07-18-2023, 05:05 AM
There were undercurrents here. Rena could feel them push and pulling at her. The two girls, smokey eyed Narcissus- Cis- and exuberant Camellia, seemed to be playing a game. And Cruz was the unwitting man caught between these two cats. Rena might have felt sorry for him. Might have, except that she had seen him at the party, walking around like he owned the place. Which technically, he probably did. Bottom line, though, was that people fawned over him. More to the point the women fawned over him. And he knew he was in control.
She didn't begrudge him that. But the sharp feeling of pleasure at his bit of comeuppance wasn't something she quashed either. She wasn't going to apologize of her feelings. He was rich and gorgeous and had his place and name assured and certain. Being batted at by two girls- Roma at that!- felt deliciously right.
Besides, she liked the name Lavender. It was one of her favorite scents. Perhaps her body lotion or the subtle perfume she wore had given Cis the idea. She had taken Rena by her arm and lead her along, deeper into the Carnival. For a moment, Rena felt hesitant. Just a moment. And then she let the familiarity of the camp wash over her. She was in with these girls. And they were heading off somewhere to have fun. What that might be, she wasn't sure. But she knew she wasn't a target of theirs.
And she did have her own little tricks. She relaxed and let Cis lead her freely, curious as to their destination. A club perhaps? Dancing, she thought Camelia had said. Instead, they came to a larger structure and curious man enchanting visitors to enter his den. As Camelia went to him to whisper in his ear, Rena simply stared. He was terrifyingly beautiful in a way she couldn't quite explain. His face gaunt in places, his eyes deep and penetrating. The smile he quirked at Camelia was friendly and yet set her blood cold.
It was an instant and utter attraction that she had never, in her life, felt. The other boys, even Bas himself, were nothing in comparison. Darkness made flesh. And she felt fear and nervousness, hoping he didn't notice her. Praying that he did. She was still as they went past him. She imagined she could feel a coldness as they passed him.
Her mind was clouded with thoughts of him as the conjuring and display played out before them. Once or twice she jumped in fear. But less than at another time. Those terrifying eyes seemed to follow her, The show ended and a part of her marveled at what she had seen. But only a part.
Would he be outside? She wasn't sure she wanted him to be. Only that she was where she wanted to be.
She didn't begrudge him that. But the sharp feeling of pleasure at his bit of comeuppance wasn't something she quashed either. She wasn't going to apologize of her feelings. He was rich and gorgeous and had his place and name assured and certain. Being batted at by two girls- Roma at that!- felt deliciously right.
Besides, she liked the name Lavender. It was one of her favorite scents. Perhaps her body lotion or the subtle perfume she wore had given Cis the idea. She had taken Rena by her arm and lead her along, deeper into the Carnival. For a moment, Rena felt hesitant. Just a moment. And then she let the familiarity of the camp wash over her. She was in with these girls. And they were heading off somewhere to have fun. What that might be, she wasn't sure. But she knew she wasn't a target of theirs.
And she did have her own little tricks. She relaxed and let Cis lead her freely, curious as to their destination. A club perhaps? Dancing, she thought Camelia had said. Instead, they came to a larger structure and curious man enchanting visitors to enter his den. As Camelia went to him to whisper in his ear, Rena simply stared. He was terrifyingly beautiful in a way she couldn't quite explain. His face gaunt in places, his eyes deep and penetrating. The smile he quirked at Camelia was friendly and yet set her blood cold.
It was an instant and utter attraction that she had never, in her life, felt. The other boys, even Bas himself, were nothing in comparison. Darkness made flesh. And she felt fear and nervousness, hoping he didn't notice her. Praying that he did. She was still as they went past him. She imagined she could feel a coldness as they passed him.
Her mind was clouded with thoughts of him as the conjuring and display played out before them. Once or twice she jumped in fear. But less than at another time. Those terrifying eyes seemed to follow her, The show ended and a part of her marveled at what she had seen. But only a part.
Would he be outside? She wasn't sure she wanted him to be. Only that she was where she wanted to be.