* 𝑨𝑳𝑬𝑿𝑨𝑵𝑫𝑬𝑹  𝑴𝑶𝑹𝑮𝑨𝑵 .

     it was never a secret that avi knew the type of effect that they had on other people – it was more or less the same effect that they currently had over alex, and he was eating it up. sure, alex had a huge ego sometimes – but for a pretty face like this ? he was prepared to fall to his knees at any given moment. call him weak, call him whatever you want… but it somehow all felt so amplified with them. alex didn’t even know avi’s actual name was avi, yet here he was, pulling them away at the first chance that he got, with the hope that avi might actually give it to him tonight. among other things. 

    they made it far enough away from the crowd of people, near the group of boulders and rocks off the side of the beach – there was barely any light from the party that reached this part of the beach, and all alex could really depend on was the light of the moon to get a good look at their face.. a face that he’d only ever seen under the neon lights of bacchae. there was something quite different about it under this light – just not a bad different. “ isn’t it my turn tonight to impress ? so will you just…– ” he pauses with a small smirk, getting closer to avi until they’re caught between alex’s body and a wall of rock behind them, “ shut up and let me do that for you ? ” the tone of his voice a little lower the closer he got to them, his eyes scanning their facial features – from eyes, to lips… while his hands came to grab at their waist, attempting to pull a body towards him that was already close enough. and finally, his lips on theirs was the final part of their bodies that closed the space between them. 

        THE FURTHER THEY TRAVERSE AWAY FROM the rich flames behind them, the more prominent alex’s silhouette is captured by the moonlight. he radiates beneath it, more so than avi’s witnessed before. it’s as though the night has triggered a spark that’s only been observed in the form of eye contact and suggestive words, this confidence that’s held between the tug of alex’s hand — it draws avi closer and closer until they’re all but separated from the party that’s yet to simmer in the distance. until they’re alone. together. with no bonfire or dance floor to consume them, just their bodies which gravitate toward the middle. a simple shut up provoking avi to do the opposite, but before a teasing syllable wastes another one of avi’s breaths, the bartender’s hands are attaching at the hip and his lips are surging forward. kissing avi with every intention of proving to them that this game has met its match, ensuring that avi knows he’s not here to escape the chance at claiming his prize.

          so avi indulges. their own lips seeking what their interactions have been lacking as their hand curls around the nape of the bartender’s neck. not fast. not slow. but at a speed which says: i’ll lead on the dance floor, so show me how you lead off it.

* 𝑬𝑫𝑬𝑵  𝑺𝑯𝑶𝑹𝑬 .

They can’t help but grin as they approach — the name Abba still rings in his head as eager eyes canvas the dancer’s lean figure. A sort of thrill still shoots through him at the sight of the famous face, at least, famous to Eden, a regular at Bacchae and a fan. “Y’know Angel — she’s at Club Bacchae all the time. Pretty, sweet, long blonde hair.” He trails off, picturing Angel with a sweet smile before refocusing their attention to the present. “No c’mon, it’s just one gold coin. It’s, like, five bucks or something.” Blue eyes widen imploringly, body leaning forward slightly as they plead with the impassive face before them. “Please? I’ll give you free ones later.” 

        DESPITE THE OTHER’S ATTEMPT AT DESCRIBING who they know as angel, avi remains indifferent toward paring the name with a face. not in the least bit concerned about someone who isn’t within reach, their sights clouded with the person before them, rather than a stranger who’s subjectively pretty. keyword: subjective. which is why, before long, avi brushes the name angel aside and steps forward instead, their lips upturning in response to those big, doe eyes.  ❛ that’s a lot of ones to spare for a kiss i’m not sure will satisfy, ❜  they argue, instinctively lifting a hand to tap beneath the other’s chin, almost daring to swipe their thumb along his bottom lip, though they drop contact before they can grant that.  ❛ convince me you’re worth a gold coin and i’ll hand over two. ❜

* 𝑺𝑰𝑳𝑨𝑺  𝑾𝑰𝑵𝑺𝑳𝑶𝑾 .

The nickname still grates against his ego, though he doesn’t care, tells himself it doesn’t matter, he can’t help but darken at the thought that Alex might be above him — or Jack, the annoying nineteen year old who’d just started. Still, they stop for the familiar dance, drunk enough for a smirk to immediately lift his lips as he slows his wandering steps and takes in Avi’s outfit. Another dance. “Dancer number four,” He greets them tauntingly, gaze dark with turmoil and a sudden mirth. A knowing gaze snags on the blindfold, carrying on down the rest of their body before meeting their eyes with a lift of his brow. “Careful, now, or I might get the wrong impression of what you want from me.” 

        AVI JUTS THEIR HEAD IN A WAY THAT SAYS :  we all know i’m your number one, maybe not today, but, with utmost certainty, a day that’s soon to come. amusement etching at the curl of their lips then, observing silas observing them as they continue outstretching the blindfold. expectant. something close to an itch buzzing at their fingertips, avi’s gaze asking the fated question — are you tempted to scratch?  ❛ you’ll know exactly what i want if you treat yourself to five more minutes with me, ❜  avi claims, thoughts rewinding to their brief, barely there exchange when the bartender’s hands gripped onto lace until breath was all but an unreachable option. this very thought urging avi to inch forward and forward and forward, bodies now a few inches apart, before avi’s pressing the blindfold into the other’s palm.  ❛ but if your goal is to escape, the least you can do is allot me your eye for detail before you go. ❜

* 𝑨𝑳𝑬𝑿𝑨𝑵𝑫𝑬𝑹  𝑴𝑶𝑹𝑮𝑨𝑵 .

     there they go again, daring alex to actually do something about all of these looks shared between them, and the suggestive comments they so freely threw at each other. somehow, no matter how hard it was to keep himself from making a move on them… the long wait made it that much better. the anticipation of seeing them again, or when he’d get a chance to get them alone – alex can’t lie and say they haven’t been lodged in the back of his head since the night they danced together at bacchae. “ well i’d like to see how it tastes on my tongue. otherwise, trust me when i tell you that i’d be willing to do so many things that you’d ask of me – if not anything. ” he wanted them so bad at this point, and he wasn’t afraid to make it painfully obvious. he takes their hands in his, his eyes scanning over their body as they get a little closer, before he caught their eyes once again. “ you wanna come with me to let me show you ? ” his tone is a lot lower as he asks, but then begins to slightly tug at their hands, as if to lead them away from the crowd. why waste any time at all ? 

        THE FRUIT OF TEMPTATION IS IN THE SHAPE OF LIPS that talk a big game, but have yet to commit to anything besides hints and fantasies. this touch and go between them, albeit enticing, now bordering on tedious and unrewarding the longer the other holds out from shooting his shot. figuratively. but more suggestively, literally. so when bartender #1 lays his cards on the table, splaying them with the exact pick-me energy one should expect, avi is rendered surprised. brows arching high at the contact of hand against hand, eyes catching eyes. the implication behind the man’s tug not lost on avi as they let their body be led, inching in the direction of wherever the other wants to go before saying,  ❛ you can show me anything so long as it’s worth the wait, ❜  the challenge that’s implied hopefully not flown over the bartender’s head,  ❛ but if you’re expecting another dance ... i’m afraid i only reserve those for bacchae. even though i know how tempting it is to watch as i move my body. ❜

* 𝑨𝑳𝑬𝑿𝑨𝑵𝑫𝑬𝑹  &  𝑨𝑵𝑮𝑬𝑳𝑰𝑸𝑼𝑬 .

        eyes flurried over the colorful tents and the mass chaos of children screaming, and gleeful laughter that echoes through the beach, and she can’t help but feel her spirits brighten, a rainbow covering the sky as she looped her arm through alex’s, walking until her grip tightens, a familiar face coming into view. “ stop, turn, step, step, step, step, come on you got this alex, i know you figured out how to walk, ” angel muses, a small giggle leaving her lips as she drags him along. before they’re nearing the performance that’s somehow mesmerized her. watching how gracefully they turned in the heels that adorn their feet. there’s a final applaud as her smile only widens, leaning into the man who’s arm she held onto. “ if i wore those heels, the only SHOW people would get is me busting my ass and falling off stage, ” she whispered beneath her breath as she pulled them toward avi. “ well, hello, it’s lovely to see you with clothes ON, and in the light of day. ” then, blue eyes widen before turning her gaze back to alex. “ that only sounds a lot worse than it actually is.” @ofalex·

     when they had approached the stage, alex was met with a surprise – a really, really pleasant surprise, as they watched abba ( he was adamant on getting that name out of them ) take on the stage. of course they would be here at the carnival to steal his attention once again… because why wouldn’t they ? he’d somehow predicted that they’d only be full of surprises, from the moment they first started talking. and to alex’s surprise… angel seemed to be quite acquainted with them, as well. he grins at her words, “ yeah ? it sounds like a lot of fun to me. i wasn’t aware that you two knew each other. ” he grins. but then again, he shouldn’t be surprised – angel frequented olympus and bacchae as well. “ assuming it’s from bacchae. otherwise, i’ll have to pout the entire time that the two of you had all this fun without me. ”

@ofamin··

        A HINT AND THEN A FLASH OF INTRIGUE sparks upon avi’s expression once the woman mentions bare bodies and closed quarters, the fleeting memory of avi posing under steam and tension somehow remaining exactly that. brief. short-lived. to be forgotten again unless the other decides she wants an intimate showing at club bacchae, which bartender #1 has gotten closer to than most if bodies swaying on the dance floor is anything to show for it. but — for now at least, avi will bask in this girl’s fantasy for whatever it’s worth, leaning into the idea that they did a lot more than stare at each from the across the steam room where the woman had cut the moment short right after accusing avi of not being able to take the heat. yeah. an anti-climactic end, if you ask them.  ❛ fun at elysium is incomparable to what happens at bacchae, honey, ❜  avi says, a smirk etching at their lips as they continue,  ❛ but i guess both of you have only experienced one or the other with me, so maybe one day we can meet in the middle and have fun somewhere else. together. sans clothes, even, seeing as we’re obviously accustomed to that already. ❜  and they shoot the blonde woman a wink, joking of course. @fondillusionsfm​

* 𝑨𝑹𝑰𝑬𝑳𝑳𝑬  𝑾𝑬𝑨𝑽𝑬𝑹 .

CLOSED EVENT STARTER ➜ AVI ( @ofamin )

arielle was drawn in by the up-beat music and went to investigate, as soon as she broke through the crowd and could see the stage, she recognised them immediately. abba. she caught the end of their performance and applauded in delight with the rest of the audience. she considered continuing on her way down to the beach, but the chance seemed to good to pass on. she had already drank a few beers, so she was in the mood to meet new people as she always were when she was a bit tipsy. ari managed to get herself in the spot as all the dancers came out of a door. “abba,” she said to get their attention before they walked past her. “i guess it’s time to shed my disguise as your half-secret admirer and just become an admirer,” arielle remarked with a wide smile, hoping they’d remember their texts. “you are as impressive live as you are in your videos.”

        THIS IS THE HIGH THEY STRIVE FOR. not drugs. not alcohol. not toxins caressing their body. just pure, unadulterated immersion that’s blanketed with awe, attraction, and envy. they feed into the adrenaline that comes with it, fulfilling an empty persona which craves to be seen, craves to be awarded the attention, the unblinking adoration, in which they seldom forget the taste of. because what’s sweet will always be mixed with glitter and gold and absolute divinity. and, darling, if they aren’t lathered in all three already. a fact that’s more than hinted in the way they whip their hair around at the voice of an admirer, a twinkle in their eye when they spot someone approaching.  ❛ videos? ❜  avi asks, half wondering who they’ve accidentally sexted until they’re remembering the burlesque dance they texted and let into the wrong hands,  ❛ oh my, of course ... how could i forget an anonymous compliment? ‘you dance beautifully’ and ‘mango doesn’t stand a chance’ all in the same sentence? color me flushed. ❜  a smile meets their own lips.  ❛ i’m assuming you enjoyed the show, ❜  which isn’t a question, but a statement.

* 𝑻𝑹𝑰𝑿𝑰𝑬  𝑲𝑵𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻 .

“  I  LIKED  THE  OTHER  NICKNAME  better.  ”  not  that  trixie  ever  really  kept  track  of  the  various  ones  that  avi  came  up  with,  but  they  did  know  that  whichever  one  before  had  been  infinitely  more  fun  than  cat  scratch.  “  no  clue,  i’m  hungry.  ”  their  edible  as  wearing  off  at  a  rate  faster  than  they  would  have  liked,  and  the  numerous  bodies  around  them  was  starting  to  feel  stifling.  rather  than  the  munchies  taking  the  forefront  of  their  attention,  it  was  the  prickles  of  gazes  and  their  annoyance  towards  it  that  was  grating  their  senses.  they  would  never  voice  their  discomfort,  their  customary  scowl  settling  onto  heir  features  where  the  lighthearted  grin  had  been  only  half  an  hour  before.  “  i  want  some  pasta,  and  with  all  the  matildas  or  whatever  the  hell  you  just  said  here,  i’m  sure  we  can  get  some  quickly …  and  some  more  of  my  stash.  ”  if  they  were  going  to  make  it  to  the  bonfire  they  either  needed  copious  amounts  of  shots,  or  the  other  half  of  the  strawberry  cupcake  they’d  had  before  venturing  over  to  the  festival.  “  if  you’re  good,  i’ll  share.  ”

        AVI’S HEAD TILTS IN WONDERMENT as they peel through the many pet names they’ve crowned the burlesque dancer walking alongside them: stanley trixie, mx. congeniality, sparknotes, jerry spring-her neck, drama-llama, toil&trouble, and other crafty variables. each one having been an easy slip of the tongue. but none of them have graced avi’s lips twice despite a notable few that have sprung from, what avi would describe as, chic, not bleak moments. which, considering the lack of dramatization leading up to this point, avi would agree that cat scratch is definitely a nickname already crumpled up in the trash — though they digress. ears already perking up at the idea of carbs upon carbs upon carbs, especially since pasta of any variety is something avi can crave on demand.  ❛ i’ll be the angel of your dreams, babe. ego haloing above me and all, ❜  they joke, brows bouncing up and down to enhance the charade,  ❛ cross my heart, i’ll be so good, devout believers will forget to burn me at the stake. ❜  their head then tilts in the direction of the exit, urging trixie to move along,  ❛ now, come on. i can stand to pretend i’m in little italy for an hour. ❜

*tucks my hair behind my ear and looks off into the distance prettily like I don’t notice you looking at me*

“yeah but tell me more about you”

* 𝑨𝑳𝑬𝑿𝑨𝑵𝑫𝑬𝑹  𝑴𝑶𝑹𝑮𝑨𝑵 .

𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑      */ 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐇 𝐰/ 𝐀𝐕𝐈

WHEN & WHERE bonfire party, a little further from the crowd  @ofamin​

     he couldn’t get them out of his head from the moment he and angel spotted them doing a small drag performance earlier at the carnival, in the same way that they wouldn’t leave his head the first night they saw abba being introduced onto the stage. so would you really expect him to let them slip away tonight without getting them alone ? he had to at least give it a try. “ so how are you going to continue to pop up into my life looking and dancing the way that you do and continue to taunt me by not giving me a name ? ” he starts with a question, a grin pulling at his lips. “ i know it’s only been the one time, but the cuts are getting deep. ” 

        THE FIRE BLOOMS BEHIND THEM, haloing avi’s silhouette as they crane their neck back — a stretch which exposes unmarked skin for onlookers to want, to need. their deep breath in and deeper breath out only serving to highlight what’s been displayed, as though tempting those with an appetite. after all, avi’s own hunger feeds into the fantasies that cloud their head, the ecstasy high that consumes them simply adding to the desire when they’re pulled from their thoughts and brought back to reality. that voice now in the forefront as avi blinks in the other’s direction and is greeted with that grin.  ❛ what will you do with my name if i gift it to you? ❜  they reply, a smirk toying at their lips,  ❛ i mean, you haven’t exactly shown me you’d make much use of it at the pace we’re going. not to discredit how provoking this slowburn has been. ❜

* 𝑬𝑫𝑬𝑵  𝑺𝑯𝑶𝑹𝑬 .

𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕟 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕖𝕣

𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 : the beachfront kissing booth 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 : 1:30pm

Sandy locks are thoroughly ruffled after an hour at the kissing booth, cheeks flushed as much from the sun as they are from the attention. They exude a cheery confidence, waving people over and chatting easily, offering their cheek or lips or pulling customers back to the photobooth for a cheeky set of photos. When they spot a familiar face, their smile brightens and they raise a frantic hand. “Hey! You have give me a kiss — I’m tryna beat Angel’s numbers.” 

        WITH FROZEN YOGURT IN ONE HAND and a spoon in the other, avi savors the sweet and the sour as they venture through this carnival-istic maze alone. not in the least bit impressed by the turnout ( nor the decor or rugged, two left feet entertainment ), which is why it proves as no surprise when they offer a side eye here and a scoff of disbelief there. avi’s sweet-tooth suckling on their spoon as they judge&scope out the scene in search of at least one location for them to highlight their inevitable fifteen minutes of fame. though before they get too far, they’re being beckoned over by an all too familiar boyish smile, the person behind the kissing booth forgetful as far as their name, but that face — well. avi surely remembers it.  ❛ whether you’re against an angel or a devil, i can guarantee a kiss from me will secure your winnings, ❜  they boast, scooping another spoonful of frozen yogurt into their mouth,  ❛ but — unfortunate, really — i’m not the type to kiss as an act of charity. so unless you’re implying i get one for free ... ❜  their eyes drop down to the other’s lips,  ❛ ... i might have to pass for another day. ❜

* 𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑹𝑴𝑰𝑵𝑮  𝑴𝑶𝑹𝑮𝑨𝑵 .

𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 — 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 📍  𝐁𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄

“you  know,  it’s  not  the  nicest  thing  to  not  have  eyes  on  me  but  —  DAMN,  it’s  good  as  hell  that  i  get  to  enjoy  getting  on  the  drinks  and  just  vibing,”  will  she  get  up  later  and  maybe  join  in?  yeah,  but  so  will  most  of  the  happy  sober  and  non  sober  people  alike.    it’s  THAT  kind  of  place,  this  island,  and  she  loves  it.      "i  wonder  …   where  will  the  night  take  us,  aye?“  her  accent  thickened  by  drink,  but  not  illegible  —  just  a  BRIT.

        ❛ I HAVE A FEW PREDICTIONS, ❜  they mutter amidst a hit from their vape, avi’s bloodshot gaze zeroing in on a couple whose interlocked fingers would look so much better wrapped around their nape,  ❛ but unfortunately they don’t involve “just vibing”, as darling as that sounds — ❜  it doesn’t,  ❛ — i mean, so help me, rina sawayama, if i have to stand here for another minute without an open invitation for me to ruin ( or better ) at least one relationship tonight. ❜

WHAT :  the big beach bash ! WHERE :  by the stage, after avi’s burlesque / drag performance AVAILABILITY :  closed, @fondillusionsfm​ & @ofalex​

        THE ILLUSION BEGINS AND ENDS with a tightly wound blindfold, the black veil wrapped around avi’s eyes having amassed a wide range of ooo’s and awh’s as they presented elements of vogue and burlesque alike. each snap of their wrist and sharp angle of their body blending well with the beat despite this obstruction — because practice makes perfect and, darling, they were more than that. a truth they won’t shy away from telling considering once they’ve donned their final bow and withdrawn the blindfold from their eyes, they’re quickly met with an onslaught of applause and distant cat-calls. their open arms welcoming the recognition for all it’s worth as their sights survey the crowd — a twinkle highlighting browns and hazels — until they spot a familiar face or two well off to the side. so familiar, in fact, avi doesn’t hesitate to wink, smirk, and offer a curtsy, silently challenging them to approach if they so dare.

WHAT :  the big beach bash ! WHERE :  by the carnival’s entrance AVAILABILITY :  closed, @discoridans​

        THEIR FIFTEEN MINUTES OF UNWAVERING FAME has flickered and simmered into a quiet buzz from those who witnessed avi in action, their inflated ego drifting from the scene they’ve caused as more than few onlookers stamp avi’s performance to their memories and their stage name, abba, to their mouths. in truth, avi becomes high off it. this validation. this idea that the world is their circus, with avi as the ringmaster and curious eyes as their none-the-wiser audience. they latch onto it, folding the euphoria up and tucking it away in their pocket whilst they waltz toward the exit. always one to leave in the height of people wanting more, only for them to eventually return for an encore hours later. but right now — six inch heels under their belt — avi kisses the lingering intrigue goodbye. already in the middle of inhaling a hit from their vape before they recognize the person who’s taking their leave too.  ❛ where are we off to, cat scratch? ❜  they toy with the nickname as they join trixie by the hip and continue walking,  ❛ and is it far away from hyper-caffeinated matilda’s and eloise’s? ❜

WHAT :  the big beach bash ! WHERE :  by the stage, a half hour before the local band performs AVAILABILITY :  closed, @deadlysilas​

        IT’S AN OVEREXPOSED AND SATURATED HALLELUJAH, this carnival, the flashing lights and balloon devils far from the spotlights and dancing devils avi was used to. they couldn’t care less about the glee. the awe. the fascination one got from winning a hand-me-down stuffed animal. rather, their interests lie in turning this family friendly affair into an abba&co one, the bluetooth speaker they’ve brought with them accompanied by a backup dancer or two as avi situates all they need to pull off this free, unlicensed performance — one not hosted by the carnival itself, no. but if you’re to ask them, they’d just say a little rule breaking doesn’t hurt when providing an actual jaw dropping show.  ❛ is that bartender #3 i see? ❜  they interrupt their setup in the midst of catching wind of the stoic ( drunk? ) man walking by,  ❛ impeccable timing, darling, i needed someone to tie-the-knot. ❜  a sarcastic snort escapes them as they hold out a blindfold, jokingly implying silas should do the honors and finish their costume off just like he did their corset.

* 𝑮𝑨𝑩𝑹𝑰𝑬𝑳  𝑴𝑰𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑬𝑳𝑺 .

open starter @ hidden falls

the sun is finally beginning to set, and as the stars begin to to pierce through the night sky’s veil, gabe can’t help but smile at how impossibly beautiful the moon appears when her light shines on through. he’s quiet, he always has been, and so it’s easy for him to startle any unsuspecting passers-by as he snaps photos at the sky, thinking he’s alone. the cry causes them to jump, almost knocking his set up over in the process. hand to their chest, gabe looks at the person that had just stumbled upon his little sanctuary. “shit – i didn’t think anyone else was going to come back here.” 

★ ☆ ✮

        DROPLETS OF WATER TRICKLE ONTO EXPOSED SHOULDERS as avi combs their fingers through drenched hair, the sins that’d transpired in the freshwater pools ( not even five minutes prior ) evident on their shimmered skin and hickey branded neck. they’re unabashed about it. something sunkissed and bruised about them as they make use of the pale moonlight and walk beneath it like they would a runway. go-go boots commanding the floor despite strutting toward where they believed to be the parking lot, and instead finding themself lost in a near empty cove with a man and his camera. the shock of which doesn’t take away from avi presenting themself as nothing short of celestial.  ❛ and i didn’t think i’d be caught on candid camera, but some surprises are worth indulging, ❜  they reply, half wondering when they’d made a wrong turn and half questioning why this stranger’s all alone,  ❛ care to capture the moment? ❜  as they strike a pose.