Carnival of the Wicked

The Telltale Story of Viveca Blackwood

Viveca Blackwood was a typical college freshman. Pretty, with shoulder length black hair, amber eyes and a pale complexion. Decent in class, and a large variety of friends. Viveca has friends in almost every group.
Popular kids.
the geeks.
drama kids.
athletes.
artsy kids.
    She has friends in all circles, though she never confirmed to one herself. Viveca was in her own little circle. A personal bubble of solitude - though not in a necessarily lonely kind of way, more of a tranquil type of solitude. She was a loner but not exactly, she could fit into any group she wanted and get along with them, but never stuck around long enough to be completely involved. To come with her circle hopping we're nasty rumors. Few girls started them, thinking Viveca was attempting to steal boyfriends or whore around the school. But the rumors were never taken very seriously, despite the nickname she had picked up.

Viveca the Vixen

    Despite that nasty little blemish in her college years, Viveca got invited out with her friends for all different reasons. Parties, studying, games, etc. Though she wasn't much of a party kind of girl, her few friends often dragged her out for the ride. She was typically responsible for keeping her friends out of trouble and getting them home in one piece. And this. Was one of those nights.

    Summer break. Freshman year finally over and done with. Exams are over and it was time to get trashed. At least that's what most people thought. Viveca on the other hand wanted to curl up with remote in hand and binge watching some scary movies. To her disappointment, that was not the plan her friends had for her. Viveca watched as the two girls raided her closet, criticising the number of sweats and pajama pants she had in her wardrobe.
    "Fuck Viv, we need to take you shopping." Carly sighed.
"Why? I have plenty of clothes." Viveca said, lightly chuckling at her statement as she dried her freshly washed hair with a towel.
    "Yeah. Plenty of lounge pants."  Laura snickered holding up blue fleece pants.
"They are comfortable!" Viveca snapped and snatched the pants from her giggling friends. "I prefer to be comfortable in my free time. Not like I have anyone to impress"
    "And we need to fix that."
"Why? I'm perfectly content with myself and my fleece pants." Viveca chuckled as she watched the shuffle through the closet like a gambler shuffles through his cards, looking for something to make the best play.
    "Oo~ What about this?" Laura cooed as she pulled out a low cut, crimson dress that couldn't even fall below the knee.
"Shit, where did you pull that out of?" Carly asked shocked.
"Hidden deep within the Forest of flannels." Laura replied as they giggled as she tossed the dress tossed to Viveca and shooed her into the bathroom. As she started getting dressed, Viveca thought of why she even bothered humoring them by going out. It was just another club with a bunch of drunken 20 year olds looking to hook up or get obliterated with the seemingly endless amount of alcohol and weed that would obviously be there. As she slid the dress on, smoothing it out attempting to pull it down only making her chest more visible.
A lose-lose situation in her eyes.
Nonetheless, she fixed her hair and put on light make up soon walking out to her friends.
    "Oooh~ look at that~" Laura hummed as she smiled at her friend.
    "Viv, you look amazing! That fits you so nicely!" Carly added.
"... I think I'd like my sweat pants back." Viveca said and sighed softly .
    "No way! Put on your boots and let's go!" Laura yelled as she walked to the door.

Carly waited for Viveca as she put her boots on, walking to their other friend who was halfway out the door. The three got in the car and made it to the club, during the drive Viveca sat in the back quietly as she stared out the window watching the buildings and cars pass by till they stopped. She looked up realizing the club was up ahead, sighing to herself as they pulled into the parking lot, her friends cheering as they stopped the car and stepped out. Compared to her friends who were basically running to get inside, Viveca walked at a sluggish and unenthusiastic pace till one of them grabbed her by the arm practically dragging.
Hours surrounded by others who were drunk, high, or just plain stupid. Viveca had enough though her friends were her ride, so she sat at the bar, sipping on vodka soda waiting for them to get their fill and hopefully go home. She sat there visibly not enjoying herself as everyone around her were intoxicated and throwing themselves at one another, she was easy to spot since she was the only one still in her right mind. Seemingly the only one. A young man walked over and sat beside her. He was tall, vibrant green eyes and dark slicked back hair. He looked over at Viveca and smiled politely at her, she in turn returned the smile.
    "Friends ditch you?" He asked as she gave him a look. "I'm just asking since you're alone. I didn't mean to be so abrupt" he chuckled as she took a slight breath of relief and chuckled weakly.
    "Uh. Kinda. They're over there, just enjoying the party." She said as the man nodded.
"My friends are enjoying the party as well. This isn't really my scene if I'm being honest" he said as Viveca smiled.
    "And what scene would be more fitting?" She asked curiously.
"Being at home, watching some old movies with pizza and basic beer." He said as the two chuckled.
    "Funny that sounds very similar to mine" she said as they smiled at each other.
"I'm Crowley McCarthy by the way." He said and offered his hand.
    "Crowley? That's an old Gaelic name." She chuckled and shook his hand "I'm Viveca Blackwood."
"And Blackwood is an old English name." He said as the two chuckled. "Well it's a pleasure to meet you Viveca."
    "Likewise" She said and smiled at him.
The conversation picked up after that and only went up hill. Viveca was entranced by this young man, he held conversations so well and they had many interests in common. It was almost too difficult to stop talking to him when Viveca had to bring her drunken friends out to the car.