Ah yes, the big wide unknown: space. It was a concept, a place, a dream that had at first only been really discussed between professionals and scientists. Mossdeep Space Center had really been the most information she had ever indulged in regarding the matter. But now, all of a sudden, talks of space and aliens and the unknown had become a buzzword.

Briefly, the woman glances at the back of his head as he tastes her name on his tongue. She isn't sure whether to take his enunciation as a compliment or as harassment.

"Thanks."

The lights on his Beeheyem strobe.. harder, is how she would describe it. Like the Pokemon was beeping with a sense of urgency. Panic washes over her, followed immediately by dread, because what happens next might shock you.

Something bursts out from the cornfield, blasting the side of the Mudsdale. All of a sudden, the woman feels weightless, tossed from the horse Pokemon. She might have gasped, but the air is forced out of her lungs just as quickly. She tumbles to the ground, winded, choking, suffering. What had been just a twisted ankle, tender still, was now potentially a broken bone or three. Bruised ribs, blurred vision, and a monster looming above them.

Corkscrew arms lash out, red and green, or maybe blue. She doesn't move because she can't, lying motionless as she struggles to force air back into her bruised lungs.

Killian Decker

☉

Spencer grimaces at his childish mimicry- though the pitch of his voice brings back a flood of memories. It twists like a knife, the familiar feelings that follow close behind. She begs for it to stop, for those feelings to shrivel up and die.

But instead, she clings to him tighter. It is out of necessity, she reasons. Her fingers twist into the fabric of his shirt in order to hold her up, not because it could mean anything else.

She swallows, squeezes her eyes shut as her ankle tenses up with pain from being jostled.

"I don't think a hospital is necessary."

But given the amount of swelling already showing and the fact she can't bear any weight on her foot..

CIAN MAHER

☉

"Talking to her? That's impossible."

It was like talking to a judgemental brick wall. There was always something she could be doing better, something she should be doing that she isn't. Not once had she heard congratulations or praise, only what to start next. It was never enough.

"The only time she speaks to me is if she needs something."

GABRIEL BLACK

☉

"They're pretty ugly, honestly - putting eyeballs on your fingernails.. yeesh! But.. you gotta stay with the trend, right?"

Or else, what's the point?

She inspects her nail beds for a moment. It was definitely well past time she had a manicure and gave some attention to her mistreated cuticles. Ugly nail polish or not.

"Ew. Dressing up as Unowns? Over my dead body."

Jessica Manner

☉

This time, she is in far too good of a mood to worry about where the instructors hands might be. Not that there is anything inappropriate going on- but she is a hothead with a penchant for starting trouble just to bring attention to herself. Yes, she's the worst.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

A suitable answer, she thinks, to both of his questions.

The truth?

She's never thrown an axe in her entire goddamn life. But she will sure as hell try to look good doing it. And, somehow, someway, even despite the dizzy giddiness she feels when he makes his wager, she wins. A token of your affection, he wanted, and yet he had almost certainly threw the game to let her win.

Because she could barely throw the axe at all.

"Wait hold on--"

She pouts, her arms are sore, her belly grumbles.

"How can I have both? I wish for a token of your affection."

mission: ren faire

andres buenaventura

☉

"Tell me about it. Never let's me live it down."

She's heard baby jokes for her entire 27 years of life. She'd hear it until her sister was on her death bed and it was impossible to tell the two apart from their grey hairs. The thought makes her want to roll her eyes right into the back of her head.

"I'm not a child."

Once finished, she pushes the glass away and exhales, frustrated. Her brows come together and she looks away to hide her scowl. Living in her sister's shadow was exhausting because it wasn't just hers she could see. It was all of them, her brothers, other sisters. Being the youngest, being the baby meant that nothing had been her own.

Nothing.

GABRIEL BLACK

☉

"Hm."

Somehow, she doubts that. Family is complicated and indistinct. They could put knives in your back just as soon as they'd offer bandages. Perhaps she had a negative perspective, however.

At his instruction, she places the strips as suggested, smoothing them down in the right places. If it doesn't look good, she would never know.

"Hard to please- that's an understatement. If it isn't perfect, she loses her fuckin' mind."

GABRIEL BLACK

☉

The girl's panicked response prompts a chuckle from Spencer, and she leans back and tilts her head at her with relaxed amusement.

"The best hugs, hmm?"

She otherwise ignores or overlooks the teenagers stammering, catching on to her nieces discomfort and choosing not to push those buttons further. She might be unpleasant, but she admittedly had a soft spot for family. However, the suggestion that she be shopping for a partner.. it did make her chest squeeze just slightly with guilt.

Fuck CIAN MAHER.

"Would you say that we are on the hunt for gifts today?"

For a moment, her expression grows dark as her thoughts drift to something concerning. And that concern was if her favourite cashmere scarf she's been eyeing for herself had been bought before she got there. That'd be cause for an elbow drop for sure.

gabrielle black

☉

Spencer sniffs, turns up her nose, and grins. Her attitude is looser and friendlier than perhaps it might normally be, and the laziness of her smile even reaches her eyes.

"Apology accepted, good sir."

Senorita, I like that.

It even makes her chuckle. Though admittedly, she probably was feeling the effects of alcohol heavier than she should be. She could almost certainly get something to eat to help soak it all up.

"Haha, you wish!"

But, given how small she is in comparison to him, and how unsteady she is on two feet-- the chances of her winning are slim to none. Honestly, she probably shouldn't be handling an axe at all. Even still, she takes the bait and stares him down. There is a fire in her eyes ignited further by the vodka warming her veins.

"You have my attention.. what will it be?"

Was it to buy an apricorn pie? Would he be the apple of her eye?

mission: ren faire

andres buenaventura

☉

"To your face, maybe. Everything changes behind closed doors."

Or maybe they do get along. She isn't their parent, she doesn't see or hear what it is that they talk about. She honestly doesn't care -- though gabrielle black had been prying into her love life as of late. Curious.

"Is there anything you'd like me to do?"

The question is awkward and feels even worse coming out of her mouth. But she doesn't appear interested in leaving, and standing there doing nothing felt inappropriate. But old feelings, though dulled with age and respect, keep her from leaving.

"But maybe I'm wrong."

GABRIEL BLACK

☉