[BAMBI APOLLONIA PELNER]

January 11 • outfit • DEIMOS SAMAEL SALVADORE

One nice thing about growing up in New England, despite all the old money and houses that came with it, was that it was unbearably cold. It had fringed temperatures thanks to its upper northeast location and managed to have bodies of water to surround it. While you still had to travel up to Vermont to ski, growing up in that cold weather became a life skill and it also meant that one could dress however they want because the cold was just that - cold, but not life threatening. That skill had transferred over from the United States to the United Kingdom quite well. So well, in fact, that when Bambi traveled from one of the class halls to the cafeteria, she didn't even bat an eye or a shiver when she was in shorts like a lunatic.

Lunch was always Bambi's favorite part of the day, unless it was a weekend, then it was the parties. But lunch came with that special table - the Royal Court table, where she could preen with the best of them over the lives of others. It was when all of the clique sat together, and it felt like there were no inner circles or outer circles. Everyone was on even ground - well, minus the minions of course, but they still sat with them, and that was what mattered. And even though all of their class schedules flexed across the board, someone could always be counted to be at that table for company. And, as far as the young woman knew, there was nothing on the docket for the day which meant it would just be gossip verses the plans to ruin people's lives.

Sometimes, Bambi was fine with it all. The games, the manipulation, the calculations. Sometimes she wasn't, but then she had to remind herself that if she wanted to remain in the big leagues and break that invisible barrier between her, Shiloh, Alisha, and Heather, she had to do it. There wasn't a day she didn't count her blessings that she had been confidant material the second she stepped onto campus, she hadn't had to slug it around with the desperate losers. Perhaps she cheated her way to the top in some way, but even as the thought crossed her, Bambi knew she still wasn't on the top. Those girls still kept her at an arm's length, like they didn't fully trust her, like she was still a threat even after a year. Secretly, Bambi enjoyed that - she liked being a threat, but she'd never say it out loud. That was her secret to keep.

Making her way to the table, she caught sight that one of her many 'at arms length' friends where there. She couldn't help but to beam a smile, that flirty playful smile that was used on everyone like a shield, "Glad to see I am not alone today for lunch," she purred as she placed her tray down and slid into her chair, "What's shakin'?"

I can't help that I need it all - The primadonna life: the rise and fall. You say that I'm kinda difficult, But I swear it's always someone else's fault

thanks aofie!

[DEIMOS SAMAEL SALVADORE]

Dei was in one of his moods - he had several of them, with a range that varied from 'going to act like you don't exist you're so pathetic' to 'I'll pull your head off your shoulders and put it somewhere painful', but what they all boiled down to in essence was 'don't fuck with me you sonofabitch'. His close friends, Shi's inner circle of assholes, could just about tell which was which, despite the lack of obvious sign his expression may offer. Many, did not. There were days when you could get away with being a stupid shit, or being annoying, with just the odd glare from Dei, or perhaps even a smirk of potential humour. Other days, those bad days, you were looking at a painful experience for pissing him off. His frown was often perpetual, despite Alisha's constant bitching that it would give his handsome face awful frown lines, and his full lips tended to be pressed into a firm line of disdain for the world. What a wonderfully joyful guy.

He hadn't long been back in classes following Rhett's accident, but he was already regretting his life choice to be here. Though he reluctantly completed his work and handed it in mostly on time, part of him questioned his reasons for bothering to be here. Deep down, he knew it was because he enjoyed the part time life - treating his classes as optional, not being chased by authority for shit (as long as he got the grades they didn't give a damn), sleeping in when he wanted, drinking, drugs, sex... he wasn't into rock n' roll. Despite the worry and concern he'd felt for Rhett, he hated being back to normal. He'd been drowning his sorrows in more classes of Whiskey night cap than usual, noted by his friends but not yet commented on, and his head was somewhat pounding today - punishing him for it in a way that coffee and cigarettes were unable to fix. He was late to lunch, but he still seemed to make it before half the usual crew. His frown deepened, a low grunt of frustration made known as he saw the usual drape of pathetic hang on's, desperately trying to reach out toward those in the centre table.

He hated it. He had no business caring about being popular or not, though it helped, and it tended to come naturally to him, but he hated the fucking preening and the kiss assing, and the heavy scent of desperation that reeked off those trying so bad to get to the middle of it all. Most of them knew not to try it with him - he had influence, for sure, but he didn't care for it, and all it did was encourage him to push them further away from the inner circle as a matter of principle and being a dick. What fucked him off most was that none of his actual favourites were at the table yet - God knew where they were, sometimes they didn't bother to show but they rarely forgot to mention that to him, knowing how much the hangers on pissed him off - and Shi actually liked some of them and would rather Dei didn't scare them off. He took his usual seat and put his new coffee on the table in front of him, then turned to glare at the person on his left until they took the hint and moved over a seat. Not because he wanted to save the seat but because he wanted them to fuck off and give him some space. No words were necessary.

After a few long swigs of coffee, Dei let his eyes drift close, the noises around him fading out a little. He'd brought a sandwich but he wasn't hungry for it yet. What he really wanted was about three more days of sleep. "Glad to see I am not alone today for lunch," Dei sighed, lips turning down at the corners. Momentary peace ruined - naturally. He knew that familiar purr and he tried to ignore it for a moment. "What's shakin'?" Alright, silence wasn't going to work then. He opened one eye and peered at Bambi, and then gave in and opened the other with another frustrated noise. "Shame I can't be glad for the company," He muttered, going to open his sandwich instead and take a bite. "Shouldn't you be busy doing your usual minion shit?"

[BAMBI APOLLONIA PELNER]

January 11 • outfit • DEIMOS SAMAEL SALVADORE

Bambi did her best to not make a face when fucking Deimos Salvadore left loose a sigh after she announced her presence. Out of the top dogs, he had always been the worst at trying to crack and most of the time - seemed impervious to her whims - which also annoyed the fuck out of Bambi. But she couldn't give him crap like Shiloh or Alisha or Heather, no, the young woman was stuck being as polite. After all, at the end of the day, he outranked her in this little clique of hers and she had to abide by those rules. Refusing to be denied attention though, especially during lunch at their table and so she pushed her luck along to inquire about his day when he refused to acknowledge her beyond that rude sigh.

Chocolate brown eyes watched him keenly while spearing a piece of grilled chicken, waiting for her acknowledgement. After what felt like eons, Dei opened one eye and gave a side look before the other opened as well. So, he decided he couldn't ignore her after all, "Shame I can't be glad for the company," he digged now, "Shouldn't you be busy doing your usual minion shit?" Her next piece of chicken was speared a little more violently as she stared at him, trying to keep her face in check. Sometimes, Dei felt more moody to her than a girl who was PSMing on a full mood, "Now now," Bambi started now, her playful purr still dancing along, "Even you know that I'm not considered a minion and quite frankly, I never was. I'm too good for that shit." And that was the truth, unfortunately, she was willing to bet the young man didn't give a fuck about the that truth.

Still, something was up. Unfortunately, she wasn't exactly privy to that of Dei Salvadore's life. As cheeky as he was, he was also manipulative and liked people to stay out of his business unless it involved hard partying or sex. Bambi cocked her head now, staring at him, mulling over what could be the problem. As far as she knew, he wasn't in a relationship, if he was, that was under lock and key to the likes of her. Bambi knew she could try and pry, but it was hard to do so without being utterly obvious about it. But she had the time to play, and there was nothing else better to do, "What's with you? Did Alisha tell you she's exclusive with Tripp now or something?"

I can't help that I need it all - The primadonna life: the rise and fall. You say that I'm kinda difficult, But I swear it's always someone else's fault

thanks aofie!

[DEIMOS SAMAEL SALVADORE]

Dei might reap the benefits of being popular, but he also didn't care for it. Whilst he could admit to enjoying a certain many aspects of it, like the prime seating and the resentful respect, he also had no interest in being at the centre of it. If having to deal with all the ass kissing, the window licking from the sad little girls that wished they could be part of this world. He didn't care for the sucking up, the desperation, the backstabbing and scheming. Even when he gave his opinion or ideas of it. His thing was parties, drugs, sex and all that rock and roll bullshit. He liked his peace and his space, which was hard to come by in this world. Most people learned pretty fast to leave him to his moods, unless you were the inner crew who could actually get away with bothering him and not gaining a black eye or sharp word.

He could feel her gaze on him, and it irked him a little. He was used to being watched but that didn't mean he actually liked it. It put his back up, oddly enough. Never having been one to care what others thought or to mind himself around others, it was an odd feeling to always have eyes on you. Whether it was because they wanted to bed you, or because they wanted to be you, or hate you or admire you. He hated it all the same. He almost asked what Bambi was staring at when he noticed the violent way she was now attacking her chicken and he knew he'd gotten to her with his comment. His lips curled up in a smirk a little in one corner.

"Now now, Even you know that I'm not considered a minion and quite frankly, I never was. I'm too good for that shit." He curled a lip at that, shuddering slightly. "You can drop that fake sugar sweet bullshit with me, love. It's childish." and that was putting it lightly. He didn't get why girls did it, trying to be all fake and giggly, it just made them seem like a kid playing dress up. Very unappealing. Dei swigged from his drink, hoping his comment would encourage Bambi to fuck off. "What's with you? Did Alisha tell you she's exclusive with Tripp now or something?" Clearly not then. It seemed nothing could put Bambi off when she had nothing better to do. Wonderful. Dei rolled his eyes in a lazy fashion, and huffed again before responding. A point made that this was effort to him, that she was annoying him. He was pretty sure she already knew that and was either trying to work on his good books or really did have nothing better to be doing. "There's no such thing as exclusive," He couldn't bring himself to say her name. Bambi. Jesus Christ, how Disney did she want to be.

[BAMBI APOLLONIA PELNER]

January 11 • outfit • DEIMOS SAMAEL SALVADORE

Bambi was a little peeved with herself for allowing the young man's comment get the best of her - he knew that he had gotten to her. Even while violently stabbing her chicken, she had caught that stupid Deimos Salvadore smirk at the corner of his lips. It made her even more angry, and made her stab at her food just a tiny bit more. Bambi knew she should be used to it by now, the inner circle was full of jerks and bitches, almost none of them were kind - if any. Yet, she endured. It made her think about what Ivey and Piper's words for a split second, but then she just brushed it off.

His next words were hardly surprising to her though: "You can drop that fake sugar sweet bullshit with me, love. It's childish." Well, that was fast. He was really in a mood then. Bambi swore that Dei seemed to PMS more than a girl, and he was twice as moody, "Oh? Well if you have complaints, then maybe you should talk to Shiloh about how I'm rotting your teeth." She probably shouldn't have said it, he could probably be a big enough bitch to go complain to the Queen Bee about her in order for Bambi to be cowed about her attitude. For now though, she didn't care. Her alliances always ran deeper with the girls than the boys.

Brown eyes watched how he rolled his eyes at her inqurey, as if it were the dumbest thing in the world. God forbid she care...or pretend to care at least. His response to her merely made her cock her head inquisitively, "Oh? But that's not what I hear." Bambi supposed she heard all sorts of things though, like a web of whispers and secrets, "If not Alisha, then why are you moody? Just that time of the month?"

I can't help that I need it all - The primadonna life: the rise and fall. You say that I'm kinda difficult, But I swear it's always someone else's fault

thanks aofie!

[DEIMOS SAMAEL SALVADORE]

"Oh? Well if you have complaints, then maybe you should talk to Shiloh about how I'm rotting your teeth." He gave a small snort at that, not caring that it made him unattractive, and finally bothered to pick up his sandwich, tearing a piece off with his fingers and popping it in his mouth. He chewed slowly before bothering to reply, giving her the impression he was ignoring her, when actually he was considering the possibility. Despite hating the popularity pedestal, he knew exactly who Shi did and didn't value in the little crowd of peasants below her. Bambi, for all her flaws and fancies, was annoyingly one of them - Shiloh 'liked' her, and would probably initiate her at some point or another - probably the final day of uni, just to be a bitch. "We work on democracy so perhaps that's a good suggestion." He mused, ignoring the dig that Shi had some kind of power or ruling over him. "Before I lose all my nice white teeth." Dei bared his teeth at her, just to be an asshole.

Maybe that'll strike a little bit of fear into her. If she thought he really would bother to go and 'tell on her' to Shiloh. He didn't care enough to bother, let her pick and choose whoever she wanted to rub her feet and kiss her ass, it only made a difference to him when they thought Dei was their mate and pissed him off. They soon learnt otherwise, Bambi would be no different. Shi knew he didn't give a shit, so it would make all the more impression on her if he bothered to raise a 'concern' with her about one of the minions. He'd only bothered once before, when he thought one of them was playing two sides and relaying information that was on the private side to people who shouldn't be in the know. Not that confidential shit got spread by anyone outside the inner circle, that was where the real nitty gritty nasty stuff got kept.

"Oh? But that's not what I hear." So it was beginning, the whole 'I know things' pouting bullshit, just because she got a little whisper in her ear here or there. As if Dei was stuck in a silent bubble. He might not care for it, but that was because he didn't get a choice what he was told. He sighed and gave Bambi a glance, raising a brow slightly. "If what you heard was true, then you're missing the best part of the gossip." Which also meant she wasn't doing her best job - if she'd missed the fact that Alisha and Tripp had invited Dei into their bed the other week, or was it longer than that now? The only time Dei had been willing to spare the boy a second glance.. and a third and fourth. "If not Alisha, then why are you moody? Just that time of the month?" He took another chunk of sandwich. "Believe it or not Pelner, some people don't need company 24/7." He just didn't always get the choice - clearly.