[IMAC-R] If Cupid Were a Devil

[Priya Kaur]

As expected, no one here was going to live up to Priya's standards. True, there had been some momentary interest in that interaction with the Bellefonte twins, not to mention meeting a few international students. But as it was, the people here were just so beneath her notice. It was really quite boring.

And when Priya got bored, she decided to play.

First, she found a young man who had a striking young woman as a date. She could feel such love from them both, though the woman had this spike of jealous whenever she noticed the young man looking. Naturally Priya looked striking enough to draw his attention, and she sent a small bit of lust toward the young man. Then, she amplified the young woman's jealousy ever so slightly, before quickly latching on to another, slightly drunken female. Within a few moments, the jealous girl had her lips pressed against the drunken one, while the boy stood rooted with lust.

"oh, young love," said Priya to someone standing nearby, smiling her tight smile. She looked them over for a moment, reading them, wondering what they thought of the whole situation and, more importantly, if they were more pieces in her little game.

[Oneyka A. Duffuor]

Meet and greet, meet and greet, meet and greet. Apparently Onnie would have to get used to it because that's all she was ever going to do tonight; meet and greet. By now her jaw had been a bit sore from smiling at everyone who shook her hand. Officials from other schools noticed her for her academics, grades and being so involved with her school, that was great. A few people notice her for her dress, which was fine. While a few others noticed her because they were fans of her mother, for those who actually followed the Miss Ghana and Miss Universe pageants, modeling and such which was also... okay, she guessed. It was just not something she really cared for at this particular moment. As grateful as she looked, she didn't really care.

Since she showed up, her eyes had scanned mostly everywhere in hopes she'd see that Jack had shown up. Not that she had a huge crush on him, okay well somewhat of a crush on him. She was just hoping that he'd show up with his wacky humor that she still did not understand and lighten up the place or at least to help her enjoy this moment.

Sadly he wasn't anywhere to be seen and now the shapeshifter was left to stand and look pretty in hopes that no one else would try to converse with her about more stuff she didn't care for. "oh, young love," Onnie looked to her side and noticed Miss Kuar looking at the females kissing and also checked it out. This was awkward because Onnie had no idea what love was like. She chuckled, "As sweet as it is, I wouldn't know." Guys were usually intimidated by her and her last relationship only lasted a few weeks. Not to mention she had never fallen for anyone and always ended up with guys who wanted just one thing.

Good girls didn't always win, in her case.

[Priya Kaur]

Forlorn, almost wistful. Hoping to see someone, while still believing that they wouldn't come. Priya almost purred as those emotions wafted over her. How very, very easy the girl was going to make this. Just a little tweak, deepen that self-doubt. You're a no one and he won't ever love you. Yes, him specifically.

Then Priya actually bothered to look. "A striking young woman such as yourself, really?" she asked, raising a brow. She quickly looked over the girl, careful not to make it obvious. Most females were so much more skittish, took a finer hand, especially the ones that practically screamed "virgin."

"Let me guess," said Priya, tapping her finger, "all the boys are far too intimidated by you, so you find that none seem willing to stick around? Shame," said Priya, clicking a tongue. She slid just a little doubt into that, trying to make the girl wonder for a moment. Is that it? Or do I think I'm better...? Totally conflicting the last emotion, of course, but Priya didn't care. Whoever this was, she was a pawn at best.

Though with that accent, she might be a pawn for another game entirely.

[Oneyka A. Duffuor]

Her brown eyes had caught a glimpse of a few people here and there as she stood waiting really, for nothing. Her self-doubt had lingered for a bit until it really hit her that even if Jack were to randomly show up to something like this, it wouldn't be for her. She had to be realistic, of course. Onnie was sure that she wasn't someone who would have been his type anyway or much of anyone's type at that. It kind of stung, if you thought about it. It was a shame that she'd feel such a way over someone who didn't even know liked him.

Onnie smiled meekly. She was grateful for the compliment, "You would be surprised." She informed the beautiful woman next to her as her eyes glanced over everyone else for a bit. Though she couldn't help but to be slightly surprised by how accurate the Director was. She was sure she wasn't the only girl to have to go through that, right?

Looking to her side at the woman, she nodded. "Yeah..." She chuckled, "Story of my life." Or was that really it? Sighing, Onnie kind of wanted to kick herself for thinking otherwise but in reality she knew she was better than that. Usually it was the girls who had pity for themselves that believed that the intimidation they gave was because of them. When in reality, Onnie knew it was because of the guy and there was nothing wrong with her. She was a strong and powerful young female who, for the most part, knew what she wanted. There was nothing wrong with being too good.

"You're the Director, from the Ishvaras Development Center?" Onnie was pretty sure she was, she had heard so much about the woman ever since she arrived to the Bellefonte Academy. Apparently everyone had good things to say about her, in addition to her looks. She offered her hand for a shake. "I'm Oneyka, I'm here from the La Roux Academy. It's a pleasure."

[Priya Kaur]

The poor thing's emotions just went up and down. Then again, that did happen with teenagers, and it had to be worse when you got shipped overseas and had to adjust to a new environment and all. Priya may not recognize the girl precisely, but she'd certianly picked up that much. She also picked up all the little sways of emotion that ebbed and flowed. Almost enough to get drunk off of. Well, more drunk.

"Oh yes, that is me," said Priya, beaming. "I'm so glad you've heard of me! You always want to be known outside of your little sphere, but you never quite know until we have these little get togethers." And of course Priya wanted to know if the rumors she'd started had born any fruit. Speaking of, she'd have to see if that one contact was still working. What did she call herself here... Dirty something or other.

"It is always a pleasure to meet me, isn't it? said Priya, her voice light, though her words were deadly serious. She slid some pleasure into Oneyka as she said that, taking the offered hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze, adding a little more. Priya needed just a bit more to learn Oneyka's natural emotional flow. Much easier to do slight nudges then to try and rewrite someone's mental chemistry, after all.

"So, obviously you're here for the competition. But I wasn't aware that we were going to have a beauty pageant, or I'd have brought some students that could actually compete with you," Priya practically purred, running her gaze along the young woman admiringly.

[Oneyka A. Duffuor]

Nodding, she smiled at the woman. "Absolutely, I always try to do my research of the important stuff beforehand. I've heard that your Development Centers is one of the bests. Sure it's something to be proud of." She assured her with another smile, as for other rumors, well Onnie hadn't really heard anything or kept up with stuff like that. Though, it did seem like there were some sort of rumor mills going on at this Academy. She heard about it but hadn't really figured out what it was all about.

"It is always a pleasure to meet me, isn't it?" As cocky as it sounded, Oneyka didn't mind because she figured it was supposed to be meant as a joke. Either way it was sill a pleasure to meet her, very much so. She chuckled, "Absolutely." Though, she was pretty sure their handshake had a bit more depth to it, she was just probably the type who gave that nice squeeze when shaking hands. Onnie appreciated it a lot.

"Ah." She laughed softly at the compliment, making her as flustered as can be. Getting such compliments from a woman as beautiful as her, it was something to take note. "Why thank you, as much as I adore the pageant life, I will be using mostly brains and talents for this. Brawn don't really come with shapeshifting." Onnie wasn't physically strong beyond ballet talents, she didn't lift weights, she didn't really work out, and her powers didn't include anything that would physically alter that.

[Priya Kaur]

It only made sense that the international schools would be sending their best and brightest: that was the point here. So it hardly surprised Priya to hear that one such person had done her homework. It also meant that her propaganda had gone out as it should. She made a mental note to congratulate her PR rep at some point.

Absolutely: though of course Oneyka would be feeling quite pleased at meeting Priya, almost as if she were something of a fan. People did find themselves just so enamored of the woman, after all. Especially with the compliment. Priya did make note of the pageant comment, and she wondered if this girl had been sent specifically for aesthetic events. most of the actual events were kept somewhat under wraps, after all, as cheating was frowned upon.

"It's all about the application of power, dear," said Priya nodding. "Brawn is vastly overrated when compared to everything else. After all, the brawnier individuals are so often guided by their lower thoughts," Priya chuckled and looked around for a moment, considering. "Were you looking for anyone? I'd love to help," she slid a bit of a desire to agree with her into the words, though she figured that the young woman would be leaning that way regardless.

[Oneyka A. Duffuor]

"It's all about the application of power, dear,"

Onnie lifted her head slightly as she listened to the words of the woman. She had no doubt in her abilities and disciplines but for the most part she assumed some of it consisted of stuff that she was not capable of doing. She questioned a lot of it, she did; and even though she had been seen as one of the best at La Roux, she had mostly agreed to it just so she could see and experience America for the first time. Onnie found her words to be reassuring and true for the most part.

Her eyes glanced around until Priya had asked a question, "Oh." She chuckled, a bit unsure of how to answer or what to say next. She was looking to see if someone was attending but at the same time she wasn't. Which was a bummer but what could you do? Though, she couldn't help but to feel the desire of wanting him to attend, "Yeah, a friend; Well a new friend. Do you know Jack McCarthy? He attends Bellefonte." To think that she would find herself flustered over the thought of him was a bit more than she expected, then again, she sort of tried to deny her current crush for the Irish boy.

Though, denying it wasn't working.

[Priya Kaur]

Priya followed the other girl's gaze, curiosity taking form, along with a sort of mental debate. Should Priya play around and ruin this budding romance? Or nudge it in the right direction? Decisions, decisions.

The extra information just pushed things in a direction for Priya, as she all but squealed. "Oh, a romantic liaison with a foreigner! How exciting!" Priya's eyes lit up and she started looking. "I'm afraid I don't know Jack all that well. Why don't you describe him? I'm sure he'd love to meet me," she said that without any irony or the usual humor that such words would mean. She really thought that meeting her would be the highlight of anyone's evening.

"Besides: he'll just need to take one look at you tonight and he'll be falling head over heels,' insisted Priya, waving at Oneyka and smiling broadly. what she didn't add went through her head: and I'll make sure of it. Because why not? She was bored, and she would just love to disrupt anything that this Jack had going on here. Long-distance relationships could be so draining on the soul, after all.

[Jack McCarthy]

Yes, Jack was here. Don’t get him wrong. There was no one on the planet that enjoy a wild night, there was rarely a party where he didn’t walk up the next day laying on the floor with a bottle of his chosen poison clutched in his hand in some kind of compromising position (Face covered in glitter, Wearing a lamp shade over his head and a bra around his torso ETC ETC) stumbling out of the house like a zombie nursing the mother of all headaches, but this wasn’t really his scene. This entire reception thing was a bit formal for his taste usually and quite frankly he would get bored of it soon.

So why exactly did he come?

Answer: The food! Holy crap, no wonder Erika Bellefonte was marrying that cook, if he could eat this well every day he’ll probably do the same thing , If it was their intention was to impressed the international students that were doing a good job..Cakes, Drinks, Chocolate. Not bad for a free meal.

So Jack instantly got a plate, Piled said plate sky high with snakes and went to a local table feasting on them all night.

This was the life…

[Oneyka A. Duffuor]

It hadn't been any sort of romantic liaison at all but the thought of it made Oneyka blush. It may not had been visible but her cheeks were certainly warming up. Smiling softly, she tried to redeem herself. "Yeah I wouldn't call it that, if anything we had just became friends just recently." She glanced at the woman before looking back at the others around. As for describing him well... she didn't really have to describe what was already in front of them.

Her brown eyes spotted Jack carrying a ton of food and snacks on his plate to a nearby table. For some reason, she hadn't been surprised at what she saw but at least she saw it. Where her attention was given was more than a give away as to who Jack could have been. Had she been so sure that Jack would be the type to get excited to meeting Priya? Maybe, or maybe not. She really had no idea.

Shaking her head, she smiled sheepishly. "Pardon me for just a moment." She said before heading over to the table that Jack was currently grubbing at. Onnie gave a polite wave as she pulled her dress up a few inches so that the bottom of it wouldn't drag or tough the ground. Waving slightly, she smiled down at him. "I don't mean to disturb your... um, feast. I just wanted to say hi. So yeah, hey." Hopefully he hadn't mind her stopping by to greet him, even though it did seem like he was going to be pretty busy with all of that food. "You plan on eating all of that?" She asked curiously. "Either way, you look good."

[Priya Kaur]

"Friendship always has the potential to flower into something more," said Priya, her voice nearly sing-song. She had to fight back an urge to giggle. Alcohol and her own brand of power intoxication did not mix well, but, well, Priya didn't see any reason not to indulge herself slightly from time to time. She kept humming even as the girl wandered off toward a table.

Well, she at least had good taste when it came to form. Jack looked handsome enough... though he also looked fairly foolish. Then again, most teenage males were quite foolish. It sort of came with being a teenager and a male. Priya chuckled a little. Bit hard to pick up the emotions there from this distance but, well, Priya had been doing this for quite some time now.

First find the casual happiness at meeting someone you knew: amp that up slightly, and slide in a bit of attraction with just a pinch of lust. Not too much, just enough to rev up engines. Teenage boys would always find females appealing, particularly ones as pretty as Oneyka. But you have to start up small, slowly rev it up, and make sure to hit both sides, otherwise someone won't do enough. And, let's see, let's add just a little thirst to both of them. Yes, indulge yourself in a bit of alcohol. A little won't affect you, surely...

[Jack McCarthy]

Jack would be honest, he wasn’t looking or expecting any sort of company tonight, he himself didn’t decide to take part in the evenings festivities until an hour beforehand and for once he didn’t want to draw any attention to himself. He was sure that if either Elsa or Erika the Bellefonte sisters knew that Jack was anywhere close enough for the international staff or students to embarrassed the school in any way…Well, if it was Erika she would probably just toss him out on his ass. If it was Elsa….Well, Jack didn’t want to think about what the Elsa would do to him. He was on thin eye. He just wanted to eat his fill and nothing more.

So when he heard someone call towards him he practically jumped a foot in the air in fright “This food is free I swear! I didn’t steal it, Honest. They told me it’s was all free. Cross my heart!” Jack said suddenly panicked, quick on the defensive. Before she noticed that it was just Oney.

“…Oh, you Hey there!” Jack waved happily now that he knew he wasn’t busted, an genuine smile hitting his face, he enjoyed her company (It was a rare thing for someone to want to continue seeing him after first meeting him) ever since she had saved him from almost getting his hand ripped out by the jaws of a evil vending machine, she seemed easy going at the time “Oh, hell yeah I intend on eating all this. I mean just look at it. A feast for the God’s themselves, can you believe all this shit was for free? I’m having a foodgasm. I mean look at this..” Jack said holding up one of the many treats on show pointing to it like it’s the most amazing thing in the world. “Mini Pizza’s. I know right? There’re like normal pizza’s only really small. What will they think of next?! I like to pretend it’s a normal size pizza but I’m like 20 feet tall” Jack nodded as he paused to put the mini pizza he was marveling at in his mouth.

It was then that Jack got a good look at her for the first time that night and…well, his gaze was caught. At their first meeting even though he was admittedly distracted by possibly losing his hand to take notice of such things but Jack didn’t really pay attention to her attractiveness, but now, Jack didn’t know what it was, the way the light bouncing off her or that dress,but looking at him now, Jack’s mind did wander to certain places, but then again it did so for almost every girl he met. He couldn’t help it, he had a naturally dirty mind. He also felt vastly under dressed, everyone else here was in their best suits and dresses while Jack was in his usually shirt and jean combo “I always look good” Jack said with a smirk “Just look at this adorable face, but you know…You’re…You’re good too. Not better looking then me because that isn’t possible but still you look good.”

Suddenly an idea occurred to him: “Oh” Jack exclaimed jabbing his forefingers in Oney’s general direction “I owe you a drink don’t I? Come on sit down, lets get you some booze because…you know it’s free” Jack giggling still can’t believing his luck before snapping his fingers looking around for a waiter “Barkeep!” Jack shouted “ I demand, the finest alcoholic drinks known to man. I want them here and I want them now!” Jack shouted hoping to attract the eye of a waiter who had heard his outburst when his eyes was drawn to a stunning older woman in the distant who seemed to be standing close by “Do you know her? Should we invite her over?” Jack said asking Oney

[Oneyka A. Duffuor]

She raised a brow, pressing her lips into a hard line. Onnie was confused as to why he would panic over free food but then again, after the whole vending machine incident she gathered that maybe he was just simply up to no good. A guilty mind was never a relaxed one. She chuckled, "Yeah... me. Hey." At least he seemed happy enough to see her, which was always good. She wasn't expecting on any set reaction so it made her feel better. She listened to him go on about the food and nodded slowly as she parted her lips to say something but almost thought against it. She was still getting used to the fact that he was serious most of the time he spoke. "You do know- Um, never mind. I'm glad you're so excited for the mini pizza." She wasn't going to go on about how pizza that small was normal at events like this. So she'd let him enjoy it.

She noticed it and as much as she was flattered (and flustered) by how his eyes looked over her, she said nothing of it. Even with him being as under dressed as he was, he still looked good in her eyes. There was something about his look, and personality, how he didn't care too much about what other people thought... it was attractive, really, really attractive.

"Oh really?" Rolling her eyes, she shook her head. "Until you're able to wear a dress like me, I'd beg to differ. But thank you for the compliment," She sighed, smiling at him. "If you'd call it that." As for the drinks well, she wasn't too sure if she needed to be drinking. She hesitantly sat down next to him. "Should I really be drinking here?" Though, she was pretty thirsty and hopefully one drink wouldn't hurt. She was soon to say how he didn't really have to yell at the waiter but then remembered Ms. Kaur when Jack said something. "Oh!" She got up from her seat half way, and waved over to the Director. It was almost shameful that she had forgotten but hopefully she would come over and Onnie could introduce her to Jack. "Yeah, she's the Director of the Ishvaras Development Center. I can introduce you both."

[Priya Kaur]

Oh, roiling young emotions were just so much fun. This Jack had about as much control over himself as a toddler: he'd be pathetically easy to manipulate. Twist some of the excitement of the evening toward excitement at seeing Oneyka. Mix the nervousness, fuel it into that excitement. Swirl.

Oh, and Oneyka. Poor thing was just so nervous! Tone that down, add several more dashes of "I'm a strong confident woman" (not hard to find, it swam just under the surface). Just a touch more outright pleasure in seeing Jack. Just a pinch of arousal now, after all, if they were going to sliding into beds, the girl needed to be ready. Not too much, else she'd start thinking there was something wrong and--

oh dear, the two had noticed her. Priya fought the urge to smile, instead walking forward. After all, the proximity would make her job easier, and she could certainly make the two forget she was there. The momentary temptation to shoot for both rose up, but Priya felt like being a little more magnanimous. Besides, she hadn't fully enjoyed herself yet.

'Why hello!" she practically purred, nodding toward Jack. "You must be Jack. Why, Oneyka did not undersell how handsome you were," slide a bit of jealousy toward Oneyka, though Priya figured she wouldn't need too much. Didn't want to overdue it: that would just ruin it. "Isn't this a lovely evening? Everyone looking so nice in their..." she looked over what Jack had on before finishing: "evening wear."