1deusex

[1deusex]

SETTING: CLOSE TO FOUR AM, OUTSIDE OF THE 12WELVE, AVA LOCKS EYES WITH @overdr1ves

shifting her weight from one foot to the other, with the aftertaste of a melange of liquor and cocktails still lingering inside of her mouth, ava waits with a single hand suspended in the air, her each attempt at hailing a taxi proving to be futile. she sighs, waits, and tries again, only to realize that it's just started to rain. at this rate, it's safe to assume that she'll be home by eight.

arching her neck, her attention flicks to an all too familiar figure, his damning presence eliciting an old warmth that teethers on the edge of turning into something dangerous. everything plays out like a well-scripted déjà vu; they're always meeting. in dreams, in thoughts. in every life. they've been here before. danced the same dance. ''rome...'' she calls out, twisting at the waist, nose wrinkling despite her smile. this act is purely instinctive. ''how do i keep running into you? you must've put some spell on me.'' ava tuts, jutting out her bottom lip in disapproval. ''that's evil.''

[1deusex]

''oh, i think it takes a lot more than that to insult me.'' tongue over teeth, ava licks her lips, knowing that it's her turn to keep the game going. leaning closer, her tone and inhibition lowered, she mutters, ''i'll be a lot more disappointed if you got me mixed up with someone else. so go ahead, tell me, what's my usual?''

﹆   　   ..　✷   　   ᝢ   open  starter  /  cap  undetermined  !

@  coyote  casino,  sometime  past  11  p.m.  𓈒     🫧

❛  are  you  looking  at  me  like  that  because  it  insulted  you  when  i  said  i'd  bring  you  the  uje  ?  ❜  lesser  lip  extended  to  form  a  sulk  as  she  wipes  at  mahogany  countertops  with  as  much  conviction  as  someone  who  would  rather  die  than  be  present  in  the  moment.  ❛  because,  like,  don't  take  it  as  a  bad  thing  —  just  means  i've  been  seeing  you  around  more  often  lately.  ❜

[1deusex]

''you know, i do have to give credit where credit's due, but not when it's asked for.'' ava drawls, leaning closer, her tone a little warmer, yet a sliver sharper, her words like cat's claws reaching for tender skin. ''that's how they raised me in the modeling world, at least.''

ᯓ　track-one,  after  the  race ᯓ　open  for  anyone

　　ᯓ　　“  𝙰𝙽𝙳  𝚃𝙷𝙰𝚃  𝙸𝚂  𝙷𝙾𝚆  𝙸𝚃'𝚂  𝙳𝙾𝙽𝙴,  ”  xander  boasts.  it  may  not  have  been  the gold,  but  it's  third  from  last,  which  is  at  least  something.  “  what?  no  congratulations  for  that  brilliant  drive?  ”

[1deusex]

SETTING: HALF PAST TEN, INDULGING IN A CLANDESTINE GAME WITH @lovedbeauty

''chrissy,'' ava begins, her mellow voice almost dropping a conspiratorial whisper as she leans against one of the mahogany tables, intent on snagging the model's attention. ''let's play a game. with a twist. this stays between us,'' and the man who is about to take their money. ''— but if you were forced to place a bet on any of the prowlers, who would you pick?'' champagne in hand, she can nearly taste the bliss that comes with the absence of worry, fiercely brazen and boldy reckless with her question. ''no counter-arguments, by the way.''

[1deusex]

SETTING: RIGHT BEFORE EIGHT, ON THE STEPS OF THE CASINO, TWO FIGURES LOOM NEAR THE ENTRANCE, ONE OF WHICH BELONGS TO @badbrake

casually still, almost nonchalant, a bona fide model by all accounts and not just a good-looking face on some calendar, ava cants her head to the side in thought, her lithe arms extended towards the other. ''how shall we do this? hand in hand? i on your arm? you on mine?'' she questions, a genuine smile unfurling at her lips as she turns to gain the upper hand over her thin silken scarf caught in the wind. '' — and of course, how do i look?'' it's needless, certainly, to ask, especially when yani had been there with her nearly every step of the way, but it's a habit, some sort of tradition she isn't willing to so easily break.

[1deusex]

''that's why i've always preferred poker,'' ava interjects, punctuating the statement with a simple flick of her wrist in the other's direction, only to reveal, between two slender fingers, a red lacquered chip. hers is the finesse of a magician. ''join us for a game then. we have space for one more.''

▊▊▊    ⠀    ✶    ⠀    open starter    ⏤    cap undetermined. ▊▊▊    ⠀    ✶    ⠀    the    coyote casino, around 9 pm

“ you play one round of blackjack and suddenly you're on the shit list of an old guy calling you a witch! ”

[1deusex]

SETTING: CLOSE TO NINE, UNDER THE THRAWN CASINO LIGHTS, SHARING A MOMENT WITH @driftrz

fashionably late, as all good things in life are, and fashionably in trouble, like all beautiful women are, ava dashes through the casino extravaganza, the heat of the night sticking to the back of her neck, straying farther from her original goal. ''mali, darling,'' she calls out, cutting through the cacophony of feverish chatter and perpetual ringing of slot machine bells. both hurried and slow-moving at once, clinging to the soft fabric covering her chest, she corners the mechanic in a few quick strides, her voice purposefully low. ''could you check if my dress is properly zipped in the back? something just feels a little... strange.''

[1deusex]

𝑳𝑼𝑪𝑲 𝑩𝑬 𝑨 𝑳𝑨𝑫𝒀 ; AVA SHOWED UP FASHIONABLY LATE, AROUND EIGHT, WEARING A VIBRANT ORANGE EVENING DRESS, ACCESSORIZED ONLY WITH A DASH OF PERFUME. / + THE DRESS IN MOTION.

[1deusex]

eyes wide open, arms outstretched, she throws herself into the dark — for what else could be more frightening than her? ''well, i'm always in the mood to watch the barefoot contessa but,'' she pauses, tempted, yet unwilling to be complaisant, her front teeth sinking into the supple tissue of her bottom lip. she swallows then, abandoning her train of thought to move in another direction, glorious in her desire to coax anything and everything out of him. ''leave it to a man with a trust fund to always say that he has a trust fund.'' a careless shrug of her shoulders is the only thing offered, her indifference purposefully provocative. ''but it is such a handsome face...'' indecisive and yet horribly distrait, with her attention dispersed, her gaze meets his face as one graceful hand finds his anchored at her waistline, the other reaching for his neck. tread carefully. rising on her tiptoes, like aphrodite from the sea, making herself larger than she is, swathed in the luster of dreams, ava lets a simple ''oh?'' escape from her throat. ''well then, let's see how well you can beg.''

there's something that calls to darius about the unknowable like a siren song. ava is such a being, and perhaps that's why he comes back time and time again, why they ebb and flow like the tide. easier to justify as mere curiosity than to sit and think, to bring any attention to why he might want to come back to her, why he's willing victim to the game between them when he so rarely plays with anyone else. " whatever you want. when have i ever denied you anything ? " she would not let herself be denied, and he would not dream of it. entering familiar territory : the request for her attention. loyal dog at her heel, waiting to see if he'll be rewarded or punished. he'll take whatever scraps she offers him — or perhaps she'll leave him out to dry, make him try harder to gain her favor. how lucky that she's one of the few he's so very willing to do so with. " my sparkling personality, my trust fund money, my handsome face... " circles her as he lists off ridiculous answers, until he settles in front of her again. waters tested — he's closer than before, and his hands are moving her way, resting over her waist. he's chancing her stepping away, but didn't that unknowing make this all the more fun ? browns on her features, studying her expression as if he might be able to read her thoughts. of course : that wasn't the way of them. he still tries. " but if you want to hear me beg, y'gotta ask first. "

[1deusex]

''oh mari...'' she sighs, open palm meeting delicate chin as she turns to the other, amusement colouring her tone. ''it's a bird, a very beautiful one, known for loving shiny things.'' it's redundant, of course it is, but she waits for the lesson in ornithology to sink in, abandoning all efforts to peel herself away from the mattress. ''i say a lot of things. i guess it all depends on interpretation. i just hope it'll serve you well.'' ava grins, unceremoniously pulling the silken covers in search of her rabbit, leaving enough room in the process for mari to nestle by her side — if she so desires. ''well if that's the case, then you'll be older and wiser and i'll be younger and dumber. we'll make quite the pair.'' a nonsensical sentiment, a promise that can't be kept — she revels in the idea of the impossible, oscillating between the absurd and eccentric, refusing to find the center. ''i have some amaretto in the fridge. you could tell me more about this plan of yours while we drink.''

magpie  ?  the  word  spins  in  mari’s  head  fighting  to  be  comprehended.  “  a  whaaaat  ?  “  confusion  etched  into  her  features  as  she  twist  towards  her  friend.  coming  from  ava  she’s  unsure  if  the  word  is  a  compliment  or  curt  assessment.  twisting  on  the  ball  of  her  toes  she  spins  at  the  others  acceptance.  there  was  nothing  like  a  fabulous  outfit  coming  together  to  send  a  thrill  up  her  spine.  especially  when  she  didn’t  have  to  spend  any  money  to  get  it.  “  you  say  that  like  it’s  a  bad  thing,  “  bouncing  she  comes  to  plop  down  on  the  mattress  next  to  the  other,  “  obviously  that  means  it’s  a  lucky  top,  “  amusement  in  her  tone  as  she  tucks  the  shirt  to  the  side.  “  just  getting  ready  for  my  ‘  older,  better  wiser  mari  ‘  era,  “  head  rolls  to  look  at  the  other.  “  no  more  getting  in  dumb  ass  fights  …  no  more  losing  dumb  ass  fights  …  and  no  more  cheap  outfits  !  thank you for donating to the cause ! “

[1deusex]

memories, unadulterated and capricious, are the best thing in life; he is hers. favourite memory, lingering thought, perpetual longing. what is it about impossible love that consumes the mind? maybe it's worse that she never speaks nor dreams of him. she thinks of him. with deliberate intention, a profound sense of indulgence, and insurmountable fondness. eve, eva, ava — every woman remembers her eden.

ava never blushes. laughing is her way of blushing.

holding her breath, half-smiling, she hopes that he'll defy her, that he'll put an end to whatever she intends to start, but he doesn't, acquiescing instead. what an awful thing it must be to be susceptible to the touch of another.

she wants to tell him a thousand things, here and now, from start to finish, thoroughly, everything that he has missed. a lifetime of dancing and conversations wouldn't be enough to make up for it. not for them. ''you know, life can be so beautiful at times. i guess it all depends on the angle.'' when she says it, she's looking at him, her every emotion seeping through fine veneer. one hand in his, the other on his chest, attuned to his every move, she dances in tandem, swinging her hips in time to his. for a moment, she forgets it all — the mise-en-scène, the people, the music, none of it matters, save for them.

three minutes and forty-four seconds has never been a lot of time. it's not enough, not nearly, but a minute longer would've prompted conversation — and their conversations often had a way of turning into something else.

resilient, resolute, formidable in reputation, larger than life, a dash of red, a living fire, in a continuous struggle with herself, ava knows that she must go. taking a step back, graceful and tender in her retreat, she lets go of his hand when the song is through. ''rome oh, it was such a pleasure to see you again. you can go, and i'll stay,'' she mouths, apropos of nothing, her voice softer than it usually is. '' and maybe the story will play out differently this time.''

if  rome  were  the  sentimental  type,  he'd  admit  that  slow  dancing  had  always  been  their  thing.   that   no   matter   how   fast   life   moved   back   then,   how   loud   the   world   got,   how   tangled   everything   became,   when   he   had   ava   in   his   arms,   it   all   just   slowed   down.   it   was   cliché — fuck,   he   knew   that — but   clichés   exist   for   a   reason.   because   there   was   something   about   the   way   she   fit   against   him,   the   way   she   moved   like   she   knew   exactly   where   his   hands   belonged,   the   way   they   could   sway   to   nothing   at   all   and   make   it   feel   like   a   symphony.   it   was   just   them.   always   just   them.   even   when   there   was   no   music,   they   danced.

if   he   could   turn   back   time,   he   would.   but   he   knew   better.   but   then again, she   isn't   just   some   ghost   of   the   past.   she's   here.   in   front   of   him.   and   it's   rare   to   see   this   beauty   nowadays.   rare   to   have   her   within   reach,   to   have   her   eyes   fixed   on   him   with   that   same   unreadable   intensity   he   remembers.   and   even   though   he   shouldn't — trust,  he  doesn't — dwell   on   the   past   too   much,   he   thinks   maybe   just   this   once,   just   for   three   minutes   and   forty - four   seconds,   he'll   let   himself   get   lost   with   her   again.   and   rome   oh   is   only   human.   so   sue   him — whatever.

his   gaze   shifts   from   her   outstretched   hand   to   her   face,   searching.   he   should   say   no.   he   should   smirk,   deflect,   make   some   careless   joke   about   how   she's   the   last person   he   expected   to   be   sentimental   tonight.   instead,   he   exhales,   slow   and   measured,   before   setting   his   drink   aside.

❝ still  breathing, ❞   he   murmurs,   taking   her   hand   in   his,   calloused   fingers   closing   around   hers   like   muscle   memory.   a   perfect   fit.   always.   he   could   tell   her   she   looks   great   too,   but   that   would   be   redundant.   rome   knew   an   ava   amarin   doesn't   need   the   validation,   and   besides,   beautiful   was   never   just   an   aesthetic   with   her — it   was   a   weapon,   a   currency,   something   wielded   with   intention.

rome   doesn't   think.   he   lets   her   pull   him   in,   his   free   hand   finding   its   place   at   her   waist.   the   music   shifts,   something   smooth,   unhurried.   perfect   timing.   thumb   brushes   absently   over   her   knuckles.   ❝ three  minutes  and  forty - four  seconds,  huh ? ❞   his   head   tilts   slightly,   smirking   just   a   little.   ❝ better  make  'em  count,  then. ❞

[1deusex]

Coco Mellors, from Cleopatra and Frankenstein

[1deusex]

[1deusex]

he's becoming a recurring presence, a warm afterthought, even a familiar sight; she knows the length of his collarbone, how much it takes to cross the short distance between his mouth and throat — and now even the speed at which his skin bruises and tints. perhaps it's a good thing she hardly ever gives meaning to most things in her life; she's too prideful, too insouciant, adamant on suppressing any flicker of a fire that threatens to linger for longer than it should. reflexively, without thinking, she cants her head to the side, inhaling sharply. ''you do, but what are we gonna watch, darling?'' the way she says the last word ought to be enough to convey the fact that she's only joking, yet still, one thing remains certain. you can never simply ask ava for her attention; you have to barter for it instead. ''perhaps, but other than a movie night, what else do you have to offer?''

starter 4 @1deusex !

where : clock's ticking down the hours 'til march says hello, does it really matter where they are ?

they make quite the pair when he's nursing a fading black eye : her in all her feline glory, him the fucked up lookin' doberman trailing after her. how lucky that she blesses him with her attention even now, even despite their different natures. maybe that's what attracts, what has brought them together from the start — moth to flame, though he believes himself to be incapable of burning. him the moth, because she could never be anything but bright fire, calling out both warmth and danger if one got too close. those were worries to have later. for now, they are here. for now, there's distance enough. " i owe you a proper movie night. " plans ruined by the evidence of violence still plastered over features ( but fading, fading, in a way memories never could. it was almost unfair. ). let it be known that he was not the problem that night ! ... mostly. dog come to beg outside her door to be let in after it's done something it shouldn't. " think you'll let me make it up t'you soon ? "

[1deusex]

SETTING: WELL PAST MIDNIGHT, ON A BEACH NEAR THE NORTH BAY.

ethereal march moon, dangling in the sky like a pearl on a string, right beneath the night's throat, tells her that it's late but she does not need nor wish to heed its warning, trudging instead through familiar sand with her bare feet, a pair of heels caught in hand. ''you know,'' ava drawls, turning to @cutthro4t at last as her fingers find the top buttons of her blouse, the thrill of being caught accelerating her pace. she looks at cut like she's seeing him for the first time, like they're something or someone new. her smile is a fleeting flash, much like the rest of her, but right here and right now, everything's a game waiting to be played. ''i think i want to go for a swim. you could stay here and guard my things, i suppose. or you could join me.''

[1deusex]

a simple bat of her lashes is easier and more effective than a plea or a more formal please uttered ever so gently, and just one of ava's famous smiles is always a better bargaining chip than a boring and banal thank you. ''i mean, i sure know how to ride a lot of things, i guess it's time to add a horse to that list.'' an obscene movement of her hips, albeit short and theatrical, trails behind her words, capable only of beckoning inappropriate thoughts. ''i think it's going to be a lot more fun than driving. besides, i'll be learning from the best cowgirl in all of florida. ''

ordinarily, sloane would say no, but there are always exceptions to be made for an exceptionally pretty face. she wipes her hands on a towel and pretends to consider the offer. “now, darlin', you know i can't say no to you.” she chucks ava under the chin, grinning as she gets to her feet. “you sure you can handle ridin' a horse? it ain't anythin' like drivin'.” and teaching someone how to ride is an entirely different experience to actually riding with someone. it's a lucky thing ava's got one of those faces you just can't deny. sloane's always been particularly weak to those.

[1deusex]

''i swear to god, in another life, you must've been a magpie...'' ava laughs to herself, stretching idly on an overly large mattress with one elegant leg hoisted up in the air — it's a clear sign that at some point she intends to get up, but it could take a minute, or ten perhaps. ''but of course. you can even keep it.'' it would hardly make a difference. ''just be careful. i nearly flashed someone while wearing it... on purpose.'' she says, barely stifling the smile of a cat that ate the canary as she props herself up on her elbows, keeping the confession light, frivolous, and just tantalizing enough to leave the rest to dirty imagination. ''so, a pair of jeans and a bedazzled tank top... are you getting ready for some special occasion?''

📍   ava’s  apartment

⏰     week  or  so  after  valentine’s  day

🗝️   closed  starter  for  @1deusex  (  ava  )

💛 —  "  ohhh ! tell  me  i  can  i  borrow  this  …  "  skipping  out  of  the  other's  closet  mari is clutching  a  bedazzled, cropped designer tank  top  close  to  her  chest.  "  pleaseeeeeee  !  "  voices  a  low  plead  as  she  holds  strikes  a  pose  towards  her  friend.  this  had  become  a  common  occurrence  in  the  pair's  friendship,  mari  mooching  time  and  time  again  from  the  other's  vast  closet.  it  couldn't  be  helped  that  ava's  closet  outweighed  her  own in  both quantity  and  quality.  she  was  just  immensely  lucky  the  other  girl  happened  to  want  to  share  with  her.  the  only  thing  mari  offering  in  return  her  presence  and  titillating  conversation.  "  i'll  give  it  back  in like a month …  but  i  have  a  pair  of  jeans  it'll  go  too  well  with,  "  she  hops  to  move  in  front  of  a  nearby  full  length  mirror  checking  herself  out.