Derek Luh As Jordan Li GEN V | 1.05 'Welcome To The Monster Club'

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐍𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐍

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘰𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘦?

@warystares / @murdcrofcrows / @playsgods / @tendrflesh / @snctified / @retrbution / @wrvtchedhearts / @bclletragedie / @roadrcnner / @rvthlcss / @burninqhill

otis didn't consider himself a classy man by any means, or one who had their indulgences. but every now and then otis found their way to the ballet, usually a cheap nosebleed ticket, but anything that could get them there. and then he'd spend some time hanging around after ward, saying words of thanks and kindness to the ballerinas, trying to seem like he was there for the whole company, not for a single ballerina. but then again, otis was very good at lying or faking it.

today was no different, the nutcracker is a classic and he talks it up to being a holiday tradition for him (his parents never found the ballet interesting and he only went once as a kid), as he waits outside, eyes looking for the blonde. he doesn't know why he does this, it's not like she'll ever give them the time of day. but still they can't help it, a single rose in hand.

but then she's walking forward, smiling at him, as beautiful as ever. "oh, actually." they can't believe she recognizes him - was he being creepy? "yea, i come every now and then but uh, actually i wanted to talk to you." they nod, hand holding out the rose. "you were exceptionally beautiful tonight, the company is lucky to have you."

who: @tendrflesh ( otis )

where: new york ballet company

the show went well, dominika felt like she was completely on point the whole way through. which reassured her that she still had several years left performing before she'd be forced to retire. by then, perhaps, she'll have enough money to do nothing for the rest of her life or climbed her way to the top of burning gods. as per usual, she changed into comfortable pair of leggings, shirt, sweater, and sneakers. out in public she doesn't normally dress down but after performing it's essential to be comfortable and let her muscles rest as much as possible. while she enjoys meeting fans of the show, she's fully used to not being the center of attention and certainly didn't waste her time expecting it. that only led to disappointment. that's why when she noticed a familiar face stood out from the crowd, she assumed he was waiting to see the prima or the premier and while she didn't know him well she approached anyways. a quiet one, with a shy smile but still an edge to him. perhaps a sadness? she wasn't sure.

"if you're waiting to meet them you ought to push your way up there, there's only a couple nutcracker performances left and then you'll have to wait a few months before you get another chance." dominika adjusted her bag over her shoulder and nodded to the small crowd that was forming. saying performances were almost done aloud gave her a sense of relief. no more ten hour practices and more room for other activities, until they started up again for the spring premiere. "i think i've seen you here before, no?" russian accent thick with her tiredness.

"satan? that's so unoriginal of you vinny." essie cocks her head to the side, smile unwavering. she'd been called worse, and frankly satan was only mild. it was boring. "i came looking for you, can't exes check in every now and then?" though they both knew that wasn't happening, essie never checked in because she cared. and he never did the same. arms crossed over her chest she steps closer, giving a look around before turning her attention back to him, sucking on her teeth briefly before opening her mouth again. "first, you have to get your guys in order, they're an absolute nightmare to deal with, us poor civilians." she started though she knew it meant nothing. not that tennessee actually cared. "i got word that you're poking your nose around. did you miss me that much that you had to stalk my place of work?"

there was an audible groan that left the older mans mouth, almost involuntary, when he heard tennessee gant's voice. pain in his ass was an understatement at this point. "think i should be saying the same to you, what're you doing in a cop joint, satan?" they really ought to up the security at the door, just letting anyone in those days it seemed. "how would i know, you seem to find dirt where there isn't any - so why don't you come out and tell me about some minor inconvenience some beat cop gave you the other day so i can tell you it's not my department again." though if she knew some of the things he'd uncovered recently she would be knocking down his door every damn day. "good to see you, too, by the way."

something deeply intimate about being outside early in the morning all alone and seeing the world as she is

Angela Sarafyan as Clementine Pennyfeather Westworld ⪼ 1.07: Trompe L’Oeil

#Quinning

it was something of 'staff bonding' though tennessee would prefer a higher class place, she knew it was important for morale or something like that to show up where her co-workers and subordinates were. so here she was, sitting in a bowling alley, listening intently (or at least pretending to) while the girl next to her droned on and on about whatever was plaguing her life. essie wanted to shake her and say wake the fuck up, but that felt unprofessional, so instead she nodded along.

that was until suddenly their was a buzzing and she looked just as a bowling ball came soaring by, landing between her and the other. the girl shrieked and essie made no move as she looked up to see the culprit behind the ball come rushing forward. "did you just through that...anita right?" she pointed to the ball and then back to her. "you know it's supposed to go that way right?" she points to the lane in front of them. and though she's playing it cool - it's honestly the best excuse to get out of that boring conversation. so she pushes away from the girl without a word and toward anita. "i'm not expert bowler, but i can give you a pointer or two if you'd like."

open starter — any muse !

location : some random ass bowling alley

blend   in   ,   blend   in   ,   blend   in   —   that's   the   task   here   !   &   when   your   co   -   workers   ask   you   to   come   out   for   a   drink   ,   as   the   new   girl   ,   you   say   YES   .   .   .   nevermind   if   you   short   circuit   while   staring   into   oblivion   as   they   ask  you if you have any plans  .   .   .   it's   all   apart   of   the   charade   .   it's   what   weasels   do   best   right   ?   W   E   A   S   E   L   into   any & all situations . gain their trust . . . or whatever you call it . never bowled before , never even held the ball — but she's observant enough to understand ; to pick up what the others are doing with little effort . until it's her turn . okay . . . don't panic , you got this . is this how the fingers go ? okay , feels good . . . now knock down the pins . cranking her arm back , anita looks straight at the bowling pins ahead ; only to let it go . . . but it wasn't going where she anticipated . every single eye watched as the fifteen pound bowling ball flew threw the air . mouths slightly ajar , irises following where it was going to land . it was all in slow motion but it missed whoever it was going to hit by a H A I R — caving in the surface that it connected with instead . " HOLY . . . SHIT ! i . am . such a CLUTZ — i'm so sorry ! " first & last time bowling .

love love love

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DEREK LUH Schön! Magazine (December 2023)