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[bloodinhershoesrpg]

Hello again, children of the universe! With my hiatus at last behind me, I’ve come to a conclusion I’ve further elaborated on in the ooc chat which you should please read as a member as well and that is that I should either put this group on hiatus to revamp it over the summer and sort out all discrepancies that I find bothersome or to fully close it for potentially a long while until I feel I have the time and muse to start over from scratch if I don’t retire this concept in its rp world form.

It’s really all up to you wanting to stick around and keeping your characters to resume rping come August so please do get back to me on this, lovelies! ♡

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Task 001 — Interrogation I

The police are back with a vengeance, rather evidently fed up with the lack of evidence provided and not looking to add another cold case to their files. With no explicit grounds for suspicion against any particular member of the QVB, however, they have to keep a low profile, starting out slow in hopes of winding up successful by chance with the simplest inquiry. 

“Where were you the night Katerina Santos died?”

The question that rings through the halls again — but this time, details are in demand.

With the autopsy wrapped (but still kept under wraps, to be published soon), it is known that Katerina died between 11:30 PM and midnight on August 4th/5th. Rehearsals ended late that night, bordering on 10 PM meaning that your character’s whereabouts from then on are relevant. 

Everyone involved in the production in a way, shape or form have been invited — including financial sponsors — and will be questioned in a closed off rehearsal room one after the other, in alphabetical order, on Thursday, August 18th.

Please write your character’s interrogation in self-para/stream of consciousness form and cover both their inner workings and their actual response. It is completely up to you whether your character lies to the police or tells the truth, as much as it is up to you where they have been and whether they saw Katerina prior to her murder or not. 

I hope you can get creative and enjoy yourself with this humble little task for now, darlings! Personally, I can’t wait to see how you’ll solve it — there is no deadline for it, though, in light of my own upcoming flaky activity.

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The most recent plot post has officially been updated with additional developments that have taken place between Monday and Wednesday! Later today I will post our first task that might still be humble in terms of length and effort but it feels more logical to me to piece the investigation together in smaller parts as long as there is only one murder we are covering. And lastly, on a more personal note, I’m very sorry I’m somewhat dragging behind recently! While I’ve mentioned that June will be grade-heavy for me later on, more pressing issues stemming from both university and family require my attention immediately instead so I’m afraid I might be a bit slow and at times absent for a little while now but I’m confident we’ll all be able to cope with this without it affecting the group too greatly. Obviously, I don’t expect you to maintain impeccable activity while I can’t but please don’t abuse this and just drop off the surface of earth without a word (you’re always welcome to go on hiatus if needed), darlings! ♡

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Norah Monroe

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Congratulations Lila, you have been accepted for the role of Norah Monroe! I loved the writing sample you used for the character dissection portion of the app and its skilled switch between past and present that never once felt out of place. Reading it truly felt like playing fly on the wall in Norah’s office to me — and what else could I really ask for? I’m excited to have you on board and hope to see you on the dash soon! Please send in your account with 24 hours and have a look at the checklist before you do!

REGARDING YOURSELF

Name / Age / Pronouns: Lila / 23 / she, her, etc. Activity: I have classes in the early mornings three times a week. I also work sporadically, so it should be around 7 - 8.

REGARDING THE STAR OF YOUR SHOW

Character name and faceclaim: Norah-Grace Monroe || Nicole Kidman.

CHARACTER DISSECTION

A delicate silence filled the office the blonde woman occupied on a daily basis, briefly interrupted every once in a while when her long, pale fingers typed numbers and other data in the white keyboard resting on the surface of the antique mahogany desk. The contradiction seen in the old and lavish furniture that had been adapted to fit a modern and minimalistic technology was one of the things Norah found most interesting, not only about her office, but of life in general. Complex and intricate subjects were often the ones that caught her attention, just like the people she surrounded herself with. Just like herself, even if most individuals couldn’t see it. Norah-Grace knew she wasn’t the most easy-going person in the company, which danseuses and co-workers never failed to acknowledge every single day. She was also the one keeping the bloody ballet on its feet which, of course, wasn’t acknowledged enough. Perhaps she wasn’t even doing it right. The blonde woman knew she had flaws, just as everybody else did ( even if hers were far from being as terrible as the ones her acquaintances eternally attempted to hide ), but that was no reason for them to dismiss her in such ways. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the first place in which Norah’s good qualities passed unnoticed. In fact, she was sure she could pinpoint the very exact moment in which her parents’ attention began to drift away, making her younger sister the recipient of their love and pride.

The first eight years of Norah’s life were perfect. Alfred and Grace Monroe -  her beloved parents - would spoil her and fulfill her every wish; from fancy toys she’d seen in magazines or tv, to expensive classes with the most renowned tutors of London, whether it was dancing ballet or playing violin, piano or guitar… She had it all. Her peers ( as her teachers called her classmates, even though they were anything but her equals ) would often find a way to make her stand out as the misfit, the outcast. “Envy,” Norah would repeat herself at such a young age, “they don’t understand you.” But she cared little about them and their inclination towards mediocrity. They all had poor skills and she’d make sure to let them know how far she was from them, and they could hate her all they wanted, but they’d never reach her. All the love and comfort she needed, was back home with her parents and a her newborn sister. Little did she know this would last only five more years, when her sister began to develop her talent. Even Norah recognized the young one had a gift, but she considered it was nothing compared to what she herself had. Alice played the piano beautifully, but why was she more celebrated than Norah? The elder sister played beautifully as well. Perhaps not as fast, perhaps not as neatly… Perhaps not as good.

Norah took a deep breath, her bright blue eyes blinking away from the screen. The numbers had gotten overwhelming, and so she knew it was time for a short break. To go for a walk on her own, after such a dreadful incident and its perpetrator on the loose, was out of the question. Her nerves were on edge and made her jump to the most inoffensive of noises. Therefore she decided to pay Maximiliano a brief visit. Even if this whole thing had her patience running short, making her more irritable than usual, he’d be able to delight her with one of his stories that, no matter how many times she’d heard them, they always carried her to new places. She would love to take a peek of the rehearsals, but her presence wouldn’t be welcomed after the so-called unnecessary cuts. Her fragile pride had no time for that kind of treatment. It was enough for her to be seen as dull or boring, or even evil, thanks to the measures she’s seen herself taking. What else could she do? Let them have lavish costumes and scenarios? Leave them be so they waste all the money left? That would mean she failed at her job, but Norah-Grace Monroe did not fail. She couldn’t fail, not at this.

For now, she’d have to ignore their mediocrity even if deep, deep inside, it affected her. At least, there was a fact Norah relished, and that almost always helped her ease her anxious thoughts: To be underestimated is an incredible gift.

CONNECTING THE DOTS

MAXIMILIANO FERRI:His poised nature helps her keep panic away, and his crazy stories entertain her like no other. She suspects it’s the different shades in his personality what makes her consider Maximiliano almost a friend, and now that there’s danger lurking in the halls, she couldn’t be more thankful she has him and Clover to avoid wander around on her own. If something were to happen to him, she was lost, for she trusted no one else as she trusted him. Clover was good to her, they were hilarious and also entertaining, but if at times she couldn’t deal with her own nerves, with them it would be like a blind person guiding another; they would both fall into a ditch.

JONAH HUNTINGTON: Perhaps it was the beautifully created scenarios he always presented, or how easy it was for him to charm someone new every once in a while. Or perhaps it was that, of the many talents in her, he happened to have the ones that resulted foreign to her. However, she did pay attention when others thought no one was looking, and what Norah could see in that man gave her mixed and strange emotions. Was it envy? No, such a low and vile thing wouldn’t erupt from a woman like her. Admiration, perhaps? If so, she would never accept it to anyone, let alone to a man that held himself in such a high place. Either way, she was determined to find out more… But how?

REGARDING YOUR INSPIRATION

I have a playlist and I’m finishing a graphic. I’ll put them on the blog.

[bloodinhershoesrpg]

this is very similar to clairewords' city ballet

Well, in all honesty, I’m afraid I’m not aware of every inactive rp group that has ever existed considering my minor involvement in the rpc so I genuinely hadn’t heard of it until I just went to look it up? And, quite obviously, both groups have a ballet and murder of the female main star plot combined which is an ancient crime tv show trope anyway but that’s it as far as I can judge? As many probably know, this plot originally started out as a screenplay I was writing pretty much a billion years ago and has been transformed into a group due to popular demand after being featured as a tv show plot within a now closed rpg of mine so it certainly hasn’t been copied and pasted or opened with ill intent but if Claire, personally, has a different view on this I’d gladly talk to her about it as this only truly concerns her and me in this case.

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i'm incredibly interested in applying (i think) but literally had to adjust the seetings on my computer to read the darker red & grey text on your page. is there any way you can make your page more accessible to those of us with poor eyesight (mine isn't even that bad; it's just that the color of the text is incredibly difficult to read)

Yes, of course, dear! Coincidentally, my eyesight is actually relatively poor and I’m very light sensitive so please believe me when I say I’ve been working hard to make the page readable without having to crank your brightness settings all the way up. My former co-admin came up with the main’s design and colour scheme which, in its original state, also did not at all work for my screen and since her departure, I’ve tried my best to revise it without compromising the aesthetic (though I am considering a complete makeover eventually simply because all the adjustments I’ve made were more exhausting than starting from scratch might have been) but, unfortunately, screens like to differ greatly so I’m always afraid there might be spots that work for me now that might still not work for others.

After that massive, unnecessary rant, I would highly appreciate if you could confirm this for me (you can just send me another anon message too, no problem): when you say darker red & grey texts, I reckon you mean the darker red colour used for the links (which I hadn’t touched) and the one that e.g. shows when a post has been made? Because those were also still a bit dark for me so I absolutely see where you’re coming from and I’ll definitely work on those!

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The application count has been updated! (+01)

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Season 01 Episode 01 — The Show Must Go On 

Timid steps echo from the opera house’s lonely halls, multiplying in volume to make up for the neglect of the past week. Not a soul of the cast set foot in these dangerous territories after the gruesome passing of one of their own, the beginning of which this locality witnessed, its creaking doors and hardwood floors still whispering about the horrors they have been made to see to the busy bees behind the scenes desperate to save a production that has scarcely been rehearsed for thus far. Security vanished in every aspect imaginable for our graceful little dancers, once taken for granted, now ardently desired. Friday delivered the long anticipated yet dreaded ‘go’, the Sleeping Beauty remaining green-lighted with a replacement for the former star of the show long since selected. 

The show must go on; everything back to normal now. 

If only that wasn’t easier said than done…

It starts in your subconscious, unbeknownst to you instilling a sensation that can only be described as crippling fear with the bad habit of catching you off guard sans your consent. A pause before you turn the dimly lit street corner. Goosebumps form a second layer of clothing you wear for protection amidst the summer heat. Every noise behind you rushing down your spine like a stab in the back, your neck sore from all the twisting and turning on your way home, more efficient training than any rehearsal could ever provide.

Full focus on your qualities: alertness, full control over your body, stamina, muscular strength. What pays for your rent now also bargains for your longevity.

updated: may 31st

Click here for every dancer’s current theme song on the way home

The group is hereby open for actual roleplaying! All interactions throughout this episode must take place between August 15th & August 22nd 2016.

Additional details and plot suggestions at a glance:

♚ August 15th marks the first day of rehearsal post-Katerina’s murder. Slight alterations to the cast had to be made, resulting in a handful of danseurs and danseuses being set back in their schedule and having to work themselves to the bone to catch up, never mind there only laying four rehearsal sessions behind them thus far and the production not premiering before spring 2017. A potential tribute to Katerina being weaved into the show is currently under debate.

♚ Safety measures have been taken in accordance to the persisting threat, making it harder for non-members of the ballet and opera house to enter the premises. It is advised that dancers do not walk home alone after dark.

♚ Unfortunately, murder means instability and bad publicity. Instability and bad publicity mean additional efforts are required to present the production in a positive light appealing enough to draw in the general public nevertheless. Bad publicity and the necessity of additional promotion also mean more money might be needed but it will not be willingly provided. Perhaps some new negotiations are in order.

♚ So far, the police have no trace of the killer they can actively follow. Judging from the evidence, they presume the killer to be male as they were strong enough to move the body from the crime scene to the park but they cannot yet confirm that said killer is working on their own or that they are an outsider, meaning all precautions taken by the QVB might be to no avail.

Humpday Update:

♚ Talks of an in memoriam choreography have been put on hold in light of the production’s rocky financial situation. For now, a humble tribute at the end of the premier as well as a mention in the playbill are planned. Further discussions are scheduled for Friday.

♚ Also scheduled for Friday: an appointment regarding finances between Norah Monroe and Elijah Granville. Word of mouth is that the QVB might have to consider hosting a charity event to ask long term subscribers and local lovers of arts and culture for additional donations.

♚ Headline: Still no trace of the killer. Police at a standstill. The cast, crew and other employees are being interviewed within the confines of the opera house again but might eventually be invited to the station for further questioning. With so few clues to follow, everyone is once again a suspect.

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Daphne Visvardi

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Hey it's tabby, I've not had a chance to get to a computer so I may be a little late getting my account in! Should be able to do it later today though

No problem, darling! Take your time, you haven’t missed out on anything yet after all!

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Elijah Granville

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Barbara Donne

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Desdemona James

Aliona Chernova

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That, at last, concludes our first ever round of acceptances! At this point, applicants are always free to ask for feedback should it be needed which I doubt will be the case this time around — however, to everyone who has been accepted: please include your timezone when sending in your account if you haven’t included it in the app somewhere because I’m a failure who forgot to ask for it! Our next acceptance is scheduled for Tuesday 10 PM GMT / 5 PM EST, making Tuesdays and Sundays at that hour our regular acceptance times, and at this very hour, gameplay will also resume! For now, please feel free to turn in your accounts, get to know each other and perhaps get to some plotting already — also, stay tuned for an episode post to open the show coming soon! I’m beyond excited to start roleplaying with you all!

[bloodinhershoesrpg]

Congratulations Lia, you have been accepted for the role of Elijah Granville! In all honesty, without trying to falsely flatter you, I would have handed both of my sweet summer children you have applied for to you with pleasure and a kiss as both applications captured them wonderfully. But, alas, as you asked to only be accepted for one of them, Elijah felt ever so slightly more refined to me, with your writing drawing me in to an extent that I found myself snorting aloud to his remarks which I reckon might just be the very essence of bringing a character to life! I’m ecstatic to have you join us as everyone’s favourite poison garden owner! Please send in your account with 24 hours and have a look at the checklist before you do!

REGARDING YOURSELF

Name / Age / Pronouns: Lia, 21+, GMT Activity: Honestly, a lot of my time at the minute is taken up with the investigation into Katerina’s murder, so I’d put myself at about a 6 if I am accepted and get a spy on the ground. 8 once I realise I’m the murderer. Realistically I’ve been quite sluggish with activity online lately because of my fulltime job and being ill, but am hopeful such obstacles will calm themselves from this point on. Additional: If I am to be accepted for any I’d like to just be accepted for one at this stage (restrain me in future). Thank you.

REGARDING THE STAR OF YOUR SHOW

Character name and faceclaim: Elijah Granville, Theo James

CHARACTER DISSECTION

Picture a man with effortless access to all of the luxuries and comforts this world can offer. Picture that man devoid of nurturing elders and lessons in morality. If that man were to look in the mirror he’d recognise himself as Elijah Granville, profess himself as a god among mere mortals. It’s not because he’s truly that arrogant, but because he doesn’t know any better, doesn’t care enough to look and see. Maybe if his parents had been warmer, the staff that raised him more forceful and less subservient, peers more varied in circumstance, maybe then he could have been better. Only now he believes he is the best. There is nothing he wants for, or knows well enough to realise he is lacking, and there’s certainly not enough passion in his heart to stir and crave a different path. For everything he is; he is nothing, vapour, coasting through life with momentary flickers of association to other humans, to his own heart. Utterly numb to the beauty of art and people, mechanic in the taking of all that is named sinful, named debauched, sedated to the buzz. Poison from an errant tongue coiling slowly around the mind.

Arm outstretched along the line of the chair, a tumbler of whiskey settled to the side of it, some gauchely pretty young blonde in the seat to his left. The usual appearance of Elijah Granville as he seems to encompass the entire box reserved solely for his use. Even the way his eyes practically glaze over as they roam the stage for appearance’s sake, all too familiar. The blonde makes the mistake of speaking, of assuming that is her use. Some pathetic wonder expressed at the dancer’s, a quick admission of insecurity. “You’re right, darling, you could never look so graceful.” It’s unusual for him to respond to such futility, preying for his attention, but the bite of the words are enough to humour him for just a moment. He thinks so litte of those on the stage that her dismissal as even lesser seems a stunning indignity, punishment that she has opened her mouth in a way that doesn’t service him. Maria, or Louisa, or Emilia, settles back in her chair, deflated against the velvet. It is then, just after he strikes, that he moves. Forcing her to follow suit by expectation. Only when she has risen does he shake his head. No, no. “Stay here. You have lessons to learn, do you not.” The experience is surely soured for her, but he makes no note of it, is not intentionally cruel as he leaves her to stew alone. Leisurely strides have him backstage within moments, unfazed as he walks a straight path so all those buzzing in their hurry have to move around him. A figure he briefly acknowledges as familiar, a queen in the hive, steps out of his way, no notion to question him. He pushes open a fire escape and steps outdoors. There are no bodies to deal with, no smokers attempting pleasantries. His goal accomplished, to avoid the droning tones of theatregoers and the effort to cover his distaste. There’s very little he denies himself, but a line is still drawn at smoking indoors. More for the way they’ll surely bump up the cost of smoke damage or refunded tickets for alarms blaring, than for respect of the theatre. Architecture perhaps one allowance in its beauty, he holds too much venom for the funds the theatre siphons from him to recognise any attribute. Handrolled filters greet him in a sterling silver case, less pretentious than one might imagine, given how bashed and nicked the case truly is. A questionable hand-me-down from his grandfather when he was a boy, the picture of magnanimity at some fundraiser or another, a story regaled by the presses who happened upon the scene. He taps the cigarette against the lid of the box, allowing any stray tobacco to fall, or perhaps just for the habit of it when the cigarettes always look immaculate and machine pressed instead of forged by his hand. Just as he’s raising it to his lips, calamity strikes. “I’m sorry, you’re not supposed to..” Owlish features turn on the woman, and she steps back in response. Theatrically he settles the cigarette back in place, “Do finish that sentence.” Finally some real entertainment. Except she seems frozen in place, all too aware of her error at this point. “You’re not.. You can’t.” A scoff as he clicks the case shut, lest he drop them all on the ground and force her to her hands and knees. Unless you’re new here is on the tip of his tongue, but it seems too much an excuse, a kindness. “I can and I will. And I am.” he doesn’t stoop, doesn’t press forward, and yet the intensity of his words force a closeness and presume an attack. “Now shut the door and wait right there until I knock.” “I’ve got work..” “Yes, you have got work in making up for your ignorance. So hush now, let’s not fall out. I wont repeat myself” He doesn’t need to, for she closes the fire exit in front of her. He’s not one for grudges, not at all, so he finishes his cigarette, watches the smoke plume into the night sky, a far better dancer than inside the building, and doesn’t linger further. Knocks against the door to be let inside. A mistake to let him in, if ever there was one.

CONNECTING THE DOTS

Norah Monroe: If it irks him to have any dealings with the theatre at all, it bothers him all the more to have a face to put to it. Someone with the belief they are charming him, or guiding him, or offering anything at all. A meek little butterfly fluttering about anxiously with her placations, her assurances as to why this is a good investment- when it’s not. The worst part of it is the mask he has to wear, the near neutrality stretched across features, and blunting down of words so that he might sound reasonable, disaffected, instead of bored and frustrated and essentially tired of the whole affair. Even offended that a woman such as she gets to go home and pat herself on the back, presuming to have quelled the beast. She’s done nothing for him, as obsolete as the rest of the staff. And yet he supposes it’s better to have an unwitting adversary believe themselves in control. All the better to watch their eventual fall on the most holy day he can rid himself of them all, watch the demise of an intolerable legacy.

Raúl Mendoza: For whatever reason people oft assume you peers. As though grandeur and political aspirations go hand in hand. Somehow, at theatre functions Elijah is requited to attend, he will find himself pointed in the direction of the man, with prompt introduction before the guide takes their leave. There’s very little for you to talk about, very little interest held in politics or the theories behind them. Yet you allow a convenient amount of time to pass, pleasantries exchanged, because at least the man is an intellectual. Not much of one, considering his profession, but still a better option than the dull and frantic attempts at charm from the artists.

REGARDING YOUR INSPIRATION

Unfortunately I have nothing available for this section at this time (except one shoddy multi-char edit)

[bloodinhershoesrpg]

Congratulations Maggie, you have been accepted for the role of Desdemona James! Your elaborations on Mona’s home life and the factors leading up to the biggest secret she has to conceal to date as well as how said secret still impacts her today even being touched upon in your choice of connections (as well as your playlist) was, in my opinion, simply marvellous! Mona was a character I wasn’t sure about keeping after this round of acceptance but you have made leaving her up for grabs worthwhile. I hope to see the two of you on the dash soon! Please send in your account with 24 hours and have a look at the checklist before you do!

REGARDING YOURSELF

Name / Age / Pronouns: Maggie, 21, she/her

Activity: It’s summer time for me, however I just got a new dog that I will be training daily. Then come fall, school will begin again, so I’m expecting my activity to be about a 7-8.

Additional: I really like the concept for this RP, and it’s beautifully done, too. Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see from this application!

REGARDING THE STAR OF YOUR SHOW

Character name and faceclaim: Desdemona James portrayed by Brie Larson

CHARACTER DISSECTION

TW: child abuse, violence

Lullabies, love, the smell of lavender. These are things Mona thinks good childhoods are made of. There was a little period of her own that felt like that. Her big brother, Damen, made her early years joyous. He’d play hide and seek with her, cover her ears when their parents, Ariadne and Bill, were fighting. Cover her eyes if they couldn’t escape the room in time. Nothing hurt so bad to see when she knew her big brother was there to protect her. Time goes on and children grow into targets. Hand shaped bruises were for mother to hide, not children. Not for awhile. But things can only get worse when you live with a forest fire for a father and a bundle of twigs for a mother. Mona had two escapes: time with Damen and ballet.

Just because things were often tense at home doesn’t mean Mommy and Daddy didn’t want the best for their children. Damen was put in only the finest music programs to cultivate his gift for piano, and in turn, Mona was placed in the most prestigious of ballet schools in the area. Time together between siblings was often spent dancing and playing the keys together. Damen would try to get Mona’s little hands to reach all the keys for a chord and Mona would try to teach Damen to plié. They brought comfort to each other in times of trouble - and it seemed as though times were often of trouble.

Damen, being five years Mona’s senior, began to get out of the house as a teenager, leaving Mona to herself. With Damen around less, more attention was directed at Mona at home - and attention she did not want. Her father was hateful, possessive, and often showed Mona that she belonged to no one but him.  She made friends here and there in school, but eventually became withdrawn. She used to confide in friends at sleepover what kind of a maniac her father could be, what kind of blithering and oblivious drunk her mother was. Some friends even told their own parents out of concern. Nothing ever came of it. If there was one thing you could say about the rich, it’s that “family affairs” were kept within the family. And what good were friends when they added no chances for survival? As Mona grew up, watching her brother moreso from a distance, she threw herself deeper into ballet. Damen was no longer a confidant and a protector, but rather a warm memory and occasional reprieve. Friendships were replaced with alliances. “If we push each other, one of us might get the part.” She would go straight to ballet practice after school, complete her homework there, and not come home until she was certain that dinner was ready. Then, she’d try her best to go unnoticed until bed time. Sometimes Bill was occupied with other things, and other times he was firmly focused on making Mona’s life hell.

Life, while often hard, was not as bad as it could have been. That’s what Mona always reminded herself of. She had food, clothes, a brother who loved her even if her parents didn’t seem to, and most importantly, a passion.

Things changed in the time it takes to pick up a knife.

It was Christmas time. Damen was home for the holidays. Mona’s mother was somewhere in the house, sloshing around and weeping over one thing or another, as usual. Mona, for once, had gone out to socialize. A tiny crush on a peer from her ballet class had inspired her to go to a party out on a yacht. Yes, Mona came home late. No, she hadn’t been drinking. She reeked of other people’s cigarettes, and someone had spilled a glass of very expensive champagne all over her beautiful new tennis skirt. No parent would have believed she hadn’t been up to no good. Not many parents would react in the way that Bill James did, though. He tried to corner Mona, screaming accusations about her behavior and her virtue. Years of practice allowed for her to escape from him several times. She ran into the kitchen, simply because it was the closest room connected to the hall that led to her bedroom. But fingers ripping into her scalp, that familiar pull as she was yanked back and off her feet stopped her short. There was a struggle. A counter’s corner dug deep into her gut and a blade glimmered before her in the dim light from the moon in the window. It didn’t take a thought. Mona remembers the pain in her gut from the counter - then the look of horror on Damen’s face and his mouth moving around the words, “What have you done?”

Ambulances, police vehicles, handcuffs. It’s all a blur, especially after eight years. Mona doesn’t talk about it. What is there to say? Bill wasn’t even out of the hospital before Mona had spent all of her money from birthdays and christmases to find a home out of the country. They decided not to press charges, brush this under the rug just like every other painful and violent event that had happened in that house. The James family has enough money to pay off any and every individual who knows how or why Desdemona James stabbed her own father that night.

At sixteen years old, she left her parents behind in America as soon as she could, and with them, Damen. It was painful, but the rift that grew between them after that night was worse than the pain of leaving. He never understood her decision, because he had never seen the way their father had turned on her as they grew older. At least Mona can blame the physical distance between them for their estranged existences.

Now, in another country, Mona’s life is all too similar to those days she spent alone with her ballet. Only now, without the attacks from her father and with the sting of repressed memories and a bitterness over the childhood she wishes she’d had. Performance is still Mona’s strongest skill. One hones these abilities when living a life full of deep, dark secrets. Ballet keeps Mona busy and satisfied enough. Still, the weight of Mona’s past bears heavily on her shoulders. Regret colors her thoughts, only in ways that she can never admit. It’s one thing to regret stabbing your father - but it’s another entirely when your only wish is that you’d managed to kill him.

CONNECTING THE DOTS

Aliona Chernova:

Company is something Mona tolerates, rather than actively enjoys. If anyone described her, they wouldn’t exactly say “sociable” or “friendly.” Still, the time spent with Aliona is time that Mona cherishes, in her own way. Moments behind the building, staring at the dumpsters like mirrors, a chain of cigarettes between lips. Why is it that, although Mona is never baring her soul to Aliona, she feels so understood? Nothing bonds two people quite like sneaked cigarettes and misanthropy, she supposes. There’s a chaos in Aliona’s heart that feeds Mona’s desire to know she isn’t the only one silently suffocating under the pressures of both past and present. There is no pressure here to be quiet about the things Mona hates. Aliona does not pity Mona or wish to figure out what’s hurting her, making her so resigned within her own pain. Instead, the two can smile wryly in the face of dysfunction and say, “I know, right? Me too.” Aliona is an experience that Mona isn’t exactly attached to, but definitely doesn’t mind having.

Robert Brinkley:

Nothing makes Mona’s skin crawl like cops and older men. Her past always seems to be pushed to the forefront of her mind when Chief Inspector Brinkley comes sniffing around. It’s truly tragic what happened to Katerina, let’s be clear, but if it were up to Mona? She’d have nothing to with this investigation, solely because it’s bad for her heart. Chest-thumping, stomach churning anxiety eats at Mona when any older male cops start snooping around, and Chief Inspector Brinkley is no exception. His peering eyes, his pressing questions. You’d think Mona was guilty, she gets so nervous. That makes all of this worse. If anyone was going to look like someone who could murder Katerina Santos, it’d be the girl who tried to kill her father. Let’s just say Mona avoids Robert Brinkley whenever she can.

REGARDING YOUR INSPIRATION

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