|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2024 7:46 pm
Talia had been happy to drop Brooklyn and Julian off at the mall, and had given them both some money for whatever, and some money for lunch. Brooklyn didn’t really like accepting, but she didn’t say no…money was money, and there was something she wanted to buy, and had been a little worried that she wouldn’t have enough…but now?
Now she was pretty sure that she would.
Grinning at Julian, Brooklyn reached out and took him by the hand, feeling…giddy. It was the right of a teenager to go and hang at the mall, wasn’t it? Especially now when they could visit the old bookstore turned appliance shop turned empty shop turned…Halloween Store.
“I’m super excited. I think this is going to be a really fun day, and I’m really happy you wanted to come with me!” Brooklyn looked at her friend and tugged gently, walking down the sidewalk to the Halloween shop.
“Do you have plans for Halloween, Julian?”
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2024 9:52 am
It was so strange to have Talia give him money. It wasn’t like she asked him to do chores for an allowance, and though he did technically get a stipend from the state, Talia didn’t take a cut of it. So, Julian saved it. He almost only ever bought important things, and he rarely spent extra. He was very frugal, and before making any sizable expense he always asked someone for their thoughts.
He was independent in some ways but he still needed approval to feel like he was making the right choice. The last thing he wanted to do was disappoint Talia, or anyone else who had stuck their neck out to take him in and take care of him.
Julian had never really celebrated Halloween. When Brooklyn said she wanted to go costume shopping, of course he’d say yes to support her, but he hadn’t really considered what he’d do for Halloween. He didn’t know what Talia did, or what his friends were going to do. It hadn’t really occurred to him to ask.
He might now, but he was afraid of them asking him. He didn’t really want to explain that he hadn’t really thought about doing anything.
Brooklyn knew exactly where she was going, so he hurried after while she led him along.
“Um, not really. I haven’t even been in a Halloween store in so long. I’m kind of excited to see what they have. I don’t like the decorations that jump out at you,” he cautioned, because even if Brooklyn already knew him, he didn’t want to get spooked and embarrass her–or himself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2024 3:49 pm
Brooklyn nodded and squeezed Julian’s hand. “I’m pretty sure that there will be some, but…and it’s been a while since I’ve been in one, but I think that they’re displayed in a way that you have to press a button or step on something to get them to jump at you? So we’ll just avoid those. If you get scared, I don’t mind if you want to hide behind me or anything. You know I’ll protect you.”
Even if it was from a creepy baby doll with its head on backwards. She’d do what she had to do, and she knew he knew that she would.
“I”m really hoping for…ah. I was going to keep it a surprise, but there are these like, inflatable costumes that make it look like you’re riding a unicorn? I thought that would be hilarious. I’m not sure if we’re allowed to dress up at Crystal but…If I can find what I’m looking for, I’m going to be wearing it as much as I can that night! Are you allowed to dress up at all at Azure on Halloween?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2024 8:34 pm
Instinctively, Julian laughed. “Brooklyn,” he whispered, and his brows had knitted together even as he smiled. “You don’t have to protect me, I know it’s fake. I just don’t like surprises. Me and loud noise and fast movement–you know,” he insisted politely, and hoped he didn’t have to say much more. “I just get spooked easily.”
He knew it was just plastic and wires and lights and prerecorded sounds, he just didn’t like the sensation of his stomach flipping upside down or his heart clogging his throat.
“Your costume sounds fun. I hope they let you wear it. I, um, I don’t know about Azure, actually. I really wasn’t thinking about Halloween at all. I can ask around but I don’t know if I would dress up. My family wasn’t really big on Halloween, so um, you know. I think it’s fun! But I don’t really do much for it. Oh! But your secret is safe with me, I won’t tell anyone about your costume. It’ll still be a surprise.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2024 7:01 pm
“I know you get spooked easily, and I also know I have a hero complex, so I am happy to protect you.” Brooklyn was a Knight after all…maybe not in shining armor but…still.
“Were they religious or something?”
The question was about his family, she wasn’t sure that there were any other reasons not to like Halloween, and honestly, not that she was religious or anything like that either…but. She had seen movies! Seen things online. She knew that that was a problem. In air quotes, of course but. Still.
Waggling her eyebrows at Julian she smiled to show her thanks at him keeping her secret. He really was great.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2024 7:05 pm
Well, if it made Brooklyn happy, he supposed he would let her think he needed protection. Instinctively, Julian offered her a little smile. He liked seeing her having fun and enjoying herself. Coming back had been a good idea, and he was so happy that she wasn’t all alone up on her Wonder. Not that he didn’t love Lysithea! He just couldn’t imagine how lonely it must have been up there.
“Um, I don’t know if I would say they were religious. I don’t think we ever really talked about it,” he mused, and his brows furrowed as if he was digging through his memories for something he might have forgotten.
“It just seemed kind of unnecessary, I think? You know, all that money to buy decorations, and costumes, and candy. My parents were always so busy so it just didn’t work out. I’m sure they didn’t want me wandering around after dark all alone! But they couldn’t go with me. Either way,” he just shrugged and smiled. “Am I missing out, is it really that good?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2024 7:06 pm
Brooklyn nodded, and looked rather thoughtful. “I’m going to be really honest with you, most of what I know about Halloween is from movies and online and stuff, but…I want to do it. I…I really do love the idea of dressing up, of getting to just be someone else for a few hours…and the candy! Julian it’s free candy!”
She gave a laugh and pulled him towards the costumes, looking around as she thought more about what she wanted to say about Halloween.
“You know…It just…it’s something that you see in television shows and it just…it’s something that feels…normal? Like, something that’s super fun and just…” Brooklyn finally looked at Julian and gave a laugh, shrugging. “I don’t know. I just think it’s neat! Do you think we could have a sleepover the Saturday before? We can watch some Halloween movies and eat candy, and if you get a costume today, we can both dress up! Our own private spooky party!”
Nothing scary. Just. Fun. Halloweentown was always what she thought of when she thought about trick or treating and spooky season…it just.
It was normal!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2024 7:07 pm
Julian once again followed when pulled towards the costumes, but he was a little distracted with trying to take in everything all at once.
“Oh, I’d have to ask Talia first, but I’m sure we can figure something out. I wasn’t thinking about dressing up, though,” he said hesitantly, a little worried about messing up her plans. “Would that be okay? I’m not, um, I’m not really a big party person.”
He thought she probably already knew this, but what did a party even entail? Did two people make it a party? He was perplexed at the idea, of attending a party–much less hosting one–but Brooklyn was so excited that he figured there was time to figure out the practical aspects of it all some other time.
There were so many bright, flashy colors for costumes. He was already a little overwhelmed by the selection, and there were ailes and ailes and ailes of them all. He half-turned in a circle to peer around, just as a distant animatronic screamed and sprung at someone. He made a face but he didn’t jump or tense.
“There’s so many costumes here, how do people come up with all of these designs? Oh, I’m sorry. I was supposed to be helping you look for yours. There’s just so much here!”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2024 7:16 pm
“There’s no pressure to dress up, but if there’s anything that you see that you like…” Brooklyn looked thoughtful for a moment and then grinned. “It’s just a good time to explore things. There’s…less judgment when everyone’s dressing up so like, if there’s a color you’ve been wanting to try or like, a style of clothes you’ve been curious about, it’s just…fun? I guess?”
She turned at the sound of the animatronic and looked curious, but then went back to looking at the costumes. “Honestly, I wish I knew, that would be a pretty interesting job…idea planner for mass produced costumes.” Brooklyn laughed and reached out to pick up a hotdog costume, laughing. “Like…you’re really not wrong though, but, if you have ever wanted to be a hotdog, now’s your chance!”
It was a joke, teasing, but…
“...Honestly though, the hotdog costume is pretty cute. If we can’t find the unicorn, maybe you and I could find some food themed costumes…look!” She let go of his hand and picked up two other costumes.
“Peanut butter and jelly!”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2024 7:22 pm
Brooklyn made a good point, but Julian wasn’t sure there was anything he was thinking about wearing, even just to try out. He didn’t want any drastic style changes-he liked his put together, but non descript, attire. He didn’t like to stand out.
It sounded fun! But when given the option of infinite possibilities–or a hot dog–he didn’t feel himself pushed to make a decision.
“No, thank you!” he laughed. “I don’t know if I want to dress up but I want to support you if you do! We’ll find your unicorn costume,” he said, determined. They’d only just gotten here, hadn’t they? Certainly they couldn’t be all sold out. He sucked in a breath and began to diligently begin going through the racks, pulling out anything that looked even remotely close.
They had to be near her desired costume–he pulled out a dragon costume, so he knew they were on the right track.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2024 7:40 pm
Brooklyn absolutely cackled and put the two costumes up, at least for now. “Maybe one day I’ll find the jelly to my peanut butter! Someone who will…” She wrinkled her nose. “Insert some silly jelly pun here, and stick together and is just as nuts, look, it all sounded good and made sense when I started out, I swear.”
She followed as Julian began to look, and he was looking so closely, and that was just. It was nice. And this was fun.
“You know, if we can’t find it…I could always just be a banana. I don’t think I’d mind that too much…or…”
Her eyes found something, and honestly…
It was cute.
“Julian! It’s a pumpkin onesie! This…if we don’t find the unicorn…this might be it! It would be cozy and honestly…practical.”
And the hood had a little stem on the top, and little leaves and vines around the neck…
She was…kind of smitten.
“Have you ever thought of something like this? Fancy cute…like, onesie pajamas? I can see you in one of these more than I can the jelly.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2024 7:46 pm
He laughed again at the idea of the jelly to her peanut butter. She tried her best.
“You can’t give up, Brooklyn! We’ve only been looking for a few minutes!”
He wasn’t ready to give up, even if she was already considering other options. But, she seemed happy with the pumpkin costume, so he paused for a second and smiled. “It is cute. But I don’t know if it’s my style. I have pajamas I really like!”
And they had pockets. He found himself instinctively looking for them on the pumpkin costume but he didn’t scrutinize it. “Would you wear that to bed for more than just Halloween?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2024 7:54 pm
“I’m not giving up! I’ve just found my alternative in case we run out of luck!” Tucking the package under her arm, Brooklyn did continue looking, and burst out laughing as she turned a corner. “Wait a sec, Julian, hang on. Hang on, don’t come over yet.”
Swiftly, she put the large plastic glasses on and flipped the rainbow wig overtop of her own head as well and then peeked around to look at Julian, grinning like a fool.
“What do you think? Should I change my hair to be a rainbow afro? Is it me?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2024 1:09 pm
For a few seconds, Julian just stared at her. The gears were slowly clicking into place as he navigated between being polite and understanding that she was just playing around.
In the end, he laughed. It was soft, and he raised a hand to cover his mouth.
“It’s a good look for you! I think if anyone saw you, they’d immediately want to be your friend.”
It was good to see her happy--beaming, even. She’d carried such a heavy weight on her shoulders for so long, so seeing her get to be herself eased a worry he’d carried deep in his heart. He hoped Brooklyn could be this happy and carefree all the time, but–
He had to look away so he could stifle his laughter again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2024 4:48 pm
Wiggling her chin, Brooklyn laughed and tugged the wig off, and the glasses as well. “I think so too…it’s kind of itchy though, I’m not going to lie. I don’t think I could go through life wearing a wig, but I’m glad that it made you laugh.”
It was good to hear, and it was good to laugh herself. This had been a good idea. Halloween was just…fun. It was something that could just be fun.
No worries. Free candy. Stupid and silly costumes.
She put the glasses back and hung the wig back up before heading over to Julian again. “Could you imagine though? Do you think anyone in the world really would have a rainbow afro like that?”
Honestly, Brooklyn could only think of it as a wig, and honestly, she was sure that that was the only kind out there. “Who thought of it too, I wonder? What a silly thing.” She hoped he would try something on. Let loose a little.
Be silly like she was being.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
