InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "😍"

camilla agostino will put herself back together (sanguinante) wrote in light_of_may,
@ 2014-01-04 02:05:00

Entry tags:

#group scene, 2009-10-01, camilla, castel, dominic, keira

the double date from hell
Who: Dominic, Camilla, Castel, and Keira
When: Evening
Where: The twin's penthouse --> Restaurant

Camilla was trying very hard to remain in the birthday spirit. She had been earlier this morning, and well throughout the day. It wasn’t until Dominic announced that Keira would be joining them for dinner that her mood went south. She hadn’t seen the other woman since their fight, in which the little terror had broken her collarbone. Camilla wasn’t entirely confident that she could maintain composure, but she couldn’t argue with Dominic about the matter. Castel was coming with them as well, and it wasn’t just her birthday. Dominic and Keira seemed to be getting along – wasn’t that the reason they were in Scarlet Oak in the first place? Camilla’s opinion that her brother deserved drastically better than the brunette meant nothing; she was Dominic’s mate and there was nothing that could change that fact, save for her death. Now there’s a comforting thought. “I promise I’ll behave,” Camilla said as she left her bedroom, still pinning her earrings in. “If you tell her not to push me.” Okay, so she was incapable of remaining completely silent about the affair. Her main concern was not causing a scene in public while out with Castel. Keira may not have cared about keeping her reputation untarnished, but Camilla held herself to a higher standard.

She ran her fingers through her hair, which she had curled and pinned into a side-ponytail – needless fidgeting that she noticed was becoming an all too frequent habit when she was meeting her former beau. Catching herself, Camilla threw her hands to her sides. “Would you like to open your other gift,” she called out to wherever Dominic happened to be getting ready. She had already given him a dress shirt she had made specifically for tonight; it paled in comparison to Castel’s suit, but she knew she would remedy that soon by making one for her brother as well. Before Dominic could answer, the bell rang, announcing someone at the door. “I supposed it can wait until later,” she said as she moved to the door. I may need it later as an apology. Camilla wasn’t anxious to be the first face Keira saw, given that that was who waited on the other side of the door, but that wasn’t to say she was afraid. Please! Keira was the one who should be worried. In one deep breath, she pulled up the standard pleasant smile that she gave most people when she needed them to believe she was a person of good intentions and opened the door to their first guest.

(Post a new comment)

_maverick
2014-01-04 11:30 pm UTC (link)

Dominic wasn't stupid. He knew that putting Keira and Camilla in the same room could - and probably was - going to end badly. But he also knew that lunch with Keira had gone well, as good as he could have hoped for really, and perhaps the night wouldn't be so bad. With both himself and Castel there as well, perhaps they could contain the damage to a minimum. The restaurant wouldn't burn down, anyway, so there was that. It was a vain hope, but one Dominic had never the less. Tonight of all nights, he couldn't be forced to choose who to spend his time with: his twin sister or his mate. Both of them were his other half, in a sense. He'd only spent five minutes of his life without Camilla, and his life was literally bound to Keira's now. He'd have to find a way to deal.

He'd heard the door bell, of course, as well as footsteps approaching. "We can open gifts later," he called back to his sister. It would give them both something to look forward to... if the night didn't end so badly that he ended up going straight from dinner to a bar to get drunk and gamble. The shirt Camilla had made him fit like a glove, not that he expected anything different. His sister had a talent, a gift, and Dominic had always encouraged that. Putting a suit jacket over the top, he looked more put together than most people saw him, a physical reminder that he was an Agostino and damn it, Agostinos did things right. He could smell Keira before Camilla got to the door, stepping into the room in time to see his sister go to answer it. Here goes nothing.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

crownedmate
2014-01-05 06:46 am UTC (link)

Since the very first moment that Dominic had invited Keira along tonight, a knot of...something had formed in the pit of her stomach. Not only would she be in the space with someone she utterly hated, but she would be able to feel each and everyone's emotions. The empath was not worried over Castel -- she didn't have any problem with him, and he was relatively even-keeled -- but rather, she was not looking forward to the inner turmoil that she'd be able to feel from the rest of them, herself included. Because even if everyone was on their "best behavior," the fact still remained that each of them had their own set of emotions over the situation. It was pride that had decided for her. It was Dominic's birthday, bitchy twin notwithstanding, Keira was supposed to be at his side. Even the rightness of that thought in her head was a step in the direction that would see them beginning the arduous journey of forgiveness. And, if Keira truly looked deep down, she felt the very same way about her relationship with Camilla and what it had become. Okay, so she might have to look deep, deep down, but it was there.

This buried sentiment was the exact reason that when it was Camilla who opened to door to the twin's penthouse apartment, Keira greeted her with a smile rather than start the evening off on a bad note. She noted the layered emotions rolling off the blonde twin and did her best to keep from feeding off the conflicting energies. The smile that Camilla showed her didn't fool the empath; she knew what was lurking underneath. Eyes scanning her clothing, Keira's smile softened. "That color looks lovely with your eyes, Camilla." There, see? She could do this. She just had to keep chanting that tonight was about Dominic in her mind, and she was certain that she'd be fine. Right? She certainly hoped so. Like Camilla, she'd taken extra care with her clothing choice, wanting to wear something that fit the occasion.

Glancing inside, she noticed Dominic standing there, watching them. Keira smiled at him and walked inside, nodding at Camilla as she walked past. The well-being from their lunch earlier still in mind, she reached for him as soon as she was close enough. "Good evening, gorgeous," she murmured, eyeing him up and down as she tipped up on her toes to press a kiss to his lips. "Is Castel on his way?" She pitched her voice to carry to both Agostino twins, in case Camilla wanted to chime in. Just breathe, just focus on Dominic.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

blacksoul
2014-01-08 03:24 pm UTC (link)

Castel was, indeed, on his way. It wasn't that he had intended to arrive fashionably late, or even after Keira, but more than things had simply worked out that way. He had had a car drop him off at the Agostinos' building, telling the hired driver that he would call him later if he wished to be taken home. One of the first things Castel had done after arriving in town was track down a good driving service, one he could use whenever he did not wish to drive himself, and he had set up an account with them, ensuring they understood that all payment would be prompt and fair but he absolutely would not issue said payment to the drivers in hand. It would go through the company, and that was that. Given the rate the company's owner hadn't argued with him in the least, had simply smiled in that polite businesslike fashion and agreed that was more than acceptable. Castel hadn't used the service excessively, but if they were drinking at dinner then he had to be responsible. As he made his way to the door of the building he fastened one of the buttons on the jacket Camilla had made for him, a habit that had been instilled in him many years ago. Jackets were intended to be fastened save only for when you took a seat somewhere. Castel was, if nothing else, a creature of habit.

He had made his way up to the twins' floor just in time to hear Keira's voice ask that question. Someone was holding the door open, it seemed, and when he was close enough to see a wisp of blonde hair he knew exactly who it was, so when he responded it was with a trace of fondness that he did so, saying, "He's already here." Castel smiled at Camilla, glancing past her to Dominic and Keira, both of whom received a nod before he returned his attention to the blonde before him.

"Happy Birthday," he said to her, choosing to say the words in Spanish instead of English, bowing so that he could brush a kiss against Camilla's cheek. "You look beautiful," he went on to tell her, taking her in afterwards in full, the shade of the dress and the cut of it. Castel was biased, of course, he thought Camilla always looked beautiful, but she deserved to hear it tonight of all nights.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

sanguinante
2014-01-09 03:01 am UTC (link)

It was incredibly fortunate that Keira was not a telepath because Camilla would have been totally incapable of censoring her thoughts. Keeping her ire at normal levels was the best she could manage when it came to not giving herself away to the other woman. She had never been a fan of those who had the abilities to know things about her that she hadn’t made them privy to; she hated them even more now. Camilla chocked back an 'Obviously' and returned with "Coral has always been one of my favorite colors," instead. No thank you or 'that's why I chose it'; the brunette should just be happy that she didn't add an eye roll along with the statement. As Keira stepped through the door, Camilla's eyes followed and, in so doing, caught sight of Dominic. She was reminded of her pledge to play nice and acquiesced to add something more. "The cut of your dress compliments you, Keira. It's quite nice." Not as nice as something I'd make for you; one could always assume that this was a permanent afterthought when Camilla complimented another designer's clothes on someone.

Camilla turned to watch the couple. There was a time when she would have reveled at the thought. She had been delighted when Keira had agreed to finally date Dominic. The other woman had chosen wisely and had impressed her in the manner with which she expected Dominic to earn her. Now those same actions irritated her. Keira should have never left her twin in the first place and if anyone should earn something, it was Keira who should have to walk over hot coals to have Dominic look at her. Camilla felt her stomach knot with anger and her arm throb slightly as she crossed her arms over her chest. She had forgone her sling again (the damn thing would never heal at this rate), pride being the leading cause yet again. Her eyes had left the pair for fear that her lingering glance would turn into a glare. But then a voice caught her attention. Castel: just thinking his name gave her peace of mind. Seeing his familiar face and those warm, dark eyes made her instantly calm. At the rate she had been going, she was likely to lose her temper over something as simple as ‘pass the salt’. Castel would provide an anchor for her – or she hoped he would.

Her version of a giddy smile was one that could easily be described as mischievous more than anything else. She loved her brother, without any shadow of a doubt, but she would be lying if she said her date wasn’t the better of the two. Camilla knew that she looked amazing, but it didn’t hurt to hear Castel say so. She resisted the urge to give a full twirl, but that didn’t stop her from posing for his benefit. “I knew you’d look beyond handsome in one of my suits,” she said as she ran her hand underneath the suit’s collar. The smile she had took on a more genuine tone; it truly meant a lot to her that Castel would wear her suit on her night. Her hand ran to his shoulder and down his arm, snaking her own around it. She cast her eyes over the four of them: what a lovely group they made. “Now that everyone is here, are we ready to go? What time was our reservation again?” Again she fought the desire to say something biting; for example, how they were ready to leave now that everyone important had arrived.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

_maverick
2014-01-09 12:32 pm UTC (link)

He didn't need to be a wolf to smell all the tension in the room - it was thick enough to the point where you could practically slice it and serve it up on toast. And it was his fault, in a sense, knowing that he could have easily not invited Keira. But then, what was Dominic to do? Ignore his sister for his mate, or ignore the mate for his sister? No, if they were going to do this, they'd have to cross this bridge eventually, for better or for worse. And yes, Keira was supposed to be by his side. That wasn't the possessive wolf talking, that was the man. The wolf just happened to agree with him.

Dom let his hands slide to Keira's waist, holding her close as she leaned up for that kiss. It was rather chaste, all things considered, but it said volumes to him. It was almost normal, almost like nothing had ever happened, but they all knew differently. They couldn't pretend they were still in New York anymore. The only reason why he didn't linger was the fact that his twin was watching and he didn't want to put Camilla into more of a compromising position than he already had. The girls were trying to be civil, at least, but he had the feeling it wouldn't last long. "Good evening yourself," he said. "You look stunning." Keira always did, to him.

Looping an arm around Keira's waist, he guided her to the door, where Castel had now joined them. Dominic had always liked the fellow witch, but more than that, respected him as well. That said a lot, coming from Dominic. Not wishing to interrupt Camilla and Castel's private moment, he paused for a second before reaching over to shake the other man's hand. "Good to see you, my friend," he said. "Reservations are for eight. If we leave now, we should have plenty of time." He gestured towards the door. "Shall we?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

crownedmate
2014-01-20 11:41 pm UTC (link)

Keira didn't need to be a telepath to know that Camilla had paused before editing what she eventually ended up saying -- the rush of negative emotion spoke louder than her thoughts needed to. Still, the blonde witch was making an effort to be polite and she could only hope that it would last the night. The tension in the room had hitched up considerably, and it didn't ease at all when she had moved to Dominic. Turning to accept Camilla's compliment with a smile, Keira fought to make it reach her eyes. "Thank you," she murmured before she was delightfully distracted by Dominic. The kiss they shared, while tame, was like a balm that soothed against the sting of anger that Keira could feel rolling off of Dom's twin. Smiling up at him, she felt her cheeks darken slightly at his words. "I figured it was necessary, seeing as this is such a special occasion," she said.

Enjoying the feel of Dominic's arm at her waist, Keira moved with him to the door. Castel had arrived and the empath was grateful for it. The heat of anger coming from Camilla had lessened considerably, but for a minor feeling of annoyance on the tail of her query about reservations. For his part, the other witch was a psychic breath of fresh air. His emotions never seemed to get out of hand, at least not that Keira had ever witnessed, and it was a relief to be able to have some sort of calm amidst the tension. Echoing Dominic's greeting, Keira smiled at the brunette. "It's good to see you again, Castel." Without waiting to say anything else, she made her way towards the door, hoping the others would follow without incident. The elevator ride was disconcerting, but it couldn't be helped. As they all moved into the small space, Keira tried to remember to breathe. "Are we taking separate vehicles or did you hire a driver?" It was as good a time as any to find out if the ride was to be as stifling as the elevator they were in.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

blacksoul
2014-01-29 03:48 pm UTC (link)

The way Camilla swept her hand under his collar, along his shoulder, and down his arm right before she looped her own through it made Castel smile, a much warmer expression than anyone else was likely to get from him. It was sincere, genuine in a way that was so rare as to be difficult to believe for most, and it was for Camilla alone. Courteously he lifted his gaze to Dominic when the other man came close enough to extend his hand and Castel reached out to take it in a firm grip. "And you," he said, returning the same sentiment, and honestly at that. He and Dominic had always gotten along well, they were alike in many ways, and they both cared very deeply for Camilla. What wasn't to respect? Keira was granted a smile that was a little more cheeky than the one the blonde on his arm had received. "You look lovely this evening," he said to her, giving her a small nod of greeting to go along with the words.

Once they were on their way it was that much easier to ignore the tension, though Castel had always been good at ignoring things he didn't care to notice. This was not the time nor the place for such things. It was the twins' birthday and that was all this evening ought to be about. "They should be outside any minute now," Castel said, looking first at Camilla and then at Dominic.

It was a special night, after all. Why shouldn't their hire a driver? Not the same one Castel had used to get here, of course, but from the same company. Far be it for him not to arrange something so that everyone could be comfortable and enjoy themselves without having to worry about driving home later, and there was absolutely no chance of him ever setting foot in anything even remotely like a taxi.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

sanguinante
2014-02-13 05:43 am UTC (link)

Camilla delighted in the smile that Castel gave for her alone. So much so that she didn’t care that he offered one to Keira as well. Of course it had been a different expression, but even still, she knew she had nothing to be jealous or afraid of. He had never shown any interest in Keira before and it was not her company that he went out of his way to keep. Despite everything, jealously had not been a trait that she had become contaminated with. And what was there even to envy in the first place? She was by far classier and more fashionable than the other woman; she also held the personal belief that she was much more attractive and magically powerful. Many of those opinions may have been been fueled by her feelings for Kiera, but that fact in no way deterred her.

She hid her expression of disappointment. Yes, she had agreed to this double date for her birthday, but she had also been hoping for a private ride with Castel to the restaurant. Not only would she like to spend time with him without the others, but she also would have liked the extra time the ride would have provided to collect herself before they were properly in public and she would feel even more constrained to good behavior. But she wasn’t about to whine or complain. Even if she was the kind of weak-willed brat to do so, she would have never dreamed of ruining the nice evening that had been planned for her (in part).

She took the moment while they waited for the car to look over the group. Years ago, it would not be uncommon for them to go out together for dinner or any other kind of pleasant outing. Now? Camilla could only think of a few things that were more unpleasant. And all because of her. Her eyes were just about to narrow in Keira’s direction when the sound of a car pulling to a stop reached the open door. “I suppose that’s them.” Before she made the mistake of giving her feelings away again, Camilla turned and took point leading the group down to their car. Waiting in the drive for them was a sleek black limo. She paused long enough at the door for someone, preferably Castel, to catch up and open it for her. Once she was able to enter the car, Camilla slid down the seat to allow room for the others. Her true priority, however, was finding the nearest stash of liquor that all limousines had.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

_maverick
2014-03-03 01:08 pm UTC (link)

If Dominic could keep Keira under control - that was to say, to keep her calm and focused on him instead of his twin - then maybe it would all end up okay. He was not about to let chaos take hold and ruin the evening for all of them, not if he could help it. So he'd keep Keira by his side, and there was a large part of him that was overjoyed that he could even do just that. It made him feel whole again, like the pieces he'd lost since he'd been turned were falling back into place. Dominic wasn't able to explain that, to anyone except maybe Camilla. And at a time like this, he wasn't about to explain himself to anyone if he didn't have to.

Castel, right now, was the closest Dominic had to a best friend since leaving New York. That thought hadn't escaped him and he was grateful the other man was here, for how happy he made his sister. Camilla deserved that, after all they'd been through. Plus, Castel had gotten them a driver. A good idea, all things considered, because if things truly went south, then they were going to need someone to drive them all home. Dom wasn't going to drive, he was probably going to get as shitfaced as his werewolf status would let him. Besides, they could afford it. Let the rest of Scarlet Oak be jealous.

Following Camilla, arm still around Keira's waist, he made his way down to the limo alongside everyone else. Taking a seat beside both Camilla and Keira - trusting that his presence might be enough of a barrier between the two - he took a look around the interior of the car, smiling. "You've spared no expense, Castel, thank you," he said, and he meant that. "And it's got good liquor." Dominic reached right over the scotch and the glasses next to it. Yep. Drinking should start early.

(Reply to this) (Parent)