There was no thunder just the sound of Legin's slipper slamming into Waravan's laptop.
Who claims himself to be " I am the great and terrible Waravan"
I told you. Stop filming my cats therapy sessions, she hissed, eyes narrow, voice polite enough to terrify a priest.
Across the hall, Biggie sat on the velvet couch like a magazine spread shirt open, lip gloss on,sipping something alcoholic that looked too expensive to pronounce.
Im just here for the lighting, he said, glancing sideways at Doth, who sat barefoot in monk robes bythe window, reading a book titled "Desire: Transcended." The candlelight reflected off his perfect jawline like a curse.
Fin walked in next, coat soaked, gaze sharp. Tequilla followed, calmer but tired. Married. Still. Barely.
You invited Lurvy again? Fin muttered.
He owns 11% of the estate now, Apple replied, descending the staircase like capitalism incarnate. He paid in crypto.
In the center of the room, Ivy twirled, dramatically, wearing a blazer over lingerie. I have announcements, she declared, holding a blood-red envelope.
No one wanted to ask. But she never cared for consent.
Chapter Thirty-Nine of my new novel includes all of you, she said, waving the envelope like a loaded weapon.
Guess who the main love interest is?
Please not me again, Doth muttered under his breath.
Its not always about you, Waravan snorted. Although I did see you and Ivy in the garden last week.Candlelight. Suspicious.
That was an accident. I was meditating.
You were shirtless and quoting Rumi, Biggie quipped. Meditate on that.
Suddenly, Arson stepped into the room barefoot, confused, and damp from the rain. His presencemade the air stiffen. Everyone stopped.
I... didnt know there was a gathering.
Oh, you sweet mechanical man, Ivy purred, practically sprinting over. She placed a hand on his chest. You are the storm.
Waravan raised an eyebrow. Fin's grip on her wineglass tightened. Tequilla noticed.
Ivy, Apple said, tone flat, youre doing it again.
Doing what? Ivy asked, smiling too wide. Falling in love with a science experiment built to suffer?
Thats when Xeno entered the door swinging open with unnatural force, coat swirling like a villain in an opera.
Ah, family, he said. And others. I brought genetic results.
Again? Tequilla muttered. Can't you just drop a podcast like Biggie?
DNA doesnt lie, Xeno said, tossing folders on the table. We're all part of the same grotesque experiment. And some of you are sleeping with your siblings. Congratulations.
Silence.
Fin stared at Arson. Arson looked at Ivy. Ivy looked at Doth. Doth closed his eyes and whispered a prayer.
Define sibling, Ivy said, blinking slowly.
Lets talk about that tomorrow, Lurvy cut in, stepping out of the shadows with a handheld mic. We are live, by the way.
What? multiple voices said at once.
I sold our story to Betrayal+. Waravan's idea. But I get 40%.
Of course you do, Apple said, already drafting a lawsuit.
---
The scene ends with:
- Tequilla and Fin having a quiet, emotionally raw moment in the library
- Ivy sneaking into Arson's room and whispering You are more than what made you
- Waravan watching them all from the security system with Xeno, who says, This is only Act One