Chapter 44: "The Great Houses of Dreamside and the Qing."

February 7, 3:00 PM. Residential District of Dreamside, the Copper Cup cafe.
The cafe is decorated in 1950s style, though places this size with expensive finishes and computerized service probably never existed then. It sits on Beatnik Avenue in the Residential District and radiates wealth and glamour, which clashes hard with the name Beatnik. Beatnik Avenue in the middle of Dreamside—a closed Southern California town of modern neo-hippies devoted to aesthetics, luxury, and biohacking—is historical trolling on an architectural scale. Like Che Guevara T-shirts on Amazon, only bigger.
Beatrice sits in the far corner by the window on a soft turquoise diner booth. She wears a pink T-shirt covered in anime girls’ ahegao faces and black shorts. She sips a strawberry daiquiri through a straw and looks at Carolina with a kind smirk.
Carolina sits opposite her in a black T-shirt and blue denim shorts. She talks for several minutes about her sexually obsessed cousin. Stories about him are one of her frequent gossip topics.
Iga sits next to Bea and can’t take it anymore. “Fuck, we already got that you’re not indifferent to your cousin. Are there really no other topics for conversation?”
Iga wears a white T-shirt and gray shorts. She leans back and looks at Bea. “I marvel at your patience. You know, she’s always like this—thinks everything revolves around her and her wanker cousin.”
Bea chuckles into her daiquiri, brown eyes glinting with amusement. “I don’t mind,” she says. “Carol’s too much, but she’s too much in a good way. You know?” She sips again. “Besides, it’s funny watching you try to shut her up.”
Iga rolls her eyes dramatically but smiles. Carolina ignores both of them and continues. “And then he just came out with it one day—‘Carolina, I’ve decided I want to date you,’ just like that!” She throws up her hands.
Iga looks at Bea. “I’ve been friends with Carolina for a long time. She’s fucking crazy and belongs in a psych ward. It would be better if she finally fucked her cousin and stopped fucking with everyone’s brains about it.” She glances at Carolina, then focuses on Bea again. Iga runs a hand through her hair—same blonde as Carolina’s, but shorter, bob-cut. “Better buy separate housing in Dreamside, seriously. She’ll drive you crazy if you live together. Although if you’re not planning to quit your music career and fully go into writing for Dana, then tours solve this problem.”
Bea laughs, shaking her head. “Oh, I don’t know.” She takes another sip. “Sure, she’s a lot. But I like a lot of things about her.” She shrugs, twirling the straw. “And honestly? I don’t mind being the one who listens to her talk. It’s kinda… comfortable? Knowing someone so well that you can just exist with them like this.”
Carolina leans forward, elbows on the table. “Exactly! See? Bea gets it.” She grins at Iga. “You’re just jealous because you don’t have anyone to obsess about you.”
Iga snorts. “I’m more focused on work right now than on boys.” She raises an eyebrow smugly. “You could say I’m in a relationship with my camera. Phase One XF is just fucking awesome. And Aria considers me her best freelance photographer.” She throws a few French fries into her mouth. “But you lately smell like Cersei Lannister. That fixation of yours on intimate topics with relatives and your behavior on the ice… Your hockey team is called Frost Furies, not The Fucking Bitch and Blood on the Ice.”
Carolina sticks her tongue out at Iga, then turns to Bea with a conspiratorial grin. “See? She hates how much I talk about sex and my cousin. But I don’t care. It’s my life!” She gestures dramatically and leans closer to Bea. “So, back to the story. I told him no. I was like—‘Nope, not happening.’ Not because I didn’t want him, you know? Just because… he’s my cousin.”
Iga giggles. “But if he was her full brother—that would be a different story! That would be normal. Just normal. The whole Bible Belt lives like that.”
Bea grins, shaking her head. “Fuck. You’re terrible,” she says to Iga, then turns back to Carolina. “So… you turned him down, but you’re still talking about him? That’s… interesting.”
Carolina shrugs, twirling a lock of blonde hair around her finger. “Of course I’m talking about it! It’s fun. It’s…” She pauses, biting her lip. “It’s complicated. Not like I don’t think about it sometimes.” She leans closer to Bea. “I mean, he’s hot. Like, objectively. But also, he’s my cousin, you know? It’s not like I’m just going to fuck him and be done with it.”
Iga sighs and looks at Beatrice. “Just cut it out already with your aristocratic British politeness. This is California. Carolina won’t fall apart if she finds out her near-incestuous fantasies aren’t as fascinating as she thinks. Yeah, my bestie is a very complicated person—she’s a mix of wanting to fuck her cousin and wanting to punch faces in hockey.” She chuckles. “By the way—we can go to one of Carolina’s games sometime. They have a match coming up soon. This isn’t women’s hockey, this is fucking Mortal Kombat. I don’t think even the guys play like that. The only good thing is they don’t wrap guts around the sticks, though I’m sure Carolina is capable of that too.”
Carolina throws a napkin at Iga. “Fuck off! You’re just jealous because you haven’t played since college.” She turns back to Bea, grinning. “But yeah, it’s intense. There are no rules out there. It’s like—fuck, I love it.” Her eyes sparkle. She leans forward on her elbows. “And you know what? Even though I turned him down, sometimes I think… maybe it’s not so wrong.”
Iga groans dramatically. “Ugh, here we go again with the moral dilemmas. Listen, Carolina, if you want to fuck your cousin—fuck your cousin.”
Carolina laughs, shaking her head. “I don’t need you to tell me that! I just think it’s… complicated. You know? Like—what if we tried and it was amazing? But then later it was messy and I had to see him every day? Or what if we did and it wasn’t good at all?” She bites her lip. “But sometimes I think about it. Like—what if? You know?”
Bea watches Carolina with a slight smile. “Mmm,” she hums, enjoying her cocktail. “That is… complicated. But also kinda hot, honestly.”
Carolina brightens instantly. “Right? I knew you’d get it!”
Iga lets out an exaggerated sigh. “Of course she gets it. She’s just as fucked up as you are, Carolina. Only she hides it better.”
Bea laughs. “I mean, I get it. It’s complicated. But… don’t you think there’s something kind of exciting about that? About the idea that it’s complicated and messy?” She shrugs. “Not that I’d know from experience or anything, but…”
Carolina leans forward, blue eyes bright. “Oh my god, yes. Exactly! It’s like—it’s not just sex, it’s this whole thing. This tension. This history.”
Iga props her cheek with her hand and sighs. “Oh… this is just fucked up.” She looks at Beatrice’s profile next to her. The facial features of the young Filipina in the shade of the cafe contrast with the sun-drenched sidewalk. Bea’s plump lips wrap around the straw of the strawberry daiquiri while she listens to Carolina.
Iga assesses the composition, reaches for her phone, and with a quick professional movement takes a photo of Bea on her iPhone. “Okay, okay,” she mutters, checking the shot. “Now that’s one for the archives. Perfect lighting, perfect angle…” She angles the screen toward Carolina, who peers at it with exaggerated scrutiny.
“Oh my god, Bea—you look fucking amazing. Like, properly photogenic.”
Carolina snatches the phone from Iga’s hand and turns it sideways for a better look. “Wow,” she says, almost breathless. “Seriously, you should be a model, Bea. Or… I don’t know. A movie star?” She holds the phone closer and zooms in a little.
Iga giggles. “She’s already a singer, erotic writer, and comic artist. There’s no way she can take on any more creative fields. Not unless she finds a magical way not to sleep, eat, or go to the bathroom.”
Bea rolls her eyes but grins and reaches for the phone. “Oh my god, Carolina, you’re ridiculous.” She peers at the photo, studying her own reflection with a slight smirk. “I mean, I guess I do look decent.” She hands the phone back to Iga.
Carolina snatches it again and holds it a moment longer, tilting it. “No, for real. You should post this. You’d get a million likes.” She finally gives the phone back to Iga and turns to Bea with a mischievous glint in her eye. “I bet Iga could even get you into modeling. After all, she works at Grandient Agency.”
Iga smirks. “I’m sure Aria already knows Bea’s here.” She looks at Bea. “You’re quite the famous newcomer around here, unlike most people. I think Aria would even be happy to meet you in person.” Iga stretches her neck lightly, shifts her posture, and leans back. “So how do you like the magic of Dreamside? I mean the fact that crowds aren’t swarming you for autographs, paparazzi aren’t chasing you, and stoned creepy bums aren’t roaming the streets like in LA and the rest of ‘outer’ America.”
Bea sips her drink slowly, savoring it before she answers. “It’s… different,” she says, smiling a little. “Fuck… I don’t know. I mean, I like it. It’s quieter. Nicer, in a way.” She gestures vaguely. “The architecture here is beautiful. And people… people seem happier.”
Iga snorts and shakes her head. “Happier? Yeah, because it’s a typical neo-hippie gated town. Cleaner. Less aggressive. Less classic hippie and no conservative shit. No one’s trying to scam you for a dime every two minutes or preach puritanism. And the views—you have to admit those are nice.” She grins. “Although that makes it a little too boring and… sleepy around here. I swear, LA is basically just a fucking reality TV show you can walk through. Your Bristol is probably kind of like LA. Only rainier and with cold winters. Right?”
Bea shrugs and adjusts her strawberry daiquiri. “I guess so. Bristol’s definitely got its fair share of… colorful characters.” She leans back in her chair and glances around the Copper Cup’s cozy seating area. “But yeah, Dreamside—it’s got this… relaxed energy. Not that LA isn’t energetic. Just in a different way.”
Iga gestures vaguely. “Exactly. LA is like… cocaine in a nightclub. Dreamside is like the weed dispensary next door.”
Carolina giggles. “I like both,” she says, stretching her arms above her head. “I just… I don’t know. It’s cool having space to breathe.” She looks at Bea. “By the way, today’s Wednesday. And that means…”
Iga cuts her off right away. “That the weekly weekend parties in the Mansion and Estate District start the day after tomorrow. How long have you been in Dreamside already? A couple of weeks? It’s time you saw this circus. Part of Dreamside’s population cosplays soap operas in the district—weekly balls and everything that goes with it.”
Beatrice raises an eyebrow.
Iga rolls her eyes. “I knew it! Elisabetta assigned Carolina to you so she’d introduce you to life in Dreamside outside of Sogni Nudi, and all she does is talk about her cousin Mike.” She glances at Carolina for a second, then turns back to Beatrice. “Anyway, Bealullaby. Parties in Dreamside are a crucial part of the local culture, just like Quidditch at Hogwarts. The parties here did the same thing to castings that AI is currently doing to furry artists. It’s not just fun under alcohol, weed, and sex—it’s excellent networking too. So if you want to strengthen business connections here and hook up with some cute guy or girl at the same time, this is the perfect place. The fattest assholes among Hollywood producers aren’t allowed in, which is why they’ve been throwing tantrums in the media for years about how they don’t give a shit about people from Dreamside. But considering their ‘successes’ over the past few years, it’s more like the industry is shitting on them.” Iga shrugs. “And who even likes fat old dudes with wrinkled dicks? Nobody does.”
Bea smirks and shakes her head, rolling the stem of her daiquiri between her fingers. “I don’t know, Iga. I mean, I get it. Parties are important networking. But I don’t need to go out every weekend just to make connections.”
Iga makes a vague gesture and tosses a few more fries into her mouth. “Yeah, I’m aware of your tastes, Miss Solenne. I’ve read your interviews. All those cozy indie hangouts with a guitar… There’s basically something similar here too.” She chews, swallows, then continues. “These estates and mansions are kind of like communes. Anywhere from a few dozen to several hundred people live there, and even more pour in for the parties from all over Dreamside and from LA. They split into groups and start having fun. The main thing is to pick the right House.” She taps her fingers on the table, humming the Game of Thrones opening theme. Then she looks at Carolina. “Well, you’re our expert on Dreamside Great Houses. Fire away.”
Carolina giggles, then thinks for a moment. “So… Yummyplace.” She pauses. “Candy’s place. It’s… yeah, it’s very selective. It’s not just a mansion—it’s a whole thing. A brand. People who go there are either the top 0.1% or they’re there because Candy likes them for some reason. That’s how it works.”
Bea raises an eyebrow and sips her drink. “Sounds like a… good challenge.”
Iga chuckles. “Oh, it’s definitely a challenge. Yummyplace isn’t just about being rich or famous—it’s about being interesting. Candy’s got a reputation for only inviting people who bring something special to the party. It’s not just money—it’s…” She gestures vaguely. “…charisma. Style. The ability to make the evening something worth remembering. So when she invites someone new, it’s always like…” She pauses for effect. “…okay, this mansion is such a snobby piece of shit. What’s next?”
Carolina continues. “So… there’s also Sexland.” She giggles. “Eva’s place. That’s a bit different. I mean… Sexland is… well, it’s exactly what it sounds like.” She grins, clearly enjoying this. “Eva doesn’t really care about your status or your bank account. It’s more of a typical teen-hangout Netflix series. As long as you’re down for whatever she has planned, you’re in.”
Bea hums thoughtfully. “That sounds… energetic.”
Iga snorts. “Oh, you have no idea. Last time I was there, someone tried to get me to pour champagne into a guy’s mouth while he was bent over a chair getting fucked.” She shrugs. “Not my thing, but that’s just the vibe. Candy would never allow something like that in her house.”
Carolina continues. “Yeah. Besides, Candy and Eva don’t like each other much. Candy works as a dentist at Health&Cozy. Eva is a designer and artist. Candy is 26, Eva is 27. Both are sexy socialites, and their mansions constantly compete. Candy thinks all of Eva’s success comes from her rich parents’ money, not her own. Eva spreads dirty rumors about Candy—even the Israeli background of our slightly snobbish dentist gets used. Sexland isn’t even a mansion. It’s an estate. Bigger than Yummyplace. That only adds to the drama.” She glances out the café window at the afternoon panorama of Beatnik Avenue: sun, greenery, luxury cars, upscale shops. “Honestly, this is probably the only major long-running conflict in Dreamside. Everything else stays pretty peaceful.”
Carolina thinks for a couple of seconds. “So… Right. There’s also Cheerful Horse. Yeah, it sounds like a bar name.” She laughs. “Mary is 25, from Mexico City. Engineering background, but she’s into literature too. Pretty good neural network developer. Her house isn’t very big. It’s chill. She welcomes everyone and doesn’t care who you are or what you do. She’s more focused on content creation and collaborations. Not as exclusive as Yummyplace or as hedonistic as Sexland.” She grins. “But things happen there. Next on the list is Pepper Party Mansion.” She smirks. “Alice Fatima’s place. She’s from Peru. Super creative. Loves party planning and music. She runs a circus every weekend. Alice is 27. Her house is insane. Whole ‘Pepper Parties’ aesthetic. Not just a place. A lifestyle brand. Anyone can get in, but the real insiders get special attention.” She gestures dramatically.
“Themed balls. Extravagant costumes. Elaborate performances. If you want to be the star of the show for a night, that’s where you go. Drawback is you need to be ready to perform. The show’s not for the shy ones.” Carolina leans back a little. “She’s in a relationship with three men. All major businessmen. They foot the bill for most of the parties. She’s a hentai comic book author and web model.” She glances up at the café ceiling. “Well… there’s also Lodgeville. Owner is Alicia Lodge. Cool girl. The café we’re sitting in belongs to her.” She gestures around the room. “It’s like a classic. You know how in older teen romances there’s always that rich, gorgeous, mysterious girl who runs the coolest club in town? Yeah. That’s Alicia. Sexy 27-year-old Latina. Famous owner of The Gilded Hour Bar and The Copper Cup. Gorgeous, brilliant, influential.” Carolina continues without a long pause. “There’s also Petycradle.” She raises an eyebrow. “Susanne Thailia’s mansion. She’s a bit eccentric. Top screenwriter. Beautiful, brilliant, wealthy. Susanne is only 25, but she’s written some of the most memorable TV episodes in recent years. She’s got this whole ‘muse of inspiration’ vibe.” She gestures vaguely. “She’s mixed and very cultured. Her house is insane. Full of art, performance spaces, people always doing something weird.” Carolina sighs. “And there are three more mansions and one truly gigantic estate. Cocoavilla, owned by Iga’s boss. Beautiful, stylish, modern, large, luxurious three-story African-Asian-style mansion. Mostly African. Vale is completely obsessed with Africa. She has a bunch of guys, almost all of them Black. Another is Fizzyhouse, owned by the wealthy Spanish aristocratic family de Arce Novoa. Or rather by the marquess’s daughter Camila. Camila always looks at you like you’re shit. There’s Château des Rêves. Practically no actual French people there, but everyone cosplays French aesthetics. Hollywood star, golfer, and artist Kate Norwin throws costume parties there. The friendliness, cuteness, and tenderness get dialed up to 1000%. It starts making you nauseous. I’ve been a couple of times. Definitely not my thing. But you might like it.” She leans forward a little. “Then there’s the heavyweight. Cheryl Hill estate. Businesswoman and socialite monster Cheryl lives there with her girlfriend Tara. The estate is enormous. Full of glamour, stables, Gothic architecture. They often shoot pilot episodes of TV shows there. Cheryl is the peak of extravagance and pure sex-bomb energy. You can’t describe it. You just have to see it. I’ll just say all those jokes about her being a witch who boils ‘bad boys’ in cauldrons and eats their penises for breakfast… they have a drop of realism to them.” Carolina leans back and looks at Beatrice. “There are a few more mansions, but I think I’ve named the biggest and most famous places. That’s how things stand with the Great Houses of Dreamside and the local society queens.”
Iga claps her hands. “Bravo! Now that’s analysis! So they didn’t knock all the brains out of you at your female-power hockey ‘victory or resuscitation’.”
Carolina says to Iga, “Hey, sarcasm bitch, I’ve got plenty of brain matter left, thank you very much. Besides, I was just giving our dear Beatrice the CliffsNotes version. I could go on all day about the drama between Yummyplace and Sexland, or the weird vibes at Petycradle and Cheryl Hill.”
Iga smirks and rolls her eyes. “Yeah, of course. I’m sure she’s dying to hear more about our Cheryl character. Witch energy… Cauldrons… Yeah… Cheryl Bloomfield in a red leather corset, stirring some pot with a big wooden spoon.”
Carolina chuckles, leaning back on the soft diner booth. “Oh, you’re thinking small, Iga. Let’s imagine the full outfit. Something from a horror movie or a kinky fetish festival. Big black lace-up boots, whip in hand, massive dramatic hats. When she’s in full witch mode, it’s just… supersexreal.”
Beatrice quietly sips her daiquiri through a straw and finally speaks up with a knowing smile. “Witch energy? That’s an interesting way to put it. It’s so… vivid.”
Carolina grins. “Oh, it’s way more vivid than that. Cheryl’s whole vibe is a cross between a Victorian vampire mistress and a dominatrix queen.”
Bea tilts her head slightly. “So… she’s very charismatic, then?”
Iga snorts. “Charismatic doesn’t even begin to cover it. She’s got this… presence.”
Carolina nods. “It’s not just confidence. It’s an aura.” She pauses. “I’ve seen her at a few of Kate’s parties at Château des Rêves. She’s magnetic. She often goes to Kate’s parties. I’d say she actually runs most of Kate’s parties. Top-notch showgirl.”
Bea hums, swirling her drink. “So she’s… the ringleader?”
Iga leans forward, elbows on the table. “That’s one way to put it. She’s the star of the show. The life of every party.” She gestures vaguely. “Her reputation precedes her. People either love her or hate her, but they all acknowledge her power.”
Carolina chuckles. “And that’s before we even get into the creative stuff. She’s a successful artist and businesswoman too.”
Iga giggles. “Still, for the past couple of years the most popular parties have been at Kate’s, not at hers. Apparently that’s exactly why Cheryl keeps showing up at the Château—to pull the attention onto herself.”
Carolina grins. “And boy does she succeed. She’s got a performance down to a science. Whenever she arrives, it’s like a bomb going off in the middle of the party. People flock to her. They orbit her. She’s the center of attention for hours.”
Bea nods slowly. “Fuck… That sounds exhausting. But also fascinating.” She sips her drink again. “Does she ever just have normal conversations with people? Or is it always a performance?”
Iga chuckles. “It’s always an entertaining contest. Or an entertaining sex contest. Not mandatory, of course. Still, she always gathers a huge crowd for her little schemes.”
Bea asks, “Contest? Like… games?”
Iga exchanges a knowing glance with Carolina and smirks. “Oh, they’re games all right. But not the kind you might think.”
Carolina leans in, speaking more quietly. “Let’s just say Cheryl is a great event coordinator.”
Iga chuckles. “A great coordinator who happens to specialize in erotic contests.”
Bea’s eyebrows shoot up slightly. “Like what?”
Iga leans back. “Depends on the party. She’s constantly inventing new themes.” Her face brightens. “For instance—she once had a movie contest. She picked out a few couples. Treated it like a serious production. Prepared a serious script and lines of dialogue. Even had pre-planned camera angles. Oh, you have no idea what happened next…”
Bea snorts. “Yeah, I can imagine. Did they act out scenes?”
Iga giggles. “Yeah. Basically the girls were competing over who was the better director. The main stars were their boyfriends. I still don’t know how Cheryl talked everyone into it…” She tries to speak through her laughter. “Just picture it: you’re a guy. You show up at the party with your girlfriend. A couple hours later she’s filming a scene where you’re sucking your buddy’s dick. Kind of walking a mile in your girl’s shoes. Feel exactly what she feels every night—all the way down your throat…”
Bea chokes on her cocktail from laughing so hard. Carolina doubles over with laughter.
“FUUUUUUUCK….” Carolina moans as she collapses sideways onto the soft diner booth.
Bea tries to clear her throat, laughing. “FUCK… I can’t breathe…” She wheezes, eyes watering. She slams her glass down and grips the table edge. “Fucking shit, that’s… that’s fucking insane.”
Iga keeps laughing. “Fuck is a fateful word for them now. And sausages and bratwurst have probably vanished from their diet. Same with everything phallic. Although some of them may have discovered a bright bisexual side in themselves…”
Bea struggles to calm down. “Fuuuuck… that is the most hilariously fucked up thing I’ve heard in weeks. Shit, I’d pay to see the highlights reel of that.”
Carolina straightens up, still smirking. “Oh, I’m sure you would. And I bet if you ever asked nicely, Cheryl would put on a private screening for you.”
Iga tilts her head. “Cheryl’s done it before, I guess.”
Bea snorts. “Fuck yeah, she probably has. And she probably charged admission.”
Iga runs a hand through her hair and glances at the sidewalk outside the café window. Then she looks at Beatrice. “I think you’ll settle in here. It’s not like there are a lot of Filipinas around. Especially from Bristol. And especially ones who play indie rock and write erotica.”
Bea grins, swirling the last of her daiquiri before she sets it down. “Yeah, I guess that does make me kinda special. Or at least rare.” She shrugs. “Bristol’s a long way from here. But Dreamside… it’s quiet. Nicer than Bristol. The weather’s better too.”
Carolina nods. “That’s the spirit. You’ll fit right in here.”
Iga examines Bea. “So… you’re really not planning to go back to Bristol anytime soon?”
Bea shakes her head. “Nah. I’m done with that shit. Too many complications. Too many people who don’t get me.” She gestures vaguely.
Iga giggles. “I think you’re an excellent addition for Dana. And Sogni Nudi. And for Dreamside. And for me. Because my best friend’s friends are my friends.” She glances at Carolina, then back at Beatrice. “You definitely need to hit one of the parties this weekend. We should start with something relatively decent. I suggest Miss Norwin’s place.” She looks at Carolina again. “And you can skip it, since the ‘concentration of friendliness, cuteness, and tenderness is dialed up to 1000%’ there and it makes you sick.”
Carolina rolls her eyes. “Fuck yeah, I’m not dealing with that. I’ll stick to the more… grounded affairs.”
Bea chuckles and finishes her drink. “Wait, you’re really not into that? The whole… soft, cuddly thing?”
Carolina shrugs. “I don’t hate it. It’s fine for other people. But I prefer something with a little more… edge.” She grins. “You know, where I don’t have to worry about accidentally calling someone baby by mistake.”
Iga laughs. “Yeah, you’d probably do better at Cheryl’s.”
Bea hums, imagining it. “And that’s why I think you should come with me this weekend,” Iga says. “Kate throws great parties. It’s more of a big house party than anything, but the atmosphere is warm and cozy.”
Bea leans back against the booth and rubs her fingers over the condensation on her glass. “Huh.” She glances between Iga and Carolina. “I guess it’s better than a creepy sex club.”
Iga grins. “It’s the perfect middle ground. Enough romance to make it interesting without being suffocating.” She sips her drink. “And I’ll be there too. So that helps.”
Carolina chuckles. “Yeah, I’m not going, but you should definitely go, Bea. It’s a great place to meet people. And… maybe find someone to play with.”
Bea shrugs, amused. “I dunno. I don’t really do relationships. Just… fun times.”
“Well, you’ll find plenty of that there,” Iga says. She leans forward. “And it’s not just about the parties. It’s about the people. Kate’s got a huge circle of friends. You’d fit right in. You’re creative, you’ve got that whole Bristol thing going on…” She grins. “And I bet you could write a hell of a song or an erotica story about a party there.”
Bea smirks. “Fuck yeah, I could definitely write about that. I mean, everything here seems… heightened.” She gestures. “The parties, the people, the drama. Bristol’s got its own flavor, but this? This is something else.”
Iga nods. “Exactly!”
Carolina chuckles. “Oh fuck. But seriously, Bea, you should visit Château.”
Bea leans back with a thoughtful hum. “Alright. I’m in.” She grins. “Guess I’ll need to dress up for this party, huh?”
Iga claps her hands. “Yes! That’s the spirit. And I’ll be there too, so it won’t be just you. You’ll have your Dreamguide.”
Carolina snorts. “Oh fuck, I can already picture it. You’ll fit right in, Bea. Just be yourself. And don’t get too caught up in the romance. I’m sure someone will try to pair you off.”
Bea rolls her eyes. “Oh God, I’m not looking for a relationship or anything serious. I’m more… casual.”
Iga giggles. “Yeah, I know. I’ve been around long enough to know what ‘casual’ looks like. But that doesn’t mean you won’t find someone interesting.” She grins. “You might even have fun with a little romance. Might be nice to try something different for once.”
Bea shrugs. “Maybe. I dunno. Depends on who’s there.” She sips her drink. “But I’m not looking for anything deep. Just… good company. Good conversation.” She smirks. “And maybe some good… extracurricular activities.”
Carolina laughs. “That’s the spirit. I like your style, Bea.”
Iga nudges Bea’s shoulder. “See? That’s why you’re going to love Château. It’s… curated chaos. Enough fun to keep things interesting, but not so much that you can’t just hang out and be yourself.” She grins. “Kate’s got a way of making everyone feel welcome. Even the weird ones.”
Bea huffs a laugh. “Well, I guess I’ll fit right in then. Alright, so… what do I need to know before this party weekend? Any rules? Etiquette? Customs?”
Iga takes her phone and scrolls through her feed. “So… let’s see what’s happening the day after tomorrow on February 9th… Yeah. Here’s the party theme. It’s called…” She giggles. “The United States of Fusang. Genre: alternative history. So… Description: China successfully colonized America ahead of the Europeans. Outfits—a mix of 17th-18th century American fashion with Chinese motifs.” She keeps giggling. “They’re also specifically recruiting a bunch of people with Asian appearance for this party. You’ll fit right in racially, Bea!”
Carolina rolls her eyes. “Holy shit… Do they specifically keep some screenwriter there who feeds them these ideas? Though now it’s no surprise why they’ve outdone Cheryl when it comes to parties.”
Bea grins and rocks back in the booth. “Oh wow. That’s… that’s actually really cool. I’ve never been to a historical party before. And colonial America with Chinese influence? That’s… unique.”
Carolina snorts. “Yeah… Are they just gonna count every Asian who shows up as Chinese or what?”
Iga answers without looking up from her phone. “What? Ah, no… Basically China also colonized all of Southeast Asia there… They’re just inviting more Asians for visual authenticity. So our Bea won’t have to pretend to be Chinese. She can stay Filipina if she wants.”
Carolina raises an eyebrow. “Someone wrote a whole treatise in the alternative history genre for the party? Holy fucking shit, the way they go all out. They’re fucking nuts.”
Iga glances at Carolina. “What, you already want to go? By the way, they even wrote approximate instructions for the costumes.”
Bea chuckles and shakes her head. “Oh fuck, this is fucking amazing.”
Carolina chuckles. “Yeah. Bea, you can dress up as some Filipina imperial soldier in the service of the Chinese emperor. It’ll be historical-political-sexual.”
Bea grins. “Fuck yeah. I can get down with that. An Asian colonist in the New World… that’s pretty badass. I wonder if there’s a way to incorporate my tattoos somehow. Make them look like some kind of official marking or something.”
Iga beams. “Oh my god, you have to! That would be perfect. Like… special insignias or something from the Chinese Empire.” She sets her phone down and gestures animatedly. “And Bea, you should totally do a photo shoot after the party.”
Carolina chuckles. “Yeah, definitely. You as some warrior maiden or something. I mean, that’s a lot of tattoos on your arms and legs in the form of black flowers.”
Bea grins, lifting her arm to examine the intricate black flower patterns etched across her skin. “Fuck yeah. They’d be perfect for this.” She taps the stem of a petal. “Maybe I could make them look like ceremonial markings or some kind of elite military insignia. Like Chinese imperial seals or whatever they had back then.”
Iga claps her hands together. “Oh my god, yes! That’s perfect! You can be some kind of elite warrior sent to the New World!” She scoots closer to Bea. “Or maybe a high-ranking officer’s daughter who married into the ruling class. That would be so cool!”
Carolina leans back with a smirk. “Yeah, and she could be in charge of keeping the conquered natives and captured enemy colonies in line. Or collecting tribute for the Chinese emperor.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “Maybe she’s got a whip or something.”
Bea chuckles, rolling her eyes. “Oh fuck, you’re not helping. I mean, I could go full dominatrix colonialist if that’s what you want.” She smirks. “Whip and all. Just need to find the right accessories.” She pauses. “And I guess I’d need to practice some kind of disciplinary technique. Like if I had to handle a naughty native or a captured soldier from the enemy European army.”
Iga giggles. “Oh my god, yes! That would be perfect!” She turns to Carolina. “You should come too. You could be some poor captured European soldier who gets punished by Bea.”
Carolina scoffs. “Fuck that. I’m not playing the victim role.” She grins, wagging a finger at Bea. “Nah. I’ll be the rebel of the New Netherlanders who gives our Filipina colonist serving the Qing a run for her money.” She leans back, crossing her arms. “And I’ll bring a sword for authenticity.”
Bea snorts, shaking her head. “Oh, fuck no. No way you’re out-toughing me. I’ll have you tied up and flogged before you can say ‘For the King!’” She mimics cracking a whip.
Carolina throws her head back and laughs. “You’ve got this all planned out already, huh? Fuck, you’re really getting into this.”
Iga claps. “Yes! You two should totally do this! It’ll be perfect for the party. If you want, you could act out some kind of historical duel.”
Carolina grins. “Fuck yeah. Like a dramatic capture scene.” She gestures. “Then Bea can drag me offstage in chains, kicking and screaming the whole way.”
Bea snickers. “Oh, I’d definitely drag you offstage in chains. And maybe parade you around the party afterward.”
Carolina laughs, shaking her head. “Fuck, yeah, that’s exactly what I’d expect from you. You’d be the type to show off her captured prey.”
Bea grins. “Damn right I would. I’d make sure everyone knows exactly who I conquered.” She leans back, stretching her arms over the booth. “You’re right, I do like a good show.”
Iga watches them, delighted. “This is going to be so good. You two are already acting out the roles.” She looks between them. “Bea, you’d be perfect as the ruthless, calculating colonial soldier of the Great Chinese Empire. Carolina, you’d be this defiant, passionate rebel of the New Netherlanders. I guess I’ll ship you girls.”
Carolina scoffs and nudges Bea’s knee under the table. “Oh, shit, Iga, are you seriously shipping us already, horny bitch?” She turns to Bea with a smirk. “She’s already got our storylines planned out.”
Bea chuckles and nudges back. “Hey, she’s not wrong. We’d be pretty fucking hot together.” Her voice dips. “Especially when I’ve got you pinned under me.”
Carolina pretends to cough and covers her face. “Shit, fuck, you’re such a fucking flirt.” She shifts in the booth. “Fuck. At least I get to be the one with the sword.”
Bea grins. She leans in, elbow on the table, chin in her palm. “Oh? You think you’re tough with that little sword of yours?” Her tone turns mockingly condescending. “You’ll need more than that against the might of the Qing dynasty.”
Carolina rolls her eyes but can’t hide the grin. “Might of the Qing dynasty? That’s rich coming from you.” She leans closer and drops her voice. “But fine. I’ll play along. I’ll be the fierce New Netherlander rebel from the European colony who refuses to kneel before the Great Chinese Empire.”
Bea smirks. “A defiant Netherlander who thinks she can stand against the great imperial warriors of the Qing?” She cocks her head, eyes twinkling. “Tell me, Carolina—have you ever faced a true soldier of the empire? Or will this be your first time?”
Carolina falters. “Damn, Bea… let’s slow down.” She glances around. The cafe is almost empty—only a couple of customers sit at the far end.
With a mix of embarrassment and annoyance she looks at Iga, who is clearly enjoying the show. “This is all because of you.”
Iga grins and leans back, arms folded. “Oh, don’t blame me. I’m just observing the natural progression of alternative history. Face it, Carolina, you’re already half-convinced by her imperial might.”
Bea chuckles, watching Carolina squirm. She reaches over and gives Carolina’s arm a teasing squeeze. “It’s okay, Netherlander. You don’t have to admit it yet. But we both know…” She moves closer, voice low and playful. “…that you’re going to lose.”
Carolina sighs. “Was that revenge just now for my story about the cousin? What a pair of sly asses you two are…”
Bea leans back with a smug grin, stretching her arms over the booth. “Oh Carolina, I don’t need revenge. I just know how to win. And I can already tell you’re enjoying getting beaten by the Qing Empire.”
Carolina rubs the back of her neck, shaking her head with a rueful smile. “Fuck, you’re relentless,” she mutters. “I should’ve known better than to get into this with you. But you’re right. It’s fucking hot when you talk like that.”
Bea lifts an eyebrow. “Oh? So you admit it?”
The three of them sit in silence for a few seconds. Carolina looks from Bea’s playful face to Iga’s smug one. “Fine!” she says. “I agree! I’ll go with you both the day after tomorrow to the party at that fucking Château. Just stop teasing me.”
Bea grins wide. “Yes! That’s the spirit, Carolina! I knew you had a warrior’s heart under that tough New Netherlander act.” She glances at Iga. “And don’t worry, I’ll keep my imperial hands to myself—unless you beg for them.”
Carolina groans. “Someday I’ll learn not to fall into traps like this in conversations. And not to go along with dubious topics and… Fine. Let’s just drop this fetishistic alternative historical ethnic-play, for fuck’s sake!”
Bea shrugs. “If you say so, Carolina. I was merely indulging in the alternative historical accuracy of our roles.” She leans back, satisfied. “Though I must say, you did sound quite convincing as the rebellious Netherlander. Maybe you’ll make a decent ally after all.”
Iga chuckles. “Ally? More like a conquered subject, but hey.” She waves a hand. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, Carolina.”
Carolina rubs her temples. “I’m surrounded by maniacs. Both of you.” She sighs. “But fine. We’ll all go to the party. Just… try not to mock me too much, Bea.”
Beatrice grins. “Oh Carolina, I wouldn’t dream of it. But I can’t make any promises.” She glances at Iga, who shakes her head but is clearly enjoying this. “Besides, you’re the one who keeps walking into my and Iga’s traps. We just lay them out and wait for you to step right in.”
Carolina groans and drops her head onto the table with a thud. “Fuck.” She lifts it immediately and eyes Bea. “You’re definitely some awesome friends. But you’re still bitches.”