I can always feel it when your half set to run

Maya Parker, 23 Stripper and Waitress at Bella’s. And I can always feel it, when you're getting set to run Like you're halfway through the chorus And you think the song is done But, baby, take a minute, or take a beer out from the fridge So, maybe we can try this time to make it past the bridge

[mayaparkerr]

“Oh, it definitely wouldn’t have been,” she giggled. “It definitely would’ve kept all eyes on you. Including mine.” Now that they were kind of friends again, and because she was on the tipsier side, she felt herself blurring some of the lines between them. It was probably going to get her in trouble, but Maya did look really good in her costume tonight. Was there any real harm in being a little flirty though? 

Corinna smiled at her words. “Probably a smart idea. I should’ve planned ahead like that too. Though I don’t even remember if I’m working tomorrow.” There was a good chance she’d wake up tomorrow, check her phone, and then find out whether or not she had a shift at The Venetian. She nodded at the offer. “Yeah, a drink sounds good. What’re you having?” she asked as she walked them towards a bar. 

Maya headed over to the bar, “a skinny mojito,” she answered. “And I know, it’s a very basic girl drink, but those are always the best!” She giggled. Oh her way way there, she grabs hold of Corinna to make sure she doesn’t loose the girl in the crowd. 

“What about yourself?” she asked. “How are you by the ways? I’m sorry I haven’t checked in lately, it’s just been so hectic. Guess is why they don’t advise you work two jobs.”

[mayaparkerr]

Corinna pushed down the lace around her collar. As much as she loved her costume, the ruffled lace was making her feel a little claustrophobic. She downed her drink and set it aside before walking around. So far she’d been good–wasn’t too tipsy, wasn’t too high, so she aside from the slight claustrophobia, all was good. 

She turned when she heard someone call out her name and spotted Maya coming towards her. “Hey,” she called out, waving at her. “Thanks, I like yours too,” she smiled, admiring Maya’s costume. “Decided against the red wig then?” She hadn’t been expecting the hug, but it did make her aware that Maya wasn’t exactly sober (it made her feel better about having down her last two drinks at the bar). 

As she pulled away from the embrace, Corinna held Maya’s arm, steadying them both after their hug. “You good?” she laughed, amused to see Maya in this state. The picture brought back many pleasant memories she had of her ex-girlfriend. “Have you been here long?” 

Maya laughed, “yeah, I thought the wings were a little too much. I didn’t think it was fair to my competition,” she joked. She bit her lip, taking Corinna in - she’s be lying if she said she didn’t like what she saw. Maya thought they’d always be a party of her that was physical attracted to the other girl, who could blame her, Corinna was stunning. 

She blushed, even in her intoxicated state coming to her sense. “A while. I took tomorrow off, so I plan of having some fun, who knows anything could happen,” she beamed. “Want another drink?” she offered.

[mayaparkerr]

cassandra-costello‌:

Location: Lincoln Hotel Open to: Everyone

Cassandra had already planned on how this evening was going to go for her. She was going to show her face quickly and then she would leave. There was no way that she was going to go through this entire night. She didn’t understand the idea of the party after all. Of course, life continued. Not everyone was involved in the happenings as of late. But most of the people at this party were and they all acted as if nothing had happened. As if a young woman hadn’t taken her life from her. As if her father hadn’t found his revenge by hurting her son. As if he wasn’t in prison. How was she supposed to pretend that everything was okay? She had perfected the mask that she was wearing when things went bad over the years. But how much more was a person able to take.

Her costume was doing its part. It was realistic enough to keep the people away from her and that had exactly been her plan. It would only make it easier for her to leave when she felt like it. So when someone did, in the end, decided to come closer, she opened up her mouth before the other could. “Are you enjoying the party?” Keeping the lead in this conversation was going to help her end it sooner than later.

Maya has seen Cassandra Costello standing there alone, and while the women had always intimidated her greatly, she felt a pang of sadness. After everything that had happened to her family, it just didn’t sit well with Maya that the women was alone. Shyly she walked over, offering a smile as she adjusted her gloves. 

She nodded in response, “it’s great I’ve never been to a party like this before,” she said, looking around at the intricate decorations. “The Hawthorne’s sure know how to throw a party.”

“Awesome, costume by the way.”

[mayaparkerr]

paitynsinclair‌:

Halloween was one of Paityn’s favourite holidays; she loved any opportunity to pretend to be someone else while consuming absurd amounts of liquor. She stayed far away from the crowded event room to roam the haunted corridors of the hotel floors above. 

Bottle of champagne dangling by her side, she avoided the young couples grouping in dark corners. She wasn’t paying attention when she turned down another passage. Paityn ran face first into what felt like a brick wall.

“Fuck, I’m sorry,” she said, rubbing one of her temples. The night was still young yet Paityn was shitfaced. 

Happy Halloween.

Maya smiled, “no problem,” she shrugged - “you okay?” she asked. She placed her glass down on to the table beside her. 

“Maybe some water?” Maya hated being that person - the downer, at a party full of people getting hammered and yeah she wanted to have fun too. But girls have to stick together. 

“I like her costume by the way, nice ears.” she said. 

[mayaparkerr]

Location: Lincoln Hotel Date: 31.10.19 Thread: Closed to @corinnasutter​

Maya’s sitting beside a friend from work, when she notices Corinna walk passed. She’s on her third Bellini and half way towards getting probably embarrassingly drunk. But hey, she didn’t have work the next day, if anyone deserved to let their hair down it was her. The weight of two jobs had begun to wear her down slightly. 

It wasn’t that she couldn’t handle it (she could) but all work and no play, was the recipe for a tired soul. She couldn’t complain too much tho - no one was making her work her but off, perhaps maybe herself. After all as much as she loved working at the club, and it would kill her to leave the friends she’d made at Roma, they were both means to an end. It was about making the money (and connections) to move up in the world.

“Cor!” She laughed, lifting herself up from the couch. A heavy feet in her current state. She walked over to the girl, and smiled. “Nice costume,” she giggled. “Your a shoo-in for the contest.” She placed her drink down on the table, chewing her lip as she leaned forward to give the girl a sloppy hug. 

[mayaparkerr]

Parabellum Event: Maya’s look, AKA the fairy godmother. 

[mayaparkerr]

Maya stared at herself in the mirror for a moment, tilting head to one side, analysing her attire. She reached out to feel the corse synthetic wig under her finger tips - she loved dressing up - who wouldn’t reached at a chance to be someone else for a night? It wasn’t because she didn’t like who she was, but sometimes it was fun to slap on a wig and pretend to someone else for change. She’d do it more often if she didn’t work all the damn time.

She turned around then, grabbing the attention of the person standing to her left. “What do you think?” She asked. “I’m not sure if red is really my colour, but I couldn’t resist trying it on.” With everything going on in the city, a costume party was just up her street. But she didn’t exactly have the budget to splurge, that’s why she’d settled for thrift shopping her outfit. Maya had found many treasures, among the heaps of shoulder pads and bedazzled blazers.

“I think the velvet really brings the look together.”

[mayaparkerr]

All that Livia wanted was a nice night out. But she’d been subjected to listening to some fucking idiot mansplain his entire biochemistry degree. Livia was passionate about science, but she didn’t give a fuck about this dude and the patronizing tone that he’d been using on her all night.

Then, he casually mentioned how he’d been living in his mother’s basement for the last six years, with no intention of moving out anytime soon. 

Without saying another word, Livia quietly grabbed her drink and got up from the table.

Maya raised her brow, impressed - that was a brutal diss, something she didn’t think she would ever have the confidence to pull off... especially considering she drove home her last date, who made her pick up the entire check, because they ‘left their wallet at home.’ 

“That dude needs a serious reality check,” she said to the brunette when she arrived at the bar, standing beside where Maya was currently sitting nursing a gin and tonic. 

[mayaparkerr]

Despite having been home from Miami for two days, Luca was only just starting to recover from his hangover. All he wanted was some greasy ass, unhealthy food. He sighed a little impatiently as the person in front of him slowly grabbed their tray of pizza. It was loaded with pineapple, and Luca was absolutely disgusted.

“Who the fuck puts pineapple on pizza?”

“Me?” Maya said uncertain, recognising the guy instantly. She admitted it, she read gossip blogs - her life could be mind numbingly boring at times, and when it was, she buried herself in tabloid gossip, that she knew was primarily false. 

“It’s an underated topping choice trust me, don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.”

[mayaparkerr]

amelina-martinez‌:

Lina liked to dance, but she wasn’t a professional or anything. It was a good cover though. No one ever questioned a pretty girl dancing. She could go to Aurea and keep an eye on the Costellos and wish there was something she could do about them other than just watch. She was pretty sure the Sinclairs didn’t want anyone in Costello territory until their shit got resolved, which put a crimp in her style, but she could at least go to Sapphire and hope that one of them turned up. It was the hottest club in town, and she’d made friends with one of the bouncers by promising him free drinks at Sinclairs. Even bouncers liked to rub shoulders in gangland now and then.

Taking a breather for a moment, she accepted a drink from a guy who tried to ask her something, but she just disappeared into the crowd. At least the drink was good. The guy kept coming though, and she rolled her eyes. She could hardly drop him in the middle of the club without getting kicked out. Grabbing the nearest person, she turned and smiled. “Pretend we’re friends, I need an escape plan.”

Maya shrugged, playing along - “sure, if you like you can tell him I’m your girlfriend, trust me, it throws them off, and the bonus is their faces, pure shock - can’t imagine any women not wanting to fuck them,” she said shaking her head. She’d just been finishing up at night out when the other girl had grabbed her. Usually she’d stick to Costello stomping grounds, but she felt like something different. 

“I’m Maya by the way,” she introduced, flicking hair out of her face. “I saw you dancing early, ever thought of doing it professionally? I know a few people who’d pay a pretty penny for those skills.”

[mayaparkerr]

nataliacardoza‌:

Natalia had been walking around Chicago all morning. Going from one apartment viewing to the next, she was wholly disappointed with the selection of flats currently on the market. Pushy realtors kept trying to convince her the spaces were worth the cost, but Nat’s lived in New York; she can tell when landlords are over-charging.

Nat had more appointments booked in the afternoon but she found herself stopping in The Blue Door for a quick drink and a bite to eat. She’d need the fuel to keep dealing with bullshit. 

The bar was quiet as it just opened for lunch service but there were a few bodies that filled some tables. Natalia just went to the bar and took a seat. She pulled out her phone to check messages and ordered a vodka soda and a salad without looking up from her screen.

Nat could feel someone sit in the empty stool next to her but was too distracted by messages from landlords trying to reschedule her viewing times. “What the fuck was the point of making an appointment?” she said to herself. “I don’t have the time for this.”

Maya’s eyes widened, jumping from her seat, “sorry - I can go sit somewhere else,” she offered, eyeing the girl. She hadn’t really been paying attention, and had picked a barstool at random - having been too busy checking out her gym’s new class roster for the fall. She seriously needed to get back into shape, she’d spent too many nights on the couch eating pizza and watching Mind Hunters for her own liking.

She hesitated from a second before asking, “are you alright?” Maya knew she shouldn’t pry, that not everyone wanted to talk about their issues, especially not with her. But that was just the person she was, she couldn’t sit next to someone who clearly wasn’t going and just say nothing - her mum hadn’t raised her that way. 

[mayaparkerr]

“I swear to God, I barely looked at a guy the other day and I’m pretty sure there’s a hit out on me now.” Gemma chuckled, obviously joking. Only just, though. Tensions in the city were clearly high, despite the impending wedding, and it was hard to avoid causing a spark even in the most neutral parts of town. “A rave?” Gemma stepped forward with Maya, careful to not take anyone else out with her bag. “I haven’t been to a rave in literal years. I’m sure I’ll still be recovering from this wedding, but that might actually be fun. Are you planning on going?”

“I was thinking about it... would you maybe wanna go?” Maya felt the awkwardness and cringed. It wasn’t easy making friends in the city and most of the ones she had were worked friends that happened to bleed into her social life - which meant all loyal to the Costello’s and there was nothing wrong with that - but Maya knew better than to put all her bread in one basket.

“No pressure though.”

[mayaparkerr]

Mia grinned. “Oh no your life couldn’t possibly be as interesting.” she said with some sarcasm to her tone, good-naturedly rolling her eyes, which were crinkling with the humor of it all. God she wished she had such a mundane and uninteresting life as Maya might have sometimes. Having your life out for all to read about in whatever tabloid they might choose wasn’t exactly high on her list of likes about her own life. 

“Corinna didn’t know you’d started at the Venetian? I mean it can be tricky, working with an ex. Main thing is to agree to act professionally. And yeah thats probably wise, to just go about your own business and keep your distance.” While Mia was definitely aware that she could potentially end up a bit in the middle here, being close with Maya and also having befriended Corinna when she first started working at the Venetian, she didn’t feel bad advising one friend a bit against the other. From what Maya had told her she thought they’d both benefit from finding their own paths. 

“Okay so its kind of low key yet, but dad finally realized he can use my help with the criminal side of the family buisness so I’m pretty much just waiting for him to entrust me with something concrete.” She indulged, that familiar light in her eye igniting as she felt like she was within touching distance of the goal she had been working for for years now. To be a real asset to her family, a truly valuable and trusted player. Smiling a little knowingly, she added. “Though you probably meant like with men and love? I have no cards to play there, and I don’t really feel like I need to. Mason and I are still hooking up and its been really great. Just no drama and no complications and yeah sure there might be some feelings there but they’re mostly platonic. And thats just what I’d like for them to be.” 

“Mason, as it just got out of jail Mason?” Maya didn’t know him well.. or at all really but she knew of him - he was after all Juliet’s brother. Apart from the relationship to her friend, his name had also floated around since his release and Maya couldn’t work out whether that was a good or bad thing. “Just be careful okay?” she said, worrying more than she knew she needed to - but sue her, she cared about her friends, them getting hurt was not an option. 

“As for the business side of things, I’m sure you’ll be great - and when your running things, make sure to remember little old me,” she teased. Maya knew Mia had a good head on her shoulders, and with her fathers help she could go places... not that she wasn’t already. Mia had been born with the greatest gift anyone could be born with as far as she was concerned:

Resources. It opened doors, got you a seat at the table.

“...should I start calling you Ms Costello?” She joked further. 

[mayaparkerr]

Corinna followed Maya without complaint and sat down. She wasn’t in shock over it, maybe a little shook up by the sight of it, but it was difficult to think about it. The last thing she wanted was the image of Paisley Sinclair falling at the alter. 

“I know… And it all happened so fast.” She sighed sadly. “I can’t imagine what they’re all going through. I don’t want to ever have to go through what they are… Losing someone like that…”

Maya simply couldn’t imagine how traumatic it must have been. “Are you you going to go to the funeral?” she asked, titling her head. She bit her lip for a second, contemplating whether she should say what she so desperately wanted to.

“I could.... go with you if you wanted? For moral support... as friends of course!”

[mayaparkerr]

Juliet blinked herself awake from her literature-induced reverie with a soft sound of surprise, only realising who it was when Maya spoke. Her expression, focused and hazy, softened into a smile; Maya was the sort of person you always felt glad to see. She missed the days of working together at Bella’s, sometimes - Juliet had had a lot of respect for Maya’s hustle, and her way with people. She was outgoing and confident in a way Juliet had never quite mastered, and yet she’d never felt intimidated by Maya.

“Um, okay, Sylvia Plath isn’t work, she’s art, so jot that down.” Juliet smiled, slipping a bookmark between the pages and stretching her arms behind her; she heard a crack. Reading might be the great love affair of her life, but it wasn’t good for the joints. Maybe Maya had a point. “But the pull of Johnathan Groff is strong, so you win. Let’s do it. Have you been working?” she asked, draining the last of her coffee and getting to her feet. Juliet had thought she had hustle, but Maya put her to shame.

Maya nodded, “it was brutal - you know those people that clearly don’t want to go home?” She sighed, it wasn’t like she didn’t feel bad, after all there were times when she herself felt lonely, but after a long shift her empathy had weened, and all she wanted to do was toss them out so she could go home. “I swear people are getting lonely then they used to.” She took a sip of her coffee, looking down at her phone making sure she hadn’t missed a text. Wouldn’t be the first time someone thought she was ghosting them because she’s slow to check her phone.

“Finnish up and let’s go, I’m dying to change into my sweats,” she smiled, “my cars parked out front... and when I say out front I mean on a yellow line, but honestly parking in this city is dreadful. What was I meant to do?”

[mayaparkerr]

So, here’s to all the pain.. @corinnasutter

[mayaparkerr]

The hug was unexpected. Corinna froze, not sure what was happening or why, but she didn’t want it to end. When was the last time someone actually hugged her? Or at least from someone she cared about. It was both comforting and heartbreaking all at the same time. 

“Oh.” It clicked what this was about and she felt stupid for forgetting about it for a second. But then again, she kept actively not trying to think about it. Like most difficult things in her life, she had learned to shove them away into the corners of her mind and pretend they weren’t there. 

“Yeah, no,” she said, shaking her head. Her voice was nearly devoid of emotion, only the nervous twitch of her fingers indicating her unease. “I’m okay. I wasn’t–I was in the back. I was able to get out quickly. I didn’t even understand what was happening until someone started yelling to get out.” 

Maya nodded, pulling her over to sit down - her maternal instincts kicking in slightly, she knew Corinna was a big girl - she didn’t need Maya to hover over her, but sue her, even after everything she fucking cared. Her father had always said that was her greatest flaw, she cared too much, that she put too much time and energy into people who ended up letting her down.

“I still can’t believe it - it feels like a dream. I mean I didn’t really know her, but she was such a big personality in this time. It feels wrong, to think she’s just...gone.”