[cecehathaway]

[cecehathaway]

Date: June 23, 2022 Location: Vixen

varden-lefebvre​:

.

“That they are.” They always were. 

One in particular caught his attention often, even if he’d vehemently deny it now that he had someone to answer to when eyes wandered. Once upon a time it could’ve been convenient, though, given that her eyes often seemed to be directed right back. Varden drew his attention away to look at a woman he appreciated, sincerely, for entirely less superficial reasons. Their paths hadn’t found many excuses to cross outside of passing moments like these, but people who mattered spoke of her fondly enough that his opinion was elevated by default.

The Hathaway sisters were important. This one, in particular. 

Whilst he’d been a certified regular at the club back home, truth be told, Varden had spent comparatively little time at Vixen since arriving in London. That wasn’t to say that he didn’t find enjoyment in the place anymore. Certainly not to say he spent no time there at all. But the once-leader had been distracted of late, and found it difficult to justify indulging his own interests when there was so much that needed to be done. 

So much time to make up for now that he was back where he belonged. 

“Homesick, would you believe?” No. Because nobody had ever believed anyone who said that. “Been back to the club in Launceston lately?”

“Well, I might believe it but it always depends on where home is for someone. For you?” She made a grimacing face and hummed an, “Ehhh...” before giving Varden a friendly, teasing smile. After putting a drink order in for herself with one of the passing bar hands, Cecelia took a seat beside him and then admitted, “Not recently, no. I just came back from an extended vacation with Adam and the girls, but I should plan a trip there soon. Were you there recently?”

[cecehathaway]

Date: June 23, 2022 Location: Vixen

yvesdemetz​:

.

It was a solid distraction, they said. As if distractions had ever solved anything.

Given that they all knew him better than that, Yves thought it more likely the Frenchmen sat a table over wanted him somewhere they could keep an eye on him. Somewhere that they could reel him in during the moments in which his bitter recklessness spiked, and his family no longer felt like a good enough excuse to hold himself back from unleashing a fury that’d been slowly consuming him since he’d learned his little brother was in the fucking ground. That he was never coming back.

Maybe, distractions were exactly the reason they were in this position right now.

Yves didn’t drink, because now, when he started, he didn’t stop. It hadn’t taken him long to realise that what little lustre Vixen once had was gone without it.

But whilst he might’ve hated the place, he didn’t hate her. 

“I’m fine. Long day,” he replied, hoping she hadn’t asked because he looked as miserable as he fucking felt. Eventually, his eyes left the dilemma of laughing idiots across from him, instead finding the blonde. Whilst Yves would usually choose the company of her sister, instead, he liked Cecelia, too. Enough that he could muster up the effort to be polite. “Everything all right with the club?” The Frenchman nudged his head in the direction of his fellow Organization members. “If they ever get out of line, know that I’m looking for an excuse to hit them at this point. It’s no trouble.”

“Good to hear,” Cecelia told him even though she wasn’t sure she believed that he was fine. Still, she had no valid reason not to and didn’t press him on it. Taking a seat near Yves, she continued to watch her girls perform and considered how she would answer his question. Drawing in a deep breath to exhale a sigh, she said, “Honestly, no, it’s not. It being the middle of the year, I’ve been looking back through everything that’s taken place since this time last year. I’m concerned about the safety of the girls. I know I had taken a holiday not too long ago, but did I miss some sort of amendment about the agreement of them being protected by the organization while I was away?”

[cecehathaway]

charlenehathaway​:

—

When Charlene started talking, she did it carefully so…

“Lara Rutherford is presumed dead. She took a trip to Launceston this month and never made it out of Brenton.” 

From their own experience, the Hathaway sisters were smarter than to accept word of mouth right off the bat; it had happened in Launceston, of all places, when they believed Aleksandr Vorshevsky to be dead only to come face to face with him at the Say No To Slavery gala. The finesse in her way of delivering the news was supposed to be subtlety. A reminder of how much these unpleasant surprises affected them both; but especially Cecelia.

“Now, I have in good faith the news took the French Organization by surprise,” she declared, “It wasn’t even their own men who delivered them, but the fucking TMI website—it was reported in the same fashion they’ve reported all deaths in the city. A shock, if you will, but not one they’re responsible for.” 

Charlene dragged a good chunk of carrot cake with her fork and stuffed it in her mouth, washing it down with tea before she spoke, “All I can do is speculate, but it seems oddly suspicious to me that the Rutherford Queenpin was assassinated shortly before there was a massacre at St. Catherine’s at the hands of Eva Abramovich.”

“Remember Eva?” she asked, and and tsk’d her tongue as she traced an invisible line over her pale neck—:“Got taken out while at it.”

The prongs of Cecelia’s fork lingered between her lips as she ate another bite of carrot cake. The news Charlene dropped on her had her momentarily still, save the small arch in one of her eyebrows. When she recovered, she slipped the fork completely from her mouth, licked her lips and glanced down at her tea and cake.

“Well then...” She wasn’t quite sure what to say. The last time she’d seen Lara, let alone been in the same vicinity of her had been at the Mob Awards. When her blue eyes lifted across the table to her sister, she asked, “And how do you know this?”

It wasn’t that Cece was in the habit of not believing her sister but she did wonder how likely it was that this had happened. Her brows soon furrowed--something she hated for the creases it formed but she wasn’t so vain as to ever entertain botox. “Wait a moment. ‘Them’... who’s ‘them’ that you’re referring to with delivering?”  She suppressed the urge to sigh, figuring that this was the consequence of taking a long vacation. For a moment, in her mind, Cece had gone on a small, private tangent, wondering if she would ever be presumed dead, were she to take another month long sabbatical from Vixen and her life in London. But she brought her thoughts back to the present soon enough, exchanging her fork for her teacup.

“So, are you implying that there’s a pattern occurring or mere coincidence that these women have both been, or possibly both have been taken out?” She wanted to make sense of everything from her sister but so far, Cece’s understanding of the situation was about as clear as mud.

[cecehathaway]

Date: June 23, 2022 Location: Vixen

Cecelia was slowly making her rounds about the nightclub, smiling politely to most guests, making brief chit-chat amongst the regular faces she’d recognized, and always watching for her girls. She didn’t doubt their performance skills by any means but she was something of a perfectionist, which meant she held certain expectations and kept an eye out to make sure said expectations were being met.

While gliding about the outskirts of the club’s interior, Cece’s eyes caught sight of a familiar face--an extraordinary patron, as she would privately refer to them. She made her way to the bar, checking in on the staff there while getting herself a sparkling water, and then walked to said extraordinary patron. Over the sultry music her girls were currently performing to, she leaned over and asked, “Incredible, hm?” Of course she’d already known the answer but figured it was as good a greeting as any. For good, friendly measure, she added, “How are you?”

[cecehathaway]

CLOSED STARTER: @ohhophelie​ LOCATION: Vixen

Cecelia emerged from her office, desensitized by the change from muffled melodies and the occasional bass thumps to full blown brassy music playing in the club’s speakers above. She watched the girls currently performing, eyes moving like a hawk while their hips circled, heels glided in seemingly effortless turns and backs bent, arching various-sized chests in the air. The girls at Vixen worked hard and frankly, Cece didn’t settle for less. Her high standards were what she attributed to Vixen’s true success, even if her sister had been pulling some of the women into sex work. Recently, having come back from a lengthy and much-needed vacation, she’d been catching up on the goings on and getting back into the routine of things. As she moved away from her office and meandered around the outskirts of her club, she noticed a familiar patron and lightly smirked, but it was short-lived. Having seen Ophelia there plenty of times, she sensed and read something... unusual about the other woman that she couldn’t put her ifinger on. Cecelia was careful to balance her interactions with patrons during business hours, not wanting to linger too long or make anyone uncomfortable, but also not wanting to become a complete hermit within her own business.

She approached Ophelia and offered her a polite smile as she spoke loudly enough to be heard without a need to shout. “Having a good time tonight?” she asked, eyes sliding to one of the passing bar hands and nodding to get her attention so she could order herself a dirty vodka martini. Her attention then went back to Ophelia.

[cecehathaway]

charlenehathaway​:

—

Charlene welcomed the slice of cake enthusiastically, work was consuming her and the few meals she was able to keep down were very far in between, last time she had had a full slice of cake had definitely not been while in the city of London. A bit of guilt ran through her, she knew Cecelia didn’t like any of them to push further than their bodies were capable of, but it was difficult to get any of them to stop working when they had their minds set on something. Add to that the constant tension of an inferno breaking loose around them, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for disaster.

God, that cake tasted like heaven.

“Mmm. Well. I’ll need all the details of your trip in time, especially since I hadn’t heard from my nieces in a while.”

This time she spoke a little quieter, “Before we get to that, however, I’m afraid I’ll have to bring you to speed with… everything that happened earlier this month.”

For precaution’s sake, of course.

Cecelia took a small, slow sip, mostly to test the tea’s temperature and whether or not her tongue could withstand the heat. Thankfully, it was the perfect warmth. Still, she was more interested in the cake and set the teacup down. And as she exchanged it for her fork, she told her sister, “I’m sure they’ll be happy to hear from you, or see you soon. Eleanor certainly possesses enough enthusiasm to make up for how long she’s gone without seeing you.”

Children really did have an immeasurable amount of energy that someone needed to find a way to bottle and market. There were certainly some days where Cece could use it in lieu of tea or a strong coffee.

But as she broke off a bite of cake with the side of her fork, she noticed Charlene’s voice drop in volume and stilled a bit, save the arch in her eyebrows. “...I’m listening,” she said in a way that invited her sister to go on.

[cecehathaway]

charlenehathaway​:

who: @cecehathaway​​ where: betty blythe tearoom, hammersmith & fulham. when: may 20th, 2022.

Cecelia Hathaway was a woman of very particular tastes.

Whereas her younger sister favored rich and dark colors, whispers and half-lights, she thrived in the kinds of spaces that were so light and crisp you could see every line and every surface.  All things silky, whimsical, dainty. It had always been that way. She was made to be seen under that light.

While Charlene, on her end, had learned to move in the shadows. 

There was no shame in it, she had learned to find enjoyment in the jagged little figures. Her body of work had thrived in them, and the more that she spent in the shadows, the more she liked them—her family needed someone like her. Someone who wouldn’t shy away from the gore and debauchery of illicit businesses. Charlene was certain, despite all her apparent disapproval and all of her blunt lectures, that was exactly why their mother had given her so many liberties.

It was her mother she was thinking about when Cecelia came into her line of vision, cutting an outline against the backdrop of bricks and displayed jars of jam. Whimsical, she told herself, always so whimsical. The evidence of her fleeting vacation was present in rosy shade of her cheeks and the couple stray freckles that dotted the bridge of her nose.

“Four o’clock on the dot,” she announced as she took off her coat.

Charlene pulled the chair in front of Cecelia, seeing the table was already occupied with two steamy cups of tea and two portions of carrot cake. A childhood favorite. 

“I was hoping I’d be here on time, but somehow you beat me at it.” 

Cecelia had been sitting inside of the tea parlor, stirring up the sugar in her tea until she was certain all of it was thoroughly dissolved. She tapped the spoon twice and set it on the saucer, and then waited patiently for her sister’s arrival. The temptation to start in on her carrot cake was there, but she would wait until Charlene showed up first.

Thankfully, Cece didn’t have to wait that long. As the seconds hand on the vintage, floral wall clock ticked on past four p.m., she saw her younger sister pass through the parlor’s threshold and pull up the vacant chair across from her.

“Well, you know me. Forever punctual, if not annoyingly early,” Cece replied with a soft smirk, lifting the teacup to her lips. With her free hand, she pushed the other slice of carrot cake towards her sister, and before taking a sip, she asked, “So what’s this all about? Or did you want to catch up from my vacation before telling me what this is about?”

[cecehathaway]

text: cecelia

Charlene: Sooner, of course. My bad.

Charlene: I believed you wouldn't be back for another week.

Charlene: The city is a fucking disaster right now, I've been holding my breath for days. I wanted to talk to you about it, with Edward as well, but mostly you.

Charlene: We need to figure out some things.

Cecelia: Believe me, I would have liked to have been.

Cecelia: Oh great. Well I guess taking the vacation was only partially a good idea.

Cecelia: Meet me in an hour at Betty Blythe. The vintage tea room.

[cecehathaway]

text: cecelia

Charlene: I stopped by Vixen earlier this week when I heard the guys were around, didn't see you so I figured you were home.

Charlene: It would be nice if we could meet for tea before or after Friday. Whatever works for you.

Charlene: It's rather urgent.

Cecelia: I've been out of town, actually. Adam and I took the girls on a long vacation. We're just getting back.

Cecelia: Sure. Tea works. Friday then. Name the time and place and I'll be there.

Cecelia: Is it so urgent that you can't tell me here? Or sooner?

[cecehathaway]

@Cecelia. [text]

Kathleen: That's a viral video waiting to happen.

Kathleen: Isn't that how all us Vixens work out? xo

Kathleen: Excuse me, I absolutely want to talk about how you managed to convince Adam to wear that suit. And how they need to make an award for Most Influential Woman because you're evidently a shoe-in.

Cecelia: I'll keep it in mind if I decide I'm looking for new clout.

Cecelia: It's in the fine print of the employment contract. I may have to start enforcing it. Hahaha

Cecelia: Believe it or not it didn't take too much convincing. But I do think compliments helped.

Cecelia: The promise of a private after party may have swayed him too...

[cecehathaway]

@Cece

Adriana: Peachy.

Cecelia: Good talk.

[cecehathaway]

codeinescenecharlene​:

—

“Oh, I arrived just this morning,” she mumbled unexcitedly, “Flew commercial, you would’ve been so proud.” 

Her laugh was about as joyless as a glass of burned champagne. It didn’t surprise her the way she found Cecelia, or her current mood, if Charlene herself wasn’t in the mood for pointless celebrations, she could only guess her sister had all of the right to either be pissed, or be a wreck, or a mixture of both. Charlene had left Vixen just to spare her from these moments, futile attempts to ammend what she undid so carelessly. Perhaps it had  been stupid of her to even think things would be easier once they were separated professionally, but with or without Charlene, Cecelia held a power that was often underestimated; she dared to think, actually, even by themselves. 

She was Cecelia Hathaway, for Christ’s sake. Her reputation preceeded her. 

“I know we agreed it was for the best I laid low after Halloween,” this she said as carefully and as quietly as she could, never knowing who could be listening, “But I’m afraid some things went under the radar for me, I knew things were bad, just not quite this bad, Cece.” 

“I could have helped,” she continued.

“Consider me impressed,” Cecelia dryly replied, offering a mild, polite smile.

 Her feelings towards Charlene were a mixed bag. Blood and family mattered, but Vixen was deeply important to her as well. She’d previously made her thoughts and feelings known when Charlene opened the door to prostitution for the Vixen girls, and further implicated the girls and the overall business in mob affairs. Inside, Cecelia was currently tense, but outwardly, she maintained a composed demeanor.

“I honestly don’t think this is the best place for us to discuss this, Charlene,” Cece replied with a tight, low voice. “But if you want to talk about this, let’s step outside.”

[cecehathaway]

laurent--stpierre​:

.

“Yeah, yeah, we can’t all be Woman of the Year…”

Even though his tone was teasing, the smile he wore as he greeted her was one of genuine pride. In a city full of absolute worthless assholes, at least the right, most deserving person, would be walking home with one of those that mattered most. The Frenchman pressed a congratulatory kiss to her cheek in greeting. His favourite Hathaway was, as always, a sight for sore eyes on an otherwise miserable night.

“I’m trying to look at the positives. Like the fact they took out Biggest Tool this year, otherwise I probably would’ve won that one, too.”

“You’d make a charming nominee next year,” Cece quipped. She softly smiled while leaning in to both receive and reciprocate the cheek kiss and as she drew back, she listened to him and nodded while giving a light eye roll. “Well, yes, thank goodness for small favors in that regard. I guess categories like that are just reminders not to take a ceremony like this too seriously. I do enjoy all of the fashion though. Including your tux. Let me guess...” She took a step back, eyeing his attire carefully while thinking aloud, “I’m thinking this is either Tom Ford or Dolce...?”

[cecehathaway]

peyton-harrow​:

~

“I am, I always find the awards hilarious, plus I adore Leyla so I am happy to support her hosting,” Peyton smiled, “Have you? As the most hardworking person I know you deserve a night off.” 

“They’re certainly...something,” Cece decided with a small chuckle. “Thank you though, Peyton. That is one upside to the awards. Adam and I don’t make enough time for date nights, so it is nice to take one kid-free night out.”

[cecehathaway]

theo-chaussard​:

~

“You and me both,” Théo nodded as he took a drink from his glass, ‘Thanks. I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to give it, and I may have inadvertently put a bigger target on my back, but I figured it was better to try and take it in stride rather than embarrass myself for the second year in a row,” he said, wincing at his performance last year, “I do too. If I had to guess, it’d be TWI, it seems like something they would come up with.” 

“This is probably a very twisted thing for me to say aloud,” Cecelia started, keeping her voice low for just Théo, “but I have to wonder... if someone you want gone does get taken out, would you then bequeath your award to them?” She knew that wasn’t how it worked but in truth, it was the sort of petty thing Cece would engage in, were she in the business herself. She mulled over his guess for only a second before agreeing, “Unfortunately. If it is them, I do have to applaud them for managing to get all of us in one space to act mostly civil for one night.”

[cecehathaway]

lismarstclair​:

-

“A compliment from you means more than most,” she says kissing both her cheeks, “I am glad to see the rest of this city sees what a powerhouse you are,”

Cecelia returned the greeting with pecks to Lisette’s cheeks, “Thank you, it’s a flattering win. How are you tonight?”