The Shine

This story was written in collaboration with ButteredCrumpet, who has very graciously allowed me to be the one to post it, so she'll get any and all prizes it might win - which seems only fair.


I met the twins at a Halloween party. I had only just arrived in New York City from Australia for a month. It was my first time in the States and I had come with my friend Sheila. We'd gotten a room from a friend of a friend of hers in Williamsburg. It turned out that the very first Friday we were in town New Yorkers were celebrating Halloween.
"It's kind of a big night," our host explained as she showed us around her flat, a two-bedroom apartment with a big living room/kitchen under a massive skylight. "But be careful Halloween can get wild, especially in Billyburg."
I was all in. Sheila, what can I say... she and I were still upside down with jet lag, but while I had slept a lot on the flight, Sheila had struggled to sleep at all, and I know she was worried about expenses because we had added an extra week to our holiday on a whim. Getting a costume was very last minute and we hadn't really planned for it in our travel budget. But it was going to be my first REAL Halloween, I was going to do the best I could.
As it turned out, all I had time and money for was a flimsy drugstore purchase, and even there, the pickings were slim. I found two child's Power Rangers costumes in the half-off bin. I'm just over a metre and a half tall, and Sheila is a hair shorter so I thought they might just barely fit. Sure it was way too tight and thin as tissue, but I got it on.
I was afraid it would rip going over my thighs and hips, so, because it was really the only way I could get it on, I went naked underneath. All I had on under it was my white silky panties - my sheerest pair. And not only was it too short - stopping mid-calf, and about halfway down my forearms - the little jumpsuit was wedged up my arse and gave me an obscene camel toe. And while my breasts aren't big, they are a healthy handful, and the little costume clearly hadn't been designed with breasts of any kind in mind.
But looking in the mirror I liked what I saw. I had dyed the bottom 7cm of my blonde hair black for the trip. When Sheila saw me at the airport she had squealed with joy and told me I looked like a young Debbie Harry. I could have kissed her.
I shook out my hair and gave my reflection a rockstar air kiss and put on my mask. Sun-kissed surfer girl body, punk-rock hair, and little boy outfit... the effect was simultaneously comic and lewd - SO fucking wrong. I was thrilled.
"You can't be fucking serious!" Sheila gasped in horror when I tried to hand her the costume I'd bought for her. "I'm not putting this on - for fucks sake you might as well be naked."
"But I got you the Pink Ranger so we could be matching," I told her, pushing the cheap plastic mask up so she could see the disappointment on my face. "And besides, this is New York, no one will give a shit, and if they do, no one knows us, so why should we give a shit?"
I really had no idea if anyone would give a shit or not, but as I turned out I was partly right. No one gave a shit - and while mine was nowhere near the most risqué costume we saw - it definitely attracted a lot of attention, most of it positive.
"DAMN POWER RANGER!" Howled a Puerto Rican boy from across the street, making his friends howl.
I didn't give a shit. I jumped into a martial arts pose and crossed my arms in an X and they all cheered. The streets were filled with happy laughing people. It was already getting dark but tons of kids were still out. Everyone in costume. It felt like Carnival.
We went to a place called Iona that had a big outdoor space and almost immediately met a couple of guys dressed as a caveman and a dinosaur that wanted to buy the Power Ranger a drink.
"See?" I told Sheila.
"Because they think you're a whore," she shot back, goofing a New York accent.
"Who says I'm not?"
We had a few drinks with them, they were really funny and nerdy. I was having a great time but could tell Sheila wasn't. They told us they were artists, that they were going to a loft party and suggested that we go with them.
"Let's go, it'll be fun," I told Sheila, who had rejected the Pink Ranger and was dressed in torn jeans and a flannel shirt.
"I don't know, I'm keen to go home," she told me in a scolding tone, "bed sounds better. What if they kidnap you? I've watched SVU."
"Look at them Sheila, they're idiots not serial killers," I said pointing at the boys, the caveman was jerking the dinosaur around the little courtyard by his tail. They were both laughing themselves feeble; totally clueless.
"Don't you want to just come back to our bed, alive?"
"We've come halfway around the world, I don't just want to go to the tourist spots!" I told her in exasperation. She had already planned a big day tomorrow, visiting several museums. On the plane, Sheila had shown me her day planner. ankara dansöz escortlar She'd meticulously scheduled every day down to the hour. It had taken enough of an effort to convince her to just come to the bar, but I had to try. I was starting to resent her fastidious over-preparedness even before we left, but now I was beginning to worry that I'd made a terrible mistake choosing her as a travel companion. I think she must have been feeling the same at that moment. She crossed her arms angrily.
"You have every day planned down to the hour. Let's try to have a little spontaneous fun too?" I asked, consciously trying to soften my tone. "We're on holiday, come with me, experience some new things - they're artists - New York Artists!"
I looked over to where the dinosaur had fallen on his side and the caveman was dragging him about. I was surprised the tail hadn't ripped. Sheila laughed but I could tell she was unmoved.
"No, have fun. I've planned what I wanted to do," she said firmly, "it is my fun. Message me the address you're going to, with a photo. I'll need a starting point to find your body if you don't come home, finding a corpse wasn't part of my plans for tomorrow."
"Fine," I told her and gave her a peck on the cheek. She was clearly tired and cranky. I offered to walk her back to our rented studio, but she declined as it was just up the block.
"Be safe!" She demanded as we parted in front of the bar.
"I'll be home later, I promise I'll spend the day with you. Don't worry about me. I'll message you, you can always change your mind and join me."
"I better see you tomorrow morning," she told me. "Promise you won't blow me off."
"I promise."
She stared at me like she was trying to see into me.
"Jesus, I swear!"
That seemed to satisfy her. I watched her walk away for a bit, then went back into the bar to hunt for the caveman and his dinosaur friend, feeling like a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
Walking the streets with the caveman and the dinosaur and their friends - the others were dressed as a dirty unemployed astronaut ("will work for Tang"), a big white guy dressed as Indiana Jones and his tiny Korean girlfriend was dressed as Half Pint (knowing that Indie was going to fuck Half Pint later that night made me laugh myself silly every time I looked at them), a tall girl dressed in a bloody Kill Bill jumpsuit with a samurai sword, and a somewhat uptight cowboy who the dinosaur was drunkenly trailing saying, "I wish I could quit you!" over and over.
All of their costumes were over-the-top amazing. Meanwhile, the wind was blowing up the back of my jacket and right through my cheap little onesie. We finally arrived at a massive fire door clad in sheet metal.
"Here we are."
The party was in an enormous industrial building. I took a pic for Sheila and, ever the gentleman, the caveman opened the door for me. Taking my hand, he led me up wide concrete stairs clad in ancient-looking steel treads. Each flight was easily six or seven metres high, so climbing three floors felt like climbing six. I could hear music pumping the whole way up, excitement building as we climbed.
"Sugar is the head of security at this art space called PS1 - he throws this party every year, it's amazing," the dinosaur explained as we climbed. "But it's not a star-fuck scene, you'll have fun."
The doors opened on a huge loft packed with people. Straight ahead of us was a swing hanging from the ceiling, and on it was a willowy Asian girl dressed as Lady Godiva, covered only by her long hair. The caveman smiled at me, he knew I was impressed.
"Let's get a drink!" he yelled over the din.
I sent a quick message to Sheila with an address, 'I'm still alive. It's actually around the corner from our place. Two blocks, if you change your mind. Let me know you got home safe.' I thought of sending her a pic of what she was missing - the girl on the swing, the crowd of costumed dancers in front of a huge projection of Andy Warhol's film Blowjob on one wall, a professional DJ set up in front of huge casement windows... but I realized I didn't want her to come.
Looking around at the people here, I was fascinated, we don't celebrate Halloween in Australia, I was unprepared for how seriously the Americans took it. I felt like I stood out like a sore thumb. I felt stupid and under-dressed for the occasion, the other costumes were all really well made and impressive looking. When I hesitated to take off my jacket, the caveman gave me a gentle smile.
"You're fine. So fine. They are going to eat you up," he told me. "Definitely, good enough to eat."
With a wink, he hung up my jacket on a rolling garment rack and led me through the crowd. I was introduced to more of his friends, whose names I don't recall.
It was fun, and besides the extraordinary setting and absolute madness of the scene and the crowd (it was a really raunchy rowdy party), the people I met and spoke to were elvankent saatlik veren escortlar all familiar types. It was just like hanging out with friends back home, having a drink, and some conversation about art - that I totally couldn't keep up with, so maybe not that part. But it wasn't pretentious or high brow, and no one was condescending, it was more like shop talk. I never felt left out.
Additionally, the caveman was right, my stupid costume was a hit, plus everyone was excited to hear I'd just arrived. Some questions about Australia but lots of ideas for things to do and cheap places to eat while I was in the city - which was fun. I was somehow the exotic girl in this eclectic group.
And, as promised, there were a lot of artists at the party. They were mostly really young. Several of them worked at PS1 - putting up the shows, and on staff in the offices. But the caveman pointed out a few of the ones that were bigger deals but explained that they probably still had day jobs. And even though they were a big deal to him, I'd never heard of any of them. Most of the crowd was art students or just out of school. It was a fun and attractive crowd. It wasn't at all what I expected from my first New York loft party, closer to the vibe of a house party back home, but in a way cooler setting.
Time passed quickly, empty "solo" cup in hand I went to get a refill. That's when I saw them at the door, the twins from The Shining, but they were tall and thin and perfect. They were dressed in matching blue dresses, just like the little girls in the movie wore. Tied in the front with big pink ribbons the dresses were made from a delicate antique crepe fabric and worn with knee-high white socks and black mary janes. They had on matching blonde wigs held back by clips. Their features weren't identical, but nearly so, but their expressions matched, both oddly blank if maybe a little curious. I was staring, but I also had my mask on. But even if I didn't, I couldn't have taken my eyes away, they were both so beautiful, and, I realized with a jolt, they were staring back. Holding hands, they approached. I lifted my mask and tried to play it cool.
"You look a little out of place White Ranger." The one on the right, the slightly shorter of the two said smiling. "How do you know Sugar?"
I choked on my drink a little, feeling like I'd been caught crashing. They just smiled and fixed a drink for themselves, while looking around at the rest of the party.
"Um, I don't? I met a caveman and a dinosaur at a bar and they invited me to come along with them..." I explained, feeling a bit lame, gesturing at my costume. "I only just arrived, so this was all I could find."
"Don't apologize. We love your costume, it's our favorite one here," she told me in a spooky little girl voice while her twin looked on in agreement. "We don't know Sugar either, really. We did an event at PS1 for Fashion Week and one of the preparators told us about the party. Evidently, it's infamous."
"Everyone else I've met are artists, but... Are you models?" I asked hesitantly. I was worried it sounded like a lame pickup line - but I meant it.
"No, students; we go to FIT." I must have looked a little confused because she explained, "Fashion Institute of Technology - we're studying design."
"Ahh, no wonder. Your dresses are so perfect. Did you make them?" I asked plucking at mine. "This is so dumb."
"No it isn't. Look at you, I mean it leaves nothing to the imagination. It's childish but fucking naughty; simple idea well executed. You're super bold," she said admiringly and looking at my chest, then holding up her twin's hand she said, "This is Alexi, and I'm Alexa."
I smiled, and I think I blushed. For the first time all evening, I felt truly exposed. The twins were so strange and beautiful and so unapologetically staring at my body, taking my measure. But they were staying in character, and something about their blank expressions and Alexa's sing-song little girl voice was getting to me. I was turned on and sure it must be obvious. It's not that I had never thought about being with a girl, and this wasn't my first time flirting with one or even two, there was something about them that was beguiling, I was feeling inadequate next to them. I started to cross my arms over my chest, but Alexa stopped me.
"Oh no, don't do that," she said, pouting a little. "I didn't mean to embarrass you. That's the best part of your costume. Alexi is loving watching you. What's your name?"
"I'm, uh, I'm Dani," I replied, dropping my arms, trying to be bold. My nipples had puffed up and were straining at the thin fabric. Maybe emboldened by the drink, I asked, "Just Alexi?"
"You mean like last names?" she asked. "Grady of course."
"No, I meant, aren't you enjoying it too?" I was definitely getting a bit more bold now.
Alexa smirked and tilted her head.
"I think Dani wants to play," Alexi said shyly.
I think that's when etimesgut azeri escortlar I first suspected Alexi might actually be a guy, something about his girly voice was a bit off, but he was so pretty and slight I wasn't at all sure. But I remember being struck by the hungry way his pale blue eyes were feasting on me. The way he looked at me wasn't the way I was used to girls looking at me. Even with his shy demeanor, he made me feel more naked than I already was.
"What's your accent?" asked Alexa, reaching out to touch the bare skin of my forearm. She didn't come across as shy, if anything she was the opposite. "You have a lilt."
"I'm Australian." That seemed to please her. As blank as they were both holding their faces, Alexa's eyes seemed to sparkle. Even with these two, despite feeling exceedingly average, I was somehow still the exotic girl.
"When did you arrive in the Big Apple?" she asked while raising her free hand gesturing to the air around her.
"We got in earlier today."
"We?" she questioned, raising one eyebrow.
"A friend and I are travelling together, she was a bit travel weary, it was almost a whole day of flights and layovers. She thought bed was more enticing than a random party with a caveman and a dinosaur."
"Poor thing. So you're here alone then?" asked Alexa.
"I guess I am."
"Don't you feel tired from all that travelling?" her interrogation continued.
"Maybe a little, but I slept a lot on the plane, and I'm also here for a good time, not a long time. So I want to make the most of it."
"How long?"
"Just a month."
"How good?"
"Really good?"
"Perfect. I think we'll take a wander around to see who's here. Why don't you join us and meet some new people? Have a good time perhaps?"
She held out her hand and I took it, letting them lead me through the crowd.
Watching the twins socialising, I felt like I was finally seeing the New York I'd expected. Alexa was sophisticated and aloof, her cold hazel green eyes commanding attention even when she wasn't talking. I found myself waiting in anticipation for her next move, her word, her gesture, her everything. Her lips, always slightly upturned, like she knew everyone's deepest secrets and their hidden desires. Alexi on the other hand was a different variety of New York cool. He seemed to be silently drinking it all in, capturing every moment, judging but hardly needing to contribute more than a murmured witticism every once in a great while, like pearls before swine.
We finally met Sugar. He turned out to be a giant gay man, with sculpted arms as thick as tree trunks that were covered in rich fence sleeves of tattoos. He was wearing a pink leotard, tights, and a tutu. He seemed to recognize the twins, to know who they were if not know them. He was friendly when introduced to me, but I could feel his disinterest.
I again found myself feeling out of place standing next to these beautiful creatures, I barely came up to their shoulders, I suddenly wondered if I was out of my depth if they would lose interest in me as fast as Sugar had. But then Alexi's hand slid into mine giving a reassuring squeeze. He did it repeatedly throughout the evening. Letting me know I was welcome and wanted. I started to crave his touches.
Despite being mid-conversation, and without missing a beat, Alexa leaned towards me and whispered in my ear, "You're not planning on going with the caveman, are you?" Her tone was sharp, her question already telling me that I wasn't going to go with him, her hand dropping down my back, almost possessively.
"No promises were made," I whispered back. She looked over my shoulder and smiled.
Turning around, I saw the caveman approaching, he smiled at me sweetly from under his big fake cro-magnon unibrow and said that they were heading to another party soon. Asked if I wanted to join them, suggesting the next party would be more subdued, more of a chance to talk and maybe get to know each other better.
With an apologetic expression, I told him, "I might stay here for a bit longer. It's been a long time traveling, it's getting late and this place is close to where I'm staying."
Disappointment evident on his face, yet still the gentleman, he replied, "Have a good night then White Ranger."
"You too Caveman."
I turned back, the twins were eyeing me closely, smiles across their faces, reconfirming my decision to stay.
Alexa leant in close, I could feel her small breast pressing into my shoulder, as she whispered in my ear. "That was the right choice. We will have more fun tonight... together."
And they made it clear to everyone we spoke to that the fun they had in mind was in no way innocent, and that was before we started dancing. On the dance floor was when my suspicions about Alexi hardened into a firm conviction. The three of us had been dirty dancing and kissing but it wasn't until Alexa pushed Alexi against me that I felt his erection. It was stiff and pointy and once I knew it was there I saw it was tenting the front of his girlish dress. I realized the little tenting must have been what Alexa had meant when she said Alexi liked looking at me. I hadn't noticed because it was REALLY small, but she had wanted me to see. I understood now why it made him blush so deeply.