Are you reaching out?

I stand in the air, hovering high over the earth. I stare at the star as she is waiting to give birth. You are the voice that I can hear and now I can see that I am a photograph of who I used to be. I get carried away. Please warm the blood inside my veins.

[shonnia21]

[feiparker]

And the Cracks begin to Show.

Fei's been out of her conning work for a while that's no secret. But just because she hasn't been in the game doesn't mean that her old friends aren't looking for her. Felicia's mistake is paying attention to the club she now apparently runs instead of watching her back as she always has, and now people are looking for her. Coming into Scarlet Night to discover the scene has been almost completely trashed, Felicia discovers that the culprit is still around -- waiting for her. Either your character is tied to this or happens to be around. Regardless, now they must flee with Fei, else they meet an nasty surprise. (Filled by Tristan McKay)

Something Old.

Speaking of her work, Fei is attempting ... slowly, to get back into conning. She's put her name into the softer channels and is hoping to hear something back. After all, she specializes in being some kind of black widow. Either your character is hiring Felicia for information extraction or they are the target thereof. Details are highly up to discussion. (Filled by Ashley Statham)

[adelekwong-blog-deactivated2022]

I just saw a kid mug a lady while I was inside a coffee shop. The kid couldn’t be older than fifteen, which baffles me. Why isn’t he in school? At least it didn’t happen to me.

[feiparker]

There's a Disney song about kids like that. Sad to see in society, right? Probably skipped out to be a little shite-kicker with his buddies. I've seen that a few times, they scurry back to some alley were their pals are waiting and drop their boon like some kind of urban pirate. They think they're cute. They aren't.

[feiparker]

Even Exchange, Meg & Fei.

meggie-todd

The past month had been something out of a horror show to Felicia. While it was true that she hadn't done her true profession in something near sixty days she had more than a handful of work with the club. Theo had up and left. Scarlet Night went from being owned to hastily run by Felicia Parker in a seamless transition and Fei was squinting to see where the line had formed. Good with money was one thing, business worthy was another. When she had offered to work at the burlesque-themed residence she had meant dancing every so often ---- to keep herself busy, to distract herself, to get her out of the flat she had just purchased and settled thoroughly into. Clubs in London were a commodity for one reason: they stood no chance next to Meg Todd's Sapphire. Business would sink and now that was on her shoulders.

To say that she was nervous would be some kind of understatement. She had met her once at the Sapphire's official party months ago and while Meg was sweet enough she didn't want to step on toes with business. Scarlet and Sapphire made Fei snort at the thought, but it didn't stop her from tossing the call to Meg's people to set up this meeting. During the day the bar was clean, open, sunny, and not at all the reflection of it's nighttime self. There were no gorgeous women dancing vivaciously, there was no loud music or pounding lights. Fei had been sure that Theo's hard work had not gone in vein. Turned out that it just needed a woman's touch after all. Perhaps she had no reason to be nervous. After all, it wasn't her club.

At least that was what she had been telling herself.

Three o'clock. That's when she had set the meeting for. She paced behind the bar, hands on her hips, nitpicking things that were too immaculate already. She ran a tight ship. No mess, not allowed. No touching, no sex, no dirty business. The girls were to ogle, to enjoy their talents and ability to read rhythm. Messes were to be cleaned immediately, people who threatened the girls were handled instantly, no trouble made it smooth sailing. Flicking a strand of dark red hair over her shoulder she paced. Back and forth. Teeth working at her full lower lip while the nerves wiled away at her. Why was she nervous? Fei wasn't sure.

[feiparker]

Please, warm the blood inside my veins.

[halric-kingston]

Nowhere is Safe || Halicia || Black Out

feiparker

As soon as he received news that Max and Skyler were on their way to cause the black out, Hal could only think of one thing — Fei’s safety and his own. There was no way in hell, he was going to let themselves out onto the streets when there’s absolutely no lights, communications or anything at all. Locked away in the safety of his basement of his home, the underground space was filled with candlelight — Hal had thought of installing a generator the week before — just to have his home have electricity but that would invite trouble. Hiding was the best way to avoid the ruckus outside. 

Hal had been frank with Fei of what’s going to happen tonight. He wasn’t entirely agreeable to Zach’s plans but it wasn’t his place to say anything against the man. So Hal took it upon himself to be excused from all of it until the time comes for him to perform his job. Sidling up next to Fei, he pulled Fei close to him, nuzzling into her red hair before leaning down to kiss her cheek. “Do you need anything?” he asked gently. Everything was sufficient in the basement although he did realise food was somehow running out.

[feiparker]

Curled against his arm, tilted sideways into his figure and with bright eyes watching the wicks of the candles dance alight, Fei shook her head. She didn't need anything right now, and despite the comfort and relative safety within the confines of Hal's basement she couldn't help but wonder what fresh hell was about in the city outside. London was never the safest of places to begin with, and number of animals and beasts that lurked within the human heart would make themselves known now that there was no rhyme or reason for them to behave. Fei shifted in the slightest against his arm and felt her teeth tug at her lip a little bit. She was worried though ... unsure as to why.

"Complete darkness, hm?" The idea was intrigued as much as it was frightening. So many businesses would have to catalog their losses, emergency buildings make due with the amount of people who required some kind of power ... gone. She did not envy those people, nor the police. After a long while of staring at the fire she turned her gaze to Hal, a brow cocked, "How bad do you wager the news is going to be in the morning?" 

[halric-kingston]

No it wasn’t that mean. I have had worst from you. 

So do I still have to come by with a forklift to get rid of whatever that’s keeping you busy? You haven’t missed anything important.. yet. Although I do need to tell you something urgent. But… later. Who am I? You wound me, Fei.

[feiparker]

Yes, you have. I've been rotten to you. It wonders me how you've found it in your heart to give forgiveness.

I think it's gone, for now. When it comes back you can shoo it away, though. I feel like I haven't even had time to enjoy the smaller things -- like my bloody flat, because of it. Something urgent that can be told later? No ... you should tell me now. How wounded are you. Do I have to bandage it?

Come here, you oaf.

[victoria-blackreinhardt]

It doesn’t surprise me actually. It was annoying and I had to correct whatever she was typing or writing every so often that I stopped myself, turn to her and just went, “Are you even sure you live in England and communicate in English?!” Because I swear I have other people in other ethnicities who can speak and write better. It’s a pathetic outcry. It is amusing if you want to look that way, Fei. But when you have vultures eating people up and then turning to you as if you’re a pathetic mentor, that’s when the frustration comes.

[feiparker]

That's actually a hilarious image. Not for you, I'm sorry that you had to deal with that. It's sad to see the decline that has happened in the youth, though. It's almost as if everyone is under achieving as a whole. Perhaps we've just grown lazy as a species -- I can't really argue why or how. Evolution has made everything so simple for us. Look at technology, we're adapting to it. Auto correct in all of the texts and people learning to accept the shorthand in those messages instead of spelling everything out. Us literates are a dying breed. You're not a pathetic mentor. Your students and pupils as a whole are just pathetic.

[halric-kingston]

Remind me to never catch you on a tough day. I wonder if that girl needs aloe vera for her burn. But.. oh well… Someone sounds like she needs a back rub, good food and a huge bottle of wine. 

[feiparker]

Burn? Come off it, Hal, it wasn't that mean.

... was it?

All three of these things are a severe understatement. I feel like I've fallen under some current and only just popped my head above the surface. What have I missed? Anything important? Are you doing well? Who are you, again?

[feiparker]

I'm sorry but I'm not going to work that for you. This is my first day off in what feels like a month and I'm not going to cover your shift last second. It's not my fault that you didn't find the proper coverage earlier and I am sorry but you're just going to have to fuck off about it. I want to sleep, I have a thousand chores to do and I'm not just here to help out irresponsible little girls. Bye.

[victoria-blackreinhardt]

It’s ironic when today is International Literacy Day and I had an intern working in the National Gallery who can’t differentiate the words “they’re” and “their”, “were” to “where”. I’m more concerned with the fact that she is English and has never spoken any other language all her life. Youths these days.

[feiparker]

I mean, but does it really surprise you? The children in today's education systems are severely under-achieving. They don't actually care because they think that everyone in the world is going to hand them things. It's sad because there's a lack of understanding going on ... they don't know that it's actually getting more difficult out there, not the other way around. All the more amusing for us old timers to see them crash and burn.

[halric-kingston]

Halicia

[halric-kingston]

Read More

[feiparker]

Time was a concept well-lost on her. Everything was being measured in breaths -- how long it took to inhale, the shortness of her gasps, how he would have her head spinning with the uneven manner of her breathing. She was sure that he could kill her like this, torture her before her death with fights for air, almost like he was drowning her in wave after wave of pleasure. Fei was remotely aware that he had her grasping at the sheets in such force that they were beginning to pull away from the edges of the bed. She was twisting her fingers, her hand, her wrist into the fabric and tugging it back out between each of his ministrations. It pulsed between her thighs -- the rush of blood and repetition of his fingers, teeth, lips, tongue ... by the time he shifted to pay more attention to that bundle of nerves she was writhing around, constantly shifting and moving like an impatient child. Her hips were moving of their own accord, rolling against his nose and tiers and mostly against her wishes where she couldn't fathom to control or even pay mind to the soft bucks. It was her body's natural attempt to push him away despite her desire to keep him there, all topped off with helpless mewls whenever she remembered to breathe.

It was some kind of divine ecstasy.

Some part of her was wholly grateful when he peeled away, but most of her felt her chest heave in this horribly sorrowful moan for the loss. It was only with mild awareness that she paid mind to his kisses northbound, when he pressed his attention to her breasts it was like a shock back to reality from hazy dreams. Only then did she pull her hand away from the sheet, work the fingers against the soft tresses at the back of his head and give a gentle tug, meant to encourage. Even still when he desisted she met his mouth with fire, instantly accepting his kisses. Against her stomach she could feel the hardness of him, hunger rearing its head from between her thighs, it drove her free hand between them to seek out the length there and give it a meaningful squeeze. Even then Felicia couldn't help but moan, shuddering excitement for prospect of what was to come in the palm of her hand.

How badly she wanted that. Fingers found the tight flesh of his behind, pressing into the skin with a clutch, insisting himself against her. There she ground against him, giving him the friction they both were all but begging for. Her breathing was hitched and labored for it, a slow gather before she found another grueling grind to offer. She wanted to spur him into it, to coax him into fucking her now, to find the words with husky tone that would make that decision for him but ... he had her only gasping. Soon he would have her shuddering. If he denied her any longer -- begging. That was not unfathomable now.

[halric-kingston]

You just love torturing me don’t you, Fei? It’s your guilty pleasure. I can tell. Of course I’ll part with them — it’s not like I won’t see them forever. They will be at your place. If I miss them too much, I can always pop by and put out an offering for them to apologise for removing them from my home. Or.. something of the likes. Why celebrity men? You don’t want an artistically nude collage of myself? Wouldn’t that be glorious to look at instead? Oh fine, you’re much better to animals than me. I am hoping if you ever get a kitty, it won’t scratch my eyeballs out when I am sleeping. Fei, you remind me of many things. But reminders can only do so much. Daniel’s an acquaintance I met in New York for a job. I stole his Gold Rolex watch and pawned it. He wasn’t happy. But.. uh I did apologise when I met him again here. That counts right? Of course I am…. You haven’t seen it? Well, you’ll see more of it if you’re willing.

[feiparker]

Among other things I love to do with and to you, yes. Can you tell? Aside from my admitting it openly, of course. Are you really going to speak to your own work and apologize to it for putting it somewhere else? You're a silly man, Hal. ... Are you suggesting you have an artistically nude collage of yourself? Did you set up a bunch of cameras on a timer and pose in various manners to capture the reference images, or did you set up mirrors and paint yourself painting yourself? I really want to see the way you finish this. It's really interesting to me, like ... top priority. I like being akin to a cat, though, and yes I am better with animals. They require a lot of attention, Hal. You're too busy for something like that. You stole his Rolex? Oh good, you apologized. He's a nice man, and you don't need to steal and pawn things. You've done better for yourself than that, love. We both know it. Yes, it counts. But it doesn't explain why you hoped it wasn't him that I ran into. I mean, it explains why you'd be wary of seeing him, but not myself. If I'm willing, he says. So polite, you are. I'd like to spend more time with you, which mean seeing more parts and pieces of you. So yes, silly Prince, I would.

[cartas-para-o-ceu]

[halric-kingston]

Oohh.. come on. Okay, I’m sorry I was bossy. Do I need to pull out good wine and flowers so you’d tell me? What are you looking for, love? I can gift you one of my own or work something out. I didn’t talk you out of it, Fei. I was telling you of my experience.. I got a cat when I first came to London because it somehow reminded me of you but I guess I wasn’t good at taking care of it. It ran to my next door neighbour instead. It is?! London is fucking small.. Jesus.. Well.. he’s.. erm.. yeah nothing wrong with him. He’s an.. acquaintance. That is a very lovely list. Nah, I don’t need a physical copy. It’ll register when I see them. Hhhmmm.. I think I do.. but we can always jump into it and find out.

[feiparker]

No flowers, nope. I'm going to let you stew for a while like this. It's far more amusing than actually telling you what you want to know. You'd part with your own pieces? Surprise me, then. So long as they aren't some artistically nude collages. Then again, if you do it well enough I can list you a few celebrity men I wouldn't mind hanging nude on my walls. Your experience would be different from my experience. For one -- I am a wholesome lady. Cats love me. You're a pricky arse -- animals have an aversion to that. I remind you of a kitty? I like that comparison. He's, erm, what, erm erm erm? You can't wiggle worm your way out of this one, love. You're eager, aren't you? This is a side to you I haven't seen. Well, maybe once before. 

[halric-kingston]

Have you ever taken me to be a very proper person? Spit it out. That does sound lovely. Like an apartment version of my home minus the kids. What kind of pet are you planning to get? A cat? Daniel… As long as he’s not Daniel Whitaker Marzano, we’re fine. Seven? We can work it out slowly.. crossing them out one by one. There’s no rush. Heh. Distract you with the christening of your rooms. You don’t have to be on your feet for all~

[feiparker]

So bossy. For that I'm definitely keeping it to myself. Well your home has all of that lovely art in it. Mine is just detailing. I need to get some pieces for my living room. Have something nice to stare at when I should be paying mind to the tele. No pet yet, but if I had to pick then yes, a cat. Just not yet. Didn't you try to talk me out of a cat already? I do believe that's his name, actually. Why? There's nothing wrong with him that I've discerned! He's perfectly pleasant. Are you making a list, now? There's: living room, kitchen, study, bedroom, master bath, guest bed, guest bath. Got it? Or do you want me to write it down for you? Oh? I see. Is your back strong enough to handle that endurance, Prince?

[averydavenport]

Some of them, yeah. You just have to be on the lookout since they don’t hang out outside their apartments, you know? And I also know some of them because of work. They are kinda nice, especially if they have been drinking Cristal. I’ve seen handsome men pretty much everywhere. My apartment building, the park, Harrods… I guess I hang out where they like to congregate, so I’m lucky. Yeah, I don’t like, hate kids or whatever, but I am sure that I wouldn’t be able to live next to a family of six, for example. Hmm, I know that feeling. I wish I could have told mine many things, but she died before I had a chance to do it.

[feiparker]

Wouldn't it be a little strange if they did just hang out in the hall by their doors? Just giving that man nod that they do when they're acknowledging you're there but too good to actually speak. You'd have a laugh every time. Thankfully there seems to be no shortage of them here -- one of the perks of London, the handsome men. Of course, there are those that represent the opposite end of the spectrum, too. I get my fair share of them as well. The rich, stuffy ones and all -- it's fun to watch them think they're godly. That's neither here nor there. No ... children aren't something I can foresee myself with. I don't think I'm matronly enough. Maybe in a few years. Mine are as good as, if we're being frank. Still, sorry for their passing, even if it was moons ago.