poison and honey, with a voice full of money;

Imogene Buchanon. 30. Lawyer. Social Darwinist. {RP blog}

[betsydobsons]

Camilla Macaulay

a bewitching gentle beauty, but ultimately a damaged and flawed person.

[thelovejournals]

I do not love; I do not love anybody except myself. That is a rather shocking thing to admit. I have none of the selfless love of my mother. I have none of the plodding, practical love…I am, to be blunt and concise, in love only with myself…I am capable of affection for those who reflect my own world.

Sylvia Plath, The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath. (via thelovejournals)

[imogenebuchanon-blog]

theninalowell‌:

Waiting by the bar, hoping to get a drink and quick, so that she could start to drown the unease that was growing inside of her, Nina asked herself, for the hundred time since she got here, what actually they were all doing here. So many people, but how many really cared about Joel? What went through Hugo’s mind when he organized such an event? Of course, she had spot Imogen quickly, most people did. She would be spotted quickly no matter the setting, but tonight added another layer of it. Tonight, she wasn’t so much Imogen Buchanon, one of the ruling queens of New York. No, tonight she was mainly Joel’s sister. And that was enough to produce some sympathy in Nina.

“You’d think Hugo would have thought of that, open a tab in your name or something.” The allusion was clear, Nina knew this came from him, not her. “Put it on my tab,” she told the bartender as he brought her on her drink. “Whatever she drinks tonight is on me.” Slowly taking a sip of her own drink, a Negroni, Nina turned to fully face Imogen. “This is quite an idea. At least it’s not the Playboy Club.”

“Oh, I wasn’t counting on it. I’m only surprised that Hugo hasn’t worn out the good will of every club owner in this town by now. Expecting him to open a tab for me would have been too much.” She discreetly asked the bartender for a club soda, unwilling to add alcohol to the slivers of emotion her brother’s morbid idea had brought on. It was already unlike her to be so candid about her contempt for her family.

Although she had never been Lowell’s greatest fan, Imogene felt somewhat grateful when she didn’t treat her like a bereaved little widow at a wake. She led the glass to her lips, savoring the cold on her tongue. “That would have been fitting – a disaster to commemorate a disaster.”

[imogenebuchanon-blog]

arthavemeyer‌:

Arthur was caught off guard, back against the crowd that started to form in the club, hunched over his own drink, taking a break from all the pleasantries he had already gone through in less than an hour since it started. He felt like a fraud, like after twelve years every word that came out of people’s mouth and his mouth as well were completely meaningless. Same old, same old.

The voice that came from behind him startled him, sent a chill down his spine and when he turned his head and saw Imogene Buchanon, he exhaled slowly, his heart beating faster in his chest. “Imogene, I-” he started, pausing to clear his throat and gain his composure. The Buchanons all looked very much alike, the same round face and eyes, and Arthur was so focused on his own thoughts, he let himself believe he was going crazy, hearing things that couldn’t be there. “Of course. What will it be?”

Imogene had always been different from her brothers, though. Unmistakably a Buchanon, but made of something different, she held herself in a way Hugo could never do, and he doubted Joel could either, if he was still alive – despite being the youngest, she was the one Arthur remembered the most from their time in high school. “My condolences.” He felt weird saying it but, he knew he would regret it if he didn’t mention it at all.

On that, of all nights, she had no patience for Havemeyer’s tact. Imogene would have found even the way he looked at her blatantly offensive. It wasn’t her fault that she shared DNA with a body at the bottom of the Hudson. She wasn’t a spooky little ghoul in a gothic novel.

Yet, it only got worse, because of course Jockmeyer felt the urge to highlight his irreprehensible moral character by telling her that he was so very sorry that her dumbass brother had been too wasted not to fall overboard. It would have been funny, if it wasn’t so utterly fucking depressing.

“What about your condolences, darling?” She made no effort to conceal the sarcasm in her voice. It wasn’t her job to absolve people of the sin of still being alive. “I’ll have some champagne.  So, what did persuade you to take Hugo’s invitation? Nostalgia or boredom?”

[imogenebuchanon-blog]

sophielesaux‌:

Where she preferred to glide in with an understated elegance, her oldest friend certainly knew how to make an entrance and by the way everyone’s eyes shifted to the door she knew that Imogene had arrived before she’d even laid eyes on her. The bar had been made for immediately, knowing that the other woman would need one and she certainly did too.

Turning to her with a mock stern look on her face, the brunette allowed a bit of humorous chiding into her tone. “You know me better than that, Gin.” There was a nagging voice in the back of her mind that reminded her that when a friendship was as empty as theirs - nothing bonded them other than the years they had spent together - if they had known each other at all in the past, they certainly didn’t now. Still, even with them practically being strangers at times, her organisational skills were hard to miss and she was always on the button. “I’m always prepared.” 

Elegant movement produces the drink with something of a flourish when for all she had always lacked a dramatic side, Imogene had something of a penchant for it. “One G & T to take the edge off.”

She smiled out of habit. It was the game she and Sophie played, a constant trade of pretend familiarities that only looked like an honest friendship from afar. But Imogene knew how they looked from afar – the ice princess and the glamazon, the perfect pair.

“Oh, Fi, what would I ever do without you?” The question came with the same hollow smile, the manufactured affection that was only a shell of itself. Imogene felt far warmer towards the G & T in Sophie’s hand. She promised herself it would be her one of the night. Overdrinking was for the losers she shared a name with, but she wouldn’t force herself to endure Hugo’s morbid little party without a glass of her trademark drink in her hand. “No one knows me like you do.”

Taking the smallest of sips, she allowed herself to scan the dancing bodies across the room. “So, be honest – who do you think has aged the worst?”

[imogenebuchanon-blog]

Location: The Limelight

Time: 10pm

With: Open

Let them eat their pity, Imogene thought, leaving her prim white coat the door. Let them choke on it, even, until the use of the word reminded her of the last thing she had said to Joel, and the anger became too depressing to cling to.

Why was she even there? She couldn’t chalk it all up to fear of Hugo, though the constant need to manage him had certainly played a part. Perhaps there was an appeal to knowing that it would be a party, that everyone would be far too wasted to pester her with the usual condolences. It was with that thought that Imogene strolled right to the bar, looking into the eyes and flashing an icy grin to the familiar person already ordering their booze.

“Well - aren’t you going to buy the grieving sister a drink? Given the circumstances, I should be something of a guest of honor.”

[imogenebuchanon-blog]

thefortunatesusannahadani‌:

The question had been rhetorical. Susanna did think so, and now that the seed of the idea was planted in Imogene’s head, she was sure the blonde would agree. “Very true. There’s the silver lining. You’ll have to let me know what you think of the place.” 

Imogene’s use of the word honey grated on her. It was as falsely sweet as the woman herself, and more meant to demean than endear. But again, even if Imogene wished to try to prick her, it would take more than these minor annoyances to break her famous composure. “So tell me all that’s new with you. You said you’ve been very busy?” She leaned forward, body language indicating her interest. 

There was much to admire about Susanna. For all the skill with which she had frozen herself, Imogene still marveled at the composure of the woman before her. As regal as an ancient statue, yet so disgustingly warm.

“It’s an anti-trust suit the firm’s taken on. You might have read about it – huge pharmaceutical company. The Federal Trade Commission took issue with a couple of mergers. It’s all bullshit.” Imogene despised few things like she despised the enemies of the free market. It more than merited the use of profanity. And still, even that was only a cold sort of rage, replaced by a false smile the following minute. “It’s pushed back the wedding plans a little bit.” As would have any other reason she could have clung to. “But my fiancé has been very patient, very loving. And you, of course, will be getting an invitation when the times comes.”

[imogenebuchanon-blog]

theninalowell‌:

The mean girls club had never been her favorite people, and Imogen was part of them, even if she wasn’t the worst of them. That title was reserve for Oleander but considering how close the two were, she might have been Satan in person. Nina wasn’t the most agreeable person, but she wasn’t mean just for the sake of establish some weird claim of power among her peers.

There seemed to be surprise in Imogen’s voice, as if it was surprising Nina was the owner of such an establishment, one that was successful. Successful enough to have a Buchanon coming in. It was true that she hadn’t keep in touch, or even be in touch with to begin with, Hugo and Imogen. It had always been Joel. It wasn’t that strange, considering, that the other was surprise, even if Nina had been featured over various well known publications.

“What can I say? The times are though, people have to work now, can you believe it?” Of course, she knew Imogen was an attorney, it was hard to miss anyone with her last name, even more considering everything that happened. “Sadly, I won’t have the pleasure to actually serve you tonight, a shame, really. But I’ll make sure you’re in good hands.”

She led a hand to her chest in a mockery of hurt, never allowing the sharp, white smile to falter. Imogene liked it, the hint of hostility. It reminded her of high school, of being the ice queen with the unbreakable diamond heart. 

“Oh, you poor deprived proletarian, how hard your life must be!” 

The sarcasm was just a little too sharp to be entirely friendly. Imogene had to brush off a slight irritation at not being asked about her own life, an opportunity she would have taken to absolutely brag about her wonderful job and fiancé and loft. “How kind of you! I have to confess, when I heard you had opened a bar I didn’t quite expect it to be the kind I had actually read about...” Or the kind that she would have set food in without being led there at gunpoint.

[kubriq]

Mad Men (2007-2015)

[howlingliv-deactivated20231016]

Location: Soif Date: April 17th, 1999 Time: 5:13 pm Availability: Open to all

There were a few patrons, but the real rush came a little bit later. Most reservations were for 7pm and later, and even there, it wouldn’t pick up too fast until 8 or 9. Except for a few tables, in case anyone important walked in, the place was completely booked until closing. But this quiet meant that the woman had time for the customers, going frmo table to table to greet and speak with the patrons that were there and exchanging a few jokes with her staff. Nina knew that people came for the wine, but strangely, in part for her too. And she liked it, she liked being here. Soif was her baby and she had never expected to see it become what it was. She noticed a familiar face coming in and the owner put on her best smile. “What a pleasant surprise. Should I give you a table or would you prefer the bar?”

[imogenebuchanon-blog]

It was a 5:30 appointment, but Imogene was early. She always was, already standing by with a drink in her hand and a polished façade with which to greet her companion. On that occasion, she had rushed to Soif straight from the firm, still wearing her work clothes under her trench coat. And yet, there was not so much as a hair out of place, nothing but the frosty, golden-headed loveliness with which she would meet her fiancé.

The bar had been his choice rather than hers, far enough from their workplaces to discuss some career related matter. Imogene eyed the place with curiosity, raising an eyebrow the moment she recognized the owner’s familiar face.

“Lowell?”, she asked, with evident amusement. Of course she had heard that Nina Lowell had opened a place somewhere. But she had been expecting an opium-den inspired dump full of champagne socialists, not a proper wine bar. “Don’t tell me you’re going to be my waitress for the evening?” She couldn’t quite help herself. And yet, there was something disturbing to seeing Nina again. She’d grown - Joel never would.

[mademoiselleclary]

Some new spring wardrobe pieces ✨🏹

Instagram @ mademoiselledena

[imogenebuchanon-blog]

sloanemiller‌:

“Engaged? That’s…wow, that’s quite something. A big step. Huge. Who’s the lucky person?” They awkwardly scratched at the back of their neck, trying to remember something that didn’t involve sitting around covering their room in sticky-notes and papers. “I visited Paris for a couple months, did a tour of Europe. Very brief, not as much fun as it is here.” 

“Bryce is a prosecutor for the Eastern District.” Her smile widened, as white and strained as Stepford Wife’s. “The joys of having no responsabilities! Between my job and the wedding preparations I’ve barely had the time to breathe... I’ve always found Paris lovely for a couple of weeks in the Spring - it’s London that bores you to tears.”

[imogenebuchanon-blog]

thefortunatesusannahadani‌:

The worst barbs were those that were aimed and armed with a bit of truth. Susanna knew why Imogene stressed the word fiancé. It was something she had that Susanna did not and Imogene was the type to take every advantage she could. Susanna would give her that point, and did not begrudge it to her. If she didn’t feel so inferior, Imogene wouldn’t feel the need to try to slip slights into the conversation with a honeyed tongue and sugary smile. 

“How unfortunate. Lateness can be such a sign of disrespect,” she sighed, shaking her head in mock disappointment. Too bad she doesn’t respect you enough to be on time.  “It reflects well on you, of course, to be on time.” Waiting for someone else who was clearly telling her that whatever they had going on was more important than keeping Imogene from waiting. Susanna managed to keep from smiling. 

She shrugged, that careless elegant gesture so easily come to her. “Now and then. There are just so many places to try. This was convenient for today. And you? Is this one of your preferred haunts?” 

“Do you think so?”, she asked, tilting her head. The aspartame smile could not quite cover the venom in her eyes. Disrespect had surely not been her future sister-in-law’s intention. She wouldn’t overestimate the fucking airhead enough to think that the lateness was due to anything other than her being a magpie, still distracted by every shinny thing in New York. But Susanna was right. It did reflect badly on her. And Imogene would make sure it never happened again. “At least it gave me the opportunity to catch up with you, honey.”

The waiter stopped to take Imogene’s order. Sparkling Evian and lemon. Nothing as debasing as actual food. “Not quite. My lunch date wanted to try. Someone told her about the place and she’s very pervious to trends. And I’ve been so busy I’ve barely had the time to try anything new! It sounded fun.” She much preferred the ancient mahogany bars in which she sipped whisky with her coworkers to any chic brunch. But no one would ever know that.

[imogenebuchanon-blog]

sloanemiller‌:

“I’d heard, but not really kept up with everything since everyone jumps around so much. It’s….been a while, Imogene.” 

“It has! No need to look so glum, honey, I’m doing spendidly. Engaged, actually. And you - what have you been up to?”

[imogenebuchanon-blog]

16, 26, 31

16. what would their hogwarts house be?

Slytherin, in what would probably the quickest sorting in the school’s history.

26. do they have a certain aesthetic or style?

From the app: One canalways spot Imogen by the daintiness of her clothes. Even in the garish jungleof the 80s, she was always whites, cream cardigans and baby blues, pinkscrunchies, plaid skirts and Tifanny’s charm bracelets. Her hair is a littledifferent than it used to be now, more shining gold than melted butter - whichisn’t all that’s changed about her. Everyone remembers the Fall of ’86, whenshe returned to school with a subtly smaller nose, and her cheeks do look a bitmore chiseled now than they used to when she was teenager. Still, these changesare a lot less impactful than they could be. She struts through Manhattan inbeige pencil skirts, silk scarves, clean white shirts and power suits, a dashof red on her lips.  But her cheeks arejust as rosy, and you can still see the occasional appearance of a headband orwhite cashmere sweater when she’s off duty. Once a debutante, or so they say.

31. are they a morning person or night person?

Answered.

[imogenebuchanon-blog]

10, 14, 30, please

10. greatest regret?

Imogene doesn’t do regrets – but maybe having toldJoel to choke just before he died isa little bit of one. She’d feel so much better if she had only told him to fuckoff…

14. greatest fear(s)?

Becoming her mom – a useless, pathetic trainwreck withnothing to cling to but her fading good looks, her mildly relevant last nameand the two surviving children who couldn’t care less.

30. are they religious or spiritual?

Absolutely not. Tolerates people who perform religionfor tradition’s sake and is willing to go to church if her future husband ever needsto court the evangelical vote, but has very little patience for “adults withimaginary friends” and “hippie delusions”.

[imogenebuchanon-blog]

thefortunatesusannahadani‌:

Susanna was well aware of Imogene’s ambitions. Who didn’t want to be the next IT girl after all? It hadn’t been a role Susanna had actively sought, but it had been a position easy enough for her to keep up. Was she threatened by the younger woman? Not particularly. Imogene could have her fun, but Susanna was still considered untouchable. She could afford to be generous. 

“You’re looking lovely,” Susanna returned with a smile. She didn’t hold back with compliments, unless there was some purpose to it. Making people feel good made them like you more. Likely why Imogene could not find it in herself to be quite rude to Susanna. There was nothing the girl could object to without looking the fool. 

Imogene was right. Though Susanna had no issues with being alone, she rarely was. Were it not for the large party last night that had probably rendered many of her friends still insensible all these hours later, there might be more of a crowd at her table. As it was, it was nice to be able to pick up with whoever happened to be out and about this morning. 

“Are you meeting someone?” Susanna asked. “I wouldn’t want to keep you, otherwise.” As if Susanna Hadani wouldn’t be the preferred choice of company at least 95% of the time. 

The compliment brought the obligatory smile to her lips, vacant as it was. Yes, Imogene thought, I am. It wasn’t particularly surprising for Susanna to seem unbothered by the idea of being alone either. The bitch hovered entirely too high above the rest of them to even care.

“Thank you! Well, I do have a lunch appointment with my fiancé’s sister.” She stressed the word with as much saccharine glee as she could, swallowing the knot in her throat that always came with referring to Bryce that way. The thought of finally shedding her cursed last name was bittersweet to say the least. “She’s predictably late.”

She didn’t allow the sting of her comment to settle for too long before steering the conversation away. Opportunities to engage with Susanna were rare, and Imogene knew that she had to make them count. She probably did too, the conceited bitch. “God, I’m almost nostalgic. I don’t see nearly enough of you these days! Do you come here often?”