"I can't do it," Vanya said, furiously shoving hoop earrings through her ears, "No, I won't do it. Simple as that."
"If you won't do it," ventured Horror, "Then how come you're already dressed-up?"
She whirled around at him angrily. Horror recoiled and she deflated slightly. It's not like it was his fault.
"I can't let her interfere with things," she muttered, "If I stop going to Norton's, then I stop seeing my friends. She's not going to ruin things for me anymore than she already has."
Turning to her mirror she took a tube of too-red-lipstick and started smearing it on. Once she had done her make-up to her satisfaction she picked up her black leather and feather jacket. She had always liked that jacket, it went well with the torn red velvet dress and she'd gotten compliments from the other punks that visited the bar. Now though, she felt like the outfit was too scratchy and too over the top.
"And what if she's nice!" she exclaimed suddenly, "I mean, it's all very well for me to imagine her as some bitch but what if she's nice? Then I'm in the wrong!"
"I'm sure she's a jerk?" tried Horror soothingly.
"You're a great guy to say that, really, but…just…urgh! I feel like a goddamned teenager!"
"You're acting like one too."
Vanya turned around to see Rumor leaning casually in the doorway.
"Boy trouble?" she asked sweetly.
"None of your business," snapped Vanya.
"Well, it's my department. And you can't expect to get any good advice from Ben," Rumor said, stepping into the room and shutting it behind her, "No offense, but I don't think he's too well versed in the dating scene."
She smiled apologetically at Horror who nodded emphatically. Vanya sighed. She wasn't sure why she had told Horror about how things stood with her and Kraken. At the time she was sure that she'd done it because if she didn't tell someone she'd go absolutely mad. Still, it had been rather unfair to force her problems on her brother.
"Now, tell me about it," Rumor said, sitting down on the bed next to Horror.
Drumming her nails on the table Vanya thought it through. The rules of survival in the Hargreeves manor were simple; you didn't go into Hargreeves' office, you didn't wear your shoes on the rugs, you hid anything private, you cleaned up after yourself, and you didn't trust Rumor with anything personal. She was a liar and a cheat and a whistle blower.
"Why do you want to help me?" she settled on, just to buy time.
Rumor gave a beautiful smile.
"So you'll owe me later," she answered, "Oh, and it might be entertaining."
Horror was starting to look uncomfortable and Vanya went back to drumming her nails. Finally though, because Horror really did know nothing about this sort of thing, she said;
"At college there was…this guy I liked."
When she spoke she looked up into the mirror to see their expressions. Rumor was looking self-satisfied and Horror was confused. Fortunately though, when Horror was confused he tended to stay very quiet.
"It was good, and I thought something was going to happen but we didn't start going out before the semester ended," she continued, telling it like was, at least in a way, "And, he lives kinda nearby, you know? I didn't think it was going to be a problem but a friend told me he's seeing someone new-"
"Absolutely fabulous friend you've got there," observed Rumor.
"-and it happens that he goes to Norton's, and I kinda know he's gonna be there tonight," she finished.
Rumor shrugged.
"So don't go."
"I'm not letting that bastard run me out of my own fucking bar," Vanya snapped, whipping around.
Pushing her hair back Rumor smiled.
"Wow, maybe you are somewhat interesting," she said, "So, I'm guessing it's revenge you're after now?"
Vanya blinked.
"I suppose so," she replied.
Horror was starting to look very uncomfortable indeed.
"Then find a guy who's even better looking, richer, and drives a better car and go flirt with him," Rumor said, "Don't you know anything? It helps if these two hate each other. Then it's like 'Sorry, you're not good enough for me but this guy who's so much better than you is', get it?"
"That sounds like it could backfire real easy," Horror said, "I read books and watch TV shows where the jealousy thing doesn't always work…"
"Yeah, and what if these two just don't like each other because the other's actually just a jerk?" Vanya pointed out.
Shrugging again Rumor got up.
"You asked for my help-"
"No I didn't."
"-and you got it. It's worked for me, but then again, what do I know?" Rumor said, "I'm sure you know much more about this than I do. You've probably had scores of boyfriends, aren't I right?"
"Why did I even stop to listen to you?"
"Because you know I've had a lot more experience with the members of the male persuasion," Rumor said, winking.
"You can go now Miss-notch-in-her-lipstick-case," Vanya said, her tone cool.
"I know when I'm not wanted," Rumor said, going for the door.
"Then why'd you come in?" asked Vanya.
"But, let me tell you something," Rumor said, ignoring Vanya, "You follow my advice, see how it goes. Ten to one it'll get the guy riled up enough to at least admit feelings, if there are any and I wouldn't be surprised if there aren't. Or you can play it safe with Ben-I'm-afraid-of-girls-who-aren't-my-sisters' advice, no offense, or your own, Miss-never-had-a-notch-in-her-lipstick-case-because-I'm-a-prudey-little-virgin, get it?"
With a pretty little laugh Rumor walked out of the door and closed it behind her. Vanya stared at the hardwood for another minute.
"I really hate her sometimes," she said.
Sighing she turned around and faced Horror.
"I've gotta get to the garden and out the trick fence post in five minutes or I'll be late," she said, "Thanks for the listening and the sympathy."
Understandingly Horror got up. He paused then as she started to get out of the window, a rather difficult feat.
"Vanya?" he said timidly, "I'm sure things will work out with you and Diego."
"Sure hope so," she said bitterly.