of her things around the place as though it was something he was doing to punish himself. Their photos were still tucked away, her favorite blanket still hung over the back of her couch. He did it to himself - but he couldn’t bring himself to change it. He could see her ghost in every corner, and he lived with that as a way to punish himself. 

He considered her words, mulling it over as he took a sip of his drink. “There’s nothing you can do. Most of them are in jail, the rest have burrowed themselves so deeply into the shit hole that is the underground of this city that I can’t track them down from behind a desk.” Admitting it out loud pissed him off as much as it put a dagger in his chest, and he down the rest of his drink in one go. He would need far more of this to get him through the rest of the night, but he owed Aria this. She deserved to be able to move on, somehow. “She talked about you all the time, you know? Thought the sun shined out of your ass, honestly. You couldn’t do anything wrong.”

People dealt with the pain of death in different ways — Aria knew that, from her reporting all the way to Abby’s family. Some, like herself, tried to rid themselves of the memory the best they could; scrubbed their minds and space with bleach until the dead was just a faded stain, floating away into the mist. Others kept pieces around like medallions of their love and devotion — and she wondered if he was the latter.

“What do you mean?” Aria asked, eyebrows knitting together. “You mean, you’re not looking for all of them anymore?” Swallowing, she inhaled, trying to control her breath. The thought that the men that were responsible for Abby’s death being out there… it made her skin crawl.

But a brief smile crossed Aria’s face when he mentioned the kind words Abby had for herself, and she shook her head. “I could say the same for you,” she commented. “Talked about how you were this amazing cop… and then I met you.” Raising her eyebrows, she chuckled at the memory. “Truthfully, I thought she was crazy — the only time I really doubted her judgement, really.” Abby was just and kind, but she also had a penchant for seeing right through people, and Aria knew she didn’t have the patience for awful people. It had always confused her when she latched onto Rhett, considering that Aria never pegged him as a particularly nice guy. “I still don’t see it, really,” she commented, bursting into a small fit of soft giggles as she watched him. Ah, the alcohol was talking now.

[ariadenassau]

hadleysinclair·:

“You don’t have to lie.” She said lightly, with no accusation or irritation in her words. She was happy to see Aria there, even if the entire thing was a bit much. “The Gatsby theme is definitely the kind of theme that always results in an unconventional, over the top party.” She knew that it was a lot - though she had been unlimited in budget for it, she knew that there were things that were left on the drawing room table that would have made it even more extravagant. “How are you feeling? I know this isn’t your type of party, I’m so very honored that you came for me.”

At Hadley’s reassurance of Aria’s opinion, she smiled, relieved that the woman wasn’t offended by her comments. “Well, Gatsby certainly would be impressed by this party — which, of course, means that I would hate it,” she exaggerated a bit. It really wasn’t so bad, now that she had some champagne in her. “But, really, I’m very thankful you invited me. I know I’m not exactly the life of the party, but everyone seems to be enjoying themselves and I’ve gotten to talk to some interesting people.” Turning towards the woman, she nodded. “To be honest, I thought about leaving after I saw you, but… I think I’ll stay. At least until midnight.”

Grabbing another champagne from the many trays around the function, Aria sipped. “So — tell me. Was it a nightmare to put that in?” She gestured towards the pool, which seemed to be, surprisingly, getting some use from the partygoers.

[ariadenassau]

jacksonkealoha·:

“Can I be honest?” He asked her, looking down at her, leaning against the bar to be slightly on a more even level with her. “You don’t look like you’re too thrilled to be here.” He could understand it - he spent as much time in isolation as he did surrounded by people, and he had the kind of personality that worked with both. She seemed like she would be far happier at home, tucked out of the way of the chaos. “Is everything alright?”

Giving the man a half-smile, she nodded her head. “Everything’s fine. Just not used to so many people and so much…” Aria paused as the crowds around her whooped and shouted for no reason, raising her forehead, “… noise,” she finished, chuckling a bit as she did so. “Oh, but, I’m probably being a buzzkill right now, though. It’s New Year’s Eve right? I shouldn’t be so much of a grandma,” she commented quickly, finishing her drink in a nervous frenzy. “So,” she started, placing her flute down as she grabbed another, “are you a friend of Hadley’s?”  

[ariadenassau]

aureliasilva·:

It was the kind of party fitting to Hadley Sinclair. Every detail accounted for, right down to the pool on the edge of the dance-floor. Normally she would have said that it would never work, but clearly if anyone would pull it off it was Hadley. Slipping out of the room, debating for a moment whether or not she was going to call it a day and slip her shoes off, she came to a stop in a hallway with a familiar person in it. “No, I’m sorry to interrupt.” She said with a small smile, brushing a stray curl out of her face and slipping her heels off. “I needed a break from these. They’re squishing my poor toes.” She picked them up, looping them through her fingers before tipping her head to the side. “You doing okay?”

Aria smiled, one of the first of the night as she watched the other slip off her heels. How many times had she done that back at home, when her mother would force her into a dress three sizes too small for her and shuffle her off to some grand ballroom? “The perks of wearing a long dress,” Aria replied, hiking up her dress to reveal perfectly sensible sandals gracing her feet.

At her question, however, her playful smile morphed into a grimace. “Honestly?” Aria voiced, instinctively crossing her arms against her chest. “I could be doing better,” she lamented, eyes searching the hallway for the sign of another person. “These things make me… anxious; I don’t know.”  

[ariadenassau]

for → @newamericanastarters​ - event! location: a quiet hallway time: december 31st, 10:30pm

Aria hadn’t been in the party for more than thirty minutes, and she already needed a moment for herself to relax. She’d found an empty hallway, surprisingly fairly quiet for all the noise that went on, and leaned on the wall, breathing heavily as she held her empty champagne flute in her hand. She could feel a headache come on, even though she’d only had two? three? champagnes at most. “Come on, Aria, you can do this,” she whispered to herself. “It’s only another hour-and-a-half, and then you can go home and —”

Aria paused, looking up, seeing another partygoer standing before her. “Oh — shit, I thought I was alone. I hope I didn’t sound too pathetic,” she said, raising her forehead.

[ariadenassau]

hadleysinclair·:

@newamericanastarters· event starter near the pool O P E N

The party was everything she had planned for it to be - extravagant and over the top, but in a way that made it something enjoyable, and not something kitchy. She was proud of how it had all come together, and as she adjusted the feathered headband on her head, she smiled around the room. The pool was surprisingly full, people dipping in and out as they please with plenty of giggles and a drink always pressed into their hand by the passing waiters. 

“What do you think?” She asked, turning to the person closest to her, indicating the pool with her drink. “Too much?”

Aria came to the party for precisely one reason — to say hello to her friend, who was nice enough to invite her to the extravagant bash, and then leave — but something compelled her to stay. Perhaps it was loneliness, even though she’d barely socialized at the party. Though she disliked being in crowds, somehow, this was preferable to sitting in her own apartment and watching the ball drop on her television. “Oh — no, not at all!” Aria replied, rather unconvincingly. “It’s… very pretty. Definitely unconventional,” she commented, nodding her head. “I mean, it is a tad much, but that’s what New Year’s Eve is for, right?”

[ariadenassau]

ophelianovikoff·:

@newamericanastarters· - event starter. where: the swimming pool. who: open.

While Ophelia didn’t quite feel like partying or celebrating a new year, at least 2020 meant she could put the past couple of months behind her. Her dress, shimmering underneath the lights, was surprisingly comfortable, and it was nice, even if for a moment, to disappear into Gatsby’s story. Taking a seat by the pool, Lia grinned as someone cannonballed into the water. “Well, that’s one too many tequilas, but who am I to judge?” she asked, wiggling her own champagne flute.

Aria usually wasn’t one for big parties — and the person diving into the pool fully clothed was precisely the reason why she disliked them. Then again, it was New Year’s Eve, and a part of her felt like she needed to come, at the very least to greet Hadley. But somehow, she found her way to the swimming pool, where a woman waved her flute in the air as she grinned at the action. “I don’t think he was drunk,” Aria commented, “I think he just wanted to make a scene. I mean, really, the best way to get attention is to do something absolutely crazy. And what better thing to do than jump into the pool in December?” 

[ariadenassau]

jacksonkealoha·:

@newamericanastarters· event starter at the open bar O P E N

He had barely had time to shower the plane off of him before he’d gotten himself dressed in the only tuxedo that he owned and dragged himself to the Rainbow Room. Looking at the party now, it was almost impossible to imagine that they weren’t in the midst of the 20′s, with flapper girls roaming the floor, and men dressed as gangsters leaning up against card tables. He appreciated a good party as much as the next person, but he was happy to admit that his favorite part about it was the free bar. “Scotch, please.” He murmured to the bartender, looking out across the party. “Is it just me or do these things just get more and more fancy?”

Aria had been casually sipping her drink, minding her own business, when a lumbering hunk of a man began talking to her. “Oh — I’m absolutely the wrong person to ask,” she chuckled softly, a corner of her mouth lifting. “This is my first New Year’s Eve party in oh, five years?” Biting her lip, she shrugged. “And even then, I’m usually the wallflower at these things.” 

[ariadenassau]

rhetthawkins·:

Half of him debated not coming. This was the last thing that he wanted to deal with, if he was being honest. Anything with Abby was the last thing that he wanted to deal with, especially if it was in public. Right now, though, he didn’t really have much of a choice. He had told her that he would come, and at the end of the day, he couldn’t really pretend to her any more that he felt nothing. She had seen that it wasn’t true. He could even be pressed to admit that seeing the way she had reacted before made him almost willing to admit that he kind of enjoyed being around her.

Spotting her at the bar and dropping into the seat next to her, he laughed slightly when she jumped. He grabbed a napkin and dabbed at the wine, ordering a whiskey for himself when the bartender paused in front of him. He snorted lightly at her admittance, tipping his head to the side for half a second before looking at her. “I thought about not coming.” He told her honestly before taking a sip of his drink and turning to face her. “Talking about Abby - it’s not something I do. Ever.”

At his blunt honesty, Aria smiled, a niggling sensation that perhaps, this was a start of an actual friendship. God knew that she was in need of one. People found her to be… fragile, sometimes. And in some ways, she was; her soul was in desperate need of tender care and healing, but she’d made it this far in life. It came in handy, being able to blend in with her softness (people never took much notice of someone who didn’t raise their voice) but more often than not, she was disrespected, laughed at, pushed away to the side.

So she appreciated Rhett’s words. Aria didn’t need to be babied. She nodded, biting her lip, tapping her fingers on the counter. “Me neither,” she assented. “I was��� so afraid for a long time. That if I spoke her name, or thought about her, she’d somehow… haunt me.” At that, Aria chuckled, briefly thinking that if she had to pick anybody to haunt her, it would’ve been Abby anyways. “And then seeing you — it made her being gone all too real. But now, I’m seeing that talking about her isn’t resurrecting her… it’s honoring her.” Pausing, she lifted her glass to her lips and drank. “I just… wish there was something I could do. To fix all of this.” She waved her hand in front of her, as if to gesture to Abby’s unjust death. 

[ariadenassau]

ariadenassau‌

“I guess, maybe — maybe I just feel the need to do something because it sometimes feels like I’m the only one,” Aria lamented softly. Pausing after her words, she chuckled, shaking her head. “I know that’s not true, and I’m being melodramatic about it all. It’s good to know that I have an ally in this crazy messed up world.” Right then, she looked down at her watch, eyes widening at the time. “Oh, damn; I’m going to be late. I’ll see you around?”

“You aren’t alone in that feeling.” She reassured, offering Aria a slightly wry smile, before waving off her next comment. “Not melodramatic at all. You always have me in your corner, so don’t forget that when skies are grey.” She nodded at Aria’s next question, smiling up at her as she stood. “Absolutely. Call me if you need anything.”

Fin.

[ariadenassau]

mrezramoretti·:

Ezra had always loved the true crime nights. He had been surprised when his father started them up again as the man had tried to distance himself from things that reminded him of the wife he lost. It had been nice to see him get back into it and there were plenty of stories that New York had to offer, endless stories for their discussions. So he showed up for as many as he could, in support atleast. 

He smirked as he heard the voice next to him. “You definitely came to the right place then, there’s a true crime night here once a week” He settles back against the chair and runs a hand through his hair. “Grew up on it. Back home we lived in Whitechapel..down the street from where Jack the ripper lay his first victim” 

“Really? Jack the Ripper himself?” Aria asked, interest overtaking her voice as she leaned on the counter, giving the man her full attention. “I mean — it is a tad bit gruesome sometimes, but I think when done right, it can really give attention to the people who were wronged in these crimes,” she commented. “Or — at least that’s the hope, right? That the criminal isn’t the one who’s glorified and remembered,” she added softly.

[ariadenassau]

msalexfortier·:

Alex shifts herself upon the horse. It wasn’t the first time she’d ridden injured. She’d done it often as a kid. Her time with Faria were some of her favorite memories and it was time away from the house and her father. With breath control she could imagine that the pain wasn’t even there. Her sling held her arm across her middle and her good hand gripped the reins to guide the horse along the nice trail. 

Her head shifted to Aria at her question and she offered her a smile. “Ah yeah, I had a bit of an accident, nothing to worry about, couple broken ribs and a bum arm. Just needs a bit of time to heal but I didn’t want to pass up a good ride.” Her head tilted back to the surroundings. “how are you doing?, in general i mean, not physically like me”

“Broken ribs — Christ, Alex!” In a rare moment of shock, Aria widened her eyes, reigning in her horse to stop. “Are you sure you’re all right? I mean, we could’ve rescheduled — how’d you even suffer such an injury?” Despite the fact that the other being hurt was hardly Aria’s fault, the woman still felt badly about dragging her out, even if she was fine. She couldn't imagine that the doctor’s would have recommended that she’d get up on a horse. “I mean, I’m fine, really. Like always, but, really, wouldn’t you rather be home and rest?”

[ariadenassau]

abel-evans·:

“Oh - I’m actually not going anywhere, was just cycling for fun, believe it or not” he smiled. “I’m terrified of the metro, if I’m being honest” Abel admitted. “I thought it’d be like the tube back home, but it’s  a lot more complicated” he continued. “I’ve been here for 3, you’re in a better position than me - where did you move from?” he asked. “Abel Evans?” he laughed. “That’s me - yeah - I know, photoshop makes me look a lot better”

Where did she move from — it was a valid question, but sometimes, Aria wasn’t so sure. “Well, I went to school in Switzerland, but my parents live in France. And then for university, I was in Boston — so I guess you could call me French, but sometimes I feel very out of place there, too.” She gave the man a half-smile, conveniently leaving out her royal heritage. “I guess I’m quite the New Yorker now, from your eyes.”

His admittance of being the Abel Evans made her eyes boggle a bit. “Is it… fun?” She asked, cocking her head. “Being a model, I mean.”

[ariadenassau]

for → @mrezramoretti​ location: ezra’s father’s coffee shop time: wednesday, 6pm

It was probably a bad idea for Aria to be drinking coffee so late, but it was impossible to resist the rich aroma of freshly-ground coffee beans, so she gave in. Before she knew it, a steaming hot cappuccino was placed before her and she sipped, relishing in her favorite drink. She was probably half-coffee now, and two AM never seemed closer, but it’d be a good excuse to finish the article tonight.

Turning to the man sitting next to her, she smiled. “I’ve always enjoyed true crime,” she mused. Aria found the best way to get the best information from people was to engage them in casual conversation instead of introducing herself as a journalist outright. She found that the word scared some people, conjured up images of intrusive and loudmouthed individuals. “How about you?”

[ariadenassau]

aureliasilva·:

“It’s ever changing.” It was what she loved about it - the ease, the fact that it just made sense. There was always a solution, always a way to make things work. If only her life had that kind of black and white finality. “I think that’s some of the appeal of it. I never get bored.” She could always find a new project to get herself lost in. She smiled at the praise, finding it endearing, and a proof of the kind of person the other woman was. “I appreciate that.” She said earnestly, shifting slightly in her seat. “I think that it’s the kind of place where I feel at home. I don’t at all think it’s anything that makes me better than others.”

Home. The word was somewhat of a foreign concept for Aria, who had homes (if she could even call them that) all over the world. Aria was born in Boston, educated in Switzerland, had parents in France, and now rooted herself in the city that never slept, but none of those ever felt truly like a place to settle. Smiling half-heartedly, Aria looked down at the counter. “I’m quite jealous. I don’t think I really know what home feels like.” After a beat passed, she shook her head, chuckling with a hint of embarrassment. “But that really isn’t here nor there. That sounds great, what you’re doing,” she added, trying her best to cover up her impromptu reveal of vulnerability. 

[ariadenassau]

for → @rhetthawkins​ location: bar downtown time: friday, 7PM

For a while, Aria didn’t think he’d show. Per usual, she’d arrived early, warming a stool by the bar while she nursed her wine like it was the cure to her racing heart. High on her revelation, Aria had invited the man out, but now she was becoming increasingly skeptical of her decision. Had she been too forward? Would he stand her up? And if he did show, what on earth would they even talk about? Questions and anxieties ran through her mind without abandon, and she shakily put the glass up to her lips and took a large sip.

When he finally did arrive, Aria jumped, splashing a bit of the red liquid on the table with a hand held to her heart. “Shit, you scared me,” she breathed, chuckling in that nervous sort of way as she turned back to the bar. She watched him, staying quiet as he sat, ordered, stretching the silence a couple more seconds before she spoke. “To be honest, I didn’t think you’d come.” A timid admittance, something that she never would have said to anyone else, but strangely enough, it felt okay saying it to him.