Monsterhearts: The Summer Folk

[WritesNaughtyStories]

"Her cousin," hissed Mister Askars' syrupy-smooth voice through the æther, "get her drunk. Falling down, pissing her pants drunk, scare my little birdy into being a very good girl. Veal, if you will." Velvet could feel the low, predatory chuckle rather than hear it.

"I'll tell you when, but push Charlotte into the pool - I'll collect her from the ambulance."

[WickedCadrach]

Charlotte hesitated, jostled on the dance floor and barely keeping her footing as she watched Dylan slipping gracefully away, the bag of X discreetly flashed as they turned to face the DJ. 

"Fuck." Selene heard Charlotte spit the word, the dark-haired punk looking back and forth from the twins to Dylan as if weighing in her mind which would be able to fuck up her life worse. 

That brewing agitation turned hard, her brows knitting together as her lips curled in a snarl, and Charlotte took a furious step to follow Dylan, her head lowering and eyes intent. 

[Selene, you may not know Charlotte well enough to know precisely what she means to do here, but the last time you saw a girl with an expression like that, it was followed by slap and a fight that left blood under her fingernails. And she's headed straight for Dylan.]

[Chiyako]

Drugs. Have to be careful with that! I probably shouldn't try them, right?

In her novels they had been the bane for many a character. Drugs often led down a dark path of despair, one which generally ended in disaster! That said they could also create unexpected avenues forwards towards friendships or other valuable opportunities! Some were also less dangerous than others. Ecstacy was supposed to be one of the less dangerous ones. Potentially addictive, like any drug, but not something that was going to leave permanent damage. Not on its own, anyway. Even so. . .

If I get offered some will I be able to say no? It would be weird to say no, right? Bad? Heck, I just have to hope nobody offers. That would make things easier!

Dylan was dancing. Was she supposed to dance too? It would let her fit in a little better, right? She didn't know how to dance, but she had seen some videos. There were easy ones that she was confident in pulling off. Shoulders gently lifted and lowered, right and then left. Hips followed the same rhythm, gently popping to the side of each raised shoulder. A sort of wiggle dance. Hopefully enough to fit in without distracting anyone, or pulling attention to herself. She just had to try her best to keep the rhythm going with whatever music was playing in the background. It did at least show off her hips a little better. Those were perhaps one of her better assets!

A slight shiver ran along her spine at Dylan's continued words. Antagonizing Charlotte was definitely not any part of her plan! Threats only worked if one was prepared to carry them out. Was Dylan actually bluffing here? She hoped so! Violence was generally not the answer!

Dylan might be a little scarier than I thought. But he seems to have a plan too. Bribe with drugs. That might work, right?

Her gaze shifted towards Charlotte. She appeared to be caught in a predicament. Unlike the witch however Robin's definitely sister was not meek. She was aggressive. Knew what she wanted and was willing to take the initiative to achieve it! Someone for her to look up to, really. However what was about to happen appeared to be steeped in violence, or at least on the path towards it. Perhaps she was awkward when it came to engaging others, but Selene had spent her life watching people. This was pretty obvious.

Uh oh! Um! Dangit!

She tried to hurry, to close the gap towards Charlotte without spilling her drink. Thankfully it wasn't completely topped off anymore. One hand clasped over the top, acting as best a lid as possible. The other secured its grip around the cup, pulling it close to her chest. Her plan was one intended to cause the least amount of damage to Charlotte, all while protecting Dylan and their plot. She would attempt to place herself in the girl's path, to act as a road block. Hopefully it wouldn't come down to anything painful, but if getting herself knocked over protected Dylan from getting into a fight or Charlotte from getting hurt by Dylan, well, that was acceptable to her!

"W-wait!" she spoke, somewhat hushed but moreso hurried. "You don't want to do that!"

Spoiler

Attempted to Shut Someone Down on Charlotte in order to talk her down from her attempted move against Dylan! Rolled a 2 and a 1. -1 Cold makes it a 2. Big oof once more! Marking experience!

 

Edited July 12 by Chiyako
Rolled to Shut Someone Down!

[WickedCadrach]

As Selene stepped in front of Charlotte, trying to block her way and talk down the punk on a warpath, Charlotte felt a flash of anger spike behind her eyes. Selene, her quiet, purple-haired... friend? An hour ago she might have said so, strange as it felt for not really knowing Selene that well. But whatever she was, she had lied, pretending to go along with Lizzie and Sam's plan, she had embarrassed her already and now she was trying to get in her way again. Why did everyone have to butt in on what she wanted to do? She didn't care if people thought she was a bitch or crazy, but why couldn't they just shut up about it and let her do what she wanted?

For a moment, Billy rose in her mind. He could be a jerk, but at least he didn't treat her like a child. At least he let her be herself. At least he wouldn't choose fucking Robin over her. 

Charlotte saw red and in the moment, her goal of stopping Dylan was forgotten. "Fuck off!" Black-painted fingernails highlighted with red crackles like broken glass came up. Palms shooting forward and studded-leather wrist bangles clattering, Charlotte shoved Selene full in the chest, sending the other girl sprawling onto the dance floor and tumbling into the bare legs of a boy in board shorts who stumbled in turn. The dancers who noticed shifted, confused, surprised or intrigued in their own ways as a loose circle formed instantly around Charlotte and Selene. 

"Oh, hell yeah! Girl fight!" someone called over the music and a few startled gasps. 

Charlotte didn't pay any attention to the others though, her glare was steady on Selene, who was now lying on the dance floor, her fruity drink now completely spilled over her front and dripping down to her waist. 

"Why did you even come tonight? You act like you're my friend and then you turn on me the first chance you get. You're a bitch, Selene! Just stay the fuck away from me."

[Selene, your failed attempt to shut down Charlotte has put her over the edge. If you try to stop her again and fail, there's a chance she'll actually try to hurt you (1 Harm). If you let her go, you can tell she's headed straight for Dylan. Either way, a lot of attention is on you and Selene, and if Dylan intervenes, a lot will be on them too.]

[WritesNaughtyStories]

Dylan heard the commotion behind them before they got a chance to talk to the DJ. Turning, the Hollow saw Charlotte shove Selene to the floor and anger flared. They bit down on it - they'd had a lot of practice suppressing fury - and turned back to the DJ.

"Hey!" they called with a forced smile painted on their full lips, "Can I ask you a favor?" Dylan began, drawing the little bag of pills from their pocket, concealed in their fist for the moment. "You don't happen to have Hurts So Good by John Cougar, do you?"

"My friends are going to bring a video to you to show. O have a bunch of X  that I can give you to record me getting the shit kicked out of me and play it instead - be a nice video for Johnny..."

Dylan let their wrap slip again as they offered the DJ all but one of the pills and gave him a wink as they turned to face the dance floor. It had been a day or failure and hurt. It was so much easier when there was blood. It made sense. Dylan strode forward, and grabbed Charlotte by the shoulder and spun the girl to face them.

"I'm your problem, not Selene, CUNT!" they shouted the last word, giving Charlotte a shove, trying to force the girl's hand into violence. This Dylan could control.

/OOC: Dylan, rolled 6 using 2d6-1 ((3,4))

[Chiyako]

Oof!

A sudden powerful shove interrupted all thoughts. It had enough power to send the petite witch stumbling backwards over her own feet and, unfortunately, into the legs of some poor boy. Chill suddenly washed over her chest, the drink spilled and soaking both the thin silken robe along with the swimsuit worn beneath. Neither were white thankfully enough, and even if they had been the drink most certainly discovered whatever she had worn. That however was not on her mind.

She lay there for a moment, dazed while her now emptied cup was tossed aside. On instinct her free hand lifted and pressed atop her head, first making sure that her hat remained on and then taking a moment to adjust it. Force of habit. Her chest hurt a little bit, as did her rump and the back of her head. What hurt most were Charlotte's words.

"I didn't-" she began, trying to get a word in, only to wince and find any retort cut down by the girl's insult.

I didn't mean to betray you!

At that moment she wanted to sink away into the ground and simply return home. To throw herself into a good book. Legs pulled in close to her body and hands gripped at the brim of her hat, pulling it down slightly to conceal her face or, rather, to conceal the world from her vision. She felt the sting of tears forming, however these she managed to blink away.

I should not have come here. This is not my world.

Dylan's even sharper words prompted the small woman to release her grip upon her hat, gaze snapping upwards just in time to spot them in their initial engagement against Charlotte. With haste she pushed herself to her feet, however once she had Selene hesitated to move in towards the two. Everything she had done had only ended in failure. What could she even do now?

"Don't!"

Is this all I can do?

[WickedCadrach]

The DJ barely registered what was happening as his attention split between the shouting on the dance floor and Dylan's wrapped hand sliding the little baggy of X into his palm. But before they turned away, Dylan was rewarded with a nod and the sight of the DJ's phone rising to join the digital wildfire of recording devices coming out all around Charlotte and Selene. 

"Whoa!" "Stop!" "Wait, are they fighting?" "Who's fighting?" "I can't see!" 

The music cut. And the chorus of voices around the trio were swallowed by gasps and approving cries for blood as Dylan shoved Charlotte, the Hollow's challenge cutting through the din as the punk stumbled and regained her feet with a glare. 

On 16/07/2025 at 15:54, WritesNaughtyStories said:

"I'm your problem, not Selene, CUNT!"

"You're right," Charlotte replied. "You are the fucking problem!" And with a scream, she hurled herself at Dylan. Hands caught wrists, and another cry went up from the filming crowd around them as the pair struggled, nearly stomping on Selene before the other girl got back to her feet, her open robe clinging to her with her spilled drink. 

Dylan momentarily avoided catching one of Charlotte's black nails in the eye, a thin line of blood rising on their cheek as they twisted and put the smaller girl's back against the DJ's table. A pop on a microphone and the clack of rattling sound equipment preceded the MC's voice over the standing speakers, "Hey, hey! Take it over there." And a sudden shove in the center of Charlotte's back sent her and Dylan tumbling back onto the dance floor. 

Knees. Nails. Screams and grunts through gritted teeth. The pair rolled over the hardwood as camera phone flashes strobed over them. Charlotte drove a knee into Dylan's liver, and for the Hollow, the room pulsed with a view like being dunked underwater as their hands went weak and dropped off their attacker. It was the chance she needed. Seeing red, Charlotte's fingers tangled in Dylan's beautiful dark hair, pulling their head up off the dance floor before shoving back down with a crack that sent a flash of white through Dylan's vision along with the explosion of pain that followed. The only upside was that the blow stunned the Hollow so thoroughly, they didn't feel it when Charlotte pulled back and slammed down a second time. 

One of the dancefloor lights swept over and a wet red glimmer flashed on the floor as Dylan's head lolled to the side.

The DJ popped one of the pills and put on a faux announcer voice as they called out, "C-c-critical Hit!" and several onlookers let out audible winces. Charlotte was breathing hard, still gripping Dylan's head. 

Even through the shock and horror, Selene hears Lizzie and Sam over her shoulder, paying no attention to the little witch as they watch the scene through their own cell phones. 

"What a fucking psycho," Lizzie says in a stage whisper to her sister while Sam hums back a sing-song note of agreement. 

...

Outside, the abrupt cutting of the music on the dancefloor and the commotion of people moving from the other rooms of the house to investigate the swell of voices sets off a wave like deer scenting a predator. Robin's grin fades, she suddenly stops, halting before she reaches Derek and turns to Velvet. 

"What's going on?" she asks, her voice low in fearful confusion.

Spoiler

Dylan takes 1 Harm. 

 

[WritesNaughtyStories]

Dylan's head swam. Black crept in at the edges of their vision even as the flash of jarred-nerve white filled the center. The steely taste of blood filled their mouth.

And then the eXstasy hit.

The familiar arousal stirred into the hurt. Pure, identifiable pain that sang in the burn of scratches and the aching disorientation in their skull. So much better than the usual loneliness as warm breath leered at them on party nights.

As the sexual tension rose, thoughts of Robin pushed into the swirling confusion and Dylan smiled.

"Why do you hate her so much? She loves you so fucking much and you don't know how good you have it." They asked, poking at their split lip with their tongue.

'Fuck, that feels and tastes good.' They thought.

Edited yesterday at 05:43 PM by WritesNaughtyStories

[WickedCadrach]

Charlotte blinked, her nose crinkling in confusion and disgust as arousal washed over Dylan's face and their tongue emerged to sensually indulge in the taste of the blood beading up from their cut lip. She hung over Dylan a moment, letting out a shaky breath as the adrenaline of the fight made her lungs stutter, and once it seemed clear her opponent had no interest in continuing the fight, Charlotte dropped one knee to shift back onto her feet. 

23 hours ago, WritesNaughtyStories said:

"Why do you hate her so much? She loves you so fucking much and you don't know how good you have it."

The soft question hit Charlotte like a slap. For a moment, she could only stay where she was, straddling Dylan in the middle of the dance floor while the X in their blood set the Hollow subtly wiggling under her. She wanted to be angry. She wanted to grab Dylan's head and slam it down again, but instead her arms felt numb, and her palm went to her eyes where she felt them stinging and watering. 

"I have fucking sweat in my eyes now," she murmured, though no one asked. When she spoke again, a huff of anger preceded the words, pushed out as petulant and sudden as the shove she'd delivered to Selene moments before. "You don't know a god-damned thing about me. Don't pretend like you give a fuck, Dylan. I don't need to be your brownie points so you can hook up with my cousin. But fine. Fuck it. You win. You saved the day."

Charlotte shoved her wrist across her eyes again, smeared makeup leaving a dark line on the pale skin as she mouthed 'fuck'. Looking up, her already flushing face turned crimson at the sight of the phones still turned on her, and she rushed to her feet, stumbling over Dylan's ribs as she did. Looking around, her gaze landed on Selene and then on Lizzie and Sam as they angled their phones to capture the glitter of the faint tears at the edges of Charlotte's eyes. 

"Charlotte!" Robin's voice cut over the low rumble of the onlookers, heads turning as she raised a hand and tried to weave her way through the sea of shoulders. 

But Charlotte was already walking, heading out the opposite side of the room while the wall of gawkers parted for her and disappearing with the gunshot bang of her heel driving open the door into the dim hallway beyond. 

...

Robin felt a fist around her heart as she watched her cousin, missing for two days, disappearing once more. When she reached the gap in the dance floor, she looked down in surprise, first at seeing Selene outside her usual corndog purchasing hour, and then at the sight of Dylan bleeding on the floor. 

"Oh my gosh," Robin's breath caught as her eyes went wide, and in a flurry of hurried apologies and nudges, she made for the bar and grabbed a fistful of cocktail napkins, dropping to her knees beside Dylan and pressing them to the cuts on his face. "What happened?" she asked, first turning the question to Dylan, then to Selene and Velvet. 

However, the first replies were smothered as the DJ called out, "Well, that was fucked up. Hey! Clear the dancefloor! Party's not over, bitches!" and the speakers kicked back on.