Blending Vanities - Part 01

“Jenna, if this is a joke, I swear I’m giving you bangs.” Maisie sighed, following her friend into a small study. The taller woman’s bun dancing in the sunlight streaming through the balcony door. Pausing at the threshold, Maisie tied her fingers in knots.

The small study was sparse. The furnishings a curious blend of Art-Deco and post-modern styling and a long desk was built into one wall.

 ‘Almost cute.’ Maisie thought to herself, pausing just over the threshold. 

The far corner of the room was hidden in shadow, despite the glass door opening onto the balcony. Across from a green-velour armchair was a small built-in bookshelf. Laying on the third shelf was a heavy ancient looking book. The cover was non-descript and heavily worn, a bizarre symbol barely visible through the wear sat in the center of the cover.

Jenna slowed, turning to peer over her shoulder. “You'll see.” Reaching out, every fiber of Jenna’s arm muscles tensed under her skin. The book scraped along the shelf, dropping off the edge and falling into Jenna's grasp with a heavy grunt. “I’m telling you it works.”

The heavy tome sat in her arms; she pulled it tight to her chest bracing her core and struggling to flip the cover open beyond her modest bust. “I know it sounds wild, but I know what I’ve seen.”

Sucking in a breath, Maisie gingerly crossed the floor. Nicole’s laptop lay open. “Lo-look, aren’t we being a bit silly here, why can’t we go as we are?”

“It’s super black-tie Babe.” Jenna snapped. “Kind of, I mean… from what I’ve seen it’s like the Met gala without the Pomp.” She ran her fingers along the first page. 

“Sophisticated, ya know? And you just brought leisure wear.” She smirked, arching an eyebrow and looking Maisie up and down. “I don’t wanna be mean, but I doubt my clothes would look good on—ah here we are. I recognize that.” Her eyes narrowed as she mouthed a series of words, her expression shifting and shuffling as she tried to puzzle out the words. “I mean… I think that’s what she said…”

Chewing on the inside of her lip, Maisie folded her arms, walking up Jenna and pausing by the desk. Nicole’s desk was sparse, a leatherbound notebook sat tucked in the corner of the desk nearest the built-in bookcase. The older woman’s laptop blinked on as she neared the desk. Its screensaver set to a dark field with a bleeding eclipse, swords and spears driven into the scorched terrain. ‘Weirdo.’ She thought.

Shivering, Maisie turned back to Jenna. Her friend was mouthing words silently, still drawing her finger across the page. “Do we need…like… chicken bones or sage or something?”