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[color=c9bef3][b]#c9bef3[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/9rCxtTi][color=9b9b9b][b]outfit[/b][/color][/url] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [color=9b9b9b][b]party[/b][/color]
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[indent][indent][indent][indent][justify][color=808080][color=5a3e85]"Honestly? Same. Could use one too. This night hasn’t been…the best it could have been,"[/color] Anissa replied, her voice slipping into a more dreary tone that matched her own.

[color=c9bef3]"Say less,"[/color] Blair said with a smile. She was no stranger when it came to adopting friends like they were sad abandoned stray cats. Anissa was her newest kitten and unless she tried to hiss or scratch at her, Blair was about to be the most obnoxious but loyal friend she’s ever had. It was that simple. She needed no other reasoning than that. 

[color=firebrick]"Close…"[/color] Blair watched the guy tending the bar, Baxter she thought she heard the ginger say, with equal parts intrigue and shock as he quickly closed in on Anissa, getting almost a little [i]too[/i] close to be considered comfortable. But fuck it. Why not? Might as well kiss if they’re that close. [i]No. No.[/i] She’s got to give the mystery boy a nipple something, that sounded more fun anyway. 

[color=firebrick]"Not quite it though. You were really clo—Oh shit!"[/color] Baxter exclaimed and took a step back like he had to brace himself. [color=firebrick]"That dress! Someone understood the goddamn assignment! It’s a goddamn party! Hell yes!"[/color] He swayed like he lost his balance from shock while simultaneously grabbing a bottle from behind him.

Blair’s head cocked to the side slightly with a little smirk when she realized the reaction was for herself, or at least her dress. She flicked her hair over her shoulder and made a show of doing a twirl where she stood, but not too fast to flash any of the uncovered parts of her beneath. She leaned forward, pressing her chest and palms against the bar. [color=c9bef3]"I love a man with good taste."[/color]

[color=firebrick]"Slippery nipple, right? Not a buttery nipple?…That was a joke. I never forget a drink. And that dress…"[/color] His hand bounced to a rhythm that no one else could hear. [color=firebrick]"In-spi-ra-tion! I’m making something special for that dress… And if you play your cards right, the body inside it gets one too…"[/color]

[color=c9bef3]"[i]Flirt,[/i]"[/color] Blair teased with a slight shimmy of her shoulders. 

[color=5a3e85]"I’d promised to help him loosen up, that’s all. And I want to keep that promise,"[/color] Anissa replied to her curiosity, stealing Blair’s attention from the entertaining bartender. 

When she asked for a hint, Anissa took a minute to think then eventually just decided to tell her instead. [color=5a3e85]"He’s the tall, broody guy near the rink who looks like he could use some better company."[/color] 

[color=firebrick]"Cherry or no? There’s grenadine, normally people go one or the oth… bah! You’re getting a cherry!"[/color] Blair heard the tender behind them as her gaze drifted toward the ice rink. 

[color=5a3e85]"Meet you at the skate change area?"[/color]

Blair’s gaze finally locked on the tall, dark and broody man. Her eyes widened. [color=c9bef3]"[i]Ohhh.[/i]"[/color] She wiggled her eye brows and leaned in a little closer to Anissa. [color=c9bef3]"I [i]love[/i] the broody ones,"[/color] she whispered with an impish grin. [color=c9bef3]"By all means, Dollface. Show him a good time—I mean, [i]good company,[/i]"[/color] she corrected herself with a mischievous wink. [color=c9bef3]"I'm curious to see what drink my dress inspires anyway."[/color]

Anissa groaned and rolled her eyes as her cheeks started flushing. [color=5a3e85]"You’re impossible,"[/color] she muttered before scooping up the shot carefully. [color=5a3e85]"Don’t vanish on me, girly."[/color]

[color=c9bef3]"Not a chance,"[/color] Blair reassured her with a smirk and little salute. 

[color=firebrick]"Now—"[/color] The clink of a glass on top of the bar pulled her attention away from Anissa and back to the bartender. [color=firebrick]"For that dress…"[/color] He looked a bit like a villain with the way his fingers tapped together in contemplation. 

Blair smirked as she slid onto the closest barstool and crossed her right leg over her left. She leaned forward, resting her forearms against the edge of the counter, watching with a bright curiosity behind her eyes. [color=c9bef3]"There better be edible glitter in that or I’ll be [i]very[/i] disappointed,"[/color] she teased with a cheeky grin.

She lightly tapped the toe of her shoe against the side of the bar as she bounced her leg. [color=c9bef3]"So, cocktail maestro, you gotta name?"[/color] Blair reached out and stole a cocktail cherry from a small glass dish. She popped it into her mouth with a smile. [color=c9bef3]"Dionysus too, I’d reckon,"[/color] she wagered a guess with a little twinkle in her eye. Not every demigod gave off a strong essence of their parent, but the way this guy slung cocktails like it was his one true calling set off every alarm. If he wasn’t from Dionysus’s loins then maybe she [i]wasn’t[/i] Athena’s daughter after all. 

[color=c9bef3]"I’m Blair,"[/color] she offered with a smile and an extension of her right hand toward him. [color=c9bef3]"And if you can guess my parent on the first try, I’ll give you a midnight kiss that’ll knock your socks off,"[/color] Blair challenged him with a mischievous grin.[/color][/justify][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]

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[color=808080][b]interactions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] anissa & baxter [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]mentions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] river [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]collabs[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] none[/color]
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[color=c7b29b][b]#c7b29b[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/mXwRSmT][color=9b9b9b][b]outfit[/b][/color][/url] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [color=9b9b9b][b]party[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/abg0vvh][color=9b9b9b][b]rocco[/b][/color][/url]
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[indent][indent][indent][indent][justify][color=808080][color=851f1f]"I did. But I thought it was more of a vacation or reward opposed to scouting for a permanent residence,"[/color] Duke answered her question like he was embarrassed or ashamed to admit he turned down a one way ticket to Olympus. [color=851f1f]"For somebody who’s supposed to be inherently smart, that was dumb on my part."[/color] He smiled, but it felt a bit forced like he maybe questioned his choice to stay behind. [color=851f1f]"Couldn’t bring myself to leave camp behind with it’s whole…intended purpose."[/color]

Sloane tilted her head to the side, gaze falling to the table as her index finger circled a knot in the wood. [color=c7b29b]"I don’t think I could do it… Live in Olympus."[/color] She shrugged her shoulders before meeting his gaze. [color=c7b29b]"It’s beautiful and everything, but I don’t belong with the Gods. We’re still mortal at the end of the day. We live and we die. I’d rather experience my life beside people like myself who… [i]grow old.[/i]"[/color] A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. [color=c7b29b]"Maybe we’re both a little dumb. But as long as you choose what makes you happy… I think you did the right thing."[/color]

When she asked Duke if he got a proper goodbye from the Valises he tilted his head side to side. [color=851f1f]"Sort of. I guess I got the ultimatum when Alex asked if I would go with them."[/color]

Her nose scrunched into a little grimace. Ultimatums always left a sour taste in Sloane’s mouth. It was her father’s, and now Sylas’s, favorite way to resolve many situations. [color=c7b29b]"But didn’t she [i]like[/i] you?"[/color] The words slipped out before she could stop herself. Alex was pretty [i]obvious[/i] when it came to her crush on Duke. It just didn’t add up how someone could force someone they cared about to make a decision like that and then [i]not[/i] say goodbye properly. Although… Liam and Sloane did agree to start dating and he left the next day. So perhaps people were just a lot shittier than she gave them credit for. She was learning her lesson… slowly, in the hardest way possible. 

Sloane rapped her fingers against the table and sucked in a sharp breath. [color=c7b29b]"Sorry, that’s none of my business."[/color]

It was probably for the best that their conversation shifted. While Pandora’s box wasn’t necessarily a [i]lighter[/i] topic, they both seemed to be able to poke fun at their misery easier when it was a box full of monsters versus shitty people in their lives. Duke’s brows furrowed, feigning confusion about women liking scars. [color=851f1f]"Do they?"[/color]

She laughed at the question, tucking her hair behind her ear. [color=c7b29b]"I don’t know if I’m the most reliable source for what women find attractive,"[/color] Sloane admitted. [color=c7b29b]"I suppose scars are kind of like tattoos. They tell a story, which makes them interesting."[/color] She leaned forward slightly, squinting her eyes as she studied how Duke’s scar meshed with his overall appearance and demeanor. [color=c7b29b]"I think it suits you,"[/color] she finally replied, looking back up into his eyes. 

Duke took a deep breath at her joke about people adding to his scar collection. [color=851f1f]"Yeah, there’s too many of those around."[/color] Camp did seem to have a predisposition for violence. She didn’t know about all the new faces, but there had already been a fair bit of fights since her arrival and that was when there were half as many demigods. She gave it two days tops before there was another fight. [color=851f1f]"But if that’s your type..."[/color] 

He was teasing, she knew he was, but his words still cut straight through Sloane’s levity and sunk like a stone in her chest. Duke knew nothing about her past but it still made her cheeks grow red as she turned to face the empty space across the table from her. [color=c7b29b]"I guess it’d seem that way, wouldn’t it?"[/color] she mused to herself more than anything. Her thumb on one hand pressed into her other palm as Lochlan, Liam and even Ace flashed across her mind. [i]Gods, she really did have a type, didn’t she?[/i] The realization twisted in her gut as she shifted uncomfortably. [color=c7b29b]"In my defense, they seek me out… And I fall for their nice [i]acts[/i]. I guess I’m gullible."[/color] Her laugh was awkward and a little forced, but she tried to find the humor in the irony.

Sloane sighed, relieved when the conversation shifted back to scars rather than her horrible taste in men, present company excluded… [i]She hoped.[/i] [color=851f1f]"I wish you showed me yours first. Putting me to shame like that."[/color]

She laughed softly. [color=c7b29b]"Yeah, but yours adds to the whole [i]rugged[/i] thing,"[/color] she commented while motioning her hand toward him generally. [color=c7b29b]"Mine is like those dumb female protagonists in werewolf books who are always like [i]‘No, he would never hurt me.’[/i] Then this happens,"[/color] she said while pointing her thumb toward her back. Sloane’s face immediately scrunched. [color=c7b29b]"You probably have no idea what I’m talking about."[/color] She nodded her head and laughed as she started chewing on the inside of her cheek awkwardly. Something told her that she doubted Duke read horrible werewolf romance novels in his downtime. He probably had normal hobbies that didn’t involve judging female protagonists for their terrible choice in men… [i]Projecting much.[/i] She had to laugh at herself considering Liam was literally a walking wolf boy minus the lycanthropy. [i]Good Gods.[/i]

[color=851f1f]"It’s pretty bad,"[/color] Duke agreed to her judgements about camp with a warm smile. [color=851f1f]"But it has its benefits."[/color] He then stood up, being careful to try and not wake Rocco. 

Before she could ask about what benefits there were to camp, because from where she sat she hadn’t seen many since she arrived, a flurry of red hair swept up beside Duke and rested her head on his shoulder. [color=024B30]"Hey, Duke. Nell’s forcing me ta be sociable with a new kid, save me at some point… Please?"[/color] Sloane adjusted awkwardly in her seat, letting her gaze fall to Rocco who began to stir awake, yawning and stretching then resting his head on her knee. Her thumb lightly stroked along his snout as she settled into the familiarity of being invisible. [color=024B30]"Oh, hey, Sloane."[/color]

The brunette glanced back over her shoulder toward Fiona, giving her a small wave and a tight lipped smile. [color=c7b29b]"Hey,"[/color] she replied quietly. 

While playing savior and interrupting a group of people sounded like a nightmare to Sloane, Duke replied calmly, evidently more used to the girl’s antics, [color=851f1f]"We’ll see what we can do."[/color]

[color=024B30]"Sorry for interrupting. Feel free ta give him a hand rescuing me if it comes to it. See you two later."[/color] As Fiona went to leave she noticed Rocco and added, [color=024B30]"Or three, as that’s a sweet looking dag you’ve got there, Sloane."[/color] She then gave a half salute, stumbled through a spin and rejoined Nelly.

[color=c7b29b]"Thanks,"[/color] Sloane replied to the redhead’s retreating form.

Feeling like Duke might have been looking for an out, Sloane ran her hands along her skirt and stood up. Rocco slipped out from under the table and sat right beside her, leaning against her legs lazily. Her hand fell and idly rubbed his ear. She contemplated stepping away and giving him space to follow after Fiona but before she moved he turned his attention back to her with an uneasy smile. [color=851f1f]"Anything you wanted to get off the bucket list?"[/color]

Sloane sucked in sharp breath, sparing a glance to look around the party. [color=c7b29b]"This may come as a shock, but I hate parties,"[/color] she confessed with a weak laugh, shifting her gaze back to him. [color=c7b29b]"I planned on just staying in for the night but I was coerced into coming."[/color] While Rocco dragged her out of her cabin, she inevitably would have gone because Ace mentioned wanting to see her there and part of her wanted to see him. The thought twisted a bit in her chest. [color=c7b29b]"And then I got burnt for it. I’m obviously a terrible judge of character,"[/color] she laughed, poking fun at her own misery. [color=c7b29b]"If you see anyone enjoying my company, avoid them like the plague. They’re bad news."[/color]

She sighed softly and patted her hands against her thighs as she considered Duke’s question. Sloane had spent more than enough time at the bonfire, so she was definitely not going anywhere near that… Or the bar for that matter. Sledding sounded like a bad idea in her outfit and she had never been a good dancer. Her gaze lingered on the ice skating rink. [color=c7b29b]"I used to figure skate as a child…"[/color] Her voice slipped away as she noticed the girl Blair was talking to wandering toward the rink. While that didn’t mean she was going to join, there was no way Sloane was going to let herself be anywhere near her. She checked the clock then looked back at Duke. [color=c7b29b]"But considering the party is nearly over,"[/color] she shrugged her shoulders, avoiding finishing her thought.

[color=c7b29b]"If you need to go do [i]saving,[/i]"[/color] Sloane added, motioning her hand in the direction Fiona wandered off in. [color=c7b29b]"You’ve already saved me from social embarrassment. It’d be rude of me to hog your services."[/color] A small but genuine smile tugged at the corner of her lips. The last thing she wanted was for Duke to feel obligated to entertain her, especially with the party close to an end. She was able to use him for social camouflage and avoid Ace. While she had enjoyed how comfortable their conversation was and finding someone who could sympathize with some of her burdens, there was no reason for her to put a damper on the last half an hour of the party for him. She could always slip away to her cabin, if he wandered off, and avoid all the midnight craziness… That didn’t sound like the worst plan ever.[/color][/justify][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]

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[color=808080][b]interactions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] duke & fiona [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]mentions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] sylas, lochlan & ace [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]collabs[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] none[/color]
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