Linn Anna
All work and no play never made me lose it
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Post by Linn Anna on Aug 3, 2015 21:01:05 GMT -5
The marble floors had been polished and every last crystal on the chandelier dusted so each one sparkled in the reflection of the floor. The annual O'Brien gala was a event started by Cormac late wife, just because once a year she felt the need to have their family and all the friends together. For wine, food, dancing and of course showing each other up by wearing the best dresses, after all fashion was hitting many peeks at this time.
Every year the O'Brien ballroom would be clean and prepped until it glowed, beautifully appointed with crystal chandeliers and a creamy color palette that is sure to
compliment Whatever chosen color scheme or preferred décor the O'Brien's had picked this year. Today all the liners were a soft silver colour matched with a stunning white as fresh as snow, and a hint of rich dark green like the grass from the country the family hails from. The grand Piano had been shined as well until you could see your reflection in the black wood.
A piano player already sat playing away, after all that is what he was paid to do, while some of the family member hung about the ballroom waiting for though they deemed worthy enough to invite, arrived.
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Knight
Freelance Pianist
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Post by Knight on Aug 3, 2015 21:26:31 GMT -5
Galas were the absolute worst, in Knight's professional opinion. They were always filled with stuffy people who wanted stuffy songs, would only dance in their restrained, boring way and were always rude to the musicians. They paid fantastically, which was the only reason that he would put up with the ridiculousness that was a gala. If you wanted a fun party, you should never, ever call it a gala. To make things worse, Ana was not going to show up at all during the course of the evening. He'd quickly become accustomed to singing with a competent vocalist, and going back to pretty flits like this one was one hell of a step backwards.
To top things off, Knight only knew of one half decent O'Brien, and he had a bone to pick with that one. Ana had tried to explain what had happened between them, but Knight still didn't understand. Fin's positive qualities would inevitably be balanced out by the general assholery that was Heath O'Brien. Knight had managed to avoid Heath for the most part, but he would never forget the astronomical level of douchery that Heath had displayed upon meeting him. Chances were he'd never forgive him either, first impressions were key to any relationship and Heath had burned that bridge when it was still a grove of trees.
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Finley O'Brien
Bartender/Hammer
When the world goes to shit, I will still have my family.
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Post by Finley O'Brien on Aug 3, 2015 22:13:10 GMT -5
"Mother, Father." Finley hugged his mother, and kissed her cheek, before hugging his father. The cold dead gaze he recieved, and the curt, "Son. Made Finley just nod in return and turn away. It had only been five minutes, so far, and his parents were already back into their act of disowning him. Shaking his head, Finley clenched his jaw shut, biting back a scalding remark, and walking away, his hands curled into tight fists. If they wanted to be bastards, fine, fuck them. Tonight was a night for celebration, and for honoring his deceased aunt. It had nothing to do with those bastards.
Stalking past Knight, Finley nodded to the piano player, his face still dark. "Play something upbeat." He barely managed to keep his tone polite, as he made is way to the bar. Ordering a whiskey he drained the glass, and two others as he leaned against the polished wood, and stared at his shoes. "Bastards..." he grumbled, as a hand ran over his suit straightening it.
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Kyra Reid
Hammer
Men and their cocks never cease to amazing me
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Post by Kyra Reid on Aug 3, 2015 23:26:16 GMT -5
"What are you doing here Kyra?" A beautiful russia woman asked the red haired irish girl who was loading a new shipment of whiskey into the Underground' bar. Kyra looked up, her face covered in sweat and dirt and a little bit of blood from the fight she got into before hand (for the record it was not her's) and shrugged.
"What do you mean what am I doing? I'm working, what are you doing here?" She figured the woman would be performing or at very least hanging off of Heath's arm but no she just shook her head and sighed some.
"Too much baggage in that room with all those people I would rather avoid. But you should be there! Have you ever been to a party like that?" Kyra of course shook her head and Ana smiled some. "They are amazing, the lights and the drinks, music, and people all dressed to the nines." Kyra of course laughed some and shook her head. Yeah no if it was as fancy as Ana made it out to be no way she could go, she didn't have one fancy clothing item to her name. "And you know Finn is going to be there."
Wait what? Why would she bring that up? Did she really think mention Fin would make her want to go anymore than she already did? Or well in her case didn't.
"Oh well yeah I know... But still I can't. I got all this liquor to load in from that warehouse and I don't have anything to wear" Because god knows she would be kick out if she showed up looking like this. She's just isn't meant to go to stuff like this, her place is here, working and sweating and picking fights with those who got in her way. But clearly Ana was having no of that because she was then pulled into a dressing room and handed a dress. Oh fucking hell... When was the last time she wore a dress? When she was... five maybe? "This isn't gonna fit, you are way skinnier than I am."
"With a touch of magic it will fit now put it on." So much to the Irish woman's protesting she found herself all cleaned up and forced into a dress. And she had to admit that she... she looked good. And she felt like pretty for once, and like it was okay to feel this pretty. "There don't you look stunning. Now go have some fun for the both of us."
So okay now she was standing outside the O'Brien mansion, debating if she even walks in. What if everyone laughs at her? They see her looking like a girl and they put her back in the box that all women get put into. That they are weak and not able to do anything other than be a pretty face. Still she guessed she would feel bad if she let all of Ana's hard work go to waste. So she did finally suck it up and head inside she was greeted with a beautiful ballroom and alot of fucking people she did not know.
Great she was a regular old fish out of water now. Maybe she should just turn around and leave.
Fish out of water
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Aedan O'Brien
Fuego Student - Year 7
one for your tummy, one for your cheek, one for the devil inside of me
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Post by Aedan O'Brien on Aug 4, 2015 0:08:13 GMT -5
Aedan pulled the car up in front of his family home, checked himself out in the mirror, and then smiled over at Hallie. "Are you ready?" he asked, admiring the way the necklace looked on her. Yes, he'd made a very good choice, as he always did. Both the girl and the necklace were stunning enough to be perfect accessories for his arm. He always enjoyed this party and the opportunities it gave him to get to know his subordinates. After all, the better he knew them, the more effectively he would be able to control them.
"Don't be nervous," he murmured, reaching out to caress Hallie's cheek. "They're all going to love you."
With that, he was out of the car and heading around to her side to open the door for her. Offering his arm, he led Hallie up the lavish front steps and into the foyer. He glimpsed his cousin, Finley, and Miss Reid, but he did not yet see his father. That made sense; after all, he and Maureen, the guest of honor, were likely to make their appearance fashionably late, descending the grand staircase when the time was right for everyone to see and admire them.
He took two glasses of champagne from a tray carried by an employee, then offered one to Hallie and held his up to hers. "Well ... this is my house," he offered, the perfect amount of slight abashment in his tone.
Fancy Duds
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Finley O'Brien
Bartender/Hammer
When the world goes to shit, I will still have my family.
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Post by Finley O'Brien on Aug 4, 2015 0:19:21 GMT -5
"One fucking mistake... I came back didn't I?" Of course he had come back from France. He had made a promise to his sister. He had returned smarter, taller, stronger, and calmer, for the most part. He no longer sprang forward without thinking, everything Finley did was with a purpose. Every action he took, made him think about what would happen next. "I came back to them... I am still here... but no... betrayed... left them..." Finley continued to grumble and swear into his drink, still staring at the floor and his polished shoes. What did he care about them? If they wanted to shun their only son so be it. Maureen still loved him. Uncle Cormac respected him as well. So what did he care if they couldn't stand him? What did it matter if they couldn't even look at him? Because he was their only son, that was what bothered him, that was what had him so pissed.
A murmur ran through the room, and Finley looked up, seeing what had caused it. Nothing in this world could have prepared him for what he bore witness to. Of all people to come through those doors, in such a dress, she was the last he expected. Certainly he hadn't expected her to look like that. The sound of glass breaking made Finley blink, and look own. "Fuck." He mumbled looking down at the shattered glass around his shoes. Sighing he stepped away, and quickly crossed the room. His hand cvauht hers as she tried to lip out. "Miss Reid, might I interest you in a drink?"
Gently, Finlety pulled her back into the room. His eyes flicked to his parents for a moment, and all he could do was grin. "Quite the sight you are making, Logve."
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Post by Anya O'Brien on Aug 4, 2015 11:01:21 GMT -5
When she was a little girl, Darcy would try to dress her up in that silly red dress. She wished desperately to have a strong connection between mother and daughter, and she had assumed that playing dress up would bring two together. Little did she know, Anya already adored her mother. The problem was that Anya didn’t want to wear the dress, she didn’t want to be limited. You can’t run in a dress, even when she was little she knew that wearing a dress would somehow make it so that she wasn’t as equal.
This was one of the only times Anya would get dressed up, and of course the dress she wore was red She made you this ... this red dress. Maybe it was to spite her father after their last discussion, maybe it was because of her mother and the night the disappearing red dress.
The room was littered with only a few people yet, it only made sense being that she was early. Still standing in the entrance, Anya puffed on her cigarette through its holder, the tool she only brought out when in large company to avoid burning anyone. A man holding a tray approached her and displayed the champagne. “Thanks,” she muttered, collecting a single chute.
Finley was here already and she almost went over to him, but someone else caught her eye. After making eye contact with her cousin she gestured a message signifying just a moment. The relative who she chose to prioritize was her brother, Aedan.
There was a pretty girl at his arm, something she would easily be able to make into conversation. She made her way over to him and, after deciding against hugging him with his back was towards her, greeted him, “Hello, Aedan.”
Fabulous.
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Kyra Reid
Hammer
Men and their cocks never cease to amazing me
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Post by Kyra Reid on Aug 4, 2015 14:17:58 GMT -5
She started taking small steps back, slowly heading towards the door and praying that no one notice her. Sure she was putting all of Ana's hard work to waste but she didn't belong in pink dresses with feather, in ballrooms that probably cost more than... more than the moon probably. She would rather be back in her old clothes, working away and being invisible to most of the world. Nobody looks twice at a odd woman dressed like a boy, but they would certainly look twice at her in this and that was just....
A hand caught her own and she turned around with the intention to fall out knock the lights out of whoever grabbed her but it was only Fin and she quickly relaxed. Miss Reid? Why the fuck was he calling her Miss Reid? She titled her head and looked at him, not even realizing her cheeks had turned the slightest shade of pink. "Well I um... Yeah I guess I would." This was really weird and she wasn't quite sure she liked it. Still Fin seemed dead set on not letting her leave and dragged her back into the ballroom, back to staring eyes and looks and things that made her mighty uncomfortable.
"Believe me I'm not trying." She said swallowing some, you know it's funny. She could look a dragon in the eye and not flinch, but the thought of having to put on a dress and act like she's a lady... Yeah she was scared. "I wasn't even going to come but Ana insisted I did... Even made me wear one of her dresses. First and last time I think I'll get this dressed up for anything."
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Post by Heath Mulligan on Aug 4, 2015 19:00:30 GMT -5
With a hard push on the front door, Heath let himself into the foyer of Cormac's home; the smell of cigars and scotch filling the air the instant he had stepped inside. Casually digging his hands into his pockets, he strolled around a bit, offering firm but friendly greetings to various party-goers, eventually finding himself in the quaint, yet exquisite ballroom. His gaze flickered to various couples, and he grew silently envious as he watched them display their affections for everyone to see. He wished so badly that he could have behave freely like that with Ana. Of course, he technically could, but he was sure if any of his family members caught wind of his feelings for the girl, there would surely be some kind of consequence.
He eventually meandered over to a table, where he flashed his trademark smile at a floozy woman dressed in a rather risqué dress. She giggled at him, then blushed, then quickly scurried away towards a group of her awaiting friends. Heath smirked, then shook his head, walking in an opposite direction towards the side of the room. He wasn't sure what she wanted; it was either him, a bit of money, or drugs; perhaps it was all three. Although he was flattered, he had decided before he arrived that he didn't want to put on a kind of "show" that night. The events of the past weeks were far too fresh in his mind, and as he noticed both Aedan and Hallie walk into the room, he felt his stomach churn with mixed emotions. Anger...at himself and at Aedan for what they had done to Serafina Latini; disgust, at the fact that his little cousin could be so demented, and pity, not for him, but for his girlfriend, Hallie. Aedan most certainly, or at least, probably didn't realize it, but Heath did. The tall redhead on his arm was stronger than what he or anyone else in the O'Brien family realized. To be able to bend one's personality to satisfy those of a twister little bastard? That took a hell of a lot of guts.
Continuing to sip on his drink, Heath raised a lazy eyebrow and began searching for anyone that could entertain him in any way.
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Finley O'Brien
Bartender/Hammer
When the world goes to shit, I will still have my family.
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Post by Finley O'Brien on Aug 4, 2015 19:15:44 GMT -5
Finley smiled and nodded to his cousin Anya, as he almost forcefully guided Kyra back into the ballroom. Oh, Anya, Finley still needed to speak to his dear cousin. Cormac had already told him what had transpired between the two, and that he wanted Finley to talk to her. Watching the girl speak to her brother now, his eyes flicked to his own parents, and he shook his head. Finley would not let that happen to Anya and Cormac. He would not allow anyone to have to go through that pain with their family members. Tomorrow, he would speak to them both tomorrow, tonight was a time for a party. For a moment he forgot about the woman he was walking with, until she slipped, and he turned, catching her in his arms.
Smiling at Kyra, Finley raised an eyebrow, and playfully whispered, "So the dragon tamer, does have a weakness. Heels." Standing her back up, they walked to the bar, and ordered two whiskeys. As she explained it was Ana's idea, Finley smirked. Oh god bless that woman, and her stubborn nature. Gently his hand rested at the small of her back, as they talked, occasionally his eyes flicked towards his parents. Oh the pure rage on his mothers face, it was like a fine scotch. Savoring it, he looked back to Kyra, and for a moment he froze. He hadn't truly thought about it, but she was quite attractive, here and now, wearing a dress. It was hard to understand why she ever felt the need to dress as a man. The way her eyes shined, and the red hue to her cheeks, oh it was beautiful.
His attention was stolen for a moment though when Heath entered, and Finley frowned, there was another cousin he needed to speak with. Oh god, why had Cormac stuck the fighter, as a diplomat. Surely his Uncle was losing his mind. Nodding to Heath, Finley looked back to Kyra and smiled, as Knight and the band struck up a quick song. "Say, would you like to..." he paused as the song only seemed to increase its speed, and he shoook his head, "You know what, second thought. Nevermind." Picking up his glass, he held it up to Kyra, "Here is to a long life together."
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Post by Hallie Keating on Aug 4, 2015 19:29:45 GMT -5
Even with Aedan's attempt at reassuring her, Hallie was sure she could feel her heart pounding against her chest, while her anxiety plagued her stomach in a series of waves. As they walked through the entrance of his home, her mind wandered with all kinds of questions, most of which dealt with the fact that, if his family would indeed like her. She didn't worry about his cousins so much; Heath and Finley seemed to be understanding, and she had figured that Kyra would be easy enough to strike up a conversation with. It was Aedan's immediate family that really intimidated her, more pointedly, Cormac. Although she was a bit curious to see if Aedan had inherited his father's demeanor, she was more afraid that he would be disapproving in some, odd way. After all, he was the head of the O'Brien family, and for Hallie, that kind of title was enough to make her feel weak and small.
She clinker her fluke against his own, then smiled, her eyes traveling along the interior of the room. "It's beautiful, really," she told Aedan, taking a sip from her glass, then turning to lock eyes with an un-amused looking Heath, who was standing at the opposite end of the room. Hallie offered a shy smile towards Aedan's older cousin, then waved to him a bit, before having her attention directed towards the girl who was now greeting the boy next to her. She was beautiful in her own way; slender and graceful, almost like a ballerina. She greeted Aedan warmly, and Hallie could only assume that this was Anya, his older sister. Clasping her arms together in front of her, she smiled in a friendly manner towards the girl in front of her.
"Are you Anya?" She asked curiously. "If so, please forgive my staring," Hallie said, playing off a laugh. "You are absolutely gorgeous."
(Hallie's pretty gala dress: link)
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Post by Anya O'Brien on Aug 4, 2015 20:03:54 GMT -5
“Anya’s the name,” her eyes flickered away from her brother and towards the girl accompanying him and, in turn, shifted her shoulders to face the girl properly. Sipping carefully on her champagne, she observed the red head. It’s believed that first impressions of an individual’s body language and appearance gives one a good idea of his or her true character.
The girl’s posture said she was nervous, but she was incredibly strong and deserving of respect. It wasn’t necessarily her posture, but the fact that she was with Aedan. For anyone outside of the family, that took a special kind of talent. Even her style dress was descriptive, saying that she was a wild one.
Cracking a smile, Anya lowered her drink, a seal of approval. “Why thank you, darling. You’re not too bad yourself, completely stunning.” She laughed gently, taking a drag on her cigarette. Exhaling, she spoke through the smoke, “took me a while to get looking like this. Just one of our womanly struggles.”
Continuing to puff on the holder of her cigarette, Anya turned her attention back on her brother, only having her eyes shift. Raising an eyebrow, she motioned towards Hallie with a nod.
“Aedan, be a dear and introduce me, will you?”
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Post by Eamon Flynn on Aug 4, 2015 20:07:43 GMT -5
Tonight, in Eamon's opinion, was something of a compromise between the raving parties that he loathed, and the silence of the library. The music playing was upbeat, but not overbearing. And most of the company were members of his family, though truthfully he hadn't spoken to any of them in quite some time. He had never been a member of the O'Brien inner circle, and he knew that this wasn't just because he wasn't an immediate family member. It was because of his father, the one man in this room that he wanted dead more than any other.
Eamon's fear of his father had been long since burned away, by the war that had scarred both him and his second cousin Finley. Now the power was flipped, and the only thing that stood between Eamon and standing over his father's lifeless body was Cormac O'Brien. And all three of them were quite aware of that fact. Eamon made his way through the crowd just to pass nearby his father, and to sneer at him. Petty, definitely, but it was worth it to see the usually self-assured, arrogant made recoil in pure terror.
The goal of embarrassing his father complete, Eamon was at a loss for how to fill the rest of his evening. He went to the bar and got a stiff drink to ease him into interacting with the vast hordes of O'Briens and hangers-on that always appeared at such events. He could see Aedan O'Brien, pride of the family, with a very pale girl. Eamon hoped for her sake that she didn't faint. Finley was busy distracting Miss Reid, and he smiled at the idea of Finley having finally found a woman for him. Anya was also there, following her own agenda. He settled in one corner, content to people-watch for now.
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Aedan O'Brien
Fuego Student - Year 7
one for your tummy, one for your cheek, one for the devil inside of me
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Post by Aedan O'Brien on Aug 4, 2015 20:27:16 GMT -5
Anya O'Brien / Hallie Keating
"Anya!" Aedan greeted her with a smile and a hug, then listened in amusement as Hallie and his sister complimented each other.
Oh. She was wearing a red dress. Well ... that was brave. After all, Cormac had told Aedan everything he could possibly have needed to know. Part of his training, of course. Father ... well, Father was not going to respond well to the red dress. Anya must know that.
"Yes, this is my older sister, Anya O'Brien. Don't be fooled by her size; she's the toughest woman I know. And this is my girlfriend, Hallie Keating."
"Took me a while to get looking like this."
Aedan couldn't help but cock an eyebrow as he finished off his champagne and pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket. "Red dress. Don't think I've ever seen you wear red before, dear sister. But it looks lovely on you."
Just then, Janette came rocketing toward the three of them to toss one arm around Aedan's shoulder and the other around Anya's. Damn, she was a spitfire, that one. Father must cry himself to sleep when he thought about the daughters he'd raised.
Should have smacked them around, the way Aedan had. That was the way to get women to be properly submissive.
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Kyra Reid
Hammer
Men and their cocks never cease to amazing me
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Post by Kyra Reid on Aug 4, 2015 20:47:21 GMT -5
Heel shoes... who in their right bloody fucking mind though that woman needed shoes were even harder to walk in. It was bad enough that most female flats were cut to small for her feet in the first place but go and throw a heel on that shit and now she really could barely walk. Within the first ten steps she had tripped right into Fin's arms and looked down, blushing like mad and shaking her head. "Oi I like to see you try to walk in these things. I think they are made to torture woman."
Okay so this wasn't so bad, it could definitely be way worst. She could be here and know no one so at least she had someone to talked to. Thought there was just something confusing about the way he was treating her now. It was like the dress and her hair and makeup meant that she had to be treated like a lady, with his hand on the small of her back and Miss Reid now being her proper title. And she would be lying if she didn't say there was a tiny part of her that liked when he talked to her like that, part of her felt speical in this weird way. But the other part knew that it was that box again, that label that all woman fell under and that she spent so long trying to break.
It was like she had almost forgotten what it was like to be a real woman...
"Fin you know you can cut the Miss Reid Crap. It's still me just with nicer wrapping I guess." She down her drink and slide it across the bar and was handed back a full glass. She nodded at the Bartender, almost did a tip of the cap until she realized she wasn't wearing one. She raised a eyebrow when he was about to ask something and then said nevermind and she rolled her eyes. "You know I hate when people do that. Spit it out what is it?"
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