Post by ladydedraca on May 22, 2017 23:14:43 GMT
■out of character■ Sorry for the lateness. Surgery effed me back a few days
■supporting cast■ Christian Mercer
You don’t know what is yet to come. Those simple words were as true as anything else. No matter how well you planned for yourself, one wrong step could change everything. She had tasted all the up’s and down’s that life had to offer. But she was aware that this wasn’t all. Life had a funny way of showing you the middle finger. You had two ways of approaching that though. Take it with a smile and move on. Or let it get you down.
What’s it gonna be Elena?
That was the million dollar question, right? As of late going to ‘work’ was a burden. She didn’t know how to explain. Not to people but even less to herself. That business had been running through her veins ever since she could remember. Everything she ever done was leading her closer to that dream. And then? She lived it. She tasted what it was like to matter. Till the point she felt on top of the world. So what happens when you have all you want? All you need even. But unfortunately you are a part-time sociopath. You start to manipulate yourself. The Phoenix must burn to emerge. ~ Janet Fitch
L I T T L E M I S S N A U G H T Y
New York City, New York
ON/OFF camera
“Are you kidding me?.” She was trying not to shout, her eyes almost black. “I don’t care what the law thinks. I do not need to sit down with a stranger and even less do I need any kind of empathy.”
All morning she had been storming through the mansion. Cursing under her breath and moving things from A to B. For no reason obviously. Christian had managed to stay out of harm's way. Which included flying ‘foreign’ objects. He even managed to get her in the car without losing an arm.
Hand the man a prize.
But now they had been in the car for around twenty minutes. With her doing most of the talking, maybe even pulling a tantrum. Her eyes wandered to the ugly, grey building and the huge banner hanging over the entrance door. You don’t have to be that way.
WHAT THE FUCK?
“My love, you almost striking down a waitress because of bringing you the wrong drink… .”
He tried to be as gentle as possible. His voice calm as always, not fitting the expression in his eyes. The truth was, CHRISTIAN MERCER looked a little tired. Immediately she felt guilty. As of late he had to keep up with her escapades way too often. And while her whole body was screaming to fight him, her shoulders sunk. Elena nodded her head and kissed his cheek before getting out of the car.
She went through the usual procedure when attempting a doctor. Name. Need. Neurotic. The office lady looked at her from head to toes, giving a nod. The tick tock noise of the huge wall clock annoyed her to the limits, but she took a deep breath. When the office door opened she slid in without another word.
“I am glad to see you again Miss DeDraca.. Or is it Mercer now?” His voice was comforting to everyone, most likely - not to her.
“Either is correct. So pick.” She let herself fall on one of those leather sofas, kicking up her legs while looking at the ceiling. “I assume my husband has given you a little rerun… .”
The golden cage.
“Of course Elena. And I was surprised… honestly. You have been on a very good way.” He looked up from his papers and directly at her. “So what happened..?”
“Nothing.”
“We tried that at least three times. To a point where we go back and forth… aren’t we past that, Elena? You are lucky that waitress didn’t sue you.”
For a long moment nothing happened. And while the reasonable part of her mind knew that he was right, that part was on an extended vacation. In a way too controlled manner she sat up, looking directly at him.
“Darling, you really think that is going to impress me? How am I the one to blame if she can’t do her job right? But that is besides the point, right? Because quite obviously hardly anyone can do a good job these days. We are stranded with a bunch of wannabes and suck ups.” She chuckled. “I am not even sure your diplomas are real, but who will ask? Nine out of ten times people will step over you without blinking. Fulfilling their own needs.”
He had gotten up from behind the mahogany desk, leaning against it. Removing his glasses to rub between his eyes.
Another one tired of your rambles.
“We have been through this a hundred times… I’m not your enemy, Elena. I am here to help you focus. So don’t cut a promo on me, alright? I wanna find out what kicked you off balance that damn hard that you feel the necessity to attack regular people.”
“And then what? Will you hold my hand and walk me through it? You know at least two things about me. I am a screwed up mess. But more important, I don’t care. The world owes me nothing but the joke? I don’t owe anyone either.” She rubbed her fingers together as if it was cold. “People give me that strange look ever since. And guess what? I still don’t care. I have survived 27 years without the guidance of an overpaid smartass. That is quite some time for what you consider a ticking time bomb.”
His gaze had been focused on her for all this time, without commenting. Being used to those verbal lash outs in any colourful way. Elena DeDraca had been coming here first when finding out about her pregnancy. Becoming irrational and vulnerable. So out of every stranger he probably knew her the best.
She ain’t ever been stable.
“Tell me though, how often can you glue it back together Elena… after letting that bomb explode? How many times will you get up looking for the broken pieces.” The serious tone had her alerted. “Christian also told me you aren’t taking the medication we talked about. You need to sleep every now and then.”
“Those pills are poison. They slow me down. I can’t stand still… .”
“Why? Why can’t you ever catch a break like everyone else Elena.”
She looked at him intensely. It was unpleasant for him which his body language gave away. Good. Her expression was dead serious.
“Because when I take a break… I will never get back up.”
M O C K I N G B I R D
New York City, New York
ON/OFF camera
Empires fall.
Elena couldn’t hide her laughter when thinking about that. There had been many before the little bird, and there would come a lot more after her. A bright light in a room full of darkness. Not entirely part of this world, but good enough. She had been watched from afar. And while that sounded highly stalkerish, it really wasn’t.
What do I know?
Her tea had gotten cold. Again. She had been sitting in the wintergarden for quite some time. Minutes had turned to hours, a sunny afternoon to evening. Maybe she zoned out a few times, but her focus was set once more.
“I never liked birds. Is that an ice breaker, my love? I don’t ever feel it is necessary to be mean, but sugarcoating shit ain’t me either. I am not sure you paid any attention to who I am, it would surprise me if you did. There are enough people out there that will refer to me as a veteran. As someone that has done it all. But the truth is, they are all wrong. I get your ‘neither here nor there’ mentality, because for a decade I was the same. But don’t expect any sympathy from me.” She leaned back and stretched out her pale legs. “Who am I to offer you anything in the first place? You have been riding the high wave for so long, it must be impossible to think anything can go wrong. Especially after you have beaten almost everyone on the Phoenix roster. Congratulations, dear. I admire what you have done at your still young age. You are a talent that needs no further praising, at least not from me. I am sure there will be enough blowing sugar up your tiny hole. Be my guest when it comes to a reality check. Will you?”
She nibbled on her bottom lip for a few moments, closing her eyes.
“Almost everyone does not include me. There was a time when my reputation meant a lot to me. A time when I pushed myself beyond the limits to please everyone. And while I admit you have been an absolute dominant force, it doesn’t leave me sweating. I do respect what you can do, but I won’t belittle myself over that. The waiting game has never been for me. I had to do it for over a month. Passing time with watching everyone in Phoenix rising higher. You. Aurora. Whatever the name of her partner is. And I sat there little bird, thinking. Debating.” A few birds lifted themselves from the trees. Ironic. “I had to come to terms with who Elena DeDraca really is. And even though the world will not always agree with my decisions, they are mine to make. Mine to live with. Which means, Ana, nothing that ever happens is coincidence. When I get my hands on you, choking you till you turn a pretty blue - it is a decision I make. Taking what you call your title will not be an accident either. A naive and thoughtless mind doesn’t protect you from what’s to come. Please do not take offense by my words, because at the end of the day they are just that: words.”
Elena noticed the movement behind her. Senses alerted, hearing the light laughter of her daughter followed by the dark chuckle of her husband. For a moment her expression became soft. A short moment.
“But that is the problem with this business. The cancer you could say. No matter how big the words, in the end they will be forgotten. Results speak for themselves. And if you push hard enough you will be remembered for a lifetime. Trust me, it’s worth the effort. It will eek you to leave that comfort zone Anastasia. It will be a damn pain in the ass even. Stepping off of your high horse and leave your self created reality. The one in which you are so well protected. The place where no harm can be brought over you. Or simply said, the lie.” Her laughter was dark and high volume. “You are not unbeatable. You have done very well for yourself in the past months, but all good things come to an end. It takes a lot to build a legacy but only one misplaced step to burn down in flames. I ain’t one for cheap tricks my pet. I won’t come at you from behind. And while this might be considered a sort of respect, it is a lot more than that. Nothing I say or do will erase what you have achieved, but you are very much like an old book. We have read you a few times and now you go back to the shelf. Till we are ready to be bothered with you again. You are welcome Anastasia Starling. For real.”
There is a breaking point for everyone. This was the one for Elena DeDraca. And despite all bedtime stories, there was a point of no return.
■supporting cast■ Christian Mercer
You don’t know what is yet to come. Those simple words were as true as anything else. No matter how well you planned for yourself, one wrong step could change everything. She had tasted all the up’s and down’s that life had to offer. But she was aware that this wasn’t all. Life had a funny way of showing you the middle finger. You had two ways of approaching that though. Take it with a smile and move on. Or let it get you down.
What’s it gonna be Elena?
That was the million dollar question, right? As of late going to ‘work’ was a burden. She didn’t know how to explain. Not to people but even less to herself. That business had been running through her veins ever since she could remember. Everything she ever done was leading her closer to that dream. And then? She lived it. She tasted what it was like to matter. Till the point she felt on top of the world. So what happens when you have all you want? All you need even. But unfortunately you are a part-time sociopath. You start to manipulate yourself. The Phoenix must burn to emerge. ~ Janet Fitch
■■■■■■
L I T T L E M I S S N A U G H T Y
New York City, New York
ON/OFF camera
“Are you kidding me?.” She was trying not to shout, her eyes almost black. “I don’t care what the law thinks. I do not need to sit down with a stranger and even less do I need any kind of empathy.”
All morning she had been storming through the mansion. Cursing under her breath and moving things from A to B. For no reason obviously. Christian had managed to stay out of harm's way. Which included flying ‘foreign’ objects. He even managed to get her in the car without losing an arm.
Hand the man a prize.
But now they had been in the car for around twenty minutes. With her doing most of the talking, maybe even pulling a tantrum. Her eyes wandered to the ugly, grey building and the huge banner hanging over the entrance door. You don’t have to be that way.
WHAT THE FUCK?
“My love, you almost striking down a waitress because of bringing you the wrong drink… .”
He tried to be as gentle as possible. His voice calm as always, not fitting the expression in his eyes. The truth was, CHRISTIAN MERCER looked a little tired. Immediately she felt guilty. As of late he had to keep up with her escapades way too often. And while her whole body was screaming to fight him, her shoulders sunk. Elena nodded her head and kissed his cheek before getting out of the car.
She went through the usual procedure when attempting a doctor. Name. Need. Neurotic. The office lady looked at her from head to toes, giving a nod. The tick tock noise of the huge wall clock annoyed her to the limits, but she took a deep breath. When the office door opened she slid in without another word.
“I am glad to see you again Miss DeDraca.. Or is it Mercer now?” His voice was comforting to everyone, most likely - not to her.
“Either is correct. So pick.” She let herself fall on one of those leather sofas, kicking up her legs while looking at the ceiling. “I assume my husband has given you a little rerun… .”
The golden cage.
“Of course Elena. And I was surprised… honestly. You have been on a very good way.” He looked up from his papers and directly at her. “So what happened..?”
“Nothing.”
“We tried that at least three times. To a point where we go back and forth… aren’t we past that, Elena? You are lucky that waitress didn’t sue you.”
For a long moment nothing happened. And while the reasonable part of her mind knew that he was right, that part was on an extended vacation. In a way too controlled manner she sat up, looking directly at him.
“Darling, you really think that is going to impress me? How am I the one to blame if she can’t do her job right? But that is besides the point, right? Because quite obviously hardly anyone can do a good job these days. We are stranded with a bunch of wannabes and suck ups.” She chuckled. “I am not even sure your diplomas are real, but who will ask? Nine out of ten times people will step over you without blinking. Fulfilling their own needs.”
He had gotten up from behind the mahogany desk, leaning against it. Removing his glasses to rub between his eyes.
Another one tired of your rambles.
“We have been through this a hundred times… I’m not your enemy, Elena. I am here to help you focus. So don’t cut a promo on me, alright? I wanna find out what kicked you off balance that damn hard that you feel the necessity to attack regular people.”
“And then what? Will you hold my hand and walk me through it? You know at least two things about me. I am a screwed up mess. But more important, I don’t care. The world owes me nothing but the joke? I don’t owe anyone either.” She rubbed her fingers together as if it was cold. “People give me that strange look ever since. And guess what? I still don’t care. I have survived 27 years without the guidance of an overpaid smartass. That is quite some time for what you consider a ticking time bomb.”
His gaze had been focused on her for all this time, without commenting. Being used to those verbal lash outs in any colourful way. Elena DeDraca had been coming here first when finding out about her pregnancy. Becoming irrational and vulnerable. So out of every stranger he probably knew her the best.
She ain’t ever been stable.
“Tell me though, how often can you glue it back together Elena… after letting that bomb explode? How many times will you get up looking for the broken pieces.” The serious tone had her alerted. “Christian also told me you aren’t taking the medication we talked about. You need to sleep every now and then.”
“Those pills are poison. They slow me down. I can’t stand still… .”
“Why? Why can’t you ever catch a break like everyone else Elena.”
She looked at him intensely. It was unpleasant for him which his body language gave away. Good. Her expression was dead serious.
“Because when I take a break… I will never get back up.”
M O C K I N G B I R D
New York City, New York
ON/OFF camera
Empires fall.
Elena couldn’t hide her laughter when thinking about that. There had been many before the little bird, and there would come a lot more after her. A bright light in a room full of darkness. Not entirely part of this world, but good enough. She had been watched from afar. And while that sounded highly stalkerish, it really wasn’t.
What do I know?
Her tea had gotten cold. Again. She had been sitting in the wintergarden for quite some time. Minutes had turned to hours, a sunny afternoon to evening. Maybe she zoned out a few times, but her focus was set once more.
“I never liked birds. Is that an ice breaker, my love? I don’t ever feel it is necessary to be mean, but sugarcoating shit ain’t me either. I am not sure you paid any attention to who I am, it would surprise me if you did. There are enough people out there that will refer to me as a veteran. As someone that has done it all. But the truth is, they are all wrong. I get your ‘neither here nor there’ mentality, because for a decade I was the same. But don’t expect any sympathy from me.” She leaned back and stretched out her pale legs. “Who am I to offer you anything in the first place? You have been riding the high wave for so long, it must be impossible to think anything can go wrong. Especially after you have beaten almost everyone on the Phoenix roster. Congratulations, dear. I admire what you have done at your still young age. You are a talent that needs no further praising, at least not from me. I am sure there will be enough blowing sugar up your tiny hole. Be my guest when it comes to a reality check. Will you?”
She nibbled on her bottom lip for a few moments, closing her eyes.
“Almost everyone does not include me. There was a time when my reputation meant a lot to me. A time when I pushed myself beyond the limits to please everyone. And while I admit you have been an absolute dominant force, it doesn’t leave me sweating. I do respect what you can do, but I won’t belittle myself over that. The waiting game has never been for me. I had to do it for over a month. Passing time with watching everyone in Phoenix rising higher. You. Aurora. Whatever the name of her partner is. And I sat there little bird, thinking. Debating.” A few birds lifted themselves from the trees. Ironic. “I had to come to terms with who Elena DeDraca really is. And even though the world will not always agree with my decisions, they are mine to make. Mine to live with. Which means, Ana, nothing that ever happens is coincidence. When I get my hands on you, choking you till you turn a pretty blue - it is a decision I make. Taking what you call your title will not be an accident either. A naive and thoughtless mind doesn’t protect you from what’s to come. Please do not take offense by my words, because at the end of the day they are just that: words.”
Elena noticed the movement behind her. Senses alerted, hearing the light laughter of her daughter followed by the dark chuckle of her husband. For a moment her expression became soft. A short moment.
“But that is the problem with this business. The cancer you could say. No matter how big the words, in the end they will be forgotten. Results speak for themselves. And if you push hard enough you will be remembered for a lifetime. Trust me, it’s worth the effort. It will eek you to leave that comfort zone Anastasia. It will be a damn pain in the ass even. Stepping off of your high horse and leave your self created reality. The one in which you are so well protected. The place where no harm can be brought over you. Or simply said, the lie.” Her laughter was dark and high volume. “You are not unbeatable. You have done very well for yourself in the past months, but all good things come to an end. It takes a lot to build a legacy but only one misplaced step to burn down in flames. I ain’t one for cheap tricks my pet. I won’t come at you from behind. And while this might be considered a sort of respect, it is a lot more than that. Nothing I say or do will erase what you have achieved, but you are very much like an old book. We have read you a few times and now you go back to the shelf. Till we are ready to be bothered with you again. You are welcome Anastasia Starling. For real.”
There is a breaking point for everyone. This was the one for Elena DeDraca. And despite all bedtime stories, there was a point of no return.
The Pale Queen
