I'll do anything for you, even wear this stupid costume [Lexrin]

After Lexi had rushed out of the room, Torin had been confused. He'd had an anxiety attack, and, once again, was afraid she wouldn't return. He blamed the costume. The stupid costume that he couldn't hide his hatred of. And the disapproval had made her uninterested. Made her leave him. He was afraid it was for good this time. So he did what any chivalrous man who valued his relationship would do. He sucked it up and put on the stupid vest, hat and mask. It had been a loose fit, surprisingly, but he still felt uncomfortable in it. He'd left a note on his bed for Lexi. It was a yellow post-it note that read, 'I'm sorry. Have fun at the ball, okay?' With his signature at the bottom.

Now he was standing under colorful lights, his eardrums ringing from the blasting music. He was leaning against a table, tapping it with his fingers while everyone else danced or talked to their significant other. He had a drink in one hand, and would lift his mask just slightly to reveal his mouth and sipped it every now and again, trying not to stab the cup with his beak. He scanned the room, but there was no sign of Lexi. He let out a sigh and began to zone out.

Torin rolled up the sleeve of the white dress shirt he was wearing to sneak a peak at his watch. It seemed to be getting late. He rolled his head back and let out a soft groan, muttering under his breath about how terrible hid idea had been. She probably wouldn't even show up. When he picked his head up again, he saw a girl with the same body shape as Lexi. Same height and looked the same weight. Same straight blonde hair--but with purple highlights. Crap, was it her? He couldn't tell. The costume looked similar but...How awkward would it be to mistake someone else for your girlfriend? He stood where he was and kept looking at her, trying to figure out who it was.

A girl had approached and asked for him, the same girl who he thought looked very similar to Lexi. "I might have." He shrugged. "But it depends... Are you mad at him?" He leaned against the table and cocked his head slightly. He shows affection, she shakes it off. She shows affection, he shakes it off, she runs away. Girls. They were never happy, were they? "Because I heard his girlfriend ran out of the cabin...And he doesn't know why."

Torin blinked behind his mask and sighed. She couldn't recognize his voice, apparently. "Lexi... I want to know why you left.... A-and why you jerked away when I touched noses with you. I... I hadn't even kissed you yet, but then... I don't know... You get upset when I retreat...A-and I only do it because you seem to." His gloomy gaze fell on the polished black shoes that went along with the dumb costume he had worn for her. "I just... I can't tell what pace you want to go..." He was glad that she liked him, because she seemed have a fiery temper with everyone else.

Torin came to a realization, a strange epiphany that actually hurt his heart when he found out. His shoulders dropped, and his eyes grew glossy. "And... you lied. When you ran out... You lied." His voice cracked on the last word. Was there relationship ever going to work? They seemed unable to trust each other. He sucked in a long breath, then exhaled through your nose. Then he repeated a question that he had said during another dark time in their relationship, when he had been an emotional mess on the bed and she had come into Hera's cabin. His voice was small and unsteady. "Why?"

Torin grit his teeth and curled his hands into fists. This routine... It was started to get to him. Not that he was angry, he wasn't. Well, not with her anyway. With himself, as per usual. He couldn't do anything right, could he? But then again, he did consider this some of her fault too. He got close, she moved away. He didn't get close, she ran away. He asked her what was going on, she broke down sobbing. This really couldn't keep happening. They were both causing each other so much heartache. Most importantly though, he didn't want to lose her. Torin let out a small groan, moving one hand to his face to remove his mask. So much for a lovely night... He watched Lexi cry with dull eyes, and chewed on his lip until it bled. He was stressed, she was obviously stressed, and nothing seemed okay at the moment.

Torin scuffed his shoes on the floor and avoided the question. He eventually extended his arm and slid her hand in his, looking back up into her teary eyes. "I-I don't want to... We need to... to find out how to make this work..." The words were soft, as if he were talking to a wounded animal or something. "I...want this to work..." He dry-swallowed and shifted on his feet, afraid to ask because he was afraid of the answer. "...Do you?"

Torin's eyes grew wide and he gasped when she buried her face in his chest. He smiled softly, then wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled his face in her hair. Then he breath caught in his throat, and his body tensed. "W-wha..." His eyes rolled into the back of his head and his lids fluttered shut. His legs buckled and his dead-weight fell on Lexi. His jaw was slacked open slightly and his face expressionless. He was completely knocked out.

Torin didn't respond. He couldn't. His mind wasn't awake anymore. His punch cup had spilled on the ground and splashed everywhere.

Soon, other people were dropping too. One by one they fell, and those who were still conscious began to panic. Some screamed, and they all ran. They dashed outside pleading for help, until the whole place was cleared except for the bodies on the ground and Lexi.

There was a snicker from outside. Charlie grinned mischievously, sadistic amusement twinkling in her eye. When the place had cleared, she crept around the corner and pounced inside, marker in hand.

"Hey!" Charlie hissed, being thrown back against the wall. She rubbed her shoulder and winced. "What was that for? Who the heck is Torin and why are you screaming?!" She rolled her neck and glowered at the girl, then suddenly, there was recognition. "You! You're that girl from a few days ago. You helped Phil and I carry buckets for that other guy with the busted ankle. I knew you were no good!" She scoffed. "What's your deal, girl? Shouldn't you be off screaming in horror like all the other Aphrodite kids who can't take a prank?"

Charlie cackled. "Not like your sisters? Are you implying that you only have sisters? That all your brothers are girly?" She snorted and clutched her stomach, laughing. "Yeah, I spiked the drinks. They'll be back up in an hour, no big deal. I was just gonna draw on their faces and take a few pictures." Her lips twisted into a wicked grin. "I don't know who your boyfriend is, but it would be a shame if he woke up and found his girlfriend dead. And trust me, I have no problems ripping that pretty Aphrodite face of yours clean off." Her body tensed and she moved her hands to her belt, where two machetes were sheathed. "My boys Lycus and Leon are a little hungry. They haven't tasted flesh in a while. They're used to monster meat, but, well, you're practically the same thing." When Charlie was angry or excited, her wit kicked in full blast. She howled in laughter. "Let me finish what I started and no one gets hurt. Get in my way and I'll finish you."

Charlie whipped her head back and let out another howl of laughter at her stuttering. "Darling, I don't think you know who you're dealing with here. I suggest you leave, and let me carry on with my business. But if not..." She slowly drew the machetes from their sheaths. They were made of a strong celestial bronze that thinned out into blades. The bronze glimmered dangerously in the light as they were unsheathed. She held on in each hand, her fingers wrapped around the grip with surprising strength. She'd had plenty of practice with the dual swords, and felt very comfortable using them. Charlie didn't waver. She drew one leg back and took a battle stance, bracing herself to dash forward at the drop of a pin. She ran her tongue over her teeth and locked her sights on the brat who was getting in her way. Her silvery-blue eyes now looked fiery yet cold. They smoldered with excitment. She lust for adrenaline, in the form of Lexi's blood.

"Don't blink~" Charlie mocked, before pouncing forward, raising both blades in the air. It wasn't long before she was within reach of Lexi; Charlie was incredibly stealthy and agile. She cross-chopped with her machetes in front of her, with the intention of dicing Lexi into pieces.