who: @devanitoland context: set before devani toland's conversation with armaan yronwood, ruqaiyah dayne decides to push a few buttons. as per usual. what: good luck babe ft attention seeking.
there were multiple things ruqaiyah dayne could not care to stand for in this wide world; when the tailor did not get her measurements exactly correct, or the state of her hair after the third day without washing it. not being the centre of attention was entirely one of those things, something that very quickly caused the room's surroundings to sour as she devised a plan to once again become the centre of attention; and right now, that spotlight was once again being taken by devani toland. she was never that funny, so she could never fathom to understand how it was she managed to get so many people to surround her in these social situations, and laugh as though they were going to explode from their sides.
she also did not understand why, or how, her laugh still remained so utterly pretty, even so many years later and even when she could stand her - but still, ruqaiyah stared from the side of the room as though she had vengeance on her mind.
there was one thing she could always do better than her, and that was her outift; and truthfully, there were elements of devani's style that inspired ruqaiyah's outfit this night, knowing it would possibly get her attention. or, she simply was too daft to notice it - still, the halter neck style she wore draped over her body as her silks moved like the stars at twilight. it did not take her long to slip her back into the centre of the room, lips glossed as she made brief eye contact with the lady of ghost hill - only to roll her orbs away from her, wanting to ensure the other knew all too well how she felt. it did nothing, for the other still did not approach her.
the night rolled on, and the wine no longer enticed her; the slight buzz and tingle she got had slowly crumbled during the evening. now, instead, she found herself growing increasingly more pouty - despite how attractive she no doubt looked this night, the one person she wanted to approach her had still not. how long would she wait around before having to exercise her absence in devani's life? did none of it matter to her? the click of her fingers meant that she was given more gloss to apply to her lips, silver bangles ringing as she looked within the mirror, ensuring to move her hair from her face.
it was then she noted the other slipping behind her, shades of bright orange and yellow leaving the grand doors - she swept over, carefully prying through the door to look. was she meeting with another?
no - she was reading a letter. and whilst she knew she should turn around and slip back into the hall, she found herself overcome with the intense urge to have devani's attention in any form - whether it be positive, or whether she made her vexed with her. there was also a small, jealous flame ignited in her stomach: who did she receive love letters from now? why was there always some other? she did not want devani back in her life, but she wanted devani to miss her in her own - was that too much to ask? she watched as devani opened the letter fully, and began reading - and the conceited lady of starfall did not even notice the other's expression fall slightly.
"ugh. it's you." ruqaiyah said openly, her mouth remaining in a slight o shape as she knew that was how her lips looked best - it appeared as though she only now had walked through the doorway. of course she'd known all along devani was there.
again, she was not happy with the other's reaction. not enough happiness to see her. "the party is inside, don't you know that?" she asked her, her voice sarcastic as she remained fixed on her spot - her eyes darting to the letter that devani then moved. to try and fold. hide. what was she hiding? she did not like not knowing things. and suddenly, like a misbehaving feline, ruqaiyah had moved forward with a speed most unnatural except that of a nosy woman, and grabbed the letter from the other. there was a flurry of movement and the sound of bangles as she ran to go behind the pillar, ensuring her laughter was heard as she hid from the other.
"what's this then, hmm?" she called over her shoulder, the sound of her heels against the marble beneath their feet. "new lover already? who is it." she asked, her gaze sharpening as her brows furrowed, but her question sounded more like a command - and for a moment, her hands made to reopen the letter and begin to read. if this meant she had the attention she craved, wanted, needed, then this would be it.