venice ♔ to remove the stain of my love

[romanticidal]

♬ My Confession - Josh Groban

WHO || Rafael Giovanni, Kat, Gar, Buffy, Myri [closed]
WHAT || Invited to the home of the talented singer, the Knights attempt to learn more about his connection to NOVA Records.
WHERE || Rafael's villa, an hour outside Venice, Italy
WHEN || July 6, evening.
HOW || Actionspam, NO TAG ORDER

With Dumage MIA and not responding to her phone, the girls quickly got ready for an evening at the home of the exceptionally talented singer who had dragged them in front of the audience at Notturno. Gar looks nice, if subtly so, in a mid-length red dress and simple make-up (11 Disguise check which is what I use for people prettyifying up). Kat's own attempts to do her make-up when left unaided in the bathroom left her coming out looking like Rocky Raccoon, unhappily smeared in blush and metallic eyeshadows (crit fail :( ), but after the other girls helped salvage her (15), she looks really pretty, though still not wearing anything remotely close to a dress. Ever.

The girls take a ride outside of town, driving through Veneto at breakneck speeds, because someone let Kat drive (check 17). What should be an hour's journey takes them half that time, and they pull up to the impressive sight of a dual story white and red villa that all but screams luxury.

Comments

[romanticidal]

Stracciatella. It is almost like your... chocolate chip. But not at all.

[slay]

You had me at chocolate. [ she doesn't seem phased by the "but not at all," at least, and she's taking this opportunity to open the window a crack so that the noises from outside can come in and she can try to overhear what cameron diaz and dumage are talking about. (nat 20 listen check, so 26.) but she does turn away from it to offer rafael a warm and appreciative smile. ]

1/-

[postergirl]

[ there's something in dumage's tone that's almost foreign sounding coming from her. probably because it sounds like she's actually invested in what she's saying instead of just being snarky and bitchy.

well. she still sounds kinda bitchy. and condescending. what do you want from her. ]

And how do you propose to do that, exactly? Pose naked on the front steps of the capitol and hope someone strikes an interest?

2/-

[opportune]

[ the other girl snorts and flips her hair out of her eyes, fixing dumage with a scathing gaze that clearly says I DO WHAT I WANT ]

You know, instead of berating me every chance you get when I actually get to see you, you could try, I don't know, being supportive that I actually have a whole plan figured out.

3/4

[postergirl]

[ dumage leans forward further ] "Seducing a billionaire" isn't a plan. It's the plot to a Playboy article.

[romanticidal]

[ meanwhile, rafael orders and shit ]

[slay]

[ she has to wonder if that's the capitol as in building in the u.s., considering dumage's friend -- she sounds friendly, anyway -- sounds very unamerican. italian or french maybe. french trying to be italian, or having lived here a long time?

more importantly, does dumage sound like an actual human being instead of an anthropomorphized, raging case of skanky pms? ... maybe she should feel guiltier about doing this than she does. but she doesn't.

anyway. she'll just let rafael order for her because they both know she can't say stracciatella, and set about figuring out what billionaire they're plotting to seduce and to what end. ]

So, did you restore the car yourself?

1/a tidal wave, strap in

[romanticidal]

Ah, I wish I could say it was so, but I have too little time for such things. [ but not, apparently, too little time for gondola rides. just sayin'. ] It was a rather extravagant purchase, maybe, but I cannot say I regret it.

2/-

[opportune]

[ ♬ I Will Buy You a New Life - Everclear

His word threaten to cover part of the dialogue outside, but nat 20 listen check means Buffy is the ultimate multi-tasker ]

And what you're doing is sooo much better? What is it this time, anyway: still running scams in jolly old England? [ she lowers her gaze judgmentally at Dumage ] You know, Mom keeps asking if I've heard from you.

3/-

[postergirl]

And you'd better have nothing new to tell her. [ She sounds honestly exasperated and reaches out to grab the woman's wrist ] This isn't a game, Amanda.

4/-

[opportune]

[yanking her wrist away] You don't have to tell me that, of all people. [ she narrows her eyes suddenly, and then widens them as if a revelation's come upon her ] Oh my God, Antonia, are you here to see--

5/-

[postergirl]

No. [ The response is firm, as she cuts her off sharply. ] That's over.

6/-

[opportune]

[ There's a hint of sympathy in Amanda's eyes as she says: ] So he's still...

7/-

[postergirl]

[ her voice conveys her withering look at that, even if it's obscured by her being turned away from buffy ] Very.

8/10

[opportune]

[ rolls her eyes ] Ugh. Catholics.

9/10

[postergirl]

It's hardly his Catholicism that's the issue. You know that as well as I do.

10/10 i'm sorry. for the million edits mostly....

[romanticidal]

[ meanwhile rafael is staring at buffy expectantly, and then seems to repeat a question that he was apparently waiting for a response to ]

Buffy? I asked if you were much into cars?

[slay]

[ antonia? her name's dumage. but if this girl's her sister, then -- oh weird. and what about that catholic comment? some guy, probably (which was surprising in and of itself, not because dumage and guys, but because dumage and guy singular who she hadn't just eaten and forgotten about. seemed like her, anyway), but what was that supposed to mean? sounded romantic, but what, was he married? a priest?

buffy's attention snapped back to rafael. ] -- Huh? Oh! Right. Cars. I, uh, not really. I know a guy who's pretty big on them, but I'm ... [ she shrugs. ] Oh, but don't -- Continue. The talking about them, that's ... very interesting. [ also his voice is pretty. ]

1/-

[romanticidal]

[ know who doesn't know much about cars? arden. so... imagine that he's telling exciting car details here. horsepower. rpms. uh... seat... belts...

what do you want from me.

ALSO THE GELATO ARRIVES ]

2/i'll tell you when i'm done i guess

[opportune]

Personally, I think he had a whole long list of problems, so pardon my not sobbing over things not working out. You still didn't answer my question though. About why you're here.

[ a beat ] If you want, you could stay with me tonight. There's a couch.

[postergirl]

I'm not here alone if that's what you're implying.

[opportune]

Ooo, mysterious hook up in Venice, huh? Say no more. There are some things I'd really rather not know about your personal life.

[postergirl]

Thank heaven for small favors. [ she digs into her clutch and pulls something out, sliding it across the table ] Speaking of which, I should probably find my way back. [ amanda looks at her, obviously ready to protest, but she cuts her off ] Take it. Consider it an investment in your continued search for Mr. Right. You're not going to pick up a heavyweight politician wearing last year's couture.

[opportune]

And here I thought you completely disapproved of my ingenious plan.

[postergirl]

[ Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles ]

Oh, don't get me wrong. I do. But as much as I hate to admit it, it's a much more effective use of your time than certain other routes I could imagine. [ she zips up her clutch and slings it over her arm, apparently ready to leave... which will involve coming back inside in a moment. amanda stands too, slipping her sunglasses down and pocketing the money. dumage watches her and then says, in a rather serious tone: ]

It may be some time again before you hear from me. But when you do, this will all be over. You have my word.