FAIT_Accompli

This is the second time this has happened in two weeks. Rawr.

And all I (kneed to know is that I'm somethin you'll be missing
Maybe I should hate you for this
Never really did ever quite get that far
(maybe I should hate for this)
Maybe I should hate you for this
Never really did ever quite get that...

I'd never lie to you
Unless I had to, I'll do what I got to
Unless I had to, I'll do what I go to,
The truth, is you could slit my throat
And with my one last gasping breath
I'd apologize for bleedin on your shirt
"You're So Last Summer" by Taking Back Sunday

Link to previous thread.

Players 5
" What you can’t have, you can’t resist. "

New York City
"I’m sick of sleeping with these insipid Manhattan debutantes. Nothing shocks them anymore. "

New York City really needs no introduction. All clich'aside, New York isn't just an entrapaneur candy land or a musician's promoting venue, but for many, it's a play ground; and for some, it's a home. With virtually twelve million people taking claim to the city's citizenship, New York isn't just America’s most cluttered city, but one of the world’s. Everything is limitless. Tall sky scrapers serve to epitomize a dreamer’s boundless inspiration. Underground coffee clubs are accessed threw lower city ports. Tourists are the carnies of a big city circus. Bohemian artists find safe havens in the lackluster publicly run parks. Skinheads and gang bangers lay tucked away in the innermost run down sanctums of the city. Subways aren’t just an environmentally conscious means of transportation; their convenient. This list could go on and on and still never be complete, but what else can you expect from one of the world’s most renown cities?

New York never sleeps, and its patrons constantly reinvent new ways to pass the time.

The Game
" My advice is to sleep with as many people as possible. "

The further you journey through your high school experience, the more cliche's you discover are not just false tall tells told to scare incoming freshmen. Perhaps the biggest cliche of them all is the stereotypical "player." The thing is, with many cliche there's always a hint of truth behind them, and those quick to just write them off as stupid wive’s tales not worthy of the attention devoted to them would be ignorant when it comes to matters of the heart.

New York Public High School all on its own is nothing special. Big? Sure. But different in context from any other American school in the country? Hardly.

The names of those handful who walk the hallways are not easily distinguished either. Not everyone considers themselves a "player", but the traits are universal. Some guys pump and dump quicker than a new car fills up on gas while others carelessly string their conquests along with little thought. Some boast proudly and make bets in regards to the more challenging of targets while others are more detached and less picky. Some wear their title proudly while others are oblivious to it. The methods vary, but the end result is always the same. Fragile hearts shattered to pieces - unsuspecting victims humiliated in their own attempts to turn a "player" around for the better.

The process is doomed to repeat and collapse in on itself, and one could argue that the victims play willingly. High stake games are a rush and a Player’s heart is the Royal Flush of all plays. The line between the player and the playee has grown thin. Not ever girl who dances with the devil, dances ignorantly, but just the same, no one is ever entirely safe. This, perhaps, is what makes the game such a drug. It’s both addicting and destructive; all-consuming and corruptive.

The end is simple.

In a high stakes game that everyone wants in on, the player who gathers the most hearts is the winner. So, it’s time to ask yourself a question.

" Are you in? Or are you out? "

Senior Class Players
Adam Starr ( Patrick Nuo ) - Brienchen
Atticus Stafford ( Chad Michael Murray ) - Excalibur
Benjamin Reeve ( Tom Bailey ) - *Sarahrooie*
Byron Jackson ( Chris Hemsworth ) - JustinIsBritney'sBitch
Cedric Pembrooke ( Orlando Bloom ) - Dimaranwen
Edward Allisone ( Hayden Christensen ) - SpinBeneathCandy
Elgin Robertson ( Toby Moore ) - onedur
Grayson Frampton ( Mark Matkevich ) - Beautiful Stranger
Hamilton Sparks ( Ryan Gosling ) - SpinBeneathCandy
Hayden O'Connor ( Justin Timberlake ) - onedur
Jacob Dimera ( Kris Lemche ) - *Sarahrooie*
Kael Thomas ( Michael Pitt ) - AngelDevil
Keegan Quinn ( James Franco ) - Excalibur
Leo Morrison ( Andreas Wilson ) - Sundance Kid
Liberty Lewis ( Katie Stuart ) - Otep
Louis Star ( Shane West ) - mad 4 it
Mateo MacLean ( JC Chasez ) - The Seannaholic Wench
Parker Knowles ( Wade Robson ) - FAIT_Accompli
Reece Redford ( Hayden Tee ) - SpinBeneathCandy
Richard Jackson ( Jonathan Bennett ) - New York City
Shane Valmont ( Chris Pratt ) - Age Six Racer
Steve Carson ( Fredie Prinze Jr. ) - -Em-

Senior Class Others
Alexandra "Alex" Shafer ( Kiera Knightley ) - Excalibur
Blair Byrne ( Alison Lohman ) - *Sarahrooie*
Bradley “Brad” Lindvall ( Eric Johnson ) - FAIT_Accompli
Brayden O'Connor ( Britney Spears ) - FAIT_Accompli
Cameron Atler ( Kevin Zegers ) - FAIT_Accompli
Catherine "Cate" Delmar ( Christina Aguilera ) - fleur captives
Chandlar Vartan ( Michelle Branch ) - FAIT_Accompli
Charlie Brown ( Mike Vogel ) - Age Six Racer
Charlotte McAdams ( Rachel Bilson ) - DutchMe
Cherry Dimera ( Majandra Delfino ) - SpinBeneathCandy
Claire Larson ( Samia Ghadie ) - Dimaranwen
Coral "CC" Cortez-Lyones ( Ana Beatriz Barros ) - AngelDevil
Damon Vartan ( Ashton Kutcher ) - DutchMe
Danielle "Danny" Andrews ( Rose Byrne ) - Excalibur
Estella "Stella" Corbin ( Mischa Barton ) - DutchMe
Eva Beckford ( Julia Stiles ) - Brienchen
Grace Starr ( Scarlett Johansson ) - Excalibur
Isola Espinosa ( Lene Marlin ) - Sundance Kid
Jayden O'Connor ( Dominique Swain ) - AngelDevil
Jorge Bertolini ( Gael Garcia Bernal ) - *Sarahrooie*
Kaden McClaine ( Matthew Twining ) - Otep
Katrina "Kit" Spradley ( Keisha Buchanan ) - *Sarahrooie*
Kyla Spradley ( Christina Milian ) - onedur
Linley Scranton ( Emilie de Raven ) - FAIT_Accompli
Maddox McKenzie ( Maria Mena ) - SpinBeneathCandy
Meadow Warner ( Robin Tunney ) - Otep
Migel Lopez ( Diego Luna ) - Excalibur
Nathaniel "Nate" Morris ( Lane Carlson ) - fleur captives
Radley Tressler ( Drew Fuller ) - Excalibur
Rajiv Naresh ( Christopher Simpson ) - *Sarahrooie*
Rhett Kahn ( Ryan Carnes ) - Otep
Sidalie Bradford ( Lennon Murphy ) - FAIT_Accompli
Simone Tirado ( Meagan Goode ) - New York City
Sinclaire Lawson ( Melanie Wills ) - Otep
Skylar Hayward ( Anne Hathaway ) - onedur

Junior Class Players
Austin Daley ( Thad Luckinbill ) - Beautiful Stranger
Ayden O'Connor ( Dwight Armstrong ) - DutchMe
Connor Drake ( Devon Sawa ) - Otep
Harper Pullman ( Ryan Gosling ) - AngelDevil
Jean-Luc DeCuir ( Tyler Hilton ) - FAIT_Accompli
Levi Davidson Pembrooke ( Hugh Dancy ) - In Fair Verona
Ricky Willis ( Milo Ventimiglia ) - onedur
Riley Walters ( Justin Tosco ) - Dimaranwen
Taylor Jennings ( Jamison Covington ) - fleur captives
Trey Harper ( Trent Ford ) - In Fair Verona

Junior Class Others
Alexander Hart ( Jake Gyllenhaal ) - Dimarenwen
Alexis "Ali" Ware ( Lindy Booth ) - Beautiful Stranger
Celia Waterman-Lee ( Ella Hooper ) - *Sarahrooie*
Chastity Kane ( Amelia Vega ) - Dimarenwen
Chrissy Decker ( Kate Bosworth ) - -Em-
Echo Ada ( Amber Tamblyn ) - AngelDevil
Erin McKinely ( AJ Cook ) - onedur
Gibson Waits ( Kett Turton ) - Sundance Kid
Hailey Robinson ( Avril Lavigne ) - fleur captives
Indiana Prot駩 ( Carly Pope ) - SpinBeneathCandy
Julianna "Jules" Bradford ( Mena Suvari ) - FAIT_Accompli
Kathryn "Ren" Kumble-Frampton ( Sarah Gellar ) - Beautiful Stranger
Liberty Lewis ( Katie Stewert ) - Otep
Loki Kahea ( Mika Boorem ) - In Fair Verona
Karma Davies ( Natalie Portman ) - mad 4 it
Kornelia "Nell" Morrison ( Lindsay Felton ) - Sundance Kid
Laken Knowles ( Lonneke Engel ) - SpinBeneathCandy
Megan "Meg" Kaufer ( Joss Stone ) - *Sarahrooie*
Rayne Dimera ( Cara Delizia ) - SpinBeneathCandy
Tatiana Reid ( Katy Rose ) - FAIT_Accompli
Tenli Dresden ( Emmy Rossum ) - In Fair Verona

Faculty, Teachers, Staff
Dylan St. Luis ( Ewan McGregor ) - SpinBeneathCandy
Elizabeth Conway ( Eliza Dushku ) - FAIT_Accompli
Victoria Wilkinson ( Rhona Mitra ) - Dimaranwen

Others In Town
Preston Ascher ( Ryan Cabrera ) - DutchMe

Important "Players" Links
Stash of character profiles. Maintained by Alicia and Scarlet.

Previous Thread Titles
Players Thread #1
Players #2
Players #3 | Come on and lie to me, tell me you love me. Say I'm the only one.
Players #4 | I want your touches to scar me so I'll know where you've been ...
Players #5 | And your beautiful sky, the light you breath ..falls on me
Players #6 | If I was beautiful like you I would never be at fault
Players #7 | All this time you were pretending, so much for my happy ending
Players #8 | Something’s gotta go wrong cause I’m feeling way too damn good
Players #9 | We fell in love at first glance when our eyes met and our hearts raced
Players #10 | Maybe that's why you've come along, to show me, it's not always bad
Players #11 | All of the love we left behind, watching our flashbacks intertweine


Before The Game
"Beautiful" by Joydrop
“Disease” by Matchbox Twenty
"Heaven" by Los Lonely Boys
"Lie To Me" by Depeche Mode
"Miss Vanity" by Millsy
"Obsession" by Animotion
“Promises” by Adema

During The Game
"Amazed" by Lonestar
"Asking You" by Lennon
"Break Of Your Car" by Lennon Murphy
"Come On Closer" by Jem
“Crash Into Me” by Dave Matthews Band
"Don't Tell Me" by Avril Lavigne
"Dreams" by the Cranberries
"Falling For You" by Jem
"Falls On Me" by Fuel
"I Hate Everything About You" by Three Days Grace
"Me Vs. Maradona Vs. Elvis" by Brand New
“Push” by Matchbox Twenty
"To Be With You" by Hoobastank
"Unreadable Communication" by Curve
"Why Can't I" by Liz Phair

After The Game
"Break Of Your Car" by Lennon
"Breakdown" by Joydrop
“Dare You To Move” by Switchfoot
“Everybody’s Fool” by Evanescence
"Everytime" by Britney Spears
"Last Goodbye" by Jeff Buckley
"Linger" by the Cranberries
"Morning" by Lennon
"My Beautiful" by Lennon Murphy
"My Happy Ending" by Avril Lavigne
"Shadow Of The Sun" by Audioslave
"Somebody's Standing On My Chest" by Atreyu
"The Leaving Song, Part II" by A Fire Inside
"Worn Me Down" by Rachael Yamagata

Faces of the Roleplay
*Sarahrooie* - Sarah
-Em- - Kaitlyn
Age Six Racer - Kayleigh / Kay
AngelDevil - AD
Brienchen - Sabrina / Brien
Dimaranwen - Robin / Robbs
DutchMe - Sam
Excalibur - Michelle
FAIT_Accompli - Scarlet / Letty
fleur captives - Leigha / Leebers
In Fair Verona - Sibby
mad 4 it - Megs
onedur - Alicia
Otep - Erika
SpinBeneathCandy - Dana
Sundance Kid - Elisabeth / Lisa

Others coming soon.

AngelDevil

this is a repost for all the people who lost their posts.

Grace (repost)

"I can be nice." He sounded incredulous. Why? She could be nice if she wanted to. Maybe that's what he needed. Someone to be nice to him. Why didn't she think of this before? "I made a promise. I keep my promises." Yeah, she did although she crossed her fingers so it wasn't a real promise but oh, well. How could people not be nice to him? If she didn't keep her promise he should smash her head. She nodded at her thoughts. Yes. Destroy little Grace with your mighty force if she dares to be mean to you. Er. Was he doing that already? She was feeling more dizzy now.

She looked up to study him closely. She saw the incredible hair, hair that made her fingers ache to touch it. She saw the perfect eyelashes, the sculpted nose and the beautiful cheekbones. And the sensual lips, which sounded quite bitter at the moment. "How can I be not nice to you?" She asked. "You are Kaden." She looked at him solemnly. Then she hear a giggle coming from somewhere. Somewhere nearby. From her? No. Not from her. Grace didn't gigle. "You are my Kaden." He was the drug running in her blood 24/7. The drug that makes your pulse race and your heart palpitate so you can't think of withdrawal. She poked his chest with her index finger. "Being mad is not allowed." She said, almost like talking to a child.

Danielle (repost)

She wasn't sure exactly at what time she decided to come on the cruise. She liked trips but usually they were family trips not trips on her own. This time, however, it has been her idea. Her parents simply agreed when she mentioned the trip and suggested it. They knew. Things at home hadn't changed at all and she welcomed the thought of spending a few days on the Caribbean.

She sighed as she stood on the deck looking at the ocean. The sight was not as romantic as it always was in the movies. Water. Cruise. The Caribbean. Tons of young people. It was enough material for one of the old Meg Ryan's romantic comedies. Yet, she wasn't finding too much to do in order to keep herself busy. Maybe, she thought, she should leave the ship for a while. Turning to her side, she scanned the people standing nearby, her attention quickly focusing on a young man (Hamilton) standing just five feet away from her. She had spent too much time in her room and she didn't want to leave in order not to find the ship when she returned. "Excuse me sir. Do you know how long ago the ship docked?"

Jayden (repost)
I found it mildly amusing that he would advertise the fact that he had gone and done some horribly unmentionable things to the oldest O'connor. With Laken nipping at his heels(or him nipping at her heels, I hadn't bothered to identify which it was. I naturally assumed it was Laken. She was an overgrown rat, at any rate) "Your brother seems to think that he's the casanova of our time." I commented dryly, curling my fingers to stare at my nails "Although, it seems to me that the only person he's been fvcking aruond with this whole school year has been the ever elusive Laken Knowles, so his reputation seems to be a bit stagnant." I said flippantly "I'm sure I did."

He seemed to think I was a bit of an enigma. It was amusing to watch him try to uncover the 'layers of Jayden O'Connor'. Did he expect to find a scared little girl under the surface? Watch it, you might hurt my feelings. Crawl back into your little hole, you fvcking caveman.

My eyes averted back to him at his last statement/ Oh no, Cedrykins told little Levi to stay away from the big bad O'Connor unit? Was this where I was supposed to unleash my unholy wrath?

"He did, did he?" I asked, a tone of mock surprise in my voice. Watch as I'm impressed by his audacity "I'm sure he didn't reiterate why, though." I said, my voice laden with sugar "So now that you're in forbidden lands, what can I do for you, Pembrooke?" The last part came out as a bit of challenge, my voice dripping with venom, Just try me.

Celia (repost)

"And haven't those two conversations been a bulk of our socialising?" If we'd spoken before it had obviously been so pointless that I now had no recollection of it. In fact the only real reason I remember our last conversation was because there was something pathetically funny about a conversation like that, especially when it was so rudely interuptted for one of the participants to go and be crowned prince in some farcical ceremony that meant very little. But then isn't that the job of most royalty now? Just stand about and look pretty without ever having any real power.

Again he carries on speaking while I'm not really listening. But it appears that he talking of leaving. Which seems on of the better idea I've heard all week. I am aware that I could have easily left with him, but it never crossed my mind to leave by myself. Mainly because I don't trust myself to not find some cheap motel and curl up there, waiting for the boat to sail away. And for all I knew that could be part of Jean-Luc's wonderous plan. And if it is I'll blame him. Again, this is why it helps to not be the only one partaking in schemes like this. If I'd left and found myself raped and dead in an alley somewhere I'd only have myself to blame. Now it can all be his fault and I'd fell so much better about myself. "I doubt this place is going to get any better." That was how I said yes.

Charlie (repost)

The shock factor was starting to diminish, while my head was being filled with thoughts about how I could say Elizabeth Conway kissed me, and I wouldn't even be lying! It was quite strange. Locker room talk had never failed to include her, as most guys felt she was 'the hottest piece of ass in the school.' I had never joined in on that conversation though, because.. well she's a teacher! Ick. I didn't think for one second that she would actually go through with my suggestion. But she did, and now for some reason I felt the urge to drink more.

Looking over at the alcohol bottle being held firmly in her hands, I bit my lip, trying to think of how I'd get it back. Then it hit me. Two would play this game, and it was a game. Nothing more. I took a few steps forward, running my hand along the counter as I approached her. Then in one swift motion I slid my hand onto her waist, as I stepped in front of her. Leaning down, I pressed my lips against hers, tasting the alcohol that remained in her mouth. My hand found the bottle with ease and for what seemed like the tenth time I took it back.

"Sorry. 'I had to get this away from you'."


Loki (repost)

ET? The Extra-terrestrial? Well, I'm sure there was no other known ET, but that wasn't the point. I watched that movie when I was like 4 and it scared the be-jeebies out of me. I really missed those be-jeebies too. But still, that freaky-necked alien will never stop haunting my nightmares. After I saw that movie, for a week I wasn't able to sleep because I kept thinking the aliens were going to get me. A good alien? Right. You knew he wanted to suck out those kids' souls.

"Well, I guess I'd prefer an alien over Clark Gable. Although, I kind of have this theory that maybe he is an alien." I wasn't a conspiracy theorist or everything, but thinking up these improbable yet high suspicious theories amused me. "But, you know I'm going to make fun of you about that now." I warned him. "But, feel free to lay it on me about my bad taste in action flicks."

"Oh, I see." I said in response to his last comment. It didn't feel right to pry or ask what happened, since I had just met him, although I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious. "Well, the important thing is that you are now, right?"


Tenli (repost)

Tenli knew what he was going to say next. Everybody made a little remark about her name, be it positive, negative, or neutral. But it was something that was inevitable. Everybody did it, in fact it may have been the social trend of 2004. "Yeah, um... My mother named me." I said, scratching the back of my head. "I have no idea what it means. I never really questioned her about it. I thought that might hurt her feelings." It wasn't like I didn't like my name, and I didn't want her to think that. Knowing my mother and how she enjoyed making assumptions, she would.

"Yeah, that's me. I'm pretty sure I'm the only Tenli at New York High, at least." I answered. "How did you know? Are you a student there?" I asked in surprise. I suppose that probably should have been obvious, but I had thought he looked older. But then again, I wasn't really able to see him all that well because of the lightning (or lack-there-of). "I'm sorry, I thought you may have been in your twenties, or something like that." I explained.

Trey (repost)

I usually don't get flustered. That type of thing doesn't happen to Trey Harper. Trey Harper avoids situations where he might become embarassed or look foolish. Women never fluster me, to be honest most of them annoy me with their nagging and whining. But Indiana didn't nag, and she didn't whine. She wasn't like any girl that I'd ever met before, therefore I guess there was a first for everything. "Right... heh, she's a little, um..." I looked at the bartender, laughing nervously. "Tipsy." I whispered, patting Indiana's hand. I wanted to shrink into my seat as Indiana persisted in her tirade. I'm not a Daddy! I know I should probably care less about appearances, but I wasn't able to help it. What would all these people, who were now giving me strange looks, think of me? Well, obviously they think I'm strange. I'm not! "Well, I hate to tell you this," I said, turning to face Indiana, "But I'm not your baby's daddy."

"And yes, for your information, I have seen boobs before. Plenty, more than my share, trust me. I just haven't seen your boobs before." I paused. "This just got really awkward."

Otep

ooc: aw man lost my rhett response too.


Rhett


I laugh at her remark. Well Clark Gabel as an alien...hm...I can kind of see that. Not really but I can at least pretend I see it. It'll make me look cooler in her eyes to agree with her. Of course I'm not going to say anything about it. So instead I just smile and nod. Yeah like they say in the movies. You don't understand something someone says? Smile. And Nod. It works out well most of the time.

"Oh and yeah...Fast and Furious? Comeon I wasn't going to ask for permission to make fun of you for that one anyways." I say to her. So this is kind of weird though. Here I am walking down the streets of new york, it's kind of dark out, winter and cold and I am talking to a complete stranger. Usually by now I would say goodbye and continue on my way. But at this point I don't mind it at all. And plus..she's not really a stranger anymore and if she tries to slit my throat I can..well do nothing but it'll be a painful death and I have to switch my mind over to something happy. Donkey's. There.

"Well I guess that is the important thing as well." I say to her. Yeah so this having two conversations at the same time is really confusing me. But I guess its a small price to pay. "So...how was your christmas?" I ask her.

Kaden

I let out a sigh as she calls me My Kaden. Right. I'm her Kaden. Ok. The Kaden she punches whenever she does not agree with what I say, the Kaden she kisses and runs away, the Kaden who's cotton candy she steals, The Kaden who she has one hell of a time playing with. I sometimes wonder if she is just a female version of those guys wandering about. The Players. The ones who find someone, make them fall for them and have their way with them then crush them like a bug. If she isn;t one of them then she must be the most confused person in the world because she has one hell of a time screwing me.

"Right. Ok, Gracie." I say to her as I look at her. I look at the bottle of wine and then back at her. No. No way am I going to get drunk while she is drunk. I can't. If I do then I don't know what could happen and we would both do something we regret. She needs someone to keep her stable and right now I guess it'll have to be. But just because I won't drunk doesn't mean I will hide what I think or feel from her.

"Yeah so I'm your Kaden the one you can jerk around like a dog on a leash. I don't think so anymore." I say to her.

FAIT_Accompli

OOC: I’m going as best as I can from memory of Miguel’s post for Chandlar, so if it seems a little off, forgive me.

And thanks for reposting those AD.

Jean-Luc

Very perceptive girl, Celia was. Maybe I should tell her? But then again, she probably already knows. And that was my feeble attempt at half-hearted sarcasm. It’s ‘half-hearted’ because there still wasn’t much effort put into it. In fact, I didn’t say anything else after that point. Because there’s nothing of remote substance I could add to ‘those two conversations being the bulk of our socialization.’ Except maybe that it was a shame. And that would have been laced with more sarcasm. And you never know when people can take it the wrong way.

It then occurred to me that she said something, and the result didn’t follow in line with some variant of ‘fuck off.’ Not that I was expecting it either way. But still, I’m sure my surprise showed.

And then it passed.

I was moving at this point, heading for the exit. When I turned, I knew I wouldn’t be too surprised to see she was still sitting there. She wasn’t, and was following. And I can imagine the talk that would begin to circulate, just as I’m sure she could imagine the talk that would circulate. Because Celia Waterman-Lee is leaving somewhere with Jean-Luc DeCuir. Which is obviously a big thing, because that’s what I am, a ‘big thing.’ It’d be a lie to feign ignorance to the rankings of social hierarchy. “I assume you won’t be too disappointed if we leave and it turns out someone was indeed pushed overboard?”

Cameron

She was up again, and when I heard the sound of air rushing in from the door, I couldn’t help but turn my head. Because what if they had found me? And I’d have to run? Because that would just be my luck.

Except it wasn’t the snarky waitress or the sabotaging pinball girl. It was two people I didn’t know, and that got a small sigh of relief out of me. I glanced back at Echo when she mentioned her parents and found myself shrugging a little bit. I suppose that was a common response for most people. I was even tempted to retort with ‘sometimes it’s the parents who want to hide from their kids’, but figured that would only prompt more needless questioning on a pity base that wasn’t necessary.

Instead, she turned it back around on me, and I couldn’t help but smirk. “Stupidity.” I muttered simply while nodding to myself. “I guess that’s not really a ‘who,’ but … anyone who is overwhelmingly stupid and annoying …” I nodded again while thinking back to the diner. And then moments in the past. And maybe I was being a little too harsh, but quite frankly … I was just getting fed up with it, and it was no doubt contributing to my cynicism. “… unfortunately, the world is composed of idiots. So it’s really hard to hide.”

Chandlar

I looked over my shoulder at him a little strangely still not sure what was so important in here that we needed to get it in the middle of the party. But I didn’t argue, and moved on forward, tucking the hair that fell over my shoulder behind an ear, before hearing the door shut behind us.

And then I saw it. Wrapped. Stacked in between two boxes. I think my jaw dropped a little when I figured out what this was. What he was. I’m pretty sure my cheeks were burning to, and I couldn’t help but hope that the poor lighting in here would obscure that fact. Or … my hair! Yeah. That works too. I raked a hand through a little nervously, and let it fall back over my face as I reached for it. He said something about pretending to like it, and I had to hold myself back from telling him that it didn’t matter what it was. Anything I got from him would be perfect.

“You were my secret Santa?” I questioned curiously while turning around a little and glancing back over at him with a surprised smile. To tell you the truth, I’d forgotten all about the whole secret Santa thing back there. As people began to exchange gifts in the other room, I figured my secret Santa would just approach when they felt like it. Or that they had spotted Miguel and figured they would wait. I slid a finger over the back, finding the crease between some tape and the wrapping paper. Carefully peeling off the tape, I unwrapped it rather slowly, as I was neurotic in saving the wrapping paper as well as the present, which was beginning to look like some kind of painting.

Curiosity washed over my face as I continued pulling it out, until the wrapping paper was completely off and set off to the side on one of the boxes. I think my breath caught in my throat as my eyes scanned the image of the girl on the canvas. The dark hair, the eyes … there was just something about it. She … kind of looked like me. “This is …” It reminded me of something. Of a painting … but I couldn’t think of the name of the artist. I couldn’t think of much of anything, not that it would have helped. I recognized paintings before I connected them to their creators. Beyond Picasso and Van Gogh, I was horrible remembering artist names. “I know this …” I mumbled out loud again while trying to figure out what it was from. When I glanced back up at him, I knew no matter how hard I tried to behind my draping hair, he could tell I was blushing. I really didn’t get how he hadn’t figured it out by now. “This is … so beautiful.”

Elizabeth

I was beginning to see that this was a bad idea. All of it. Having brought him back here. I wasn’t equipped for this. Even when my friends got drunk at college parties, I was prone to pushing them out of the cab right in front of their house as opposed to walking in with them in an effort to help sober them up. In spite of how fun it could be to toy with drunken people, they could still be anno-...

What the…?! He kissed me, and caught me completely off guard, as I hadn’t even heard him moving. I found myself tensing up and leaning down into the counter to pull away from him. And that’s when he took the drink back out of my hands.

I wasn’t sure whether to be pissed off, or exasperated. This was beyond ridiculous. It was borderline obsession, and I was becoming more and more frustrated over how adamant he was about the alcohol. Throwing my words back in my face didn’t help, and that’s when being pissed off won out. “You’re a real jerk when you’re drunk, you know that?” I questioned rhetorically, my tone steady but furious as I glared at him from where he stood directly in front of me, towering a couple of inches above me. At this rate, he was going to make himself sick, and I almost thought it served him right. I still reached for the alcohol though, out of resilience and stubbornness. And I was quick enough to pull it back from him roughly, squeezing the rectangular bottle in my hand tightly.

*Sarahrooie*

Celia

He was moving. I was moving to. I'm sure this would do wonders to my popularity. Look at me with whatever he got called by Freshman girls. They giggle too much for you to actually hear whatever words might be spoken between. I'm sure I should be giggling now. Either that or wondering if I remember to bring a condom. But I'm sure that Jean-Luc was intelligent enough to realise that this was just two people. Who just happened to be of the opposite sex. And didn't appear to have all that much sexual tension. Or like each other. Although I'm not sure if that had stopped anyone before.

"I think I'll be able to contain my anger if we lost someone overboard and I wasn't their to witness it." I'm sure it would make the event far more compelling as it would be the sort of incident that would be repeated for days to come. Weeks maybe. Possibly get a yearbook mention. I'm sure if I missed it I'd be able to imagine it quite well after the seventeenth re-telling.

And then I actually started to wonder where the hell we would be going, before deciding that little matters like that probably weren't all that important.

Excalibur

Grace

What? She let go of him this time. The kitten was reconsidering her sweet behavior, wondering if the master truly deserved it. The kitten didn’t want to brush against his legs anymore. Kaden Mcclaine was such a pain in the bvtt. Seriously. “And you talk about having a stick up my ass.” She said looking at him with an arched brow. She grabbed the bottle back and took a long sip.

“A stick up my ass.” She giggled. It sounded so funny. If she really had one, she couldn’t sit. Could she? “You” She said waving her index finger at him in the air. “You know nothing.” Kaden Mcclaine was so blind. He wouldn’t see the truth even if she draws it on a piece of paper and keeps it stuck on her forehead for an entire year. Ahhh. “Why are you mad at me all the time?” She asked, feeling miserable. She had come to share her wine with him and he was so ungrateful.

“You are so meeaan.” She sniffled. All mighty Thor was cruel to her. He didn’t see he was the object of her veneration. He didn’t see she was being honest when she said she would be nice to him. “Mean, mean, mean, mean…” She paused for a second as she realized that the ship was moving. Were they leaving already? “Mean!” She concluded, looking at him accusingly, before she neared the closest wall and let her back slide down it. Kaden McClaine was so mean.

Miguel

He was still holding his breath, not missing any detail of what she was doing. “Yes, I am.” He confessed. “I know I could’ve said something earlier but what would’ve been the fun in that?” He added shamelessly, his eyes shining like a little kid. Sometimes, the time you spend awaiting something it’s what makes the present worth in the end. The little kids in their beds are eagerly expecting their presents the night before Christmas, so they can do nothing but run downstairs in glee when they are finally allowed to open their presents. At least, that’s the way Miguel saw it.

His eyes followed Chandlar’s movements as she began to carefully unwrap the present. He smiled slightly at the fact. She seemed to be concerned about keeping the paper. “It’s not the original.” He explained when she finally saw the painting. Of course the original would’ve cost too much to even begin to tell the prize. “But it’s a perfect replica of a Renoir. The man at the gallery said it is almost impossible to notice the difference.” He smiled, feeling proud of his discovery. He had seen this painting a few months ago. Long before Christmas. The mix of seductiveness and innocence in the girl as well as the color choices, had drawn his attention. There was energy radiating from the canvas, and pulsating life. But beyond it, it had been the resemblance to Chandlar what he liked in the first place.

“So... you like it.” Miguel said, half questioningly, as he walked slowly toward her. She said it was beautiful but he couldn't see her face since her long hair was obscuring it. He stopped in front of her. "It's you." He said referring to the painting. Or at least it was the way he saw her. He gently lifted her hair and tucked it behind her ear, barely touching her skin, so he could finally see her expression. It was then that he finally realized she was blushing.

Otep

Kaden

Dammit. Why is she suddenly getting emotional? If she was sober then right at this point I would be rushing off to the side of the boat to spit up the blood she would have caused me to feel in the pit of my stomach. If she was sober she would have punched me so hard I would probably be near passing out. But no she's drunk. She's totally wasted and I have to actually watch her and make sure she doesn't do anything crazy.

Of course watching her won't stop me from being honest with her. She may be drunk but she is not some defenseless child. She can handle herself drunk or sober which is why I have to make sure she stops drinking.

I walk over to the wall and kneel down in front of her. "Right. Because you're that fond of me? Comeon Grace you just like to know that you can screw with my head. It's what you've been doing since day one. Making me think you may not despise me and then kissing me then running off in the other direction just when you see things are not as simple as you assume. Well newsflash...nothing is simple and drinking this..this.." I say as I grab the bottle from her hand. "Crap is not going to make life easier. and I am not going to let you have any more of it." I say to her.

With that said I stand up and empty the bottle on the ground.

"No more." I say to her.

FAIT_Accompli

Jean-Luc

I led the way (obviously) off the upper deck, and continued on to the main deck. People were sparser as we left that upper deck, which I was grateful for, as they seemed less concerned with me and more concerned with themselves. And, in some cases, the face they were currently permanently attached to at the moment.

The exit ramp was still on the other side and we had to continue circling around the outer rim of the deck before spotting it. “Ah. By the time it got around school the Monday we returned, you’d hear it so many times, you’d swear you were there anyway.” Though, really, I imagined that’d be quite a site. Watching someone get pushed over board. It’s different from the typical everyday fights that manifested in the hallways and outside during lunch on a seemingly regular basis. Mainly because we didn’t go to school on a boat. And somehow things just seemed funnier when being pushed off something. Maybe it was the splash.

I continued on towards the exit ramp, this time without glancing behind me as I heard her footsteps trailing behind. The dock looked virtually deserted, but there were little shops and restaurants lined up along the other side. I really had no clue where we were going, and was pretty much making everything up as I went, which, I’ve come to discover, has left me with the best results in the past.

Chandlar

I couldn’t stop staring at it. Even if it wasn’t the original, I was still hesitant in touching it, fearing paint specs would peel off at the slightest touch. He didn’t know what he was doing to me. He couldn’t possibly know how much this meant to me. Did I like it? Like was such a generic word. Something you tossed around absently all day long. ‘I like the color red.’ ‘I like to listen to music.’ ‘I still like eating sandwiches with the crusts cut off.’ Do you see how you can use it to refer to something so inconsequential? And now do you understand why that word no where measured up to what I thought of it?

“I love it.” I nodded, though it was barely noticeable. I couldn’t take my eyes off it. And my motives were not just singled on the fact that it was beautiful. He’d moved closer. Too close. I’ve never really been claustrophobic, but I was growing a little restless with him standing in front of me now. My hands even grew sweaty as my toes crunched in my sneakers.

And then he said it was me. I swallowed hard, watching as his hand brushed hair out of my face. My chest was clenched now, as I was holding my breath. For what, I didn’t know. But I could feel his gaze boring into mine. He knows. He had to know. Unless he was blind. Maybe he was blind. In fact, it’d probably be best if he was blind. “This is how you see me?” I questioned quietly, still looking down at the painting. And then off to the side at the boxes. And then behind him at the door … then back down at the painting. Anything but him. If I didn’t give it away earlier, it would surely be obvious if I looked back up at him.

FAIT_Accompli

OOC: This is no where near the level of goodness the original was. Rawr. Evil Fan Forum!

Sidalie

I felt like I was in the middle of some incredibly big high right now, after saying all that. I mean, I don’t even know where it came from. It’s always been there … trapped in my subconscious. But I hadn’t been planning on saying all that. Especially all at once in a manner that was more than likely liable to confuse him, instead of calm and get through to him.

His head was lowered so I couldn’t see his gaze as I waited for him to say something. I was feeling both elated and scared at the same time. He’d just run off. But I had to tell him. And now that I told him, I wanted to say it again, and again, and again until he got it. That this wasn’t something I wanted to take back. It wasn’t something I needed to take back. He needed to hear it; he deserved to hear it.

When he finally slid his arms around my waist, I could have sworn I could feel his heart beating right through his jacket, but soon realized that it was my heart beating instead. And then he said it. And even though I stood out here in a short black sleeveless dress that tied up behind my neck, I wasn’t feeling cold anymore. A large blanket of warmth washed over me as I slid my arms around his next, pulling him even closer. Wisps of his warm breath warmed my face as I rested my eyes for a few moments. I was still scared. I’ve never been in love before. I didn’t know what love was before now, and I now get that you’re not supposed to. Because it’s so overwhelming, and if you didn’t share it with someone, it could almost seem like to much.

And maybe it was. But I didn’t care. I just wanted to hold him like this for as long as I could. And then I tilted my head back a little, enough to let my lips graze against his. No. I wasn’t cold at all. I was on fire.

AngelDevil

OOC:No problem bubba. I'm here to restore order in the world.... w00t.

Echo
My hands went to the apron pocket, only to find that my notepad wasn't there, but my pen was. I was always doing this, leaving it in weird places and having to search the counter for what was now my renegade notebook(fighting for freedom in a loveless world). My eyes were wandering over the counter surface, but to no avail, it was then that I saw it, beside the coffee machine, the first few pages splattered by the coffee I had spilled all over my hands. A sigh escaped my lips and I tore off the little pages, putting them in the garbage(I had figured there would ahve been a recycling bin, since this was urban bohemia, but apparantly urban bohemia wasn't as concerned with the environment as I had previously assumed).

My fingers were tapping against the notepad that was now in my hands, and an amused smile was on my face "Good luck with that." I said, shrugging hopelessly "There's always these kinds of places to hide from most people." I offered helpfully. Before walking around the counter and to the tables. I would have told him I'd be right back, but I wasn't going to go assuming that he was dependant on my presence. Another order, another response. Between the two tables I had a Machiatto, a Chai Tea, a piece of chocolate mousse cake and a blueberry muffin. this counter had seen way too much of me. I made my way back to the coffee machine, glancing over at him "What's your name?" I asked curiously, and at the look on his face shrugs "I don't want to keep on calling you 'foamy coffee guy' in my head."

Now that, my friends, sounded weird.

I cast my eyes back on the coffee machine, and pulled out some cream. It wasn't terribyl complicated making these things, especially since the coffee machine had so many settings you could probably makeall of them with it alone. But to preserve the 'authenticity' of this place the waiters mixed in all the extra ingredients themselves. One Machiatto down, three more things to go.

FAIT_Accompli

Cameron

Yeah. Good luck with that. I was going to need it. We all needed it. The world was composed of idiots. And unless it’s your life’s goal to take indecent advantage of them, then they really have no point except to stand around and be annoying. And occasionally kick the electrical chord right out of the wall during your pinball machine. Because obviously they have nothing better to do, and their lives revolve around getting their initials at the top of the screen. That was down right sad. Never mind the fact that I’m not too much better off. But we’re not talking about me, are we? No. We’re not. Because I’m too proud to consider myself an idiot.

It’s only when she returns that I snapped out of my small self-indulging gaze. Wait. She was gone? I watched her as she continued to move. She was getting more coffee, and … something else I didn’t recognize. Only that it didn’t look like coffee. I wasn’t interested enough to ask.

“Cameron.” I smirked. “And I’ve been called far worse.” Foamy coffee guy was relatively tame compared to some more venomous names I’ve been given. Cherry’s tempestuous cousin? She likes to call me lab rat. I still don’t get that one, but I figure it’s an inside joke I’m just not in on. Thankfully. I’ve got quite a few names stored up for her though. Like the neurotic shrew. The neurotic shrew who occasionally runs around with her head cut off when she really pisses me off.

“And you're Echo.” I can read. Shock. I know. “Interesting name.” In comparison to mine anyway.

AngelDevil

Echo
Cameron. I set the Chai Tea down next to me, and with one movement I pulled out a muffin from the display case and slid open the glass case for the counter. The cakes that settled in here were fairly...... Decent. These places weren't typically all for the high calorie goodness that other cafes had to offer. I flipped open my notebook, looking at the two sets of orders before fishing for a tray in the rack sitting next to the edge of the counter "Cameron." I repeated out loud, as if to solidify the fact that I could string simple syllables together. Look, I could "I like it." I said assertively, settling all the food down on two tray and making my way to each respective table. I couldn't quite remember which table wanted which combination of food. I assumed that the person in the foul mood was looking for some sugar, so when I set the Machiatto and mousse cake in front of him he didn't seem completely perturbed. Inward sigh of relief.

Chai tea people were usually less fussy, but it didn't seem so this time. The gloomy looking person in front of me was, very conveniently, reading a Francesca Lia Block novel, Violet and Claire, and was looking at me as if I had just given her the start of her life. I set down the Chai tea and blueberry muffin with what I hoped was a suitably enthusiatic comment and a nod.

By the time I was back behind the counter again, he had repeated my name. Echo. Interesting. I shrugged hopelessly "I guess it'll have to be. I'm stuck with it." I commented. I could complain about the implications of having a name like Echo. But..... It was long. And the story was far longer than I believed anyone would want to listen to.

Age Six Racer

Charlie

It seemed like this battle for the bottle was far from over. One second she would have it, and then I would have it, and it would keep on going like this until one of us dropped it. It wasn't even worth it any more. "Yeah well, you're the one who dragged me here. You wouldn't have had to put up with me if you had just left me alone!" I mumbled, knowing that I was still slurring my speech a bit.

Shaking my head, I turned around and headed back in the direction of the couch, figuring now would be a good time to lay down. She had a lot of nerve telling me that I acted like a jerk. She didn't even know why I was drinking in the first place. Hell, I had the right to be a jerk. Flopping down onto the couch, I closed my eyes, and started to tell my head to stop spinning. It wasn't listening though.

FAIT_Accompli

Elizabeth

Yes. He’s right. I dragged him here. The poor baby. And he was also right in me not having to put up with him if I hadn’t just left him there to drink himself until he passed out. So, you see, I kind of brought this on myself. I get that. It’s a choice I made. But one can only help their benevolent services won’t be thrown back in their faces. I guess that’s a testament above the head of an adolescent, insufferable teenage boy. I’ll know better next time.

Rather than say all this though, I glanced down at the liquor in my hand, and then took a nice, long swig, letting out a soft satisfied, albeit, still frustrated sigh, after swallowing. It is slowly coming to my attention that I am a bad, bad, immoral person. And there are a long string of random obscenities getting repeated over and over in my head.

After a few seconds of standing out the counter, staring across at where he was now laying. I had a cup filled with water in my hands and the other bottle of Amaretto still clenched in my other hand. The cup of water was set down on the coffee table next to him. “Drink up.” Seconds later, I paused again, realizing that came out as a demand I wasn’t intending on, and I quickly added, “… it’ll help you feel better.” Seconds later, before heading back to the kitchen area. First, to get away from him, and second, to drink more. It helped the headache go away. Not that its replacement would be any better for me in the end.

Cameron

I’m pretty sure the words ‘that’s nice’ were on the tip of my tongue, but somehow, I managed to stifle them and keep myself from muttering them out loud. Amazingly enough, I’d kept my tongue in check fairly well for the latter part of this night. Maybe it’s because Echo wasn’t acting like such an insufferable bitch. I’m sure one could argue the fact that I wasn’t acting like such a pretentious asshole also helped attribute to this, but we’d just ignore their opinion anyway, so it doesn’t matter.

This time, I looked on as she walked off to two separate customers, and found myself laughing inwardly at the one who looked as though their lips were permanently pressed together. Being a waitress must have sucked. It didn’t matter the environment. Echo had it reasonably well in here. She didn’t have to worry about a bunch of brats running around and getting tangled in her legs. But at the same time, she had to contend with stuffy broads that were probably finicky right down to the cups their coffee, or … whatever it was that was, was served in.

“It could always be worse.” I mused out loud thoughtfully, still smirking as if I was in on my own inside joke. And well, I kind of was. “At least you weren’t named after a fruit.” I looked up, and caught her odd expression, quickly intervening before she could question where that came from. “Never mind …”

AngelDevil

Echo
I shrugged "It could be worse." I could be named stoplight. Or postage stamp. Or a...... Fruit. Apparantly "Forgotten." I said simply, sitting back down on the stool that was, in effect, the only resting spot that a working girl like me got. I could have sat in the office with George, but sitting under his..... commanding and assertive gaze wasn't the brightest idea I had had in centuries. The band was sitting up on stage by now, and the lead singer was saying something I wasn't quite listening to. It seemed to me that she said the same thing every night, except with a slightly different quotation to accompany it. I didn't blame her. These gigs weren't glamorous, and the people here were completely self absorbed.

I was expecting his gaze to be fixated on the slightly more interesteing band in front of me, but he was still staring in my general direction. They hadn't started playing. Oh. I wouldn't have to come up with too many orders right now and after this gig I was done. George would take over until whoever else was coming came in. He would take satisfaction in it, too. I didn't want to deprive him from such things. Ahem.

The band started playing, and I reached behind me, tugging at the ribbon that was holding my apron together to no avail. These aprons were probably charmed or something..... so they could only come off at the very end of a shift, because it wasn't coming off. Stupid apron. My fingers were blinding pulling at the fabric behind me, and I settled no waiting until the end of this gig to take off this wretched thing.