#Michael and play both pulling out the arson ideas

[chloesimaginationthings]

Poppy playtime Doctor and William Afton are besties

[7-wonders]

i've never been kissed before so you volunteer but i decline, we're best friends and it would be weird, but a couple hours later i lay awake in my bed and i can't stop thinking about what it would be like to kiss you and suddenly i regret what i said x Jim 😚

This prompt was meant to be a Jim prompt 🥺 also Jim is college-aged, as he is in everything that I write about him.

//

An end-of-the-year camping trip with friends is, in your opinion, the best way to celebrate being done with finals. Surrounded by nature and those you care for, with good food and good laughs...there’s really nothing else you can ask for. It’s a small group, but it’s the group that you’ve known for almost two years now, since freshman year of college.

The eight of you are gathered around a campfire, roasting various foods to see how they’ll taste and throwing things into the pit to see the flames spark and crackle. Drinks are flowing, joints are being passed; you could say that the vibes tonight are immaculate.

“Okay, okay,” Xavier Plympton, an acting major with a desire to bring aerobics into the 21st century, speaks up. “Never have I ever...gotten arrested.”

A couple of groans are heard around the circle, and you watch to see who takes a sip of their drink and lowers a finger. Jim, you expected, since he told you about his arson streak in high school. You’re best friends, so of course you’ve told each other everything. The always dark and mysterious Michael Langdon, not so much.

“Really, Michael?” you say in disbelief.

He shrugs. “I was a troubled teen.”

“I want to go next!” Medina, Jim’s twin sister, yells. “Never have I ever--”

“‘Dina, that’s not how the game works. One of the people that takes a drink does the next ‘never have I ever,’“ Jim explains.

She huffs, rolling her eyes before continuing anyways. “Never have I ever gone skinny dipping.”

Most people in the group take a drink, yourself included. This is one of the only times you have drank while playing this game. It’s not that you were a goody-two-shoes growing up, or that you had strictly religious parents or anything like that. You’re just cautious, and you tend to overthink things until the moment has passed. 

“Well, look who finally drank!” Of course Jim would notice that you had been noticeably absent from the game.

“(Y/N) hasn’t been drinking?” Montana Duke cries in disbelief. “Are we not fun enough for you to pay attention to?”

“No, it’s not that!” you assure. “I just...haven’t done most of the things that you guys have been saying. I’m not going to drink when I haven’t done something; that defeats the purpose of the game.”

“Okay then, your turn, since you finally drank,” Montana smirks. “Say something that will get us all out.”

“Montana, that seems kinda mean-spirited,” Mallory Howell pipes up.

“It’s fine, I’m not a pussy.” Maybe it’s the alcohol giving you confidence, or just you finally being out of fucks to give, but you toss the rest of your drink back and stare at the fire. “Never have I ever been kissed.”

The group erupts in shouts and you roll your eyes, even though you can feel your cheeks heating up almost immediately.

“You’re serious? Never?” Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt, resident rich girl of the group, yells. She’s always super loud when she’s high. “How?”

“I don’t know. Just never felt like kissing anybody I’ve been on a date with.”

“Shit, (Y/N), we gotta get you some action,” Xavier says.

“I could be your first kiss,” Jim says suddenly, anxiously taking a hit from a joint when he feels everybody’s eyes on him. “Y’know, that way you could get it over with, and it’s not with some stranger or somebody that you don’t like.”

“That’s, uh--I mean, that’s super nice, but...we’re best friends. I think it would make things a little weird, y’know?”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Jim chuckles with a shrug. “Sorry, I’m super high.”

That dispels the sudden tension, and everybody laughs.

“Okay, Mallory, you’re next,” you say, directing the attention to the brunette. You can’t help but glance at Jim, who’s looking right at you. He raises his cup to you, and you feel unexpectedly shy, quickly looking back into the flames.

//

The fire’s long-since died down, everybody retreating to their tents as the chill of the night took over their senses and sent them to sleep. Everybody, that is, but you. Medina’s dead asleep next to you, snoring softly, but you’ve been staring at the red fabric of the tent for at least an hour now, unable to stop thinking about what Jim said. Would he actually want to kiss you? Or was he just saying that to be nice? You can’t help but to think about what it would be like if you had said yes to his offer. What would it feel like, to kiss Jim Mason? His lips are probably soft, and he just seems like he would be a good kisser.

You sigh, running your hand over your face and sitting up. You quietly throw a hoodie on, trying not to wake up Medina. Though, from the sounds of it, she’s not waking up for anything. Unzipping the front of the tent, you crawl out and walk towards the remnants of the fire. From the light of the moon, you can see a silhouette sitting on one of the lawn chairs, obviously having the same idea as you.

Blue eyes look up at you, and you stop in your tracks when you realize it’s Jim. “Hey,” he says.

“Hey,” you reply.

“Couldn’t sleep?”

“No. Medina’s snoring.”

“Would have thought you were used to that by now, what with you two being roommates for two years.”

“Most of the time, I am.” Jim pulls an empty chair close to his, gesturing for you to sit. “It’s so peaceful out here.”

“Yeah, it is. I wouldn’t mind living out here.”

You’re both silent for a while, taking in the nature around you. “Jim?” you say finally.

“What’s up?”

“Did you...mean what you said? About being my first kiss?”

“I mean, yeah. But you’re right, we’re best friends, it would probably make things weird.”

“Well, what if I was okay with taking that chance?” It feels like the air shifts, goosebumps rising on your skin as Jim looks at you and moves closer.

“Can I be honest?” You nod. “I’d be perfectly fine with things being weird.” His hand comes up to caress the side of your face, and you bite your lip.

“Will you kiss me?” 

Jim looks from your eyes to your lips and back again, leaning in and gently pressing his lips to yours. Your eyes flutter shut; it’s everything that you thought kissing Jim would be. His lips are just as soft as you had imagined, and he kisses you so tenderly that you think you finally understand what the books mean when they say a person swoons. Jim pulls away, grinning at the dazed look in your eye.

“Was that okay with you?” Jim asks.

“More than okay.” You kiss him again, cautiously. “We should have been doing this a lot sooner.”

//

@dark-mei-rose @michaellangdon @xavierplympton @blakescoven @hecohansen31

[aion-rsa]

Evil Season 2 Episode 3 Review: F Is for Fire

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This Evil review contains spoilers.

Evil Season 2 Episode 3

Evil season 2, episode 3, “F Is for Fire,” begins at its hottest point. Dr Kristen Bouchard (Katja Herbers) is having trouble sleeping, but she’s not being kept awake by some demonic force. Her husband has been off on some mountain climbing expedition, and the last time she tapped an axe, it was into the skull of a serial killer. Even forensic psychologists have needs, and when they do, sometimes the only cure is a nocturnal mission.

Technically, the monster-of-the-week would register higher on the Fahrenheit gauge. It’s an Islamic spirit tied to the element of fire, with flames where his hair should be. But Kristen’s devil-in-Miss Jones routine is a slower burn which the series, and Herbers pulls off extremely well. They set mood music, tilt cameras, drench scenes in torrid gelled lighting, and raid the closet for a change of wardrobe. Dr. Brouchard is completely transformed, but it is too strictly engineered of a transformation. It feels textbook, and Evil is about breaking procedure.

Last week’s episode, “A Is for Angel,” ended after David Acosta (Mike Colter) heard an all-too enthusiastic confession from Leland Townshend (Michael Emerson), who had shooed Sister Andrea (Andrea Martin) out of the room only moments before. The nun knew something was up, and David knew she was in the know. The last words of the episode, “alright, I’ll help you,” were positively uplifting. Sister Andrea’s help, apparently, only goes so far, and Martin perfectly captures her expanding her limitations.

First, Sister Andrea wants nothing to do with David’s sigil map, because he’s not supposed to be in possession of it. He was told to look into it, but not have a physical, visual aid for reference. The nun will not break the rules of the church, even if they are not official commandments. However, when David begins to explain the background, and how it all leads to something more sinister at RSM Fertility, we can see her interest grow. By the time she’s separating alphabets from language to language, letter by letter, Sister Andrea projects her entire process. Even better than this, she leaves the audience with a thousand questions about her past. Why is she such an expert on so many things? She is like Deep Throat, the Well-Manicured Man and X on The X-Files combined, but with far better grounding in reality.

Once Sister Andrea gets to the clue of the coded message, she quickly deciphers the letters of a name, and surprisingly, the family has been wondering why it took so long for the church to get there. David’s backlog of cases is a subtle running joke, but it’s become contagious. But so does the demon at the center of the episode’s mystery. The thing haunting the little girl is called an Ifrit, in Islamic mythology, it is neither good nor evil, just very moody, and often burns very hot.

The subject of the investigation is a girl named Mathilda Maubrey, played by Matilda Lawler, who also played Brenda, the little girl in the mask who took Kristen’s children grave-digging in season 1. Mathilda is the foster child Brian and Jane Castle are thinking of adopting, but mysterious fires keep starting whenever the kid is left alone. The biological mother was arrested for arson. Kristen thinks the daughter might be replicating her mom’s behavior. Ben Shakir (Aasif Mandvi) is open to the idea the mother might have been put away for crimes Mathilda committed. Or the answer might be found behind door number 3.

Mathilda is very bright, and Lawler plays her intelligently but with a desperate edge. She sweetly tells Kristen she doesn’t need to give examples of the things she’s being questioned about. But she’s really saying she’s at the end of her patience and doesn’t like to be patronized. She is not an angry child. She says she only gets mad after talking to her mom because she misses her. Her parents probably should have led with the nanny-cam tape, though. It is the reason they called in the church, they say. Why make the team linger over this without that information? Kristen throws out a perfectly good tea set. It comes back, but still.

Even though we believe Mathilda, what is she doing with chlorine tablets and brake fluid? Her father has a point. Besides the invading entity, the family also has to endure religious intolerance from the clergy itself. The spiritual workers from the two faiths don’t wrestle the spirit as a tag-team, the priest and the sheikh face off against each other in a pious preliminary.

Poor Ben is forced into defending a mythology he doesn’t buy into because of some form of nationalistic pride. Watching how the priest treats the sheikh before the exorcism rites begin, the audience tends to side with Muslim-raised skeptic. Not only does Ben have to contend with the holier rollers doing wheelies on his family’s faith, Kristen pushes his agnostic buttons with all the guilt of a lapsed Catholic. It’s a good thing he’s got a dream demoness waiting up for him at home.

“Why do you have a retainer,” Ben asks his nighttime friend, and the entire atmosphere gets uneasily creepy. What exactly is he being tempted by and, could the demoness have stolen Lexis’ dental-wear? Kristen’s daughter has been sporting a devilish smile since chomping off the finger of an orthodontic nurse. As it is a night terror scene, it could be foreshadowing of something exceptionally dark and frightening in a very skewered way. The detail could also be some Freudian holdover because Ben had just been chastised by his own sister on his faith. But it could all be leading up to his interpretation of god’s latest punchline, straddling the team “in the middle of Queens watching a sheik and a priest exorcize a 9-year-old girl.”

Kristen’s mother Sheryl (Christine Lahti) turns out to be even more manipulative than any of us, audience or characters, may have given her credit for. I can understand what Leland sees in her. She makes up a fake name, and books herself some sessions with Kristen’s therapist Dr. Boggs (Kurt Fuller). This may sound like it’s underhanded enough, but when she’s caught, she goes all in, dropping to her knees and begging forgiveness from the doctor. It’s scary, but mainly because it works.

“F is For Fire” continues to fan the embers of ambiguity. Everything about Mathilde’s fire-starting abilities seem to have as much of a rational explanation as a spiritual one. Kristen does go burning her candles at both ends as a direct result, but with mitigating factors. But the episode also benefits from the grey areas between the Islamic and Christian beliefs, and the inherent pecking order of spirituality. Evil doesn’t offer easy outs, they prefer intellectual subversions, like ending an episode on a little girl starting fires with a glance.

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Evil airs Sundays on Paramount+.

The post Evil Season 2 Episode 3 Review: F Is for Fire appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[at-the-exd-of-everythixg]

Baby Boom

@blind-mutant here we go!! For anyone else who reads this, this is uhhh an au??? Based off a fic I wrote for Devin's birthday in which Rhys lives a happy life with Wulf, Sal, Pascal, Lace, Mahogany and Dae! They also have a ton of babies (the carrier for all of these is Mahogany, they're still trying to get Sal to have a baby for them to coddle during all this) and here are some headcanons (tho core details like appearance, names, powers aren't decided since I want it to be a duo thing to share).

Malf (Wulf x Mahogany)

Oldest baby since Wulf is incredibly fertile

Big baby. Mahogany had quite a few worried boys around them when they got close to their due date and Baby themself got Mahogany exhausted.

So for the first few weeks it was the boys mostly taking care of Baby while Mahogany rested.

Spent the past six months being carried by Wulf before the last month was spent with only Dae being allowed to go near because he doesn't smell of much. Mahogany could only stand him and it made Dae cry every time.

Ate a LOT of meat since they were already the size of a one year old despite Mahogany being carrying for six months.

Screamed any time they were left alone and thus someone had to be in the room with them or holding them.

Even without powers,,,,ridiculously strong,,,dragged a chair with Sal still sitting on it and they were only a year and a half.

Angwy lil bab when the twins were born. Father crew had to keep an eye on them because Pascal launched out of bed one morning (throwing Rhys across the bed by accident) and caught Baby dragging the twins out to the woods,,,and then spent another hour holding a wailing Baby over it.

Wild Child. The kid who screams "FA!" and comes running in with a snake they found before announcing that they were bitten excitedly.

Wants stories all the time and everything they get told depends with "That's not what Auntie Edith/Uncle Mordecai says!"

Had very weird body proportions where they're skinny look but has big ass hands and feet,,,,like Michael from tma.

Stomps everywhere.

Ridiculously tall when grown. Gets yelled at by Rhys or Sal and they have to squat to be at eye level.

Kinda neurotic about keeping packs together and self obessed idea of being the next Alpha. Starts a few fights with Mahogany that leaves them both scarred, much to the worry of everyone else.

Rhogal (Rhys x Mahogany/x Pascal?)

Mahogany got pregnant when Wulf Baby was two.

No one knew who's this one was and automatically assumed Rhys because pale and one was blind.

But then Lace openly wondered if they worked like a cat and could have multiple fathers and then doubts settled in.

Did not help that Baby Two would start giggling ominously before something bad happned.

Anyway, easier birth! Less stress and less muching if you don't include Wulf Baby's attempts at getting rid of them.

Smol, got carried around by Rhys a lot and could fit into Wulf's palms which made some knees weak.

Generally didn't seem much trouble at first but then it Began.

Pls Baby One, let go of the spoon, I swear you'll get more meat mush in a second- oh my god where did Baby Two go????

Lots of rushing around looking for Satan before Baby Two would just calmly pad in with a dead dove or napping in Alpha's hair.

Twins need to hold AT LEAST a body part of someone. Sal's hands?? Wulf's hair??? Rhys's feet when asleep??? It'll do. Especially if it makes Papa Rhys scream funny.

Sal shows them the shining twins and still getting punished for it to this day I hear.

Asks a lot of questions that seem emotional and gut punching. Baby One asks Wulf if they're monsters when being tucked into bed, Baby Two cheerfully asks Dae what's gonna happen if he dies at the family breakfast.

Absolutely ride or die and everyone and no one knows if they can change sizes because no one sees them as adults together strangely enough.

Rarely fights but when they do??? Oh its BIG. To the point where Mahogany has to pull a big scary move that makes everyone step back.

One twin is so gross like, Lilo licking Nani level, but no one knows until it's too late.

Scared of fires but urge to arson is terribly strong in these babies.

Wulf Baby hated them and then it got worse because you had two tiny terrors annoying and bullying Wulf Baby lowkey for months.

Lagni (Lace x Mahogany)

Wulf Baby is 4, the twins are 2 and Lace Baby is a wee bab!

Dad Squad is getting to be experienced, knows to set up a den in the bedroom, only Dae and babies can go near them in the last month and Wulf Baby is VERY proud of being able to play at Alpha and look after their carrier.

Lace Baby was....surprisingly normal at first and ok no one expected that but no one was going to argue since they all knew how powerful Lace was when off his meds.

Things were fine! But then a few weeks and,,,,Mahogany was sweating and Sal wouldn't stop bleeding and being sick and Rhys got surrounded by his shadows and isolated. Lace cried later that night.

Still! They got around it and Carter helped out by telling the government that he had a second child and they got some medication for Lace Baby to have in order to calm them down, at least until they could be taught some control.

Quiet but....weirdly attentive?? A month old and yet nodded when asked questions. Prodigy baby, Wulf says proudly.

Likes sitting near their fathers and getting hobbies. Lace was strict in telling Rhys he wasn't allowed to scare people and luckily Lace Baby just picked up music from him.

Likes brawling with Wulf Baby and is seemingly durable so more than once Pascal has yelled because Wulf Baby tossed a giggling Lace Baby across the room with one hand.

Addicted to hanging out with cousin Logan to the point where they have been a bit rude and blown off their own siblings. Got a big fight about it that ended up with Baby One sulking with their head in Rhys's lap and sniffling.

Wants to move out but not in a bad way just....wants to study and learn about what they are, what their PACK is. Begs Uncle Abara to teach them demon stuff.

Accent changes with who they speak to. Has a stutter with Dae before switching to rough Irish when begging to go hunting.

Likes to stray from family but the slightest thing that upsets them?? Comes home sobbing to their parents, half of which only teach their shoulders now.

Cried easily? Medication made them have swings and some time Rhys said something and they cried and he still feels bad about it years later. Wulf is confused because all Rhys said was that they can't take a sword to school.

Likes making charts and playing games that Dae.

Burns themself out a lot and that causes worry for the family when they're eight and suddenly passing out after chasing after Mahogany.

Secretly keeps and cuddles a sweater from one of the parents and sleeps with it. Mortified if anyone found out about their blankie.

Mahl (Sal x Mahogany)

Wulf Baby is 5, the twins are 3 and Lace Baby is 1!

No one actually knew this time Mahogany was pregnant because the bump was so small and they weren't eating as much. Really, Mahogany started craving sweeter stuff and ate sap and honey for 6 months instead of meat.

Therefore, this is the one baby Mahogany finally got to have in the middle of nowhere and came back with late afternoon. Sal passed out immediately.

S m o l. Literally kitten sized. But had a perfect affinity for sound and therefore had the horrifying gift for copying voices. More than once they were woken up to Sal Baby screaming like an adult man and one time they woke up to Pascal's own voice screaming back at him.

Suckles a lot and this was cute until they grew teeth Mahogany has sharp teeth, Sal has blocky teeth. Baby has jagged teeth. Also the only baby who didn't eat meat but rather drank honey for months on end before finally eating meat.

Everyone thought Sal hated them because he never spoke to them until he finally sighed after a crying session and ruffled their hair and called Baby "Snuffle-Truffles". Wulf cried.

Didn't move for ages until Rhys didn't hold them one day after everyone ELSE did and Sal Baby finally got up and passed after him for their daily shadow dad cuddles.

Smol but f a s t. Scaled a wall in less than a minute and the wall was high enough that it takes about three minutes to hurry if you aren't a giant noodle who can litreally climb up.

Baby can touch Dae safely and that's because he woke up scremaing when Baby Sal was found suckling on his fingers and was....perfectly fine. There was a lot of crying.

Wants to Dance(Tm) but,,,,clumsy dancer. Has the legs of a chunky chicken wing to baby deer.

Baby of the family and they know it. Has some health issues later and VERY wild physical changes later on in life.

Mahogany is still bothering Sal about carrying a baby or two because they wanna coddle but haha what are the chances of that happening,,,,,:3 :3 >:3

Lace Baby is the teen that dumps their parents and Sal Baby is the teen that is mortified by the amount of baby pictures.

[badchoosey]

Veil of Secrets, Chapter One: Missing Persons

You sit in a cold metal chair in a police interrogation room, watching the minutes tick by on the clock. 

Jean: (How much longer are they going to keep me here?)

As if answering your question, the door at the end of the room swings open, and a man in a sharp suit enters, flashing an FBI badge. 

Agent Michael Kim: Special Agent Michael Kim, FBI. And you are… Jean?

Jean: That’s right.

Agent Michael Kim: Well, Jean. I’m hoping you can answer some questions. 

He sits down, flipping open a heavy folder full of photos…

Agent Michael Kim: See, I’m just trying to make sense of what happened in this town. Looking at this report here, I’ve got a kidnapping, multiple break-ins, an arson, and at least four homicides… And you think you know who was behind it all.

Jean: What can I say? It’s been a wild month. 

Agent Michael Kim: Can you tell me what happened here? From the beginning?

Jean: Well… It all started with a wedding…

Letter:

You are cordially invited to the wedding of Katherine O’Malley and Tanner Charles Sterling, to be held at Sterling Manor in Birchport, Massachussetts.

Your taxi pulls up outside the imposing family estate in the village of Birchport, Massachussetts. 

Jean: Wow…

The doors swing open, and a handsome stranger walks out, smiling at you. 

???: Welcome to Sterling Manor! You’re here for the rehearsal dinner, I assume?

Jean: I’m Jean. A friend of Kate’s. Uh, Katherine’s. 

???: You can relax. She’s Kate to me too. Looks like you’ve never been here before. I’m Grant Emerson. I’d be happy to show you the way.

Jean: Shouldn’t I find Kate first?

Grant Emerson: Yeah… about that. Maybe not the best time. Mrs. Sterling is trying to rearrange all the seating charts again, and Kate’s not thrilled…

Jean: Oh! Trouble in paradise?

Grant Emerson: Just your typical wedding-planning drama, I’m sure. 

Grant leads you through the doors into an elegant foyer. 

Grant Emerson: So how do you know Kate?

Jean: We were best friends in college, but we kind of lost touch since. I was honestly surprised to get the invitation. 

Grant Emerson: She’s told me some stories about her college days. It sounded like the two of you were a force of nature back then. 

Jean: You could say that. Let me guess. You’re one of Kate’s exes. 

Grant Emerson: What? Me, date Kate?

Jean: Why do you sound so surprised?

Grant Emerson: She and I are just friends, that’s all. I’m here for Tanner, the groom. 

Jean: Are you two friends?

Grant Emerson: In a sense. Our families have… a long history. Both with Birchport, and with each other. Our families have been rivals for years. But Tanner and I are friendly. 

Jean: So do you live in a mansion too?

Grant Emerson: Define ‘mansion.’

Jean: If you need me to define mansion, you live in a mansion. 

Grant Emerson: Touche. 

You pass a massive spiral staircase and a door leading to a gallery of expensive art. You can help but gawk. 

Jean: Man. Kate always joked about marrying a rich guy, but I didn’t think she’d follow through. Especially not on this scale.

Grant Emerson: Believe me, you’re not the only one surprised. The town’s been buzzing for months. Let’s just say it’s not everyday the heir to the town’s richest family gets engaged to a dockworker’s daughter. 

Jean: Way to go, Kate. 

Grant Emerson: What about you? Anyone significant in your life?

Jean: Does my editor count? We spends nights and weekends together, she calls me all the time just to check in… on my deadlines. 

Grant Emerson: So you’re in publishing?

Jean: A journalist.

Grant Emerson: I’ve seen this movie. The hard-working journalist pounding coffee at her desk, no time for a personal life…

Jean: I am pretty focused on my career. 

Grant Emerson: I’m actually glad you said that. I’m the same way. It’s nice to meet someone else dedicated to burning the candle at both ends. 

Jean: Sleep when you’re dead, right?

Grant Emerson: Always been my motto. And now I’m gonna have even less time for that sleep nonsense, what with the new challenge you set me. 

Jean: Oh? What’s that?

Grant Emerson: The one where I find a way to distract you from your work. 

Jean: What about you, Grant? What do you do?

Grant Emerson: I’m a lawyer. Following in my father’s footsteps. 

Jean: Really? Let me guess, some kind of fancy corporate law?

Grant Emerson: Criminal defense, actually. 

Jean: So if I wake up tomorrow in the drunk tank after going full whirling dervish on Birchport’s streets…

Grant Emerson: I’m the guy to call. Listen, I’d love to have you all to myself for the rest of the afternoon, but we should probably join the party. 

Jean: Lead the way…

Grant escorts you to a dining hall full of wealthy East Coast socialites. As you enter, a young woman with a beaming smile rushes over and throws her arms around you. 

Kate O’Malley: Jean! You’re here! You have no idea how much I’ve missed you!

Jean: It’s been so long.

Kate O’Malley: Ohmygod, ages! Like, way too long! We’ll have to make up for lost time this weekend. 

Jean: Won’t you be busy with, you know… getting married?

Kate O’Malley: Are you kidding? Tanner’s mother is a total control freak. But the upside is that she’s taking care of everything! Please, say you’ll help me make the most of my last day as a single lady?

Jean: I’ll give it my best shot. 

Kate O’Malley: Can you believe I’m getting married?

Jean: I honestly can’t believe it’s taken this long for someone to try to lock it down. 

Kate O’Malley: Who said no one else tried?

Jean: Well then, it must have taken a lot for this guy to succeed. 

Kate O’Malley: You could say that…

Kate shows you her engagement ring.. and its enormous diamond. 

Jean: Holy rock, Kate! Doesn’t that thing make your arm tired?

Kate O’Malley: That’s just an added bonus… Crossfit arms without even hitting the gym!

A handsome sharply-dressed man approaches. His bearing is aristocratic, and a little distant. 

Kate O’Malley: Oh, perfect, here’s my fiance, Tanner Sterling. Tanner, this is Jean. We were inseparable at Hartfeld!

Tanner Sterling: So lovely to meet you, Jean. Kate speaks well of you… and often. 

Jean: Thanks, Tanner. Kate, you didn’t tell me Tanner was so hot!

Kate O’Malley: I like to let his hotness speak for itself. 

Tanner Sterling: I, err… That is, thank you for the compliment, Jean. 

Kate O’Malley: I told you in college, anyone I married would have to be super-hot, look great in a tux, and play guitar. 

Tanner Sterling: … I don’t play guitar. 

Kate O’Malley: Always time to learn, babe. Always time to learn. 

An exceptionally well-dressed young woman squints at the three of you, assessing, then stalks over. 

Scarlett Emerson: Don’t Kate and Tanner make such a cute couple? At least now she’s dressing on the Sterling family’s dime….

Tanner Sterling: Scarlett…

Scarlett Emerson: I’m kidding, obviously! Kate knows how much I love her.

Kate O’Malley: Totally.

The woman glances your way.

Scarlett Emerson: Sorry, but if we’ve met, I’ve totally forgotten you.

Kate O’Malley: Scarlett, this is Jean, my best friend from college. Jean, meet Scarlett Emerson, my… maid of honor. 

Scarlett Emerson: Oh, of course, I should have known you were Kate’s college friend. You both have that same spit-shined blue collar thing going on. Such an adorable look, I’m almost jealous of how well you pull it off. You’re the journalist, right?

Jean: That’s me. 

Scarlett Emerson: I saw you talking with my brother before. Just a tip from a friend, flirt all you want, but don’t get your hopes up. Quaint’s not really his thing. 

Jean: Excuse me?

Scarlett Emerson: I mean, I know marrying down is the trend in Birchport these days, but I just don’t think that’s Grant’s style, you know? I’m sure he’s slummed it for fun, but he cares way too much about the family name to make that kind of mistake permanent!

Jean: Maybe I should show your face exactly how us girls from the slums do things. 

Scarlett Emerson: Huh. I would’ve thought you’d need at least two drinks before you started threatening assault. Aren’t people from your background supposed to be able to handle their liquor?

Kate O’Malley: Scarlett, I agreed to have you as my maid of honor because you promised to be nice. 

Scarlett Emerson: I am being nice. Jean’s still standing, isn’t she?

Jean: Give me a few more minutes and you won’t be. 

Tanner Sterling: Ahem. Could we not do this?

Jean: Right. Sorry. I just… she…

Scarlett Emerson: I think I’ve proven my point. Ta-ta!

Scarlett flutters off.

Jean: Sorry, Kate. I didn’t mean to make a scene. 

Kate O’Malley: It’s not your fault. Scarlett’s just… like that. 

Jean: If you don’t mind me asking… why is she your maid of honor? You don’t even seem to get along…

Kate O’Malley: It’s complicated…

Tanner Sterling: The social circles of Birchport often are. Now come, darling. Mother wanted to talk to you about flower arrangements…

Jean: Find me when you’re free, Kate?

Kate O’Malley: Yes! God, yes. 

Kate hugs you and leaves with Tanner. You stand there, shaking your head…

Jean: (Kate O’Malley… what have you gotten yourself into?)

Guests start to move to their seats in the dining room. Feeling out of place, you slink to the back of the hall and find an empty seat next to a ruggedly handsome man. 

Jean: Is this seat taken?

???: I was hoping to put my feet up and take a little nap when things got boring, but sure. You just go ahead and take my footrest. 

Jean: What, you’re not absolutely riveted by rehearsal dinners?

???: Not when it’s my sister getting married to that… Never mind. 

Jean: Whoa. You’re Kate’s brother?

???: Yes? Have we met or something?

Jean: I’m her friend Jean. From Hartfeld?

???: Jean? She talked about you all the time. 

He offers his hand, and you shake it. 

Flynn O’Malley: Flynn.

Jean: Flynn, huh? Kate never mentioned you. 

Flynn O’Malley: I guess she was just as ashamed of me as the rest of the family. 

Jean: Kate would never be ashamed of her brother. 

Flynn O’Malley: If you say so. Then… maybe she figured I’m such a legend, I wouldn’t need to be explained?

Jean: That sounds more like the Kate I know. Or knew…. I’d never have thought she’d marry into a family like this. 

Flynn O’Malley: I’m as surprised as you are. Not that I’ve ever thought much of her taste in men… But I didn’t think she’d wind up with a walking sense of entitlement like Tanner.

Jean: He seems like a nice enough guy…

Flynn O’Malley: ‘Seems’ is definitely the operative word in that sentence. 

Your conversation is interrupted by the sound of a spoon tapping the side of a glass, signalling a toast. A stern older gentleman at the head table rises, a champagne glass in his hand. Diamond cuff links twinkle at his wrists. 

Pierce Sterling: For those of you I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting, I’m Pierce Sterling, father to the young man whose nuptials we’ll be celebrating tomorrow. As most of you know, the Sterling legacy in Birchport goes back many generations. Tomorrow it continues onto the next. For any father, his eldest son’s wedding is fraught with emotion. Many of you know our Kate comes from a… different walk of life…

Attendees give each other uneasy glances…

Pierce Sterling: And yet, she possesses a purity of spirit that I can only describe as Sterling. Please, join me in welcoming Kate O’Malley to our family!

Before anyone has a chance to react, a huge, red-cheeked boor of a man stands up and scoffs!

???: Different walk of life? Come on!

Pierce Sterling: Bryce…

Bryce Sterling: Drop the euphemisms, Dad. Just say what we’re all thinking.

Pierce Sterling: I’m warning you…

Bryce Sterling: She’s a gold-digger!

You feel yourself tense with anger. You notice Flynn clenching his fists. 

Jean: Hey! Asshole! I don’t know who you are, besides a guy who’s hit the bar twenty times too many, but Kate’s a better person than you’ll ever be. 

The attendees react with surprise, and more than a little delight at the drama unfolding.

Bryce Sterling: You’re calling me out for drinking? How could I not be drinking at this farce? Some slut from the wrong side of the tracks waltzes in here and claims my family name, and I’m supposed to… what? Welcome her like a brother?

Pierce Sterling: Enough, Bryce.

Jean: Don’t you dare insult Kate. 

Bryce Sterling: Kate insults me with her presence. 

Pierce Sterling: Bryce, I said enough!

Pierce signals to his wait staff to intercept Bryce, who’s staggering toward you. 

Bryce Sterling: Hey! Get your hands off me!

Fortunately, he’s too inebriated to put up much of a fight, and they quickly whisk him from the room. Pierce shoots you an icy glare, then resumes. 

Pierce Sterling: Now let’s return to our dinner, shall we? I promise there will be no further interuptions. 

He snaps his fingers, and the wait staff begin dinner service. Across the room, Kate catches your eye. She looks grateful. 

Flynn O’Malley: Thanks for that. 

Jean: Sorry. I just… I couldn’t just sit here…

Flynn O’Malley: Trust me, I hear you. If I’d have heard one more word out of that prick’s mouth, they would’ve been scraping him off the floor.

Jean: I would’ve kept my mouth shut if I knew that was the alternative.

Flynn O’Malley: Seriously, though. Thanks. 

Jean: Is it always like this?

Flynn O’Malley: I wouldn’t know. This is the first even the Sterlings have deigned to invite me to. 

Jean: Kate always had a way of attracting drama, but… I don’t know. This seems like too much, even for her. 

Flynn breathes deeply. 

Flynn O’Malley: Look. She’s my little sister, and I want to protect her. But the truth is… Tanner makes her happy. Happier than I’ve ever seen her. 

You look back to the center table, where Kate’s leaning on Tanner’s shoulder, looking up at him with a smile. 

Flynn O’Malley: Honestly? If we can just make it through this wedding… I think she’ll be all right. 

A few hours later, the dinner is winding down. You’re lingering in the parlor when Kate comes running over. 

Jean: Hey stranger.

Kate O’Malley: Oh, Jean… I’m so happy I found you. 

Jean: How’re you feeling?

Kate O’Malley: Excited? Overwhelmed? So happy I wanna scream and at the same time so nervous I wanna throw up?

Jean: So… normal night before your wedding stuff, then?

Kate O’Malley: Exactly!

She grins and wraps you in a massive hug. 

Kate O’Malley: I know we haven’t talked much the last couple years, but… I think about you all the time, you know. 

Jean: Me too. I’m glad we finally have a chance to catch up now, though. 

Kate O’Malley: Yeah, I--

But before she can finish, Grant and Scarlett walk over. 

Grant Emerson: Looks like you two are reconnecting.

Scarlett Emerson: Can I just say, I loved your little dinner show with Bryce! It was like one of those trashy reality shows where they’re always pulling each other’s hair!

Jean: Glad I entertained you. 

Grant Emerson: I’m just somebody said something. Not enough people are willing to put that asshole in his place. 

Jean: So you guys are Kate and Tanner’s crew, huh?

Scarlett Emerson: I suppose. 

Jean: Oh, that reminds me! How was your bachelorette party, Kate?

Kate O’Malley: I… never had one.

Jean: What? Scarlett, isn’t throwing Kate a party one of your duties as maid of honor?

Scarlett Emerson: Bachelorette parties are so tacky. 

Jean: They don’t have to be Besides, this is Kate’s wedding, right? And Kate’s always loved a good party. 

Kate O’Malley: ‘Love’ does not begin to describe my feelings about parties. 

Grant Emerson: Well, it’s still early. Anyone got plans tonight?

Kate O’Malley: Just beauty sleep.

Jean: You’re not going to be with your fiance?

Kate O’Malley: Tanner’s family is big on tradition. I’m not supposed to see him again until the wedding day… which means my plan for the night involved a couple glasses of wine to settle my nerves and a lot of Netflix. 

Grant Emerson: Well that clinches it. Nothing takes your mind off pre-wedding jitters like a night on the town. Kate, you up for a party?

Kate O’Malley: Yes! Yes! That sounds amazing! Fancy cocktails… college stories… dancing and laughing… Jean? Are you in? Not to be dramatic, but… I totally need this!

Jean: I think I’m too tired for that. I’m on deadline for an article.

Kate O’Malley: You’re working?! During my wedding?!

Jean: I really didn’t have a choice. It was the only way my editor would okay this trip. 

Grant Emerson: Let me guess, you pitched a story about ‘the charming seaside town of Birchport’?

Jean: Guilty as charged.

Kate O’Malley: Awwww… But it won’t be the same without you, Jean. I guess we’re both adulting now, huh?

Jean: I guess so. 

Kate envelops you in a long hug. You think you see tears in her eyes, but when she pulls back, they’ve already disappeared. 

Kate O’Malley: And Flynn’s vanished. Typical. I guess I’ll have to party without my bestie and without my brother. 

Kate grabs Grant in one arm and Scarlett in the other. 

Kate O’Malley: You Emersons better loosen up if we’re going to have any fun at all…

Grant Emerson: I’ll do my best, madame.

The trio walks out, and you head back to your B-and-B.

The innkeeper, Miss Harlenay, greets you in the lobby. 

Miss Harlenay: Welcome back, Jean. How was the rehearsal dinner?

Jean: It was… very elegant.

Miss Harlenay: Get a little drama with your dinner, did you?

Jean: How did you know?

Miss Harlenay: You were a guest of the Sterlings. With them, there’s bound to be drama. Not to mention skeletons, flying out of closets shrieking their damned skulls off. 

Jean: Luckily we managed to avoid those…

Miss Harlenay: For now…

She cackles loudly.

Miss Harlenay: Well, good night then, Jean. Tell your friend Kate to watch out for the bones!

Jean: (That was… beyond weird…)

You head upstairs and spend a couple of hours writing up your impressions of Birchport before dropping off to sleep. Later that night, you’re awakened by someone pounding on the front door to the B-and-B.

Jean: Huh?

You peer out the window and see Kate standing on the front step. You hurry down to let her into your room. 

Kate O’Malley: Oh, look at all the doilies! I love doilies!

She picks one up and sets it on top of her head like a hat, twirling around a little and giggling. She stumbles, and the doily drops to the floor.

Jean: Kate, you’re drunk!

Kate O’Malley: I stand… j’accused.

Jean: Let me get you some water.

Kate O’Malley: Water! Yes! I love water! But I’d also love… hic!... another drink…

Jean: From the looks of it, you’ve had enough of those already.

Kate O’Malley: Enough, enough. But it’s never enough, is it…

Jean: Is something wrong?

Kate O’Malley: You should move here, Jean. There’s a newspaper here you could write for… and I’d be here, it would be just like at Hartfeld!

Jean: Slow your roll there, Kate-bear.

Kate O’Malley: Sorry. Am I being clingy? I always get so clingy when I’m drunk…

Jean: Oh, believe me, I remember.

Kate O’Malley: It’s just… you know… I’m so lonely out here.

Jean: Really? What about your family?

Kate O’Malley: You know how it is. My mom’s out of town, and my dad… well, I don’t talk to my dad.

Jean: What about your brother?

Kate O’Malley: I love Flynn, and we still get beers sometimes, but… it’s just hard with me marrying Tanner. There’s a distance between us. I don’t know. I can’t explain. And Tanner’s family, they’re like ice, Jean. I can tell they don’t want me there. 

Jean: What about Tanner, though?

Kate O’Malley: I love Tanner. He’s a good guy, not like the rest. But… but…

You can tell she’s struggling, holding something back…

Jean: What is it?

Kate O’Malley: He’s… I think he’s…

Kate reaches forward and takes your hand, eyes wide, shimmering with unshed tears... Just then, the door flies open! It’s Tanner, and he’s fuming!

Tanner Sterling: Kate! What are you doing out so late? I heard you were drinking again -- the night before our wedding? Do you know how that makes me look?

Kate O’Malley: Tanner! Hi, sweetie! I just… Jean and I wanted to--

Tanner Sterling: Let me finish that for you. You saw no problem whatsoever with showing up to your own wedding hungover. Classy. 

Jean: Hey, lay off her. Kate’s just blowing off steam.

Tanner Sterling: Stay out of this, Jean, it’s none of your concern!

Tanner grabs Kate by the arm and drags her away. 

Jean: Tanner, wait!

But they’re already gone. 

Jean: (That was… disconcerting…)

You feel something in the hand Kate grabbed… you’d been too stunned before to notice. You glance down… and realized she handed you a note!

Jean: (Ulysses? What does that mean? What’s going on around here?)

You look around, but Kate and Tanner are gone. 

You wake up the next morning to a beautiful, sunny day. 

Jean: (I wonder if the Sterlings special-ordered this weather?)

You’re about to head out when Miss Harlenay stops you…

Miss Harlenay: Are you heading to the wedding in that?

Jean: Is there something wrong with it? The only rule I know is not to upstage the bridge…

Miss Harlenay: It’s just… this wedding is Birchport’s social event of the year! You’ll want to look good to fit in with that crowd… Especially if you want to impress that special someone!

Jean: Who are you… what?

Miss Harlenay: Wait here, I have just the thing!

She rushes to the back room, and returns with an outfit…

Miss Harlenay: Here! If you wear this, I guarantee you’ll catch the eye of everyone there!

Jean: Thanks, Miss Harlenay… but I’m going to stick to my outfit. 

Miss Harlenay: That’s… up to you, I suppose. Enjoy the wedding, dear. I’m sure it’ll be a delight. 

You take a taxi to Sterling Manor. You enter the hall, which has been decked out for the ceremony, and the usher asks you where you’d like to sit. You see one seat next to Grant, and choose to sit there. 

Grant Emerson: Jean. So nice to see you again. Ready to bawl your eyes out?

Jean: They all just grow up… so… fast…

The officiant and Tanner walk to the altar, signalling the start of the ceremony. The attendees turn in their chairs, anxious to see the bride walk down the aisle, but the doorway is empty. Everyone waits. And waits…. And waits. By the altar, the Sterlings look at each other uneasily…

Grant Emerson: I wonder what’s going on…

Jean: I… don’t know.

Another minute passes… then another, each one longer and more excruciating. The guests start to shuffle around in their chairs…

Jean: I should go check on her. Make sure she’s okay. 

Grant Emerson: Yeah. Good idea. 

You head to the dressing room where Kate’s supposed to be, a sinking feeling growing in your gut. The door is locked, and you tug on the handle…

Jean: Kate? Kate?

You jerk it hard, forcing it open… But the room is empty. 

Jean: … Kate?

There’s no sign of her. 

Jean: She’s gone. 

[chooseywoozy]

Veil of Secrets, Book One: Chapter 1 - Missing Persons

(NOW PLAYING AS JUICY)

You sit in a cold metal chair in a police interrogation room, watching the minutes tick by on the clock.

Juicy: (How much longer are they going to keep me here?)

As if answering your question, the door at the end of the room swings open, and a man in a sharp suit enters, flashing an FBI badge.

Agent Michael Kim: Special Agent Michael Kim, FBI. And you are… Juicy?

Juicy: That’s right.

Agent Michael Kim: Well, Juicy. I’m hoping you can answer some questions.

He sits down, flipping open a heavy folder full of photos…

Agent Michael Kim: See, I’m just trying to make sense of what happened in this town. Looking at this report here, I’ve got a kidnapping, multiple break-ins, an arson, and at least four homicides… And you think you know who was behind it all.

Juicy: What can I say? It’s been a wild month.

Agent Michael Kim: Can you tell me what happened here? From the beginning?

Juicy: Well.. It all started with a wedding…

Letter: You are cordially invited to the wedding of Katherine O’Malley and Tanner Charles Sterling to be held at Sterling Manor in Birchport, Massachussetts.

Your taxi pulls up outside an imposing family estate in the village of Birchport, Massachussetts.

Juicy: Wow…

The doors swing open, and a handsome stranger walks out, smiling at you.

???: Welcome to Sterling Manor! You’re here for the rehearsal dinner, I assume?

Juicy: I’m Juicy. A friend of Kate’s. Uh, Katherine’s.

???: You can relax. She’s Kate to me too. Looks like you’ve never been here before. I’m Grant Emerson. I’d be happy to show you the way.

Juicy: You’re so kind to offer.

Grant Emerson: Really, it’s my pleasure.

Grant leads you through the doors into an elegant foyer.

Grant Emerson: So how do you know Kate?

Juicy: We were best friends in college, but we kind of lost touch since. I was honestly surprised to get the invitation.

Grant Emerson: She’s told me some stories about her college days. It sounded like the two of you were a force of nature back then.

Juicy: You could say that. Let me guess. You’re… best friends with the groom.

Grant Emerson: Best friends? I wouldn’t call us that. Our families have… a long history. Both with Birchport, and with each other. Our families have been rivals for years. But Tanner and I are friendly.

Juicy: So do you live in a mansion too?

Grant Emerson: Define ‘mansion.’

Juicy: If you need me to define mansion, you live in a mansion.

Grant Emerson: Touche.

You pass a massive spiral staircase and a door leading to a gallery of expensive art. You can’t help but gawk.

Juicy: Man. Kate always joked about marrying a rich guy, but I didn’t think she’d follow through. Especially not on this scale.

Grant Emerson: Believe me, you’re not the only one surprised. The town’s been buzzing for months. Let’s just say it’s not every day the heir to the town’s richest family gets engaged to a dockworker’s daughter.

Juicy: Way to go, Kate.

Grant Emerson: What about you? Anyone significant in your life?

Juicy: Does my editor count? We spend nights and weekends together, she calls me all the time just to check in… on my deadlines.

Grant Emerson: So you’re in publishing?

Juicy: A journalist.

Grant Emerson: I’ve seen this movie. The hard-working journalist pounding coffee at her desk, no time for a personal life…

Juicy: Well… I believe in work/life balance.

Grant Emerson: Me too. I work hard, don’t get me wrong… But I don’t want to end up like my father. The man’s taken two vacations in thirty years… And one of them was a day trip to the state clerk’s office to file some documents!

Juicy: Yeah, that’s never appealed to me. I like what I do, but I’m not married to my work.

Grant Emerson: Well that’s good. I’d be awful jealous of your work if you were.

Juicy: Very smooth. What about you, Grant? What do you do?

Grant Emerson: I’m a lawyer. Following in my father’s footsteps.

Juicy: Really? Let me guess, some kind of fancy corporate law?

Grant Emerson: Criminal defense, actually.

Juicy: So if I wake up tomorrow in the drunk tank after going full whirling dervish on Birchport’s streets…

Grant Emerson: I’m the guy to call. Listen, I’d love to have you all to myself for the rest of the afternoon, but we should probably join the party.

Juicy: Lead the way…

Grant escorts you to a dining hall full of wealthy East Coast socialites. As you enter, a young woman with a beaming smile rushes over and throws her arms around you.

Kate O’Malley: Juicy! You’re here! You have no idea how much I’ve missed you!

Juicy: Kate! I’ve missed you too!

Kate O’Malley: Ahhhh! I’m so glad you came! It’ll be just like old times.

Juicy: … Except slightly less hungover, right?

Kate O’Malley: Not if I can help it! Can you believe I’m getting married?

Juicy: I honestly can’t believe it’s taken this long for someone to try to lock it down.

Kate O’Malley: Who said no one else tried?

Juicy: Well then, it must have taken a lot for this guy to succeed.

Kate O’Malley: You could say that…

Kate shows you her engagement ring… and its enormous diamond.

Juicy: Holy rock, Kate! Doesn’t that thing make your arm tired?

Kate O’Malley: That’s just an added bonus… Crossfit arms without even hitting the gym!

A handsome sharply-dressed man approaches. His bearing is aristocratic, and a little distant.

Kate O’Malley: Oh, perfect, here’s my fiance, Tanner Sterling. Tanner, this is Juicy. We were inseparable at Hartfeld!

Tanner Sterling: So lovely to meet you, Juicy. Kate speaks well of you… and often.

Juicy: Thanks, Tanner. It’s great to meet you.

Tanner Sterling: I hope the B-and-B is comfortable. We would have had you stay here at Sterling Manor, but it’s been a little chaotic with all the wedding prep.

Juicy: I only had time to drop my bags off and change, but it seems charming.

Tanner Sterling: Please let us know if you need anything. We’ll be happy to provide anything that might make your stay more comfortable.

Juicy: That’s so thoughtful, but I’m sure I’ll be fine.

An exceptionally well-dressed young woman squints at the three of you, assessing, then stalks over.

Scarlett Emerson: Don’t Kate and Tanner make such a cute couple? At least now that she’s dressing on the Sterling family’s dime…

Tanner Sterling: Scarlett…

Scarlett Emerson: I’m kidding, obviously! Kate knows how much I love her.

Kate O’Malley: Totally.

The woman glances your way.

Scarlett Emerson: Sorry, but if we’ve met, I’ve totally forgotten you.

Kate O’Malley: Scarlett, this is Juicy, my best friend from college. Juicy, meet Scarlett Emerson, my… maid of honor.

Scarlett Emerson: Oh, of course. I should have known you were Kate’s college friend. You both have that same spit-shined blue collar thing going on. Such an adorable look. I’m almost jealous of how well you pull it off. You’re the journalist, right?

Juicy: That’s me.

Scarlett Emerson: I saw you talking with my brother before. Just a tip from a friend, flirt all you want, but don’t get your hopes up. Quaint’s not really his thing.

Juicy: I’m sorry, I think we got off on the wrong foot. Can I just say you look stunning?

Scarlett Emerson: I… uh, thank you, I guess.

Juicy: And forget what everyone else is saying, okay? That outfit works. At least for you.

Scarlett Emerson: What everyone… is saying?

Juicy: If you ask me, your whole ‘no makeup, all my flaws out there for the world to see’ look is empowering. Keep rocking it just like you are, okay? No matter how much people whisper about it.

Scarlett Emerson: I… well… I mean, that…

She clears her throat.

Scarlett Emerson: Right. Well, I don’t know who you are, but… don’t try anything.

She walks off, shaking her head, vaguely confused.

Tanner Sterling: Huh. I can’t say I’ve ever seen someone handle Scarlett like that.

Kate O’Malley: It was incredible! Like some Jedi mind trick!

Juicy: I grew up in the Midwest, remember? Passive-aggressive is in our DNA.

Kate O’Malley: Still, that was amazing. She’s never that nice to anyone!

Juicy: If that’s Scarlett being nice, I’d hate to see her mean. Why is she your maid of honor? You don’t even seem to get along…

Kate O’Malley: It’s complicated…

Tanner Sterling: The social circles of Birchport often are. Now come, darling. Mother wanted to talk to you about flower arrangements…

Juicy: Find me when you’re free, Kate?

Kate O’Malley: Yes! God, yes.

Kate hugs you and leaves with Tanner. You stand there, shaking your head…

Juicy: (Kate O’Malley… what have you gotten yourself into?)

Guests start to move to their seats in the dining room. Feeling out of place, you slink to the back of the hall and find an empty seat next to a ruggedly handsome man.

Juicy: Is this seat taken?

???: I was hoping to put my feet up and take a little nap when things got boring, but sure. You just go ahead and take my footrest.

Juicy: What, you’re not absolutely riveted by rehearsal dinners?

???: Not when it’s my sister getting married to that… Never mind.

Juicy: Whoa. You’re Kate’s brother?

???: Yes? Have we met or something?

Juicy: I’m her friend Juicy. From Hartfeld?

???: Juicy? She talked about you all the time.

He offers his hand, and you shake it.

Flynn O’Malley: Flynn.

Juicy: Flynn, huh? I’d have never guessed you and Kate were related.

Flynn O’Malley: Not sure I know how to take that.

Juicy: I mean, you’re both attractive, obviously… Sorry, that wasn’t what I… It’s just that she’s so… and you’re so…

Flynn O’Malley: Yeah, yeah. She’s sunshine and pastel rainbows, and I’m…

Juicy: A midnight motorcycle ride?

Flynn O’Malley: I’ll take that.

Juicy: Has Kate changed much? I mean, I never would have pictured her marrying into a family like the Sterlings.

Flynn O’Malley: I’m as surprised as you are. Not that I’ve ever thought much of her taste in men… But I didn’t think she’d wind up with a walking sense of entitlement like Tanner.

Juicy: He seems like a nice enough guy…

Flynn O’Malley: ‘Seems’ is definitely the operative word in that sentence.

Your conversation is interrupted by the sound of a spoon tapping the side of a glass, signalling a toast. A stern older gentleman at the head table rises, a champagne glass in his hand. Diamond cuff links twinkle at his wrists.

Pierce Sterling: For those of you I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting, I’m Pierce Sterling, father to the young man whose nuptials we’ll be celebrating tomorrow. As most of you know, the Sterling legacy in Birchport goes back many generations. Tomorrow it continues onto the next. For any father, his eldest son’s wedding is fraught with emotion. Many of you know our Kate comes from a … different walk of life…

Attendees give each other uneasy glances…

Pierce Sterling: And yet, she possesses a purity of spirit that I can only describe as Sterling. Please, join me in welcoming Kate O’Malley to our family!

Before anyone has a chance to react, a huge, red-cheeked boor of a man stands up and scoffs!

???: Different walk of life? Come on!

Pierce Sterling: Bryce…

Bryce Sterling: Drop the euphemisms, Dad. Just say what we’re all thinking.

Pierce Sterling: I’m warning you…

Bryce Sterling: She’s a gold-digger!

You feel yourself tense with anger. You notice Flynn clenching his fists. You dig your fingernails into the palms of your hands in your effort to hold your tongue.

Juicy: (Just keep your mouth shut. Saying something will only make this worse for Kate…)

Flynn looks like he’s about to burst when Tanner rises to his feet.

Tanner Sterling: My apologies, everyone. It appears my little brother has once again let the party atmosphere go to his head.

Tanner tries to escort Bryce out of the room, but Bryce shoves him away. Wait staff intervene, and Bryce is removed from the dining hall.

Pierce Sterling: I second Tanner’s apologies. Bryce has been under a lot of stress lately. I’m sure he didn’t mean to disrupt your dinner.

He motions for the wait staff to begin serving guests. Across the room, Kate catches your eye. You turn to Flynn.

Juicy: Is it always like this?

Flynn O’Malley: I wouldn’t know. This is the first event the Sterlings have deigned to invite me to.

Juicy: Kate always had a way of attracting drama, but… I don’t know. This seems like too much, even for her.

Flynn breathes deeply.

Flynn O’Malley: Look. She’s my little sister, and I want to protect her. But the truth is… Tanner makes her happy. Happier than I’ve ever seen her.

You look back to the center table, where Kate’s leaning on Tanner’s shoulder, looking up at him with a smile.

Flynn O’Malley: Honestly? If we can just make it through this wedding… I think she’ll be all right.

A few hours later, the dinner is winding down. You’re lingering in the parlor when Kate comes running over.

Juicy: Hey stranger.

Kate O’Malley: Oh, Juicy… I’m so happy I found you.

Juicy: How’re you feeling?

Kate O’Malley: Excited? Overwhelmed? So happy I wanna scream and the same time so nervous I wanna throw up?

Juicy: So… normal night before your wedding stuff, then?

Kate O’Malley: Exactly!

She grins and wraps you in a massive hug.

Kate O’Malley: I know we haven’t talked much the last couple years, but… I think about you all the time, you know.

Juicy: Me too. I’m glad we finally have a chance to catch up now, though.

Kate O’Malley: Yeah, I--

But before she can finish, Grant and Scarlett walk over.

Grant Emerson: Looks like you two are reconnecting.

Juicy: So you guys are Kate and Tanner’s crew, huh?

Scarlett Emerson: I suppose.

Juicy: Oh, that reminds me! How was your bachelorette party, Kate?

Kate O’Malley: I… never had one.

Juicy: What? Scarlett, isn’t throwing Kate a party one of your duties as maid of honor?

Scarlett Emerson: Bachelorette parties are so tacky.

Juicy: They don’t have to be. Besides, this is Kate’s wedding, right? And Kate’s always loved a good party.

Kate O’Malley: ‘Love’ does not begin to describe my feelings about parties.

Grant Emerson: Well, it’s still early. Anyone got plans tonight?

Kate O’Malley: Just beauty sleep.

Juicy: You’re not going to be with your fiance?

Kate O’Malley: Tanner’s family is big on tradition. I’m not supposed to see him again until the wedding day… which means my plan for the night involved a couple glasses of wine to settle my nerves and a lot of Netflix.

Grant Emerson: Well that clinches it. Nothing takes your mind off pre-wedding jitters like a night on the town. Kate, you up for a party?

Kate O’Malley: Yes! Yes! That sounds amazing! Fancy cocktails… college stories… dancing and laughing…. Juicy? Are you in? Not to be dramatic, but… I totally need this!

Juicy: Yes! I’m totally in!

Kate O’Malley: Yay! Where should we go?

Grant Emerson: You’re the main event tonight. Your choice.

Kate O’Malley: Then… let’s head to The Red Grouse. They have a drink there that looks and tastes exactly like a unicorn.

Scarlett Emerson: Uggggggh.

Juicy: Feel free to take a rain check, Scarlett.

Scarlett Emerson: I’m the maid of honor. Besides, someone has to keep you from getting your grubby hooks into my brother.

Juicy: Just don’t rain on our parade.

You look around to invite Flynn… but there’s no sign of him.

Juicy: Huh…

Grant Emerson: What’s up?

Juicy: Nothing. Let’s get going.

A little while later, the four of you sit at a table at the Red Grouse, an upscale cliffside distillery on the edge of town. A waiter approaches…

Waiter: Can I start you off with something to drink?

Juicy: You can start us off with several! We’re having a spontaneous bachelorette party, and she’s our bride-to-be!

Kate beams, looking happier than you’ve seen her since you arrived in Birchport.

Waiter: But it appears you’ve brought a bachelor along with you.

Grant Emerson: Guilty as charged.

Juicy: Tonight he’s an honorary bachelorette.

Waiter: Works for me. What would you like to order?

Juicy: I’d like the ‘unicorn’ cocktail.

Kate O’Malley: Yes! Same! I swear, Juicy, it tastes like sparkles.

Juicy: So much better than those martinis we used to make in our dorm room…

Kate O’Malley: Oh my god, yes. We used that awful vodka that came in the plastic handles....

Juicy: And we didn’t know you needed vermouth, so it was basically just a couple of olives bobbing in a sea of cheap liquor!

Grant Emerson: Remind me never to let either of you make me a drink.

Scarlett Emerson: Right. Well the adult woman would like a pinot noir.

Grant Emerson: And I’ll have the house whiskey. Neat.

The waiter brings out the drinks, and Grant raises his.

Grant Emerson: A toast. To Kate. We should all be so lucky to find someone as amazing as you!

Kate O’Malley: Awwww! To all of you guys for taking me out before I get hitched!

Juicy: To reconnecting with old friends!

Scarlett Emerson: To wine, the only thing getting me through this.

You all toast and drink.

Juicy: Wow, it really does look like a magical creature.

Kate O’Malley: One that gets you drunk.

Juicy: Better yet!

Kate O’Malley: Soooo… who wants another?

Scarlett Emerson: You finished yours already? Are we in some kind of spring break hellscape?

Kate O’Malley: Bachelorette party! Whoooo!

She signals the waiter for another round. Soon, you all start to relax.

Juicy: So, Kate, how did you meet Tanner, anyway?

Grant Emerson: Now that’s a good story.

Juicy: Wait, let me guess. You parked in his VIP parking spot.

Grant Emerson: Kate would park in a VIP parking spot if we had them around here.

Kate O’Malley: I consider myself supremely important, thank you very much.

Scarlett Emerson: That’s probably why we don’t have any of those.

Juicy: Okay, so what’s the real story?

Kate O’Malley: You remember how I always said I’d open a bakery?

Juicy: Riiiight. What did you call it? ‘Tasty Pastry’?

Kate O’Malley: Exactly! And two years ago… well, I did it. I started my own business!

Juicy: Get it, girl! So what, you baked your way into Tanner’s heart? Because if so, I’m calling dibs on the movie rights to that story.

Kate O’Malley: Not exactly. One day we had this terrible storm. Right as I was closing up, this guy walked in just soaking wet. He was on his way to a meeting and he couldn’t go like that. So I went to the cleaners next door and borrowed a left-behind.

Scarlett Emerson: Hard to picture Tanner wearing another man’s suit.

Kate O’Malley: But the storm just got worse, and the power went out. We ate cupcakes and talked, and he blew off his meeting to stay with me. It was love at first sight. Seriously.

Scarlett Emerson: Come on. That’s not an actual thing.

Grant Emerson: I don’t know. I think it can happen. Juicy, what do you think?

Juicy: I agree with Grant. When you know, you know.

You and Grant share a meaningful look. The night goes on. You down more drinks and share more stories. Eventually, even Scarlett lightens up.

Scarlett Emerson: I couldn’t even speak! I just bolted!

Juicy: Pretty sure that’s the only reasonable response to spilling your red wine all over Elton John’s white suit.

At one point, Kate and Scarlett step away to the bathroom, and Grant smiles at you from across the table.

Juicy: What?

Grant Emerson: Well, I did promise to show you around earlier… and I’d be remiss in my duties if i didn’t offer you a chance to check out the best view in town.

Juicy: I swear, if you’re talking about yourself…

Grant Emerson: The balcony, actually. But I’ll take that as a compliment.

Juicy: ...Wow.

Grant Emerson: See? I never disappoint.

Juicy: Thanks for this, Grant.

Grant Emerson: My pleasure.

Juicy: Seriously. What an amazing view!

Grant Emerson: Birchport might be provincial in some ways, but it has a lot to offer.

Juicy: I can see that…

You take a step towards Grant, resting your head on his shoulder. He blinks, surprised… then leans into it.

Grant Emerson: You’re something else, Juicy.

Juicy: You’re not so bad yourself. You’ve really got it figured out, huh?

Grant Emerson: What do you mean?

Juicy: Back in the city, everyone’s always scrambling around, feeling overwhelmed… I can’t remember the last time I met someone as easy-going and relaxed as you. Someone who seems so comfortable in his own skin.

Grant Emerson: Money doesn’t buy you happiness, but it can give you a lot of options other people just don’t have. I… never want to forget how privileged I’ve been. Or how differently my life could have gone. But… I don’t know. I just feel like I ought to give back. Like I need to take the opportunities I’ve been given to do something meaningful with them.

Juicy: Is that why you’re a defense lawyer? Helping the innocent and the powerless?

Grant Emerson: Yeah, actually. Cheesy, right?

Juicy: I don’t think it’s cheesy. I think it’s sweet.

You turn to Grant, smiling softly… when Kate pops out the balcony doorway!

Kate O’Malley: Grant, are you trying to steal my best friend, or what?

Kate stumbles in her heels.

Kate O’Malley: Whoa. I think I had one too many… what are they called? Horn-horses?

Juicy: you should let Grant drive you home, party girl.

Kate O’Malley: Oh fiiiiine. Be boring.

She looks back and forth between the two of you, then grins widely.

Kate O’Malley: My friends are becoming friends! Juicy, maybe you can visit more often… or even move here! You can hang out with me and Tanner, and with Grant, and--

Juicy: Slow your roll there, Katie-bear.

Kate O’Malley: Why? Aren’t we friends anymore?

Grant Emerson: Um, I’m gonna let you two have some one-on-one time… I’m sure Scarlett is getting antsy, anyway.

Grant squeezes your hand and leaves.

Kate O’Malley: I’m sorry, Juicy. Am I being clingy? I always get so clingy when I’m drunk…

Juicy: Oh, believe me, I remember…

Kate O’Malley: It’s just… you know… I’m so lonely out here.

Juicy: Really? What about your family?

Kate O’Malley: You know how it is. My mom’s out of town, and my dad… well, I don’t talk to my dad.

Juicy: What about your brother?

Kate O’Malley: I love Flynn, and we still get beers sometimes, but.. It’s just hard with me marrying Tanner. There’s a distance between us. I don’t know. I can’t explain. And Tanner’s family, they’re like ice, Juicy. I can tell they don’t want me there.

Juicy: What about Tanner, though?

Kate O’Malley: I love Tanner. He’s a good guy, not like the rest. But… but…

You can tell she’s struggling, holding something back…

Juicy: What is it?

Kate O’Malley: He’s… I think he’s…

Kate reaches forward and takes your hand… Just then, the door behind you flies open! It’s Tanner, and he’s fuming!

Tanner Sterling: Kate! What are you doing out so late? The night before our wedding? Do you know how this looks for me?

Kate O’Malley: Tanner! I was.. It’s just I never had a bachelorette, and… Juicy is here now, and…

Tanner Sterling: Got it. So you thought you’d show up to your own wedding hungover. Classy.

Juicy: Tanner… Go easy on her… She just had a little too much to drink…

Tanner ignores you, focusing on his fiancee.

Tanner Sterling: I should’ve known you’d revert to your old patterns, Kate.

Kate O’Malley: My old-- what do you mean?

Tanner Sterling: You know what I mean. Now let’s go. I’m taking you home.

Tanner grabs Kate by the arm and drags her away.

Juicy: Tanner, wait!

… But they’re already gone.

Juicy: (Maybe the Sterlings were right about not seeing each other the night before the wedding…)

You feel something in the hand Kate grabbed… and realise she handed you a note!

Juicy: (Ulysses? What does that mean? What’s going on around here?)

You look around, but the restaurant’s mostly empty, except for one bored bartender. A cold wind blows over you. Shivering, you exit the restaurant and head back to your bed-and-breakfast.

You wake up the next morning to a beautiful, sunny day.

Juicy: (I wonder if the Sterlings special-ordered this weather?)

You’re about to head out, when the innkeeper stops you in the lobby…

???: Hello, dear!

Juicy: oh… hi!

Miss Harlenay: I’m Eleanor Harlenay, the keeper of this little lodge. I hope you’re liking your room!

Juicy: Oh, it’s great! Just heading out for the wedding now…

Miss Harlenay: … in that?

Juicy: I thought so… something wrong with it?

Miss Harlenay: Oh, no, it’s lovely… I just had something in the back I thought you might like more. Something that will be sure to help you impress that special someone!

Juicy: Who are you… what?

She rushes to the back room, and returns with an outfit.

Miss Harlenay: Here! If you wear this, I guarantee you’ll catch the eye of everyone there! Oooooh! You look absolutely stunning! Like Birchport royalty!

Juicy: Thanks, Miss Harlenay.

Miss Harlenay: Enjoy the wedding, dear. I’m sure it’ll be a delight.

You take a taxi to Sterling Manor. You enter the hall, which has been decked out for the ceremony, and the usher asks you where you’d like to sit. You see one seat next to Grant, and another next to Flynn. You take a seat next to Flynn.

Flynn O’Malley: Wow. Just wow.

Juicy: I take it you like my look?

Flynn O’Malley: Let’s just say it’s not every day I get to sit next to the prettiest girl in the room.

Behind you, someone gives a low wolf whistle. You turn around to see Bryce rudely looking you up and down.

Flynn O’Malley: Back off, rich boy. She’s too good for you.

You brace for a fight, but Bryce, who appears to be sober, shrugs as if he’s lost interest.

Juicy: You look pretty amazing yourself. I’ll be honest, I didn’t see you as the suit type.

Flynn O’Malley: I’m not. But it’s not every day you watch your little sister get married.

Juicy: You ready for it?

Flynn O’Malley: Not like I have a choice.

The officiant and Tanner walk to the alter, signaling the start of the ceremony. The attendees turn in their chairs to watch the bride walk down the aisle, but the doorway is empty. Everyone waits… and waits… and waits. By the alter, the Sterlings look at each other uneasily.

Flynn O’Malley: Something’s wrong. Where’s Kate?

Juicy: I… don’t know.

Another minute passes… then another, each one longer and more excruciating. The guests start to shuffle around in their chairs…

Juicy: I should go check on her. Make sure she’s okay.

Flynn O’Malley: Good call.

You head to the dressing room where Kate’s supposed to be, a sinking feeling growing in your gut. The door is locked, and you tug on the handle…

Juicy: Kate? Kate?

You jerk it hard, forcing it open…But the room is empty.

Juicy: ...Kate?

There’s no sign of her.

Juicy: She’s gone.

Thoughts on the episode…

Realistically, even if there wasn’t something suspicious going on and Tanner and Kate were actually ridiculously in love, there is no way this marriage would have worked. His family are awful to her, she doesn’t have any real friends - judging by the guest list the only people she invited were Flynn, her brother and Juicy, her college friend she hasn’t spoken to in years. Scarlett better have a good old reason for being that much of a bitch, too. Kate would be lonely and sad and squashed into this rigid way of living that doesn’t fit her at all, she’d definitely end up depressed and miserable and/or leaving him.

One bit I’m confused by is the ending. I know it was always going to happen that Kate goes missing on her wedding day but… where is Scarlett? Her maid of honor? Did Kate turn up to the venue? If she didn’t, surely Scarlett should have informed someone? If she did, where was Scarlett this whole time? Suspect.

The only two people who aren’t suspects in my book are Flynn and Grant and that’s only because they’re love interests - Pixelberry doesn’t usually include Love Interests in the guilty parties.

Fave Character of the Chapter: Grant

Least Fave Character of the Chapter: Scarlett