𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙮

[poisonvdhonvy]

dependent multimuse blog : vendettashq !!

alev turhan : paragraphs , biography , photography , musings

dane fairchild : paragraphs , biography , photography , musings

jordan quillon : paragraphs , biography , photography , musings

kyro jenkins : paragraphs , biography , photography , musings

mariana vieira : paragraphs , biography , photography , musings

min-sung ryu : paragraphs , biography , photography , musings

rayan picard : paragraphs , biography , photography , musings

sterling phillips : paragraphs , biography , photography , musings

thomas kang : paragraphs , biography , photography , musings

violeta santiago : paragraphs , biography , photography , musings

[ofgrenvde]

The thought of Santos, the stiff guy in the sharp suits and calculating gaze, receiving a raw ribeye during a serious talk made him nearly choke. "Oh man, you're actually serious about this," he managed between chuckles, already running through every possible scenario where this could blow up spectacularly in their faces, but that unpredictability was exactly what made it appealing. Nobody in their world expected steak diplomacy, which meant nobody would see it coming. Duke was trying to tell if Kyro had lost it or found a stroke of genius, honestly, it could be either. "I'm definitely keeping my distance when you stroll into that room carrying raw meat like you're making some kind of primal offering," he said, smiling because the sheer audacity of it might actually work, catching everyone so off-guard they'd forget to be suspicious.

[poisonvdhonvy]

Kyro knows Duke’s half laughing but half waiting to see if he’ll actually go through with it, and that only makes him double down. “Serious as a heart attack. I’m walking in with that ribeye, and I’m not flinching when Santos stares like I’ve lost my damn mind.” He lets the words roll out easy, but his head’s already spinning with how wild this could get. If Santos cracks even a smirk, the whole room shifts. If he doesn’t, well, Kyro’s ready to lean into the madness anyway. Chaos has a way of flipping the board, and maybe that’s exactly what they need. He takes a slow sip, eyes narrowing with a hint of challenge. “Stay back if you want, but you’ll miss the look on his face when I drop it on the table.” In the end, Kyro walked in with the steak, slapped it down like an offering, and Santos actually laughed. Against all odds, the meeting went smoother than any of them expected.

complete.

[blackbcxwarning]

millie always looked at the door each time the bell rang and she greeted each person with a smile. her regulars were genuinely people she looked forward to seeing - dane included. she laughed at his words, "actually, i just restocked them. they're fresh." she informed the man as she made her way toward the counter. "how many are you wanting today?" she had plenty for the afternoon and she wouldn't mind sending him out with a dozen, if that's exactly what he wanted. "i'll even throw in a glass of hot chocolate, unless you'd prefer something a little more refreshing?"

[poisonvdhonvy]

He tells himself not to sound greedy but it comes out anyway because restraint has never been his strong suit. A dozen sounds like too much for a normal person but he knows damn well he’ll eat them all before tomorrow. “Give me the dozen, yeah. No point pretending I’ve got self-control.” He pauses, trying to act casual but already picturing the first bite. Hot chocolate though? That feels like a setup for overdosing on sugar, yet it also sounds ridiculously good. “And I’ll take the hot chocolate. Might as well go all in today.” It feels indulgent, almost reckless, but in a way that makes him grin. He can live without a lot of things, but not this.

[ofgrenvde]

She straightened up from the pool table, abandoning any pretense of lining up her next shot. "Sterling, look at me." She waited until his eyes met hers. "Sahana's still with you, right? She hasn't packed her bags and disappeared?" The fear in his eyes was real, but there was something stubborn there too. "Then stop acting like the world's ending. That girl doesn't waste time on people she's not serious about. If she's willing to deal with her dad's drama, it's because she thinks you're worth it." She chalked her cue stick, the motion automatic. "Besides, you're still breathing. No mysterious bruises, no broken bones. That's practically a love letter from Dante. Maybe he actually gives a shit about what makes his daughter happy." "Stop borrowing trouble. You've got enough real problems without inventing new ones."

[poisonvdhonvy]

Sterling keeps his eyes on her longer than he means to, because hearing it laid out like that strips away the excuses he keeps clinging to. She’s right, Sahana hasn’t bolted, and that should count for more than his own nerves. Finally, he spoke, his voice quiet but firm, "Yes, she's still here. And that’s why I can’t just sit on my hands. If she’s willing to take the heat, then I’ve got to show I’m not some bloke who folds under pressure.” His mind races ahead, picturing Dante watching, waiting, measuring every move. It’s not just fear, it’s the sense of being tested. “If he wants proof I’m worth her, then I’ll give him something he can’t ignore.”

[ofgrenvde]

"Deal, but you're bringing good snacks, not vending machine garbage," Hayat said, pulling out her phone as it buzzed with what had to be another ridiculous client emergency. Perfect timing, really—the screen showed three missed calls from the same number, which meant someone was panicking about paperwork again. "Actually, speak of the devil, looks like my circus is calling right now." She glanced at the caller ID and recognized the number from last week's blue ink disaster. Are you kidding me right now? This guy was becoming a repeat offender with his creative legal theories. "Want to place bets on what excuse he's invented this time? My money's on weather-related emotional distress affecting his signature validity."

[poisonvdhonvy]

Alev thinks Hayat is cursed with the most bizarre clients alive, but maybe that’s why these stories actually make her feel lighter instead of heavier. “Weather-related distress? Bold. My guess is he’s going to claim Mercury in retrograde voided the ink colour entirely,” she says, smirking because honestly, why not at this point. People will twist anything if it means avoiding blame. It makes her own chaos look almost normal. “If he pulls that card, you owe me those snacks in triplicate,” she adds quickly, leaning into the ridiculousness. “Actually… put him on speaker. I want to hear this masterpiece live.”

[destrvere]

“It’ll work if it’s airtight. No leaks, no half-measures.” He said steadily.  If even one thing slips, he had enough experience to know that the whispers of a broken building could spread faster than the fire ever did. Though despite the risk, he continued. “As far as I can gather, it seems that the crew you’ve kept on are loyal. They’ve got just as much invested in seeing the Grand Royale stand tall again as you do. But staff talk even when they don’t mean to.” They were human, and some mistakes were to be expected. All they needed to do was keep any infractions within the tolerance level.

“I recommend keeping the circle small with managers, veteran dealers, and people like that.”  He lightly tapped his finger against the desk. “If you want my professional read, we treat the closed-door test like a stress test, not a party. Controlled conditions, eyes open, every detail logged. If something wobbles, we fix it before the public ever hears a word.” 

[poisonvdhonvy]

Two months feels like standing still while everyone else keeps moving, and he hates that. The Grand Royale is supposed to be alive, not waiting in silence. “Alright, two months for the grand return works,” Thomas says, steady but clipped. “But I’m not sitting on my hands until then. We’ll run a closed night before that. No press, no outsiders, just people we trust.” His head runs through names, weighing who can keep quiet. Some staff are solid, others too loose with their mouths. He knows one wrong word spreads faster than fire. He still wishes to see the Kingmaker’s Room lit once more, not as a memory, but as confirmation of its survival. “I’ll draft something for the public, keep it hopeful without locking us in. But for the trial, I want you watching everything. If anything slips, we shut it down fast and fix it before anyone else gets a glimpse.”

[amaraxgujral]

Amara grinned, already crouching slightly like a cartoon heist character. “Deal. I call dibs on the dramatic cape entrance—Velcro or not, it adds flair. As for our aliases…how about Lady Butterworth and Sir Crumpet? I feel like it screams sophistication and terror at the same time.” She peeked over her shoulder at the pastry case, tapping her chin. “Overpriced menu item? Obviously the triple-layered éclair. They’ll think it’s for tasting notes, but really, it’s just psychological warfare.” With a mischievous wink, she darted forward. “Ready or not—this reign of dessert dominance ends now. Let’s make history, one flaky croissant at a time.” One of the main reasons she was so glad Alev lived here--it allowed Amara to very happily be a bit more carefree, more reminiscent of the girl she was back in Toronto.

[poisonvdhonvy]

She already knows Amara’s about to escalate this into chaos the second her voice dips into that mock-serious tone. It makes her grin despite herself because this is exactly why she never says no to these ridiculous schemes. “Lady Butterworth? Absolutely not. If we’re doing this, I’m Count Biscuit and you’re Lady Marmalade. Those names get respect.” The pastry case caught her eye, and her eyes zeroes in on the éclairs, which she seems to regard as desirable rewards. “Triple-layered’s good, but if we really want to send a message, we go for two. Double order. Nothing screams power move like casually dropping money on dessert that could pay someone’s electricity bill. Alright, here’s how we play it. I’ll start an argument about the texture of clotted cream, you slip in and grab the éclairs like you own the place. We meet outside in two minutes with victory secured. No hesitation, Gujral. This is history in the making.”

[zayaanxsiddique]

Zayaan let out a low chuckle, shaking his head in understanding. “Trust me, Min-sung, I get it—families remember everything. The smallest misstep gets filed away like it’s evidence in a case.” He leaned slightly closer, voice softer now. “But hey…you’re doing more than most would. Picking something thoughtful, even a little sweet, that counts. It’s not about perfection. It’s about showing up, making the effort. That’s the part that actually sticks.” He glanced at the bottle in Min-sung’s hand and nodded approvingly. “Chocolate truffles? Smart. A little distraction for them, a little peace of mind for you—and maybe, just maybe, a first impression that says you’re paying attention without trying too hard. You’re already ahead of the game.”

[poisonvdhonvy]

It comes circles back to that same thought: no matter how much effort he puts in, there will be some detail his parents latch onto. A word said too quickly, a pause too long, even Hannah’s laugh being a little louder than expected. He can already hear the quiet comments later, the way they never forget. But, Zayaan’s words stick. Maybe showing up and being real is all he can manage. “You’re right. I can’t script this like a meeting. I’ll just… show up, let them see Hannah for who she is.” He exhales slowly, then adds with a faint grin, “And if it all goes sideways, at least I’ll have good wine to drink.”

[siennaxcastillo]

"Because you can Jordan, out of all people I know--you can." Sienna argued knowing that it wasn't easy for the other to maybe accept this but it was true. Sienna leaned back against the bench, letting Jordan’s words settle before she spoke. “Sounds like you’ve already got your mind made up,” she said lightly, though there was a steadiness in her voice. “And honestly? That’s half the battle. Forrest might make jokes or roll his eyes, but he’ll get it. He’s tougher than he looks with a bucket of popcorn in his hands.” A small smile curved her lips. “Moving out isn’t nothing, though. It’s… big. But the way you’re talking, I think you’re more ready than you want to admit.”

[poisonvdhonvy]

She's trapped in a mental cycle, unable to silence the conflict between her longing for a stable life and her concern about the consequences of her absence. Sienna's statement hits harder than she anticipated, particularly her suggestion to allow another person to assume the consistent role. “You’re right, it’s not selfish,” she professes, quieter now. “I’ve been carrying everyone else’s weight so long, I don’t even know what it looks like to just… set it down.” The thought unsettles her, but it also sparks something close to relief. Forrest adjusting is one thing, but her adjusting might be the real challenge. “I have to tell him the truth. Better sooner than later, ya'know?"

[ofgrenvde]

"Knowing you, you'll destroy my order and then ask for more," Izel laughed, gesturing for Mariana to enter the shop. "And just so we're clear, I'm not backing down from anything, especially not when you're acting like you invented competitive eating." She stepped out onto the sidewalk and started walking toward her car, already pulling her keys from her purse because honestly, watching Mariana try to prove herself with food was going to be way more entertaining than she'd expected. This day was supposed to be about dresses, but it was turning into a cheese and salsa competition. She shouldn't entertain this, but honestly, no one was getting hurt, so why not?

[poisonvdhonvy]

Izel’s confidence is ridiculous, like she’s already planning the victory speech for a food contest that hasn’t even started. Yet, she secretly welcomes the challenge, since she has always found joy in disproving others. She can’t decide if this whole day is spiralling or just shifting into something more fun than she expected. “Competitive eating? "I'm about to demonstrate stamina you never knew I had," she declares, sliding into the passenger seat without a second thought. It’s reckless, but maybe that’s the point. “You better not tap out early, because I’m not slowing down for you,” she adds, smirking because she wants to see if Izel will actually keep up. The dress still lingers in her mind, though, like an itch she can’t quite scratch. She hates that she doesn’t hate it anymore. Maybe tacos and nachos will distract her enough, or maybe she’ll just end up proving something else entirely.

[siennaxcastillo]

Sienna grinned, settling onto the couch with a soft sigh as she dug her hands into the cushions like they were already old friends. “A sword straight out of a kitchen knife catalogue? I’m sold. Honestly, if the wolf’s thinking about a restraining order, that’s just bonus points.” She tilted her head, eyes gleaming with playful mischief. “Hall of Shame Championship, huh? Alright, but just so you know, my commentary will be brutal. I don’t do half-measures when it comes to mocking terrible covers.” She wiggled into the springs, feeling them groan under her weight, and let out a mock groan. “Ah, yes, the mutiny has begun. But I survive this, I mock with authority. Lead the way—let me judge these abominations in all their glory.” Her voice softened a little as she added, more quietly, “thanks though Rayan… it’s honestly kind of nice, having a silly, safe distraction today.”

[poisonvdhonvy]

It's amusing how casually she mentions duct tape and prayer, yet the impact of her words is likely greater than she knows. Regardless of how ineffective it may seem, people will try to fix things. He knows that feeling too well. “Hey, don’t knock duct tape. It’s saved more lives than proper plumbing ever has,” he says, letting the corner of his mouth twitch upward. She’s giving him credit for not hovering, and that sits strangely good in his chest. He never wanted to be the guy with speeches anyway. “Space-to-breathe’s easier than pep talks. Less work for me, more freedom for you. Win-win.” He shifts a stack of books aside, already picturing the ridiculous covers waiting in the back. “And yeah, wolves, shirtless men, questionable moonlight. You’re about to witness the holy trinity of bad design. But fair warning, once you crown a champion, you can’t unsee it.” He pauses, catching the softer note in her thanks, and it hits him that maybe this distraction matters more than he thought. “So let’s make it official. You and me, Hall of Shame judges, no mercy. You ready to ruin your afternoon in the best way possible?”

[rheaxsethi]

Rhea let out a soft laugh, shaking her head with that easy, half-amused smile that always seemed to land between them. “You know me too well,” she said, leaning back just enough to let the words settle. “Duke’s chaos and my love of a little fire—yeah, I’m not exactly practicing restraint. But…that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the quiet too. I get it, Violeta. I really do.” Her gaze lingered on her friend, warm and steady. “And tonight? Count me in. Let’s see if we can handle the wild without tipping the balance too far—though I make no promises we won’t crash spectacularly and have the best time doing it.” She raised her coffee cup in a mock salute. “Balance or not, we’ve earned a little chaos on our own terms.”

FIN.

[ofgrenvde]

Titus could finally think straight thanks to what Sterling said. ""Yeah, you're right about choice," he said, pulling out his phone and staring at Millie's contact for a long moment before shoving it back in his pocket. "I should call her tonight, tell her everything." But even as he said it, his mind started racing in a different direction—if he'd been doing these experiments for a corporation, there had to be other doctors involved, right? No way they'd trust just one guy with that kind of operation. "Actually, there's something that just occurred to me," he said, turning to face Sterling directly. "If I was working for some corporation doing these experiments, I probably wasn't the only doctor they had on payroll." He felt sick to his stomach, wondering if there were more bad guys out there, hurting people while he was off being a good guy with no memory. "What if there are other doctors still active in Devil's Junction, still doing the same sick stuff I used to do? Maybe we could actually do something about it instead of me just sitting here drowning in guilt."

[poisonvdhonvy]

Sterling felt the impact of Titus's words, as though they were a physical force, revealing something Sterling had worked to conceal for a long time. Other doctors still out there, carrying on the same twisted work. Bloody hell, that thought alone makes his stomach knot. He knows what it’s like, knowing there are people moving in the shadows, pulling strings, and you’re powerless to stop them. His own life is tangled in that same web, secrets on both sides, and now Titus is staring him down like he’s desperate for an answer that actually matters. “If there are more of them, then that’s not something you can just ignore,” Sterling states. “You’ve already broken away from it, so you’ve got the choice now to do something about the rest. We don’t sit on our hands while people keep getting hurt.” His words can't keep up with the speed of his thoughts as he pauses. He can see how guilt is eating Titus alive, but guilt alone won’t change a bloody thing. “You’re not drowning, mate. You’re standing right here, and if you want to go after whoever’s still doing this, then I’m with you. We’ll find them.”

[labyrinthinesyndicatex]

Well, that was better than she'd expected - Min-Sung actually backing down instead of doubling down on his protective cousin routine. "Okay, I can work with that," she said, relaxing for the first time since this whole conversation started. "And yeah, I'll set something up. Just ... don't make it weird, alright? He's already nervous about meeting family." She picked at her rice, thinking about how to even approach this with Zach - hey, want to meet my cousin who thinks you're a scammer but promises to behave? That would go over well. Min-Sung meant it though, she could tell. The whole judge thing had been driving her crazy, but maybe he finally understood that she didn't need a bodyguard. "I appreciate you saying that, by the way. About showing up as my cousin."

[poisonvdhonvy]

He knows she is giving him a chance, and that matters more than winning any argument. It feels strange to realise how much weight his words carry with her, and he does not want to waste it. “I won’t make it weird,” he says, before she can doubt him again. “If he’s already nervous, then I’ll keep it easy. Just food, conversation, nothing heavy.” He wants her to believe him, not because he is trying to convince her but because he actually means it. He thought about Hannah and how much he dreads her meeting his parents. Maybe this is his chance to break the cycle instead of repeating it. “Thanks for trusting me with this. I’ll show up as your cousin, nothing else. Let’s make it happen soon.”

[ofgrenvde]

"Tell me exactly how you want to do this," Zelie said, cutting straight to what mattered because they'd wasted enough time already. "What kind of false leads are we talking about and how do we make sure he takes the bait?" She could feel her impatience building but forced herself to focus on his plan instead of her own frustration—this was smart, even if every part of her wanted to just march into Castaneda territory and end this mess tonight. "I can help plant whatever information you need through our contacts, but we have to be precise about this because if Dante smells a trap then we're all screwed and Sahana ends up in more danger than she already is. We have to play it smart. Do you have any suggestions?"

[poisonvdhonvy]

He hates how her impatience mirrors his own because it makes the pressure louder in his head, like he’s already running out of time. “We feed him word of a shipment moving through the Waterway Terminal,” Sterling says, not giving her space to doubt. “Something big enough he can’t ignore, dressed up to look like a Castaneda inside job. He’ll think he’s striking at rivals, not walking into our set-up.” He's imagining it all: dockworkers, containers, and cranes making a ton of noise. It feels dangerous, but that’s the point. “You’ve got the contacts to make the whispers stick. I’ll handle the ground when he shows. If we pull this right, he won’t just take the bait, he’ll walk straight into a cage we built for him.”

[blackbcxwarning]

jasmine didn't expect the other to call her out the way she did but she couldn't help but to laugh, a light blush coating her features. "he might be," she breathed out, attempting to bite back a smile. even so, she was happy. she was truly happy and she had no problem telling anyone and everyone that. "i guess i have been spending a lot of time with grant. he's...you know, not as bad as everyone thinks, you know?"

[poisonvdhonvy]

Jordan knows most people roll their eyes when Grant’s name comes up, but she can’t deny she’s got a soft spot for him. He’s rough around the edges, sure, but she’s seen enough to know he’s not the monster people paint him as. “Honestly, I don’t mind him,” she says, letting the words come easy because they’re true. “He’s blunt, but he’s never fake. That counts for something.” It makes her think about how rare that honesty is, and how much better it feels than all the other people pretending. “If he’s keeping you smiling like that, then I’d say you’re in good hands. Just don’t tell him I said that, or he’ll never let me live it down.”

[ofgrenvde]

"I didn't ask for a lifetime contract. I'm grateful, but I make my own calls now." The words came out stronger than expected, and she felt this rush of relief flood through her because finally someone was making her practice this instead of just thinking about it endlessly. "Wow, okay, that actually felt really good to say out loud," she said, surprised at how natural it sounded when she wasn't second-guessing every word. Maybe this could work, maybe she really could stand up to Dante without crumbling the second he gave her that disappointed look he'd perfected over the years—the one that made her feel like she was thirteen again and ungrateful for everything he'd done. "Can we do it again but with you being even more guilt-trippy? Because he's gonna hit me with the full arsenal of manipulation tactics."

[poisonvdhonvy]

Alev can see that spark of relief in Sahana, and it makes Alev want to push harder, not let her settle into that small victory too soon. That’s how people slip back into old patterns, thinking one strong line is enough to hold off years of conditioning. “Alright then, let’s crank it up,” she said, a bit sarcastically. “‘After all the sacrifices I’ve made, you repay me by turning your back?’” She lets the words hang, harsher than before, because that’s exactly how Dante would twist it. She almost winces at herself for playing the role too well, but part of her knows Sahana needs the sting in practice so it won’t knock her flat in reality. “Don’t soften it this time. Hit me back with the same line, but louder. Make it sound like you’re done being pushed into a corner.”