SEASON 1 - The Blue Rose Bar and Grill

[sky.]

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[B][COLOR=rgb(143, 174, 112)]Character:
Time/Location:
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Character: Theodora Collins
Time/Location: The Blue Rose Bar and Grill / after 11 am
Scene Status: Open

---

Theo traveled by foot, against the wishes of her preferred form of transportation. At least when it came to making her shift on time. Before losing full visual of her grandmother’s, her home she turned around to throw her fists up at the faded, old bus sitting in the driveway. With a sour expression the brunette viciously flipped the POS off, calling out loud how excited she was to sell it, or better yet - take it to a damn junk yard for scrap metal. At this point a mechanic was far from her mind.

For once, she could actually afford to buy something reliable. Eventually. Once emotional connections were cut completely.

Luckily the restaurant wasn’t more than a ten minute walk or so, if you powered it the entire way, which she did. Earbuds tucked tightly in her ears she practically jogged through town, pushing past three buildings in particular before arriving at the Blue Rose. The Community Center and Library, a place she hadn’t stepped foot in. A salon, which she desperately needed in her life, and the Juniper Street Diner, who had became her favorite greasy food joint the tiny town had to offer.

It wasn’t much, but sure as hell knocked the socks off of some of the more - prominent places you’d find in the city.

Her pace sped up once she rounded the corner, seeing the restaurant down the street. Cyanic hues checked the employee parking lot located to the side of the building. Perfect, her finger slipped through her thick hair to press pause on her music. “Always first to show, always last to leave,” she declared with a smirk. Not that it truly bothered her. Theo would be the first to admit that she was self indulgent, in many ways. Right now, working for Zara was great, perfect even. Despite the occasional customer causing a mild scene, the girl simply found pleasure being there. A well welcomed distraction and time consumer.

Theo hunted for her set of keys, once found she placed them inside the lock and gave it a twist. Her gaze moved around the empty, silent restaurant before moving in. Ever since the Fall Fling, she felt on….edge. Fortunate enough to be amongst the ones who had not witnessed the gruesome scene, word traveled. The thought gave her a shiver while she made her way towards the back.

Feeling like a child running upstairs from a suddenly darkened room, she went for the panel of switches in a sprint. Fingers flicked each one upwards before the courage came to peek around, making sure all bulbs lit up. Like always, they did without fault. Instantly it made the room glow with soft elegant rays. “Let there be light,” she hummed, setting her purse and coat down blindly on stocking shelf.

“How old are you, Theo?” she asked herself mockingly, feeling ridiculous for her sudden reaction.

Glancing down at her watch she quickly finished tying her black apron, finding her booklet and pen tucked neatly into her pocket she emerged back onto the dining floor. With everything left in order from the night before she had little work to start with. Before turning on the open sign she did a quick once over. Not a napkin out of place. With time to spare she gave each table another wipe down.

 

[Lydia]

Character: Will Whitford
Time/Location: The Blue Rose | 12:30pm
Scene Status: Open
Tagging: @sky. (Theo)

---

There was little George William Whitford Jr enjoyed more than dispensing wisdom. Bespoke suits were important, good scotch was essential, but conferring advice was endlessly pleasurable, especially when his words carried the weight of wealth and a prominent name. So this is what the loquacious, genteelly-ostentatious old lawyer told his son, time and time again:

“Better to be the big fish in a small pond than a minnow in the sea.”

Will, the aforementioned son, heir to both the wealth and the name, was certainly inclined to agree.

George William Whitford III strolled into The Blue Rose as the big fish he was, assuming there would be no wait, despite the collection of other lunchtime patrons. And if there was a list, and names above his, all it took to absolve these pesky formalities was a smile, his name, or - at worst - an off-handed mention of Zara Whitehall (a close friend, you see). These were the benefits of a small pond.

There were other benefits, too, Will thought as he scanned the restaurant, his eyes landing on the lovely young creature behind the bar. What was her name? It didn't matter. Will was meeting colleagues, but he was early and the dark-haired waitress would be acceptable entertainment in the meantime. With a casual lift of a large, refined hand, he succinctly motioned to her as he claimed a seat at the bar, his sculptural features half-shadowed in the restaurant's intimate lighting. Sport coat, button-down, slacks - all perfectly tailored and coordinated, just casual enough to be respectably modern in style. Wedding band, of course, a trifle that women rarely cared to acknowledge, except Julia, who would no doubt note its absence.

He smiled - and it was a good smile. Suspiciously, heart-rendingly good. As the waitress approached, his eyes swept her body, unabashedly assessing her, indifferent to her notice. In fact, he wanted her to see the insinuation in his attention, and to appreciate the tacit approval as it meandered across her curves. The wandering trail of his eyes concluded as they met her gaze, his smile fading into a provocative intensity: a fleeting, unspoken promise that, given the opportunity, he would have her out of that ridiculous apron.

But first, he would have a drink.

"Jack and Coke," he requested of the pretty waitress, keeping it simple - modest, even. "You're new in town, aren't you? You have family here?"

 

[Vinaein]

Character: Alan Cooper
Time/Location: The Blue Rose Bar and Grill / after 11 am -
Scene Status: open
Characters: @sky. @Lydia


Alan didn't really know what he was doing right now. Wandering through Dawn Chorus, he could briefly touch his mind to the events of the past evening and it all seemed such a blur, save the resentment in Theo's eyes. Hell, he had tried, but runnin ginto Lonnie and seeing him with theo had set him off his game.

Goddammit, he thought. Screwing up again, but wasn't that always the way? It had been when he'd been on the force, nevermind how bad some of the recent jobs had gone. Getting someone to pay you when you have pictures of their husband in compromising positions isn't always easy and never mind some of the missing peoples' cases he had handled...

Being a private investigator was far from glitz or glamor. It was just another way to handle people's problems and Alan didn't have anything or anyone else in the world to share it with now. His family was long gone, by virtue of mortal coils or by pure distance, but either way they were out.

Except for one. And Alan had been the youngest of a group of siblings now gone, too close in age to a sibling's child, whom he had promised to look out for. One who resented him for it. One whom he wanted to make things right with. He knew exactly where she might be found now and wanted to see her...

Maybe even apologize for the night before.

So off he went to the Blue Rose. Good food, he knew. Good food, nice place...but things in Dawn Chorus were nice. Until they weren't...

But that was the way anywhere, even with the memory of the Fall Fling and everything putting him on edge, while he felt for the door handle.

Open, went the door. The slight creak announcing him as he walked in, dressed in jeans, a black shirt and a dark jacket as he arrived, walking to the bar as he roamed the patron there, with...

He waited for her to take the order and collected a deep breath. "...Hey."

 

[sky.]

Character: Theo
Time/Location: The Blue Rose Bar and Grill / 12:00 - 1230 pm
Scene Status: Open
@Lydia ( Will Whitford )
@Vinaein ( Alan Cooper )

---

The lunch time rush, came as expected and right on time. Like clockwork, people flocked to the Rose. Depending on who you asked, the place had the best afternoon specials in town. Theo stood firmly on the opposite side of that fence, taking a loaded burger with soggy fries any day. In less than a year, she could count on one hand how many times she actually ate at her job.

Once? Twice? Maybe.

Not only was it not necessarily her taste, but it felt a bit odd eating at the place you worked. Theo smelled the varieties of dishes six days a week for hours straight, that really was enough to satisfy that curious taste bud she had on occasion. She gave the restaurant a quick scan, peering over her dark lashes, still marked with last nights massacre. Cleaning rag in hand she made small circles over the polished bar top, gaze fixating on a polished man in a sports coat.

Even from across the room the hostess’s body language was easily readable. A hand rested on one hip while her finger tips twisted at auburn ends. Theo shook her head, giving those large eyes a light roll. Anyone employed here knew Sally, their part - timer, was easy to butter up. All it took was an attractive face, hell, the man probably hadn’t the need to speak at all.

Theo couldn’t help but laugh, moving further down the counter. It didn’t take long before she was met by the same stranger herself. Seeing him move confidently between tables until taking a seat at the opposite end of the bar. Her initial glance was quick, just long enough to catch him looking directly at her. Azure hues watched his hand lift up and signal for her.

Lovely - asshole number one, here I come.

Theo tossed the white cloth into a empty bus bin behind her. Giving her hands a quick wash in the small sink, she patted them dry on her apron. The closer she went the more she couldn’t blame Sally for her schoolgirl reaction. The man was simply gorgeous, practically painted to perfection. His bottomless pools putting her own to shame. Oh, and how he knew it.

Offering him a light smile, her plump lips curved upwards to expose subtle dimples. Play nice, she reminded herself, feeling his eyes wander up and down her typical work attire. White blouse, at least one solid size to small, and dark pencil skirt. It made her stomach knot, flashing back to the hundreds of CEO - type pricks she dealt with on a nightly basis back in the city. Dawn Chorus lagged such persons, or so she had thought.

What would drag someone like him out this way? A wife? Work?

Theo’s curiousness was cut short, lips half parted as she prepared a greet and plain - what can I get you - before beating her her to it. To her surprise, his tone was laid back…simple. “Jack and coke, you got it,” she nodded, turning to the shelving behind her. A much better bartender than waitress, Theo went to work effortlessly, combining the whiskey and soda in a matter of moments. Placing the glass down on a napkin she smiled lightly, “you could say that. I recently took over my grandmother’s house.”

Any local knew about old Miss. Collins and her botanical house nestled along Gordon Lake. Gran loved plants, more than people. A daughter of nature she would often call herself. The thought was a found one - Theo couldn’t bring herself to change a thing, right down to the out of date, wonderfully tacky living and dining room furniture. Pushing her hair behind her ears she cleared her throat, “What about you? Can’t say I’ve seen you around.” I’d surely remember.

The young woman’s expression changed, now looking past the man. Her eyes shifted and narrowed, an all to familiar face merging from the crowd of lessening bodies. At least the rush was dwindling. Theo pressed her lips into a hard line, Alan. Perfect timing, as per usual.

Without wanting to make a scene, or simply make things awkward, she lifted her chin in acknowledgment. The sight of her uncle always made her blood boil, the same blood they shared at that. “Alan,” her smile returned forcefully, “what are we drinking? What about you, starting a tab?” she asked, raising a brow at her previous customer.

 

[Fiadh]

Character: Freya Black Elk
Time/Location: The Blue Rose Bar and Grill | 12:00 - 1230 pm
Scene Status: Open
Tagging: Theo @sky. | Alan @Vinaein | Will @Lydia

---

Lithe dark fingers strummed along the wheel of her ancient beaten up truck to the tune of Old Time Religion humming from the speakers. Fuzzy and a bit distorted but definitely a good tune. Although Freya stopped being picky when her truck ceased being able to change radio stations and she was forced to get used to this brand of folk country. The truck was a stubborn ol' girl, just like her, she supposed.

The beater chugged its way into Dawn Chorus. Passing the town line always made her feel a bit uneasy but she chalked it up to what happened with Jesse Vance and her wayward sister. Small towns meant people talked - a lot - and there were still folks here who would take one look at her and make all kind of assumptions. Thankfully as of late her drop offs to The Blue Rose had been monthly, sometimes a little more frequent, and a new girl (at the time) who started to work there was a breath of fresh air. Maybe because Theo wasn't like so many of the other decrepit residents. The place could use a change, even an establishment like The Blue Rose that was already leagues above the other businesses.

Turning down the main fare past the aptly named Hating Tree couldn't come sooner. Going by that spindly black thing made her spine tingle and nose wrinkle more than any time she drove past Frank Liddle who literally smelled like a whole liqueur store spilled on him. Even from the sidewalk. The chills up her arms were temporary and quickly overridden by the clank of two boxes secured in the back holding some pretty expensive wine and spirits for Zara's bar. Bottles jingled softly against each other to their own tune while Freya finished the last leg of the drive into the almost-heart of Dawn Chorus. It's small bustling centre was spare around noon so she easily tucked the truck around the back of the Bar & Grill to use the employee entrance.

Freya killed the engine and hopped out of the front donning her usual pale green flannel and dark jeans, with her leather jacket sleeves tucked up her forearms so it was easy to move around. She shut the car door with her hip then turned around to back up against it. A quick manoeuvre wrung her loose wavy hair into a bun that she fed into the elastic on her opposite wrist, making quick and neat work of the up do. A couple locks still fell out almost immediately from the bun and framed her face.

Heading over to the back she opened up the door and pulled one of the modestly heavy crates into her arms. The path was burned into her brain at this point so she easily went around her old truck to the door and pushed the lever with her elbow to get in. Down a couple halls later and she was in the pantry beside the kitchen. The first round of bottles were unloaded onto the shelves then out she went for the second and last order.

When it was all said and done, Freya headed up through the kitchen to the bar to let Theo know, out of habit. And 'cause she didn't mind their little chats when it was quiet on the front.

She planted her hand on the swinging door and walked out behind the bar into the din of the lunchtime hustle, which, for Dawn Chorus, wasn't huge. The first thing she saw was Theo's mop of thick dark hair - then she saw Will's perfect jawline and blue eyes just a little ways off from the bar, closest to her.

"Hey, Theo. Zara's order is all set up," she announced casually but loud enough to carry to Will in case he and his smug grin were getting a little too cozy at the bar. Walking closer to Theo quickly made someone else on her other side come into Freya's view too.

A flicker in the corner of her mouth kind of like a smile, here and gone in a blink, preceded a nonchalant, "Alan," and cant of her head by way of greeting. What'd it been? A month now, maybe two? While Theo didn't look exceptionally committed to conversations with either of the men right now it wasn't like Freya to be chatty, or an imposition.

 

[Vinaein]

Character: Alan Cooper
Time/Location: The Blue Rose Bar and Grill | 12:00 - 1230 pm
Scene Status: Open
Tagging: Theo @sky. | Freya@Andronica | Will @Lydia

It wasn't like Alan wanted to be a bother to Theo. Quite the opposite. It was hard to put into words just how much his niece meant to him, how she was the only thing resembling family he had left. Coming to her workplace had been something of a risk and he wasn't sure what to do now that he was there. The other evening had not exactly been the greatest of impressions to set again with Theo after so long.

"Just a coke to start?" He asked, lifting his eyebrow in what he hoped was an endearing gesture. He wet his lips with his tongue, tapping his fingers on the table. "I mean...don't think you have to. If you have more to do right now..." he said while he thought of what else he could say. "You're...doing alright?" He asked.

He wasn't sure why the sight of him seemed to have such an effect on Theo. They'd alwyas been close enough, hadn't they? He'd never done anything but want to assist her, help her out...she meant the world to him, after all. His niece, who'd grown up right alongside him....

He sighed heavily. "When we have time...can we talk- " he was cut off by the door opening, turning and cursing his luck. Of all the times for another customer to come in-

He stopped short. There she was. Black hair, tan skin...Freya. Freya Black Elk. His mouth opened slightly, his eyes widening in pure shock. He was staring there, too stunned now, with Theo right there. He hadn't seen his old friend in quite a ways, over two months and now she was right at the Blue Rose?

"I..." he stopped. "Freya? That's...what are you doing here?"

 

[Fiadh]

Character: Freya Black Elk
Time/Location: The Blue Rose Bar and Grill | 12:00 - 1230 pm
Scene Status: Open
Tagging: Theo @sky. | Alan @Vinaein | Will @Lydia

---

In the nearly two months long absence Freya had from Dawn Chorus, it didn't look like much changed. At least, the people hadn't. From across and slightly beside Theo Freya's eyes honed in on Alan when he noticed her and they exchanged a glance. She took a few perfunctory steps forward behind the bar so she could flank Theo instead of potentially carrying out a conversation from across the way at the adjoining kitchen door where she'd popped out her head to give the waitress the heads-up.

Casually, Freya canted of her head. "I came to drop off an order for Zara," she explained simply. Work was work. She went where and when she needed to go if it meant getting a decent pay cheque (and maybe Zara was a good tipper). The long sheet of silky almost black hair caught under the ambient light behind the bar, giving her a strange silhouette from the bright back lit shelves that highlighted the more expensive bottles the Blue Rose had to offer, which just received a fresh restock.

Then she tucked her folded arms up against her chest and followed: "You've been good?" Freya wasn't very good at small talk - besides when it came to chewing someone out with the ferocity of verbally slapping the soul out of them - as Alan well knew. Unless they were alone having a beer or coffee.

A dart of her pink tongue came out to moisten her full lips now that looking around the bar and lunch rush made her realize she was, in fact, a bit thirsty.

"Theo, mind if I grab a drink?" she asked Alan's niece.

 

[Lydia]

Character: Will Whitford
Time/Location: 12:30 | The Bar, Blue Rose
Scene Status: Open
Tagging: @sky. (Theo), @Vinaein (Alan), @Andronica (Freya)

---

Will was no stranger to being called an asshole. It probably began in high school with his football teammates, or perhaps when he showed up drunk to Homecoming and was summarily crowned King. It followed him to Vandy despite a lesser renown to his name; it was a common term of endearment among his fraternity brothers and a common though somewhat-less endearing appellation among his girlfriends. Even Julia called him an asshole (a lot), though she rarely meant it.

Will wore asshole as a badge of honor - it was in his blood. If you're the third of your name, chances are you're just a bit of a dick. He didn't make the rules, but he certainly didn't mind benefitting from them, which he usually did.

If that hot waitress - Theo, he noted, eyeing her name tag and coincidentally her breasts - had called him an asshole, he would've taken it as a compliment. Instead, he settled for subtly complimenting her, his fingers wrapping idly around his newly-delivered drink. "I assumed as much," he began, pausing for a moment to appreciate her dimples. "Zara told me she hired old Miss Collins's pretty granddaughter. We handled the estate when she died. Zara didn't quite do you justice, though."

He took a pull from his drink.

"Sorry for your loss," he added mildly, almost as an afterthought. "I'm Will Whitford. You probably remember Whitford & Whitford as the attornies listed on all that paperwork. We're one of the larger firms in town."

The magnetic smile drew wider, though it still appeared authentic, almost abashed at his own prominence. This man had a good measure of charisma, and he rarely wasted it.

"So, Theo," he continued, only to be disrupted by Alan's appearance and the perceptible shift in her expression. Interesting. Graciously, he nodded his blessing for her to attend to the other customers, casually checking his watch as she made additional drinks. His eyes cut toward Alan, surreptitiously studying the man; they were acquainted in a distant fashion, and he felt little guilt about eavesdropping on their stilted conversation. Regardless of the nature of his relationship with the younger woman, it was clearly strained.

After Alan's attention shifted - not surprisingly - to another attractive dark-haired woman, Theo found the opportunity to drift back in his direction. Will offered the waitress another slight smile, his handsome brow lifted in cool curiosity. "Old boyfriend? No tab, darling, I'm meeting people for lunch, but I'll remember to come back more often if you're here regularly," another flicker of his startling eyes from her face to her body, quick but significant, his perfectly-shaped jaw lifting slightly in acknowledgment, "or we could have a drink together, somewhere, when you aren't working."

 

[sky.]

Character: Theo Collins
Time/Location: The Blue Rose Bar and Grill / 12:30 pm -
Scene Status: Open
Tagging:
@Lydia (Will)
@Andronica (Freya)
@Vinaein (Alan)

---

Theo fought back the sudden nerves rushing over her. Uncommon to those who knew the girl if she were to express it. To one side, was Alan a reoccurring and unexpected entity these days. Since the Fall Fling she practically ran into him everywhere. Then, was Freya Black Elk who Theo found to be pleasurable all around. During each visit and drop off, Theo offered her a free drink or bite to eat...especially during slow hours. Being she was a much better conversationist than most, if not all of the fellow staff members.

Perhaps that was what pushed her into a whirlwind of emotion? How the hell did Freya and Alan know each other?

The woman's gaze weighed on the pair, even with the distraction of Mr. Whitford and Whitford. Theo half listened to what came out of that man's perfect mouth, one she easily imagined charmed the clothes off of many. If she had noticed the lingering gaze on her chest, or was free from other distractions, she may have played along. At least for a while. Playing for tips was hardly ever a bad idea.

She delivered Alan's beverage slowly. Pushing the glass across the smooth bar top, savoring every inch before awkwardly setting it down on a BR labeled napkin. Theo cleared her throat, "Of course, beer hon?" the dark brunette invited Freya's question. Turning around sharply to bend down into a small cooler retrieving the woman her usual.

"You know, the name does ring a bell,"

Theo called to Will, twisting the cap off of Freya's drink as it stood in front of her. Liar. She had long forgotten the stack of “important” papers during the move, still processing the loss. A sore subject and one she avoided after receiving Will's condolences.

A hard breath left her lips, lifting a hand up to fan herself off. Did someone kick on the fucking heater again?

She propped on the tip of her toes, peering in between the line of empty barstools. Hoping to see someone away from their post.

"Boyfriend?" Theo openly laughed at Will's question. He really isn't from around here, she leaned back against the small counter. "Family, actually," she corrected him with a flushed smile, the word always felt unnatural when referring to Alan. Theo’s hand sped up, demanding to create a faster breeze.

She heard Will's words, but they were distant. Barely listening to the last portion of his…flirtatious remark.

"I'll be right back. I have something. This thing I need to get. From the back." Theo couldn't help but cringe at her own mess of abrupt, fumbled words. Leaving the bar unattended was out of character, but Freya's presence gave her some comfort. She only needed a couple minutes out the back door for some air.

Offering Will what she considered a harmless smile her hands searched for the loose bow holding up the apron. Not bothering to wrap it as she would normally do, Theo placed it under an arm and started her way down the bar. Passing Alan and Freya in the process. She gave them both the same pink cheeked smile, adding a quick "I'll be back." Her steps hastened after pushing through the kitchen's swinging door, taking full advantage being out of view.

Theo exhaled slowly, hearing the music fade. Why Zara insisted on that crap was beyond her.

She entered the hallway, a long dimly lit path that had always given her the creeps. There was no real reasoning for. It was the same route taken many times for smoke breaks. With walls bare and plainly painted white, there was nothing truly menacing to the naked eye. Theo passed by the occasional stock room door and what was assumed to be other storage spots for Zara’s things without consideration.

“Theo….”
​

The familiar voice made her pause. Damn he’s persistent, her blue hues stayed forward. The sinking sensation returned, sending her into a light panic. Sweat beamed down her neck as the voice - Will’s voice, called out a second time. Damnit, Theo shot her eyes from side to side. Making it to the end of the hall without him catching her first was out of the question.

Desperation attracted her to the door settled to the right. A single mounted lamp posted to one side of the peeling frame. The outdated wood and old fashioned knob made her head arch to one side. Zara liked to keep her modern twist on the place. This however, stuck out like a sore thumb. Theo furrowed her brows ignoring whatever instinct begged her to stop.

Just until he passes, she thought, twisting her fingers around the cold metal. After putting some muscle into it, the door creaked open enough for her to slip inside. The hinges moaned as Theo pulled it closed…stopping when a loud click rang against the darkness.

 

[Lydia]

Character: Will
Time/Location: 12:30 | Bar of Blue Rose - Back Hallway - the Labyrinth
Scene Status: Open
Tagging: @sky. (Theo), @Vinaein (Alan), @Andronica (Freya)

---

The bottom of his glass appeared, Jack & Coke drained, just as Theo began stammering -

"I'll be right back. I have something. This thing I need to get. From the back,” she offered uncertainly, drawing the lift of a refined brow from her amused patron. Why did she seem so edgy?

She smiled at him - a small, secretive smile, he believed - before removing her apron and vanishing into the back.

Oh, he understood now. An indulgent smile swept his countenance. It was lunchtime, a little early for this sort of game, but his meeting wasn’t for another half hour - and following the waitress into the back for a more personal conversation certainly seemed more interesting than a drink refill and banal conversation. She moved quickly, and he appreciated that. Zara had good taste in employees.

Will rose from his seat, adjusting his sport-coat and progressing toward the back, where Theo had just vanished. As he passed Alan and Freya, he offer the pair a terse, polite nod, avoiding eye contact with either.

The lawyer’s assured stride didn’t hesitate in the least as he, too, vanished through the swinging kitchen doors, ignoring the Employees Only sign. If you dressed well and exuded confidence, no one ever bothered to stop you, in his experience. The hallway that followed was standard to the shabby back end of restaurants, but Will’s attention wasn’t on the details. Just as he rounded the corner, he’d seen a particular door to the right - different than the rest, maybe a private office? - close with a solid click.

Without hesitation, he too slipped through the same door, only to find -

- another hallway.

And no Theo. In fact, no one at all.

Mild annoyance crossed his features. This corridor was opulent and huge, the ceiling vanishing at least twenty feet overheard, flanked by blood-red walls. It was a horrible waste of space and a poor design, but Zara wasn’t the most practical woman he’d ever met - that she’d stash something like this in the back wasn’t horribly surprising. Further down the dimly-lit passage, he could make out a series of additional doors.

“Theo?” he called, his voice carrying in the lofty space.

Laughter - lovely, feminine laughter - responded.

He smiled and sauntered down the hallway, following the sound. The first door he passed was plain, and utilitarian, probably a closet. The next was rich cherry-stained wood, with a carved brass handle. And on the other side of the hallway, a door with a large, stained glass center depicting an owl in flight and glowing, ostensibly, with flickering candlelight. Strange.

Carved wood or stained glass? Will chose the latter, opening it slightly to glance inside. Another hallway.

“Theo?” he called again.

“Will! In here!”

He smiled and slipped through the door.

 

[Vinaein]

Character: Alan
Time/Location: The Blue Rose Bar and Grill | 12:00 - 1230 pm
Scene Status: Open
Tagging: Theo @sky. | Alan @Andronica | Will @Lydia

Alan had not exactly expected to be in this situation. Now or ever, he thought as he took a look about himself. The arrival of Freya had turned this situation into something he had not been remotely expecting, her next words about dropping an order off making him realize it was indeed the coincidence it seemed. Or was it? Coincidences rarely functioned to the level one might expect in Dawn Chorus. Most things that happened here happened for a purpose and a reason...

And Freya was working here. to a degree he'd not understood nor known. Freya was right there, as strong and self assured as ever. Still as beautiful as when he had last seen her, with the black silk of her hair framing her face. The light cast its glimpse upon her, highlighting her for him. "I...it's been good," he said. Business had been good enough. Passably enough, at least. He tried the smile, suddenly afraid Theo might think he was ignoring her. "I...if you need a drink, I've got you," he said. "I was just here to see...Theo, but..." he fought for the words. "It's great to see you, too, Freya!"

Yeah. Smooth. Well done. an d then Will Whitford pulled him back, his head snapping over quickly with a light frown on his face, an instinctive protectiveness from how Theo always seemed to draw in the worst sorts of people. "Keep a distance," he whispered to Will, trying to balance the rush of emotions here, before Theo announced she was going in back...

"Can we talk?" He asked, almost imploring now. "After..." he didn't react quickly enough, story of his life with everything happening now.

"Goddammit..." He muttered, looking down at his hands. "Not...not exactly how I wanted a reunion to go, Freya..." he didn't notice yet that Theo was not so quick to hurry back. "Working...here, huh?"

 

[Fiadh]

Character: Freya Black Elk
Time/Location: The Blue Rose Bar and Grill | 12:00 - 1230 pm
Scene Status: Open
Tagging: Theo @sky. | Alan @Vinaein | Will @Lydia

---

Freya briefly looked away from Alan after lodging her casual question with the bartender. Theo was a girl with a fairly good head on her shoulders, if a bit misguided sometimes, or at least that was as much as she gleaned from their conversations during lulls in the Blue Rose's service. They weren't exactly the biggest chatterboxes in the sleepy town but part of that added to why Freya liked her so much.

"Yeah, that'd be great," she responded at the offer of a beer. Whatever she could offer would be much appreciated after a full morning of delivery runs through Hopewell to Dawn Chorus. A hand lazily came up around the back of her neck and began to knead into the thick muscle there with a stifled groan. Sitting in that old front seat had done a number on her back, so maybe she'd have to cap off her night with a couple ibuprofen too. Though as slightly distracted as she might seem while rubbing the knot out of her neck lazily, Freya Black Elk's keen earthy eyes fixed on Theo with an oh so slight cant towards Will, paying the debonair walking lie with a carefully guarded look.

She rounded the bar and took her seat next to Alan, and all three pairs seemed to be on Theo now. A quiet "thanks," followed up when Theo delivered the beer and went as far as to open it for her.

But now her attention moved back to Alan and, well, the lack of much conversation they'd had over the past two months. Catching up was always awkward for Freya but it felt easier around Alan. He was one of the few people besides Theo who she could unwind around while talking to.

Dismissively she waved her hand at his offer to pay. "Don't worry about it. My pockets are a little heavy right now." As usual she looked stoic while delivering what was probably a joke. But if Alan was observant - he'd always been - he alone could probably catch the teasing smirk that curled briefly on the corner of her mouth. It disappeared as quick as it came. Her gaze fluttered up to Theo whose rapidly disquieting presence became noticeable and she held back an almost immediate raise of her brow. Instead she wrung her delicate fingers around the neck of the bottle and pulled it close for a sip.

Theo was getting a bit flushed and distracted, hurriedly excusing herself. Will followed not too long after and earned a guarded look back over Freya's shoulder.

"Is everything ok with you two?" Freya asked, head canted to Alan to glean what she missed. Even without Theo hanging around she still spoke quietly.

But now they were alone. As far as they felt.

"Yeah, sure..." Freya answered, tilting the bottle neck for another drink with a deeper pull this time. The tall, olive skinned woman wasn't at all concerned that when she put the bottle back down their elbows nearly nudged.

Where to start.... The drink was a little thankful distraction until Alan went ahead, stumbling a bit. She nudged the conversation along by leaping on his question.

"Oh, all around, really. Supplying for a bunch of places here to Hopewell, though Zara's orders are usually far between when we don't have a town full of Whitfords, you know?" Her brow quirked up. Despite the lunch service going on in the adjoining room behind them things weren't very loud or busy at all, lending itself even more to the laid back atmosphere of the Blue Rose. "I was surprised to see you here."

Serendipity, maybe, or something else.

 

[Vinaein]

Character: Alan Cooper
Time/Location: The Blue Rose Bar and Grill | 12:00 - 1230 pm
Scene Status: Open
Tagging: Theo @sky. | Freya @Andronica | Will @Lydia

Alan's mouth twisted weakly as he tried to come to terms with...something or other now. Hell, he didn't know. He was trying to appear the cool uncle, while still being penitent and pleasure for Theo. He'd come here to see her, to try to make things right. Couldn't he do that at least? Couldn't he prove himself somhow? He was her uncle and after all the tragedies of their famiky...he didn't know what he might have had done if Jimmy Buck had not been there to help him out...more than once.

And there was Freya. It was like a total confrontation from the past, all here for poor Alan. He had no idea Theo and Freya knew one another, but this was one big Dawn Chorus coincidence and he had no idea how to address it. He was settling for shutting up and looking around a bit, as if something in this room might be of assistance there for him. He was running his tongue against his teeth, keeping an eye on Will before Theo's departure...he didn't particularly trust the man, but...well, no reason to be hostile, until Will was gone. Alan was not sure how to respond for a bit, trying to relax, unwind...before he looked at Freuya"

"Everything okay? I hope so." He said with a weak chuckle. "I mean, I want it to...didn't know you two...knew one another, huh?"

He couldn't help but smile at her, graciously. "You...want a bite to eat long as you're here? I'm buying." Bit of a gesture for an old friend, he thought, tapping a finger on the table. "Family's still alright?" He grinned at her suddenly, a fondness coming across his face.

"...Hey, the jukebox over there...memory serves, you always did love some of those old fashioned songs, huh?"

 

[sky.]

Character: Theo
Time/Location: The Blue Rose Bar and Grill / unknown time.
Scene Status: Open
Tagging:
@Vinaein
@Lydia
@Andronica

---

At first Theo could only hear the sound of her own hushed breathing. Other than the the fact that she was nearly sweating to death, she waited patiently. Silently. The light inside the room remained off - not wanting to draw attention. She knew it was Will, she could hear the subtle steps as he searched the hallway. Occasionally giving her name a playful holler.

She rolled her eyes after he passed. Watching the shadow his shoes casted move by the small crack between the floor and door. Fuck, it’s hot back here too, Theo forced the air from her damp lips. Both hands now working together to form some kind of breeze. Theo groaned at her failure, slowly inching through the darkness to the old knob.

With hesitation Theo held onto the door. Mostly pausing to see if Mr. Whitford and Whitford had certainly moved on. She placed an ear to the surprisingly crisp wood, it’s chill bringing relief to her sweat riddled face. Nothing.

“Theodora - “
​

A sinking feeling of dread returned. The inky haired woman pushed away in dismay. Her fingers trailed up the front of her blouse finding the hard, laminated surface of her name tag. Theodora? How? Zara hadn’t bothered fitting in her entire name…

Theo reached forward, apprehension leading the way. This was ridiculous - hiding in a damn closet from someone who was obviously messing with her. Not only that, but she had work to get back to. Having to explain why she was wandering the back rooms during her shift to Zara was motivation enough. With that in mind she twisted her wrist and gave the entry a shove.

Unlike before, it opened with ease letting out not one single creak as before.

Theo stepped into the hallway…a hallway.

Her hand trembled trying to force her hair behind her ears. She took several seconds to turn back and fourth, switching her gaze in bewilderment. “What the fuck,” she whispered, wide orbs darting around the bare walls. “Will?” Theo called out backing up to where the original door had been. “Will?!” she yelled a second time, breaking past the lump in her throat as her back met a empty wall.

What in the hell is happening?

Fever…
Till you sizzle.

​

Her head craned expecting to catch a speaker hidden along the ceiling. Nothing. Theo didn’t end her gaze, the soulful voice of Miss. Lee morphing into a muffled and unsettling melody. A deep distorting voice seemingly sang along, turning the tune into a disturbing duet.

“Alan! Freya!” Theo smashed her palms into her ears, once it made no difference she bolted towards the nearest door. Convinced she was losing her mind she ignored the feverish chill, “Anyone!” The music continued, growing louder the further she pushed on. Entering and exiting doorways that led back into the same stripped, empty hall.

Oh what a lovely way to burn.
What a lovely way to burn.
What a lovely way to burn.
And what a lovely way to burn.​

 

[Lydia]

Character: Will Whitford
Time/Location: The Labyrinth: Bird Hall & Neon Hall | Time Isn't Real
Scene Status: Open
Tagging: @sky. (Theo), @Vinaein (Alan), @Andronica (Freya)

---

Crossing the threshold of the Owl Door, Will found himself in an adjacent hallway by lined with birds. Mounted birds, stuffed birds, birds perched on fake branches and displayed in halves: beyond a sportsman’s appreciation, it was singularly obsessive. From eagles, owls, and hawks to songbirds and sparrows, it was a taxidermic tableau of what appeared to be representatives of the entire Dawn Chorus avian population, all arranged in dimly-lit definition.

Will, a self-proclaimed sportsman and no stranger to hunting, gave the display a critical study of several seconds, then frowned in confusion. This couldn’t be Zara’s doing - the woman knew nothing about hunting, at least not enough to snare such a jarring array of specimens. He’d walked several yards in the last hallway, however, and it was possible he had ventured beyond Zara’s property.

It was no matter. Trespassing wasn’t a concern - now or ever. But Theo was a concern, in that he was growing tired of her game.

“Theo?” he called out, the sound bizarrely-muffled, as if the syllables were swallowed by the strangely-adorned walls the moment they left his mouth. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the flit of a small shadow, like a bird swooping down from a perch.

He turned, abruptly, his movements agile and alert.

Nothing. In the dim, wavering yellow light, the younger Mr. Whitford narrowed his eyes. He was not alarmed, you see, he was annoyed - and he wasn’t afraid, he was angry.

“Theo?” he barked, though the words immediately melted in the air, “This is ridiculous.”

Will glance at his watch (Hermes, very fashion-forward, a gift from Julia), further annoyed to find the second-hand frozen in place at 36 seconds (should’ve gone with something more traditional and reliable; she should know better). He didn’t have all fucking day to play hide-and-seek with a waitress.

With a huff, he wandered to the left, reaching for a solid wood door and turning the handle. Locked. Directly behind him, another door, similar in appearance. This one opened.

The room wasn’t huge, perhaps fifteen feet square, but it had the grave dignity of a small chapel. Nestled between stone walls and under high arched ceilings, a handful of short pews flanked a center aisle, at the culmination of which sat an alter with twin candlesticks - both lit, a fact on which Will didn’t linger. The space was completely devoid of a cross, or any other identifying religious symbolism, giving it an aura of ruin. A large, gold-trimmed book lay open on the alter, but Theo obviously wasn’t there, so Will didn’t bother to advance into the room to examine it. He merely retreated and closed the door again.

“Will?”

His name echoed like a beacon back in the hallway, and he stalked toward the final door. This one, too, had no distinguishing features, but it opened to the neon blue glow of another hall.

fever when you hold me tight​

“Theo! Are you in here?” he called.

“Will!” came the voice again - a lovely voice, he was certain it was her.

fever in the morning
fever all through the night​

Wherever he was before - in the strange liminal and bird-laden space - this hallway seemed less deserted, given the distant music and modern lighting. He advanced a couple of steps, ignoring the sensation that he was somehow turned-around in space and critically disoriented.

fever till you sizzle​

God, it was hot. Beneath his pressed collar, a bead of sweat traced tanned flesh. The music grew louder with every step, yet he continued walking, the hypnotic lyrics usurping his more reasonable considerations.

what a lovely way to burn
what a lovely way to burn…​

 

[Fiadh]

Character: Freya Black Elk
Time/Location: The Blue Rose Bar and Grill | 12:00 - 1230 pm
Scene Status: Open
Tagging: Theo @sky. | Alan @Vinaein | Will @Lydia

---

Freya swivelled on the bar stool so she could turn a bit more and face Alan. Her mouth opened and then closed like she had something else to say but decided against it when he began asking about work, family - the usual run of the mill questions when you're both not sure what to say but feel like talking needs to happen. Her head canted a bit and she decided to run with it, for now.

"Everything's been great, actually. Zara is pretty generous with her tips when I do my deliveries. That's how I met Theo months ago." She looked sidelong at Alan while he nursed his drink. "She seems like a good kid. Keeps herself busy here... tolerates the Will Whitfords who come through." And the man himself. Freya noticed Will's departure minutes after flushed Theo had to get away and her mind was already reeling with what could be going on but for the moment, she felt a tug to stay there with Alan and catch up. Another swig brought her casual Monday beer down a quarter more.

"Moll--" Immediately she stopped herself. There had been a bit of a falling out but she didn't want to drop that on Alan, even if he was one person she could share a cup of coffee with - or beer - and talk for ages. "Mom's doing most of the delivers in Hopewell while I got the suppliers here, so I come around pretty often. I like being on the move always." A ghost of a grin painted over her full lips because she knew very well that Alan could read her like a book. None of this was news to him. Then, she pushed off the counter and turned around to saunter to the jukebox he nodded at.

All her deliveries had been that morning. Zara was the last stop... so why not?

"Hm. Maybe some chicken wings...." She teased the idea of food while her boots tapped the hard wood. Her hips swayed to a sound in her head before it could make its way out - Freya loved a good song, the kind you could feel in your bones, in your soul. Old tunes especially.

Stopping in front of the dark jukebox, Freya leaned over. Her tanned fingers slid along the plastic buttons with little sharp taps 'til she found something good and pressed down. It lit up, whirring as a record was pulled into place. She's Not There by the Zombies began to play, filling the empty bar space that only Freya and Alan occupied. The lunch rush din began to die out in Freya's head as the first verse washed over her and at the height of the chorus-- a scratch, erratic and then-- nothing.

Freya stopped, staring down at the jukebox as its colourful light went out. She absently tugged at the collar of her leather jacket. When did it get so warm in here?

A little disgruntled, she exhaled and turned back to Alan. Her brow furrowed a bit but she pushed aside her mild annoyance to give way for something... else

"Why don't we go find Theo?"

 

[Vinaein]

Character: Alan Cooper
Time/Location: The Blue Rose Bar and Grill | 12:00 - 1230 pm
Scene Status: Open
Tagging: Theo @sky. | Freya@Andronica | Will @Lydia

Seeing Freya again was dredging up a number of memories that Alan had not expected this night. His breath escaping him in staccato little pants, he moistened his lips with his tongue, trying to drown out the anxieties with some of hi drink. To think they'd be talking again. So casually, too. What the hell was he to do about all this? How was he going to tell her how much he had thought about her?

With Theo around...well, it was difficult enough, but this had been Mr. Cooper wandering into a storm of awkwardness and he was trying to navigate his way through it. With her head cocked, his eyes were fixated on her as he attempted to fight for some level of conversation they might hold to. "Glad...Zara's a good boss!" He said. God, having bosses was a memory he didn't relish. He'd been self employed and one of the best things about it? Answering to himself. Upon the mention of Will Whitford, he hid a small laugh into his own beverage...

Theo had been gone...a bit, hadn't she? He didn't let it bother him, focusing fully on Freya as she discussed her mother. He could only smile, having already guessed at most of it. "Here's to them..." he said, with a lift of his glass, an unspoken hope for reconciliation there as well. He knew she would understand the gesture as he grinned full on back at her.

"Always did love the wings... burgers here are pretty good, too. COme at the right time, you can even get a good elk burger," he added with his eyes gleaming. He rose to walk to the jukebox with Freya, hearing her select the song...and all of a sudden, he was filled with an urge to do something really, really impulsive.

Offer his hand, extend it to her with three words: "Care to dance?"

That impulse died with the record's scratch. And Theo was still missing. And Freya had an idea. "....Is Will...?" His eyes narrowed as he glanced to the direction Freya had gone. "What the HELL, they were here just..."

He walked in back. "Theo! Hey, Theo, you alright?!" He all but shouted, looking back at Freya.

"....Okay. Freya? Don't like this. At all."

 

[sky.]

Character: Theo
Time/Location: unknown time | amongst The Labyrinth. Hall of Nothing.
Scene Status: Open
Tagging:
@Lydia - Will
@Andronica - Freya
@Vinaein - Alan

---

Optimist.

You’ve gone bat shit crazy, Theodora. What was there to be optimistic about?

The young woman had gone in circles for what felt like an eternity. Her legs ached, chest tight, and head pounded harder than any cruel hangover could. Still, no tears left Theo’s red rimmed and massacre smudged eyes. Of course she wanted to, to fall onto the same plain white fucking floor, simply give up until the cops..whoever finally arrived. Finding her deep within whatever mental break was occurring.

Her shouts of alarm came to a stop. Not only hadn’t she the energy anymore but it was useless. No one was coming.

Who can hear you scream if this isn’t real?

Father swore this whole town was cursed, built upon sour ground…perhaps the old man wasn’t far off his rocker on that one. “It’s just a town, Dad. Nothing more. Nothing less.” Those had been the last words she spoke prior to taking off for Dawn Chorus, after nearly avoiding her folks for several years it wasn’t on her list of her top visits. Two seconds of listening to the religious couple’s bantering bullshit was a punishment all by itself.

“Fever...” she hummed.

“What a lovely way to burn.”
​

Theo’s steps came to a shuffling stop. The second voice tuning in along with her own mere moments of singing. Long, damp, inky hair covering most of her expression. Staring at her boots became a comfort, in a way. Better than to have your hopes crushed by seeing another door leading back to the same damn location.

“What a lovely fucking way to burn,” Theo mocked, laughter starting small before turning into a brief belly roll.

The back of her hand met her sticky forehead. Clever. Cerulean orbs darted away from the floor before hammering a foot into the side of the wall. Tight fists followed, striking it repeatedly until skin began to break from her knuckles. Any and all profanities she could fathom helped fuel her melt down, leaving the young woman more empty than anything else.

Finally the tantrum subsided. Theo’s gaze looked upwards to examine the damage she was certain had been done. Scraped and bleeding hands cupped her mouth. Aside from the minor spots of scarlet dots the wall stood without harm. Not a single indentation or scuff of the paint was visable.

How? The brunette shook her head, even a woman of her stature should’ve done something. She backed away unblinkingly until meeting the opposite side, “This isn’t real.” The need to remind herself was growing constant…she was breaking as this whole damn thing intended.

Everybody's got the fever​

Theo tittered, rolling her head to one side her bright hues narrowing. Footsteps? The noise barely audible over the music, a distant muffle of possible walking. Or, another mind game.

That is somethin' you all know​

The steps neared - hushing the song to a casual, smooth finish.

Fever isn't such a new thing
Fever started a long ago
​

“Will,” Theo mumbled, uncertain if it was a trick of the eye. She watched him enter the hall, staying in her propped position. With insides flipping once more she studied the man she met earlier. His dark hair glossed with the same sweat beat look her own had. Was it really him? For her sanity - she hoped.

“Will!” she gathered the strength to shout, stretching a single arm upwards.

If it was truly him and he was truly here…then what the hell was happening? One part of her almost hoped it was another illusion but as he approached that tinge disappeared. It was him. “Holy shit. How’d you get in here?” Theo shook her head, lifting away from the wall. Her mind went straight for - he got in, we get out the same way.

“What’s happening?” She met him halfway down the blank hall. He doesn’t look so well either, Theo noted the hint of illness on face. The man bore a look of someone who had seen their own share of obscurities.

 

[Fiadh]

Character: Freya Black Elk
Time/Location: The Blue Rose Bar and Grill | 12:00 - 1230 pm
Scene Status: Open
Tagging: Theo @sky. | Alan @Vinaein | Will @Lydia

---

Freya's dark eyes centred on the door behind the bar where Theo had just been serving them drinks before she needed a quick break. At least, to Freya it felt like only a minute ago, and Will had gone not long after. Her lip curled a little while she pondered over where they could have slipped away to on such short notice. They, definitely, because there was no mistaking Will's timing and the red flush that looked like it was going to consume poor Theo.

Rounding the bar she made a bee-line for the swinging door that would take them into the back, the same way she'd come into the Blue Rose proper only to find Alan, of all people. The morning was quickly being swept away by a very coincidental and perplexing afternoon when all Freya wanted was a beer. Gently she shouldered the door and it slipped open with a quiet squeak under her weight as she moved through it to the kitchen and storage rooms. It was a bare enough space with plenty of high ceilings and chrome that Theo would have stuck out like a sore thumb. Or anyone else really.

"Yeah, she's not back here." Freya responded while barely canting her chin to look over her shoulder at Alan. But there were a few doors connecting the kitchen to the storage room and service corridors. It was just a matter of picking one...

"Any idea where she might have gone to get a breather?" She hoped Theo's uncle had a little more insight into her habits.

Outside, away from the jukebox where her lukewarm beer sat, Freya was too far gone to hear the little shudder of the machine let alone notice it flickering back too life. It clicked and sputtered softly as the warm glow behind the panel lit up with intermittent, stuttering lyrics.

I light up when you call my name
and you know I'm gonna treat you right

The panel died for a moment until the door shut behind Freya in the kitchen. It grumbled again with a faraway voice chopped up by the age of the vinyl.

you give me

fever​

 

[Vinaein]

Character: Alan Cooper
Time/Location: The Blue Rose Bar and Grill | 12:00 - 1230 pm
Scene Status: Open
Tagging: Theo @sky. | Freya@Andronica | Will @Lydia

Alan was suddenly suspicious. His inspector instincts had been triggered, though he was has hardly panicking. He was not pleased at Will's simultaneous absence with his niece, his eyes narrowing sharply. God, was he being this ridiculous? The rational side of his brain spoke up suddenly. He was...not exactly batting a hundred when it came to Theo and her own emotions. He twitched his lips, trying to think as he sighed heavily.

Screw caution. If Theo was angry, so be it. At least she was safe. He jumped up to follow Freya, trusting her instincts if not his own now. He was dogging her heels, following her in the back now as he licked his lips. When the door swung open, creaking for them, he could only see a storage space.

"....Did she go around the back way?" He asked Freya, mystified suddenly. "I mean, the Blue Rose isn't huge, there's not exactly many options, Frey..."

HEr and Will...had he taken her somewhere? But no, she would never have left the restaurant on shift. She was responsible with work, even with nothing else.

The alluring melody of the jukebox touched his ears as he came to Freya's side.

The panel was opening, the door shutting to seal them both together and all he could think of to say.

"What...what the HELL is this?!" As though she might have the answers.

 

[Fiadh]

Character: Freya Black Elk
Time/Location: The Blue Rose Bar and Grill | 12:00 - 1230 pm
Scene Status: Open
Tagging: Theo @sky. | Alan @Vinaein | Will @Lydia

---

Freya had gone past being curious to full blown concerned. Her dark eyes gazed around the kitchen's stainless and white interior practically goading the shadow of Theo to come on out like she was actually hiding back in there. Though with a cursory look towards Alan, they both knew she wasn't in the kitchen or the adjoining storage or pantry... The Blue Rose wasn't a giant maze where someone could exactly wander down a hall and get lost in, that much she knew from doing her deliveries over the past year. And she knew that Theo had the place mapped better than the back of her hand. So... what the hell?

"There's a service corridor just through here where she probably went," grumbled Freya, half trying to convince herself more than actually explain anything to Alan. Frankly none of this seemed right and they'd only just stepped away from the bar. The kitchen door was shut fast on its seam with the red backside standing out like a sore thumb. Had it always been that colour?

Running her tongue along her teeth beneath her lips, Freya motioned for Alan to come along. She nodded to the service corridor marked clearly on the smooth door front and turned the knob to step inside. Her first instinct was to call out.

"Theo?"

Somehow once she planted a single foot into the next hall the sounds from the temperamental jukebox became louder back there.

"This should take us--"

when you kiss me

Freya stopped and stared ahead. The hallway was long. Longer than she remembered, and while she took a few more steps inside amid the hum of the old tune that was getting louder in her ears, she started to feel uneasy. She tugged the leather collar of her jacket once more and pressed on trying to glean another door that might interrupt the long corridor. It was getting warmer.

fever

"Hey, Alan..." said Freya in a quiet voice, like she didn't want to spook something else in the hall, "this doesn't seem right." Never mind the directions being off or how the hall seemed to just keep growing. Walking down there gave her a feeling of unease. But there was no other way she could have gone, right?

when you hold me tight

"Theo?" Freya called again, hoping she would hear her. Another gaze over to Alan, maybe to ground her, followed right after to break up the budding migraine this yawning corridor was going to cause.

 

[Vinaein]

Character: Alan Cooper
Time/Location: The Blue Rose Bar and Grill | 12:00 - 1230 pm
Scene Status: Open
Tagging: Theo @sky. | Freya@Andronica | Will @Lydia

Alan simply did not know what the absolute hell was going on. Long training kept him from panicking, but the frown that crossed his head was unmistakable. He was dour, his mouth curved downward into a dark frown while his eyes flicked back and forth, his breath quickening as he looked at Freya. This...was not normal, he thought. Absolutely not ordinary for measure of a storage, or a pantry or anything logical or rational from a damned restaurant. There simply wasn't any chance for something like this to exist. People didn't just vanish out of nowhere.

And yet here they were. Alone in the restaurant, like they were approaching a labyrinth, with Alan half expecting a minotaur to lumber through the hallways for them. Don't even think that as a joke, he scolded himself, taking a long and shuddering breath. Welcome to the Blue Rose, apparently, he thought with a curve to his lips.

"Alright." On pure instinct, Alan reached out and slipped his hand into Freya's own. He clasped her palm in his, with the kitchen door looming before them, so strangely colored...so oddly shaped...

He held on to Freya's hand. "THEO!" he called, shouting it.
when you kiss me

The music was mocking them. It sounded out, the voice crooning in their ears, the heat increasing. "It doesn't," he agreed with Freya.

"...We have to find her." He said.

And so, without hesitation, but not without fear, Alan walked into the corridor, holding Freya's hand tight for comfort and support to extend both ways. Into the labyrinth, into the unknown.

With nothing but the music ringing out in their ears, as if guiding them forth.

Or luring them out.

 

[Lydia]

Character: Will Whitford
Time/Location: The Labyrinth: Neon Hall, Green Hall, Hall of Nothing | Time Isn't Real
Scene Status: Open
Tagging: @sky. (Theo), @Vinaein (Alan), @Andronica (Freya)

---

Contrary to what you may expect, Will was a reasonably patient person. Unlike their snow-laden, suffering Northern kin, who raced ever-forward in cold relentlessness, George William Whitford III was a Southern gentleman, and he moved at his own goddamn pace, somewhere between idle and leisurely. Honey, why hurry? Thanks to that prominent lineage and that fortunate face, the world happily catered to him. He’d never known hunger or desperation, and he’d certainly never manned the serving side of a counter - that all seemed too unpleasant, in his estimation, and it also seemed to twist its participant personalities into dull sourness. It often bewildered him that so few people these days lived like he did.

That being said, it was perfectly acceptable to grow impatient with the behavior of subordinates, servants, and women, and for Theo, his tolerence was running on the thinner side. He had a three-martini lunch to attend back at the restaurant, and he was almost certainly missing the first drink.

Will removed a Brooks Brother’s handkerchief from his jacket pocket, dabbing at the sweat on his handsome brow. His movements grew terse as he opened a door to his left, marked AM/FM, and peered into the space. It was a radio station, seemingly abandoned sometime in the 50s. The surfaces were bare, save for a formidable layer of undisturbed dust, but the vintage equipment remained. Under different circumstances, this would be fascinating, but he - unfortunately and uncharacteristically - was in a hurry.

He closed the door marked AM/FM and advanced to the next door on the left. This one appeared no different than a door he’d find in his own home, simple and familiar. Opening it, he discovered it wasn’t a room at all, but a closet, packed to the brim with women’s clothing.

(This, of course, was utterly ridiculous, and not that he really knew anything about women’s fashion, he guessed the items were from the 60s and 70s - good quality, he noted, not that he cared much.)

Will continued through the hallway, almost jogging now, toward the door at the end. Throwing it open, another hallway greeted him, this one with rich green wallpaper and gleaming wood floors, chandeliers wrought with 90s-era brass dripping from the smooth ceilings. It was rather nice, apart from the muddy handprints smeared graffiti-like along the walls.

Fever!​

Will huffed in indignation. He barreled forward toward a door on his left, far closer than the doors at the distant end of the hallway. He wasn’t looking anymore, but driven by a sense of urgency (panic? no, don’t be silly) to just keep moving.

(Have you ever shut off lights in the basement and still had to climb the stairs? You know there’s nothing down there, but that primal fear of the yawning darkness hurried your step regardless? You can’t help it, it’s still buried in your brain from time immemorial, when it kept your ancestors safe around the campfire. That’s what Will’s feeling. But he’s not scared, definitely not.)

Will threw open the door - to nothing. A hallway unremarkable. Except ——

Captain Smith and Pocahontas
Had a very mad affair
When her daddy tried to kill him
She said, "Daddy, oh, don't you dare"
He gives me fever​

—— “Theo!” he called, spying the familiar figure of the dark-haired waitress on the far side of the white-void hallway, slumped against the wall.

Fever isn't such a new thing
Fever started a long ago​

He didn’t want to acknowledge the relief he felt as she approached him, but something akin to a smile crept to his fine features, short-lived, vanishing as she greeted him with a mirror of his own concerns:

“What’s happening?” she cried, her voice strained with concern. The girl looked both exhausted and alarmed, her skin sheened in sweat.

Though he began with amorous intentions, Will’s desire had curdled with the Labyrinth’s nonsensical turns; in his mind, Theo was responsible for their current situation and he was shocked to find her seemingly as confused as he.

“You - you don’t know where we are?” he asked, incredulous and annoyed. “You led me here.”

Figures. Women couldn’t be trusted to lead, or organize, or have a sense of direction. It wasn’t an opinion he’d share outside of close circles - it wasn’t popular woke Politically Correct bullshit - but these stereotypes exist for a reason, he reasoned, and this waitress was proving him entirely right.

“Christ almighty,” he cursed to himself, then grabbed her by the upper arm, hard, pulling her stumbling along toward the door from which he just emerged. Every step seemed to increase his ire.

“You really shouldn’t play these games,” he growled. “My time is too valuable for this. I’m sure Zara wouldn’t enjoy hearing that her bartender just vanishes during the lunch rush.”

He paused in front of the door from which he emerged, giving the young woman in his grip a lingering, hard stare. She was pretty regardless, in a way that made him think she’d do shit in bed that Julia refused.

Now you've listened to my story
Here's the point that I have made
Chicks were born to give you fever
Be it Fahrenheit or Centigrade
They give you fever​

Will scowled and pushed open the door, pulling Theo through it, only to emerge back in the red hallway where he began - and not, as he expected, surrounded by green.

“Why did you do this?” he exclaimed, utterly exasperated. “Who designed this place?” It was a rhetorical question; he knew she wouldn’t have a clue.

 

[Fiadh]

Character: Freya Black Elk
Time/Location: The White Hall | What is time?
Scene Status: Open
Tagging: Theo @sky. | Alan @Vinaein | Will @Lydia

---

She didn't resist. There was no hesitation when Alan's fingers slipped around hers. It brought back memories of much better times where the biggest adventure Freya had on her mind was choosing which barely food grade snack from the Lotto 'n Gas would be her and Bee's lunch - 'cause the only reliable trait about Jesse Vance was his consistent inability to cook. He would find a way to fuck up boiling water.

Despite holding Alan's hand, admittedly tighter than she probably should have as a creeping feeling of fear started to make her limbs go stiff, Freya still didn't feel even remotely at ease. The hallway they walked down seemed brighter than the usual incandescent strips Zara applied to the service corridors and it was starting to burn her eyes. Though Freya blinked repeatedly and tried not to look too far up - or ahead, because the place felt like the yawning maw of a much bigger room - it was equally disorienting in that the hall felt like it was going to snap them up in its jaws.

How long had they been walking? It felt like ten minutes bled into an hour.

Freya swallowed quietly while shrugging her shoulders back. Athletic and sinuous arms pushed her jacket open more where it flared down her chest. A brief waft of air made her warming skin less tempered by whatever invisible flame was assaulting her skin, though it didn't last long.

"She couldn't have gone far if she went down here." Now, the question was, where the hell else could Theo have gone? The hall was so bright and long while suffocating at the same time that secretly Freya hoped Theo was just out back taking a sneaky smoke.

Freya felt something... else. The little hairs on the back of her neck pricked up in a primal instinct of alarm. Something warm brushed against her back, like breath, if someone was right on her back.

Turning to look over her shoulder without breaking their stride, Freya saw what she expected: nothing. Just a worsening feeling. She grimaced but swallowed the expression back down.

"Theo?" she finally called out partly to distract herself.

There it was again, that glide of air that came in an irregular panting breath. A smell like stale floral perfume followed this time.

No. Not perfume.

Like sickly sweet death. Her hikes in Dead Horse made Freya no stranger to the odd deer carcass or what was left of a coyote's lunch. This time Freya looked back the way they came more slowly, as if she knew what she'd find. Something dark shifted and churned like a shadow except not. Bigger and very corporeal, though she couldn't figure out what. And she felt hotter.

"Alan." His name slipped out whisper-quiet at first through Freya's clenched teeth. "Alan. Move."

She grabbed him hard, unaware if her nails were digging into his palm. Freya surged forward both with the intent of pushing and pulling Alan ahead as that smell got stronger and the feeling of something rushing up behind became worse.

Ahead of them on the right and flush with those awful white walls was a dated panelled door. It had a brass handle rubbed shiny from use with frosted glass top obscured by words etched in black that were faded over time. A name or business? She couldn't tell, she didn't give a shit, but she wanted in.. She didn't even question the convenience of the door coming into her periphery. She didn't want to look over to where the oppressive feeling swelled. Instead, Freya latched onto the knob and wiggled hard through a chorus of hushed "no, no, no"'s that became increasingly desperate against the knob's surprising resistance.

 

[Vinaein]

Character: Alan Cooper
Time/Location: The White Hall | What is time?
Scene Status: Open
Tagging: Theo @sky. | Freya Black Elk@Andronica | Will @Lydia

His hand was in hers. His fingers in hers, the warmth of their palms touching. He took comfort from their proximity, holding tighter to her hand to steady himself. But then, had not Freya always been a source of comfort to him? Whenever he set his eyes upon her, it brought a strange sense of peace and calm within his chest. She had a way around her that all others might envy. Hell, to find her working at the Blue Rose, in proximity of Theo had been unexpected.

But had been something he'd found himself appreciating when they had spoken. Now? Well, who the hell could tel right now? He had to find Theo. "Could go for some elk jerky right now," he said, his stomach in knots and in desperate need for something to settle it. And he always remembered Freya loved some jerky. Much better than anything Jesse Vance could whip up on his best of days.

Feeling Freya grab him tighter, he stared on ahead, trying to make some kind of strange sense for their surroundings. There was no end to it, a hallway that just dragged them further down the path. He was only aware of Freya's hand in his, the only thing that kept him going.

"Theo! Theo, come on, what is this!" He somehow felt he shouldn't be yelling, as though the call of his voice would act as a beacon and pull something from the dark closer to them.

And then the scent. Like old flowers, on the cusp of decay, something that must have carried with it the aroma of old, decaying things.

"Alan. Move."

He didn't need to be told twice. He just knew he would not let go of Freya's hand. Holding tight, letting her nails grind into his palm as they moved ahead, seeing only an ancient door...

With something behind them, Alan looked at Freya fiddle with the door. Screw it, he thought. He joined her, bustling at the lock...before he slammed his shoulder to the wall, feeling it shake, feeling it groan...

And then the door swung open for them, Alan trying to pull Freya through before that feeling, bringing the scent as its harbinger, could reach them.