06-26-2023, 05:55 PM
The welcome from the three of them put her at ease, though didn't lessen the feeling of being an outsider. Just because they invited her to stay didn't mean she knew what was going on or got their little inside jokes. She was used to that, too. As Roma, they stuck to the fringes of cities and villages. Even if they stayed their for years, it was never to put down roots or to integrate. And mother and father's strange devotion to their ancient superstition only meant that even within the camp, they were still outsiders.
But Rena knew how to fake it. The world of modeling was filled with fake people and faker relationships. Air kisses and "dahling" or faux-friendships. She could phony-it-up with the best of them, when she chose. And yet somehow, she didn't feel any motivation to do so. Pretending to be old friends already felt old, even if the opening was easy enough. The guy- she knew she'd seen him before. The name gave it away. Vega, of course. Gorgeous, if a little to obviously conscious of it- flirting with both girls. One open and carefree. The other, less so. In what way, she couldn't tell.
Rena smiled shyly, looking at the two other girls in turn before speaking to the man. "I don't envy you. I'm not sure you could find the right flowers. I don't think a flower can giggle as sweetly as this one or can be as coolly mysterious as the other." Nervousness wanted to grow up around her but she pushed it down. She smiled, at the girl on the ground and then the other woman. "I'm Rena. Thank you for your hospitality."
She looked at the man and put out her hand. "We've met, Mr. Vega. At one of your parties a while back. Though I think you had eyes for my companion." The twinkle in her eye and the smile on her face said she had taken no offense. Not that he probably cared. Still...
But Rena knew how to fake it. The world of modeling was filled with fake people and faker relationships. Air kisses and "dahling" or faux-friendships. She could phony-it-up with the best of them, when she chose. And yet somehow, she didn't feel any motivation to do so. Pretending to be old friends already felt old, even if the opening was easy enough. The guy- she knew she'd seen him before. The name gave it away. Vega, of course. Gorgeous, if a little to obviously conscious of it- flirting with both girls. One open and carefree. The other, less so. In what way, she couldn't tell.
Rena smiled shyly, looking at the two other girls in turn before speaking to the man. "I don't envy you. I'm not sure you could find the right flowers. I don't think a flower can giggle as sweetly as this one or can be as coolly mysterious as the other." Nervousness wanted to grow up around her but she pushed it down. She smiled, at the girl on the ground and then the other woman. "I'm Rena. Thank you for your hospitality."
She looked at the man and put out her hand. "We've met, Mr. Vega. At one of your parties a while back. Though I think you had eyes for my companion." The twinkle in her eye and the smile on her face said she had taken no offense. Not that he probably cared. Still...