š¬šššš®š¬ : closed for @carnelieanā
š„šØšššš¢šØš§ : the dancefloor
under the lights of the dancefloor, surrounded by friends and strangers, protected by the anonymity of masked faces, evelyn feels a moment of freedom. perhaps itās the champagne, or the way that alejandraās words are playing in her mind, but she finds her gaze wandering between the partygoers with a distinct curiosity. adrift in a sea of gowns she floats along, barely in control of her movements as the music carries her across the dancefloor. a sudden STOP. asĀ her heel catches in the floor, launching her into an unsuspecting figure.Ā ā ohĀ ā SORRY ! ā the words escape her lips as unbidden as what follows,Ā āĀ i . . . think i just lost my shoe ?Ā āĀ
STATUS: open !
LOCATION: main ballroom, near the entrance !
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā A STRAY DSLR CAMERA IS a rare sight to see āāāāā heās not surprised that an expensive piece of technology has been left untouched by the hoards of strathmore students who don thousand-pound dresses and custom-tailored suits ( not unlike the one he wears āāāāā he wonāt dismiss himself from that crowd ), and yet, it presents a potential unlike any other. hollis gestures toward the other, fingers dancing around the camera strap.Ā ā i think this was left behind by one of the photographers. wonder why they left it āāāā i think this presents a harmless opportunity to get a couple good shots of our own, no ?Ā ā hazel eyes light up in mischief as he picks up the camera.Ā ā donāt know if iām brave enough to see what kind of shit theyāve captured already, though. ā
it takes her a moment to realise he was speaking to her. she had been looking, watching on as the garnet eyed the camera, but her eyes do widen in surprise when he catches her gaze. laughing in acknowledgement of his words, she nods toward the camera, ā i always wonder what they do with the photos from these events. i feel like i see photographersĀ ā or people taking photos at leastĀ āĀ but i never see the photos anywhere. ā evelyn shuffles closer, placing her empty drink on the table where the camera had been moments before.Ā ā i mean, i personally wouldnāt mind seeing what they captured. you can tell a lot about a person by what they choose to photograph. ā dark eyes survey him with an arched brow, ā so,Ā what about youĀ ? youāve got a camera at your disposal, at a masquerade ball. what would youĀ capture? ā
miss seto steps out in her usual colour palette this evening, with the noted addition of a tailored cream blazer donned over her white silk slip dress. many have noticed the inclusion of masculine elements to the girlās wardrobe in the past year as she continues to establish her style. tonightās outfit demonstrates this shift while simultaneously being a practical choice for a mid-december evening event.
ā you absolutely DONāT have to say yes . iām not trying to be pushy . but if you WANTED to join the lgbtqia + alliance at strathmore . . you absolutely could . i happen to know the head of the club , and i think sheād adore seeing you there .Ā ā alejandra says it , overly chatty . maybe because sheās with evelyn , who she feels infinitely comfortable around , or maybe because sheās on her 4th daiquiri for the night . the head of the club , of course , is none other than alejandra barreraĀ - hence the cheeky smile now adorned upon her lips as she playfully nudges evelyn .Ā ā and iām not complaining , but we arenāt going to be staying by the bar ALL night , are we ? surely weāre both hot enough to have people wanting to ask us to dance ? or go out and dance ourselves ?Ā ā when alejandra hits that peak amount of alcohol , she does love a good boogie , after all .
ā well maybe let her know iām not quite ready for that big of a step yet, but i will definitely keep it in mind as an option. ā she swirls her drink with her straw, calculating her response carefully,Ā ā itās weird. i guess i donāt know where to go from here. it feels weird to announce it, but iām also still anxious about doing something seemingly innocuous like joining the alliance. sometimes i think ; do i just wait until i actually have someone to bring home and have that be THE MOMENT ?Ā ā she shrugs, itās not exactly party talk, but thatās the trouble when so few people know a secret ; you end up taking any opportunity to talk. letting loose a laugh, she playfully returns the nudge,Ā ā we can go dance, of COURSEĀ ! i mean, no oneās asked, but i donāt think that should stop us. ā
š¬šššš®š¬ : open to all
š„šØšššš¢šØš§ : outside, near the golf course
there comes a point in every event where it all starts to become a bit much. surrounded by masked revelers, evelyn had begun to feel overwhelmed. the concept of a party where you hide who you are . . . it had seemed appealing until confronted with the fact that she is already hiding who she is, to so many people. a desire to get out, to be impulsive, and to find those who she can remove all masks, literal and figurative, begins to take over. evelyn wanders outside the country club, mask dangling around her neck, her eyes drift towards a bay of gold carts - an idea starting to form. itās impulsive, and probably downright stupid. but before she can really think about it, she is climbing into the drivers seat. itās at that moment that two things happen. first, she is hit by the embarrassing realization that her legs are justĀ too short to reach the pedals. and second,Ā she becomes aware that she isnāt alone in this moment.Ā
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā ā i wish i had a good explanation to offer you right now but,
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā uh, i seem to have come up short. āĀ Ā Ā
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā isadora Ā embraces Ā the Ā holiday Ā seasons, Ā the Ā glittering Ā decorations Ā around Ā the Ā manor Ā giving Ā her Ā a Ā sense Ā of Ā comfort. Ā it Ā has Ā her Ā counting Ā the Ā days Ā until Ā sheās Ā in Ā iceland Ā with Ā herĀ Ā FAMILY, Ā getting Ā to Ā celebrate Ā christmas Ā for Ā the Ā thirdĀ Ā year Ā in Ā a Ā row. Ā it Ā makes Ā her Ā feel Ā so Ā cheery, Ā not Ā being Ā able Ā to Ā stop Ā her Ā smile Ā since Ā she Ā met Ā up Ā with Ā evelyn. Ā āiāve Ā never Ā had Ā to Ā buy Ā christmas Ā gifts Ā until Ā recently,ā Ā she Ā admits, Ā doing Ā her Ā best Ā to Ā skate Ā over Ā that Ā statement. Ā āiāve Ā only Ā bought Ā half Ā the Ā gifts. Ā the Ā other Ā half Ā iām Ā completely Ā lost. Ā some Ā people Ā just Ā know Ā how Ā to Ā read Ā people Ā and Ā iāve Ā never Ā been Ā the Ā type. Ā did Ā you Ā at Ā least Ā finish Ā half Ā your Ā christmas Ā list Ā for Ā others?ā
evelyn nods in understanding ; her circlet, and the opals as well, were an eclectic group. some of them were especially hard to read. finding something beautiful and personal for everyone... was proving more difficult than expected. ā . . . not quite! maybe a little under half. iām sure iāll get some done soon... and iām waiting on some things i ordered online as well. ā hearing that isadora is also behind on gifts is comforting somehowĀ āĀ it helps her feel like less of a failure.Ā ā youāre going away for the holidays, right? when do you leave? iāll have to remember to give you your gift before you go! ā she cocks her head in contemplation,Ā ā are you staying for the masquerade ball? ā
taking cues from the way josie appeared comfortably at home within the manor kitchen, evelyn rests her elbows on theĀ countertop, chin in her hands. she grins up at her friend, her question catches her off guard and draws an amused chuckle from the pearl. ā WELL, trying to convince chloe of anything can be... difficult. BUT i think that if we purchased a beret ourselves, then we could definitely orchestrate a situation where jace wore it and a striped shirt. and i, personally think it is a WONDERFUL idea! ā she gives in to the giggles, the image in her mind far too entertaining to hold them in anymore.Ā ā the question is, do you think he would get carried away in the moment and actually do someĀ ā miming ā OR would he just stand there looking like a sad, awkward mime who doesnāt know what to do?Ā ā
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Heās still a little bleary-eyed, still too fresh from the hold of sleep, when he hears someone call out. It takes a beat to register that, yes, someone said his name and, yes, they were talking to him. After that, it takes another moment to register who it is and how he should arrange his expression. He should smile, he thinks. āIt does, doesnāt it? And I think Iāve spent every Sunday melting into couch cushions.ā Finally, he plasters on a smile.Ā āIām going to pick up some pho from Pho. Where are you headed?ā
her face lights up at his response, ā you know what? itĀ doesnāt matter, because you said pho and now thatās ALL i can think about. would it be annoying of me to tag along? ā pho sounded much better than her original idea of just getting coffee and a sandwich from the campus cafe ; the quality of which was always questionable at best.Ā ā god, i know what you mean. i think i spend most sundays staring at the paint on the ceiling and wondering why iām there. i never really know how to contributeĀ āĀ
the Ā first Ā time Ā you Ā attend Ā an Ā event Ā with Ā so-calledĀ Ā MIXEDĀ COMPANY, Ā you Ā are seventeen Ā years Ā old.Ā there Ā have, Ā of Ā course, Ā been Ā birthday Ā parties Ā with girls Ā from Ā yourĀ school, Ā family Ā parties Ā and Ā business Ā events.Ā but Ā for Ā the most Ā part Ā these Ā events Ā were Ā not conducive Ā to Ā the Ā kind Ā of Ā goings-on Ā that could Ā be Ā considered Ā part Ā of Ā the Ā quintessential teenage Ā experience.Ā perhaps Ā this Ā is Ā why Ā the Ā other Ā girls Ā in Ā your Ā cohort Ā titter Ā and Ā giggle in anticipation Ā of Ā the Ā upcoming Ā combined Ā formal, Ā where Ā boys Ā from Ā theĀ brother Ā school Ā will be Ā in Ā attendance. likeĀ you,Ā manyĀ ofĀ yourĀ friendsĀ haveĀ hadĀ minimal Ā interaction Ā with Ā boys, andĀ asĀ suchĀ there Ā is Ā certainly Ā an Ā air Ā of Ā mysteryĀ andĀ excitement Ā about Ā the Ā possibilities this Ā event Ā poses.Ā before Ā long Ā thereĀ are Ā whispers Ā in Ā the Ā halls Ā and Ā private Ā group Ā chats which Ā spread Ā the Ā newĀ of Ā anĀ AFTERĀ PARTY, Ā no Ā teachers, Ā no Ā parents, Ā and Ā the Ā lure Ā ofĀ an Ā unattendedĀ liquor Ā cabinet.Ā you Ā exchange Ā glances Ā with Ā your Ā best Ā friend Ā - Ā it Ā is Ā far fromĀ both Ā of Ā your Ā comfort Ā zones Ā and Ā yetā¦ Ā perhaps Ā TOGETHER, Ā you Ā will Ā beĀ braveĀ enough Ā to Ā face Ā the Ā potential Ā of Ā the Ā event.Ā besides, Ā neither Ā of Ā youĀ would Ā ever Ā let Ā the other Ā go Ā alone...
the Ā formal Ā bears Ā the Ā sort Ā of Ā stiffness Ā andĀ awkwardnessĀ that Ā you Ā might expect Ā based on Ā name Ā alone.Ā you Ā stand Ā in Ā a Ā sea Ā of Ā designer Ā dresses Ā and Ā tailored Ā suits, Ā and Ā watch on Ā with Ā a Ā confused Ā smile Ā as Ā the Ā scene Ā before Ā you Ā unfolds.Ā it Ā isĀ notĀ theĀ FAIRYTALEĀ BALL, Ā romantic Ā comedy Ā moment Ā that Ā many Ā of Ā the Ā girls Ā seemed Ā to Ā have Ā assumed Ā it would Ā be.Ā unsurprisingly, Ā when Ā you Ā have Ā been Ā deprived Ā of Ā normal Ā social Ā interaction with boys Ā your Ā age, Ā the Ā transition Ā to Ā darling Ā socialites Ā who Ā dazzle Ā all Ā onlookers Ā with Ā moves learned Ā in Ā your Ā recent Ā ballroom Ā class, Ā is Ā not Ā so Ā easy.Ā instead, Ā you Ā watch Ā groups Ā of Ā girls awkwardly Ā huddled Ā like Ā penguins.Ā Ā youĀ stifleĀ aĀ laughĀ asĀ yourĀ cohortĀ throwĀ furtiveĀ glances to Ā the Ā groups Ā of Ā boys Ā who Ā for Ā the Ā most Ā part Ā appear Ā OBLIVIOUSĀ to Ā the Ā subtext Ā of Ā the eventĀ and Ā are Ā acting, Ā perhaps, Ā they Ā way Ā they Ā might Ā on Ā a Ā rugby Ā field Ā rather Ā than Ā a black Ā tie Ā event.
and Ā yet, Ā while Ā dancing Ā with Ā your Ā friends, Ā one Ā points Ā out Ā that Ā you Ā appear Ā to Ā have captured Ā the Ā attention Ā of Ā one Ā of Ā the Ā boys.Ā you Ā steal Ā a Ā glance, Ā CHEEKSĀ FLAMING, Ā at the Ā group Ā behind Ā you, Ā and Ā your Ā eyes Ā meet Ā his.Ā he Ā is Ā handsome Ā - Ā you Ā suppose, Ā in Ā that kind Ā of Ā classic Ā way.Ā but Ā there Ā is Ā also Ā something Ā awkward Ā about Ā him,Ā somewhatĀ Ā LANKY and Ā bumbling.Ā you Ā turn Ā back Ā to Ā your Ā friends, Ā eyes Ā wide Ā as Ā they Ā tease, Ā ā evelynās Ā gotĀ an ADMIRER ā Ā they Ā giggle, Ā and Ā you Ā wonder Ā why Ā those Ā words Ā cause Ā your Ā chest Ā to tighten.
arm Ā in Ā arm Ā with Ā your Ā best Ā friend Ā you Ā steel Ā yourself Ā as Ā you Ā walk Ā into Ā the Ā after Ā party.Ā to Ā say Ā that Ā the Ā atmosphere Ā of Ā the Ā room Ā is Ā diametrically Ā opposed Ā to Ā that Ā of Ā the Ā school hall Ā is Ā putting Ā it Ā mildly.Ā gone Ā are Ā the Ā restraints Ā of Ā formality; Ā suit Ā jackets Ā removed, hemlinesĀ areĀ shorter.Ā away Ā from Ā the Ā watchful Ā eyes Ā of Ā the Ā teaching Ā staff, Ā and Ā with Ā the kind Ā of Ā COURAGEĀ or Ā perhaps Ā naivety Ā that Ā alcohol Ā allows Ā to Ā the Ā privileged Ā progeny Ā of london, Ā suddenly Ā the Ā girls Ā of Ā north Ā london Ā collegiate Ā and Ā the Ā queen Ā elizabethās Ā school boys Ā are Ā intertwined, Ā talking, Ā laughing.Ā someone Ā hands Ā you Ā a Ā glass Ā of Ā something, Ā andĀ a Ā long Ā sip Ā causes Ā you Ā to Ā blanche Ā at Ā the Ā taste.Ā you Ā see Ā your Ā friends, Ā clemĀ andĀ Ā rosie,Ā Ā waving Ā you Ā over Ā to Ā where Ā they Ā sit,Ā with Ā the Ā boy Ā from Ā earlier,Ā whoĀ isĀ inĀ turnĀ surroundedĀ byĀ hisĀ schoolmates.Ā another Ā long Ā sip Ā and Ā a Ā nervous Ā laugh Ā with Ā chloe Ā andĀ you Ā find Ā yourself Ā walking Ā forward. Ā ā EV!Ā this Ā is Ā oliver! ā Ā comes Ā the Ā not Ā so Ā subtleĀ introduction Ā offered Ā by Ā clem.Ā you Ā find Ā yourself Ā saying Ā that Ā itās Ā lovely Ā to Ā meet Ā him,Ā askingĀ if Ā he Ā is Ā enjoying Ā the Ā night, Ā sitting Ā yourself Ā down Ā amongst Ā the Ā group.Ā after Ā all,Ā wasnāt Ā this Ā the Ā POINT of Ā the Ā evening?Ā to Ā meet, Ā mingle, Ā go Ā a Ā little Ā crazy?
you Ā find Ā yourself Ā watching Ā him Ā speak, Ā without Ā really Ā taking Ā in Ā much Ā that Ā is Ā said.Ā aĀ few Ā words Ā break Ā through, Ā enough Ā for Ā you Ā to Ā realise Ā that Ā your Ā friends Ā werenāt Ā far Ā fromĀ the Ā mark Ā by Ā attempting Ā to Ā set Ā this Ā up.Ā topĀ grades,Ā orchestra, Ā tennis,Ā andĀ ambitions Ā toĀ work Ā in Ā finance.Ā as Ā your Ā eyes Ā glance Ā over Ā his Ā features, Ā you Ā begin Ā to Ā see Ā your Ā futureĀ unfoldĀ beforeĀ you, Ā imagine Ā theĀ SMILESĀ on Ā your Ā parents Ā faces Ā as Ā you Ā bring Ā homeĀ someone Ā so Ā well Ā matched.
when Ā he Ā asks Ā you Ā if Ā you Ā want Ā to Ā go Ā outside, Ā you Ā think, Ā what Ā for ?Ā but Ā the Ā looksĀ on Ā your Ā friends Ā faces Ā areĀ Ā encouraging, Ā their Ā expressions Ā spurring Ā you Ā on.Ā you Ā glanceĀ around Ā for Ā approval Ā from Ā chloe, Ā but Ā find Ā her Ā seat Ā vacant Ā ; Ā gone Ā to Ā the Ā bathroomĀ perhaps, Ā or Ā getting Ā another Ā drink.Ā you Ā give Ā him Ā a Ā smile, Ā and Ā say Ā simply, Ā ā Ā okay Ā ā,Ā thinking Ā that Ā some Ā fresh Ā air Ā would Ā be Ā nice, Ā away Ā from Ā the Ā din Ā of Ā the Ā music Ā andĀ laughter.Ā he Ā leads Ā you Ā to Ā a Ā balcony, Ā encasing Ā your Ā hand Ā in Ā a Ā slightly Ā clammy Ā grip.Ā youĀ are Ā looking Ā up, Ā exploring Ā the Ā stars Ā with Ā wonderment Ā when Ā you Ā realise Ā his Ā hand Ā hasĀ moved Ā to Ā your Ā cheek, Ā turning Ā it Ā gently Ā to Ā face Ā his. Ā
his Ā lips Ā are Ā on Ā yours Ā before Ā you Ā can Ā ask Ā what Ā he Ā is Ā doing.Ā you Ā find Ā yourself, Ā in Ā aĀ moment Ā that Ā seems Ā to Ā last Ā forĀ Ā HOURS, Ā realising Ā that Ā this Ā was Ā the Ā purpose,Ā theĀ Ā reasonĀ Ā he Ā led Ā you Ā away, Ā and Ā you Ā wonder Ā if Ā you Ā wanted Ā this Ā to Ā happen, Ā after Ā all,Ā you Ā followed Ā him, Ā didnāt Ā you?Ā his Ā lips Ā are Ā soft, Ā but Ā press Ā a Ā little Ā too Ā firmly, Ā your Ā noses bumping Ā awkwardly.Ā you Ā realise Ā you Ā feelĀ NOTHINGĀ but Ā a Ā sense Ā of Ā disappointment.Ā isĀ this Ā what Ā it Ā wasĀ Ā MEANTĀ to Ā feel Ā like?Ā is Ā this Ā how Ā everyone Ā else Ā felt? Ā this ā¦Ā Ā nothingnessĀ ?Ā Ā accompanied Ā by Ā the Ā pressure Ā of Ā another Ā person Ā against Ā you?
by Ā the Ā time Ā he Ā pulls Ā away, Ā you Ā realise Ā that Ā you Ā have Ā no Ā idea Ā what Ā comes Ā next.Ā heĀ utters Ā something Ā about Ā how Ā lovely Ā you Ā are Ā but Ā your Ā brain Ā is Ā trying Ā to Ā piece Ā togetherĀ what Ā any Ā of Ā this Ā means.Ā aĀ hastyĀ āĀ i Ā uh Ā - Ā have Ā to Ā go Ā to Ā the Ā ladies Ā roomĀ āĀ is Ā the Ā onlyĀ thing Ā you Ā can Ā muster Ā as Ā you Ā make Ā your Ā exit Ā back Ā to Ā the Ā party, Ā heart Ā pounding Ā in Ā yourĀ chest. Ā
your Ā first Ā kiss Ā doesnāt Ā awaken Ā anything Ā in Ā you, Ā except Ā for Ā a Ā strange Ā sense ofĀ Ā dissatisfaction, Ā and Ā disillusionment Ā with Ā notions Ā of Ā romance.Ā but Ā you Ā tuck Ā thoseĀ thoughts Ā away, Ā andĀ asĀ yourĀ friendsĀ excitedlyĀ questionĀ youĀ aboutĀ Ā ā WHAT HAPPENED ā,Ā you find Ā yourself Ā hoping Ā that Ā someday Ā you Ā might Ā kiss Ā someone Ā and Ā feelĀ MORE.
[ BRIANNE TJU, CIS FEMALE, SHE/HER ] shh ! EVELYN SETO, the ( TWENTY-ONE ) year old SECONDĀ year PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS AND ECONOMICS major from LONDON, ENGLAND, is known as a PEARL around here. SHE was invited to join because OF PRESSURES DUE TO HER FATHERāS CONNECTIONS, and now, sheās here to stay. SHE reminds me of SCULPTED BROWS OVER SMUDGED EYELINER, PLANNERS BOUGHT IN JANUARY AND ABANDONED BY JULY, and FORGOTTEN, LUKEWARM LATTES. Ā
EVERYTHING IN EVELYNāS LIFE has always appeared to be perfect. the perfect parents, so clearly in love, raising their perfect daughter in a life of luxury and warmth. itās almost ironic ā that pearls are known for being hidden beauty, locked inside an unassuming shell. instead, it feels to her as though on the inside she is a stubborn grain of sand ; an irritation yet to be properly shaped into a thing of beauty. she feels trapped inside a perfect exterior, spending every moment ensuring that she maintains the facade, terrified that someone might notice the cracks.Ā
HER FAMILY spent years sculpting her into their idea of perfection. endless tutors, countless languages, sports, instruments. she received every opportunity the child of nouveau riche immigrants could be expected to receive. it became evident that she had a quick wit, and was capable of reading and writing far beyond her age level ; with tutors and teachers remarking that she clearly had a bright future ahead of her.Ā
EVELYNāS FATHER had moved to london from jakarta, indonesia long before she was born. with a strong mind for numbers, and a charisma unmatched by any man evelyn has ever met, ismaya seto dove headfirst into the world of finance and investing. his keen intuition and affable nature helped him skyrocket to an unprecedented level of wealth and success. as his status rose, he met the incomparable vivian wĆØi ; evelynās mother. a woman of chinese descent who desired to break free of her familyās expectations. she recognised that ismaya presented an opportunity to marry well but also to avoid the expectations of an āold moneyā marriage.
STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY was not necessarily evelynās only choice for university ; cambridge offered the same undergraduate degree and carried similar prestige. it was a tour of the campus that solidified her decision to choose strathmore ; she fell in love with the architecture, the halls, everything about the school called out to her. when she received confirmation of her place at strathmore she was thrilled, and knew this was the start of her journey to becoming someone. someone beyond just the ā perfect evelyn seto ā.
RECEIVING THIS PLACE not on her own merits, but due to her connection to isadora left her once again feeling as though she was filling the role of someone she was expected to be. she wishes that her acceptance could have been different, noticed for insightful comments in a philosophy lecture ; her burgeoning socialite status ; or the ambition evident in her choice of such a demanding course ( with the economics aspect of her degree chosen only to appease her parentsĀ āĀ she finds herself far more interested in philosophy and politics ) . instead she fears that she will never create a name for herself, never break from the cage of perfection which surrounds her, never truly learn who she actually is.
who is evelyn seto? Ā āĀ sheās still diving to reach that particular pearl
headcanons
evelynās arrival at strathmore attracted a great deal of public attention, turning her into something of a socialite. she has a large following on instagram, with her followers enjoyingĀ her unique style, her musings on politics and philosophy, and aesthetic images of her life at the university. this has somewhat added to evelynās anxiety about being perfect, as she has unintentionally widened her audience of people who carry expectations of her.Ā
her aesthetic reflects her ongoing evolution out of the visage which was created for her. evelynās outfits and appearance are visually based in the preppy style favoured by her parents ; paired with elements of grunge, baggier fits, wearing mostly dark and neutral colours with pops of colour. there is a definite tomboy lean to her new style, with the skeleton of her feminine style visible in her hairstyles, her makeup and her love of vintage floral prints.
although she has not quite come to this realisation herself ; evelyn has a sexual and romantic preference for women. she rarely ( if ever ) experiences attraction towards men, however the conservative nature of her upbringing coupled with the unspoken expectation that she would marry well to further the family has led her to assume her own heterosexuality. It is likely that her experiences at strathmore will act as a catalyst for her coming to terms with her identity
ā honestly, i was starting to worry that my mum would start planning for an ENGAGEMENT.Ā so i think the problem was that it was too suitable. ā evelyn offers her friend a smile, grateful for her offer, but with the revelation that the pair were together, she couldn't help but feel a little guilt for the whole charade. ā for the moment iām just glad youāve been willing to share him as a security detail. heās been very helpful in that regard! āĀ as evelynĀ considers chloeās questionĀ āĀ the worst that could happenĀ ā Ā sheĀ lets out a sigh, a tightness forming in her chest.Ā ā i guess showing up alone in the moment isnāt the issue. iām... just TIRED of the discussion and speculation that starts up after the fact. i know everyone is on DIFFERENT TIMELINES in life, but it gets, i donāt know, upsetting sometimes feeling like iām somehow defective because i havenāt dated. ā itās the kind of admission she could probably only make to chloe, the one who has been there through so many of her formative moments. that this one thing, finding someone she likes and who likes her in returnĀ āĀ eludes her still.Ā ā i sound tragic, i know. it just gets... extra exhausting over the holidays i suppose. ā
ALEJANDRA BEAMS EVEN BRIGHTER . a smile reserved only for evelyn , or perhaps a smile only evelyn can pull from the girl .Ā ā youāre too good to me . and of course i donāt mind , i prefer it that way . no peskyĀ ā what are you having ? should we share ?Ā ā and the poor waiter hovering and waiting for us to decide . youāre a genius , miss . seto , i canāt say it enough .Ā ā she folds up her own menu and places it in the middle , too , hardly having glanced at it .Ā ā family AND company ? whatās that saying about not mixing business with pleasure ā¦ ?Ā ā she pretends to hum , tapping a finger to her lips thoughtfully .Ā ā me , you and chloe , if sheās free , blowing up a seto business function ?Ā ā she grins , before pausing .Ā Ā ā or . . sloaneĀ ? have you spoken to sloane ? since ā¦you know ?Ā ā it may be nothing , and may be harmless ( all in good fun , drinks and the name of a game ) , but alejandra is still CURIOUS . alejandra shakes her head ,Ā ā iāll be heading to monterrey to see mr & mrs barrera . i do miss them . i donāt know how long iāll stay for . maybe we can see your parents , then head to monterrey together ? an almostĀ ā round the worldĀ ā trip .Ā ā she shrugs .Ā ā besides , i do remember saying youād LOVE the house , and the place . itās so warm and sticky . you feel DELICIOUS there .Ā ā
ā ohĀ please, you flatter me far too much! āĀ as the waitress from earlier carefully places down their drinks, evelyn offers her a polite smile, before facing back to alejandra, ā well, iād hope thereād be no literal blowing up, but, i suppose you can never reallyĀ know with these things.Ā ā the mention of sloane acts almost as a trigger, bringing her back to the night of her birthday, to the kisses, to the realizations made, feelings confessed.Ā ā i have a little! but i havenāt told her, or many others really, about what came AFTER that. itās funny ; i feel such a weird disconnect when it comes to our circlet. half the group i would die for, they feel like an extension of my family. but i also have those i feel like iāve never... clicked with? even though i want to, even though i feel as though we would get along. ā evelyn shrugs, shifting her somewhat pensive expression back into one of glee, ā ANYWAY, monterrey!Ā that sounds LOVELY. it would be so good to escape the cold. ā her gaze wanders to the frosty windows of the restaurant, and an involuntary shiver goes up her spine.Ā ā are you sure they would be happy to have me along as well? i never want to feel like iām a burden as a guest. ā
closed starter for @isadvraā
location: opals manor
a glance around at the festive decorations beginning to appear over the manor is a somewhat unwelcome reminder that the holidays were FAST approaching, whether she was ready or not. ā have you finished getting your gifts for the holidays? i still have so many to get, i donāt understand how people can just somehow know what to get everyone. ā
ā i can assure youĀ thatĀ i didnāt have ANY intent to go into your room, though i do have to admit that any time someone is so obvious about their desire for privacy, it definitely sparks a little curiosity.Ā ā she begins to move past the opal, before a thought crosses her mind, causing her to pause, ā you know, we donāt really... speak all that much, so i never got a chance to thank you for... well, your rationalityĀ ā Ā and the jacket also, that night of the sleep over. iām not really sure what was going through my mind that night but i did appreciate you making sure i was alright. ā evelynās lips twitch into something that resembles a smile,Ā ā it was nice to see a different side of you, of your circlet in general actually. āĀ
it was a solemn reminder that all things werenāt exactly business as usual.Ā ā of course, thatās a good idea. ā evelyn stares down at the little blue circle which now represented josie, and signpostedĀ her every move. she takes a moment to consider how utterlyĀ absurd it was that these kind of steps were necessary, tracking each other, worrying about some shadowy figures who might mean them harm.Ā ā as for the food, pizza and breadsticks sound INCREDIBLE right now, a big pile of carby goodness. i THINK i might even have a pint of ice-cream squirreled away, if weāre still hungry of course. but iāll see you soon then!Ā ā she pauses for a minute, before issuing her parting words, ā stay safe, okay? āĀ
evelynās mouth twitches, ā she did, but iāve been slowly trying to... i guess, wean them off that idea. it was getting a little too close for comfort. ā the lie had been convenient at the start, and in many ways not even really a LIE. the pair had merely been careful to be spotted together in ways which could be interpreted as the two being a couple. from there all they had to do was wait for her parents to ask about it, and not DENY anything. but with the passing of a few months, she realised there were expectations placed on relationships past a certain point, the illusion would soon become more challenging to maintain. it was easier to just... begin planting seeds in her parentsā minds that she and jace had decided their friendship was more important to them, that they werenāt quite the right fit.Ā āĀ besides, it wouldnāt be fair to you to have that particular charade continue much longer. and youāre RIGHT, of course. iām sure there are better options... iām just not sure whether any are good choices. āĀ
closed starter for @bcsileā
location: the manor grounds
a furrowed brow gives way to startled eyes as a near miss collision breaks evelyn from her daydream. almost instinctually she blurts out,Ā ā iām not trespassing! ā, before she takes in the visage of the person she almost bowled into. she is once again taken aback by just how much taller basile is than her, a factor which adds to her anxiety in the moment.Ā ā oh! basile! sorry, i was just... ā, trying to get into the manor to look in the library...Ā ā visiting someone? ā
