Chapter Text
“You’re kidding.” Stina said, slamming her book shut.
“I wish I was.” Maruca said, not looking up from her computer
Stina rolled her eyes. “Isn’t that like… your job? To fix shit like this?
“My job is to manage your public relations and jobs, as well as make sure you’re playing nice nice with the company. So while I do have your best interests mostly at heart, I can’t fight the whole company. Not about this.”
“You can tell them to fuck off and die in a hole if they think I’m gonna date someone for the “privelege” of actually coming out.”
“I think we both know I cannot in fact do that.”
“Yeah well you can phrase it nicer. You’re great at being passive aggressive.”
“Listen, they’re already giving me shit for you wanting to be out, the least they can do is make money off some tabloids.” Maruca said, tossing some of her hair behind her shoulder. “And I don’t appreciate the passive aggressive comment.:
“I don’t understand why they have to monetize who I want to kiss.” Stina said, staring out the windows at the city.
“Stina Heks you know exactly why. This conversation is over, and you need to get ready for tonight. I’ll figure this out, ok?” Maruca did that little lip purse thing she did whenever a conversation was over, and Stina groaned, flopping back on the couch.
“Chop chop.” Maruca said. “I already called a cab for you downstairs. Your dress is in your apartment, and the makeup team is coming at 6.”
“Ok Rue.” Stina said, standing up. “You're the boss.”
- · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
The dress was the most horrendous thing Stina had ever laid her eyes on. It looked like a unicorn had vomited on some pink fabric, and they’d called it a dress. The ruffle glittered, and pearls adorned the belt.
Stina picked it up, and wrinkled her nose, taking in the ruffles and pearls. The tulle and glitter made Stina want to toss the dress out the window and scare the shit out of whatever photographer had been stationed down there. Ha. write an article about that fucker.
The pink dress was as uncomfortable as it looked, and Stina shifted uncomfortably as someone applied makeup. The brushes scratched at her face, and Stina felt the group of people hovering around her. She thought she’d get used to people perfecting every detail, but it still made her sad to look in a mirror without a freckle in sight. She was Stina Heks, and if that meant no freckles then so be it.
“Darling, I need you to stop frowning.”
Stina blinked, and looked into the overly cheerful face of her lead makeup artist. “I’m not frowning.”
“Uh huh. Scowling, grimacing, whatever you need to call it. Knock it off.”
Stina rolled her eyes, but forced her face into a slightly more neutral expression.
“There you go sweet.” Stina resisted the urge to sneeze as the brush danced across her face, and only opened her eyes when the lady clapped her hands. “There you are. I hope you have a fabulous time tonight.”
“Oh.” Stina looked in the mirror, hardly recognizing herself with all the glitter and makeup. “Thank you… errr” she glanced at the ladies name tag. “Alexine.”
“Call me Alex. Please.”
“Alex. Yeah. Thanks.”
“My pleasure.” Alex said, dipping her head before snapping at the rest of her team. “We’re done here!”
They filed out of her apartment, and Stina stood, twirling a little. Yep. I still hate it. She thought, dropping her arms to her sides.
The sentiment remained as the dress managed to be the most uncomfortably tight thing she’d been in while simultaneously constantly trying to fall down. She took another sip of soda, forcing herself to breathe.
Just another party. This is as much acting as any fucking movie role. Get it together Logner.
The car rolled to a stop, and Stina stepped out. The sun was setting off in the distance, painting the mansion in golden light. Other limos lined the driveway, and music came from the pool deck. The salty breeze felt nice after the day's heat, and Stina brushed some hair out of her face, and headed up the smooth stone path, through the gates, and onto the pool deck.
Stina let the excitement wash over her, watching people arrive and talk over drinks. She drifted through the crowd, looking for Maruca. Finally, she caught sight of her blue streaked hair, talking with another agent. She glanced up and waved Stina over, trading her work blouse for a slightly more formal suit jacket.
“Stina!” she called, “Come meet Dex.”
Stina lifted her hand in an awkward wave, and the other agent, presumably Dex, smiled. “Hey. Nice to meet you.” He held out a hand, and Stina shook it.
“Dex here is a fellow agent.”
“Though I work more in music than acting.” Dex said. “Not that there’s any less drama.”
“You are right about that.” Stina said, loosening up a little. “It’s exhausting sometimes.”
“Showbiz.” Maruca said solemnly, with the most pathetic jazz hands Stina had ever seen.
Stina rolled her eyes. “I’m gonna go find Marella. See if she forgives me for dropping my cake on her.”
Maruca laughed, nodding. “You do that.”
As stina walked away, she heard Maruca telling dex what a shitshow that was to clean up, and she grinned to herself.
“Well, aren't you cheery?” Stina looked up to see Marella, her long blonde hair pulled into an elaborate updo.
“Nice to see you too Marella.” Stina said, rolling her eyes.
“Thrilled to see me?”
“As always.”
“Well, I am ecstatic to see the lack of cake on this fine evening.”
“For goodness sake it was once. You really will take that to the grave.”
“You know it darling.” Marella grinned, and dramatically sighed. “Though I might die during this round of filming.”
“You’re doing Nightfall right? That kidnapping heist thing?”
“Ding ding ding.” Marella sighed. “I thought ‘oh yeah I can do my own stunts for this. It’ll be fun!’ Muscles I didn’t even know I had hurt.”
Stina laughed, and Marella wrinkled her perfect little nose.
“I don’t want to hear it.” Marella snapped, though she was grinning a little.
“But it’s funny!” Stina protested.
“Uh huh. Sure it is.” Marella pursed her lips. “How’s the whole coming out thing going over?”
Stina inhaled, the knot in her stomach tightening. “The company doesn’t like it. They said if I was going to do anything at all, I’d better have a girlfriend to ‘prove it’ or some shit.”
Marella snorted. “Isn’t that a happy little coincidence.” she muttered, almost as a reflex.
“Mare…” Stina started, instantly feeling guilty.
“No. Both on the nickname and whatever guilty ass apology you’re about to give. It’s chill. We’re over it. Ok?”
Stina nodded, half a smile on her face. “Sure.”
“I’m sure Maruca can figure this out, ok?”
“Ehhhh. Fine.”
“That’s the spirit.” Marella said, grinning. “Now I’m gonna go see if I can find some sort of cake product to smash in your face.” She turned, twirling in her orange dress.
“Don’t you dare!” Stina called, but Marella had walked off into the crowd, and Stina sighed, heading towards the edge of the pool deck. She grabbed a drink, taking a sip. It was dark now, and the city skyline was breathtaking that night. It was remarkably clear
She leaned on the railing, shifting uncomfortably in her dress. The choker was digging into her skin, and her boots were killing her feet. She examined the partygoers, agents and executives mixed with actors and musicians and anyone with a name big enough to be in the tabloids.
Most people had arrived now, and she scanned the crowd. Most faces she had seen before, either on a magazine or on a red carpet. Stina tilted her head as she spotted someone she didn’t recognize. She had shoulder length blonde hair, and pale skin with freckles. She wore a red suit jacket, and when she turned to look at Stina, Stina froze, feet glued in place.
Stina shook her head, and when she looked back, the girl had disappeared into the crowd, and Stina sighed, turning back to the cityscape. The drink was cold down her throat, and she relaxed, staring at the distant horizon.
This probably wasn’t the point of these parties, to stare at the horizon and ignore people, but it worked out in her favor anyway.
The song changed, and Stina rolled her eyes, sighing. She hadn’t heard the song before, and honestly it really rubbed her the wrong way. She almost contemplated going to whatever hotshot DJ was in the booth and telling him to cut it off, but she decided against it. As the server made another round, she took another glass, as well as some sort of fancy nacho type thing. As she took a sip, someone tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, almost dropping her drink over the edge.
“Shit!” she said, as a few drops spilled on her shoes. She turned, ready to chew out whoever was behind her, but froze. “Oh. It’s you.” she said, staring at the girl she had noticed earlier.
“Yep.” The girl smiled. “I’m Sophie. Sophie Foster”
Something about the girl's voice rang a bell, but Stina couldn’t place it. “Hmm. I’m Stina Heks.” she said shortly.
“... How are you liking this party?” Sophie asked, and Stina shrugged, a bit too distracted by how Sophie’s golden eyeliner was somehow perfectly even and how it perfectly accented her dark brown eyes in the colorful lights
“It’s ok. This music kind of sucks though.” Stina said, glancing back at the pool and DJ. “But what can you do?”
A smile played across Sophie’s lips, and she raised her eyebrows. “Maybe not insult the person who made it.” she said, tone sharper than it was a moment before.
Stina froze. “I- oh. Oh.” Well that’s awkward. Her thoughts seemed to tangle up, and her mouth hung slightly open.
Stina could look back on this moment and pick it apart, but she couldn’t know what possessed her to open her mouth and say “Well I still don’t like it very much.” She snapped her mouth shut, suddenly mortified.
Color flushed to her cheeks as Sophie narrowed her eyes. “Well I don’t like you very much Stina Heks.” Sophie took an awkward sip of her drink. “Wish I could say it was a pleasure.” she said shortly, before walking off.
Stina shook her head, and let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. What the fuck was that?