location: outside of the hollywood glamour dance open starter 0/4
axell exhaled a long stream of smoke, watching as it curled and danced in the cool night air before finally dissipating into the darkness. the evening had been somewhat eventful, though not nearly enough to hold his interest. his wife was inside, flitting about the room and mingling with old friends, and he was certain he’d catch an earful later for his apparent lack of enthusiasm in greeting any of them.
the whole affair felt tedious to him—a parade of empty conversations and forced smiles. he found himself questioning why he had even bothered to attend. it was a ridiculous decision, really. but the idea of not being here, of missing out on something he couldn’t quite name, gnawed at him in a way that left him unsettled. he couldn’t figure out why.
inside, the hollywood glamour night was still in full swing, a whirlwind of laughter and glitz. but axell needed a reprieve from it all, so he had retreated outside, lighting yet another cigarette to pass the time. he wasn’t expecting company and assumed he’d be left alone with his thoughts, but then the door behind him creaked open. whoever it was wouldn’t see him until they stepped out onto the small stone patio, where they’d be greeted by the giant figure of axell, leaning casually against the wall.
“come to join me outside?” he asked, his voice deep and rumbling as he took in the sight of the newcomer. his eyes flickered with recognition as he studied them, a hint of something else lingerd deep in his eyes. “it’s been some time, hasn’t it? you haven’t changed much.”
