aprilcneil​:

open starter location: matercorn tavern

“i have a bat and i know how to use it!” april yelled to the teenagers as she chased them out the tavern with her trusty bat. “what? are you next?” she asked the on looker. “haven’t seen someone get chased out of a place with a bat before?”

༶ ⋆

when she felt the urge to stop on the path and just wait for a second, she knew it would be for a good reason. she used the time to look at the stars, or what she could see of them beyond the reflection of city lights in the sky. when the seconds were up and she felt it was right time to walk in, she heard the end of a rowdy dialogue, accompanied by the laughing and jeering sounds of teenagers running out of the tavern. serena pressed herself against the window of the restaurant as they rushed by, and as the woman with the bat turned to her, she immediately took out the folded coupon. “no! um, no, please, on — on all counts,” she stammered. “i have, uh —” serena shook out the paper so it opened up. “i have a coupon for a discounted meal? april?” she added as an afterthought, remembering her from the bar.

brutalteague​:

.

“at least you get along with yours.” he shrugged as they continued walking. paying no mind to anything else. then we she began to speak he raised a brow… something was far more off with serena. 

“they who?” he questioned, not stopping but looking back to were she had moments ago, “someone following you, serena?” he questioned further. beckham didn’t exactly have a savior complex but he also didn’t want to see serena hurt.. she didn’t deserve that. “just keep walking with me and tell me what’s going on.”

༶ ⋆

she frowned a little as she thought over his response, wondering if now was a good time to ask how that was going. he was alive, at the very least, which she was grateful for. “they’re not following me,” she shook her head quickly. “they just know where i work so they’ve tried talking to me after work a couple of times ... but i don’t —” she gestured awkwardly from her chest outwards, “i don’t want to talk to them.” so they did other things to get her attention. like almost get her fired. “it’s okay though, i’ll ... i’ll handle it,” she sighed, looking straight ahead with a tired frown. “don’t tell anyone but i always have a pair of scissors in my pocket,” she added, trying for a smile.

freddyjoncs​:

👻 ⠀  ⠀ ⠀  ⠀ ───────────    “ i don’t think everything needs a purpose. ”  freddy told her. it was easier said than done coming from him given he was a man who was searching for purpose in that moment. a reason as to why all that had taken place did, why it unfolded and why was he and his friends trapped in the middle of it. to just be for a moment was something freddy craved without something to be solved.  “ okay well then let’s create something for fun. no big project just … creating the first thing that comes to mind. ”  he suggested holding up various clothing pieces in hopes one could strike inspiration. traps were his thing. he didn’t know anything about fashion that daphne hadn’t taught him but for serena he’d try.

“ there’s an idea. ”  he grinned.  “ yeah, you know now that i look at it there is a more fantastical element to it. slasher capes have those little triangles on the bottom. ”  freddy flipped the cape hood off serena’s head and smiled.  “ void cloak like harry potter void cloak? he has one right ? ”

༶ ⋆

“ i ... ” but she didn't have to heart to disagree at that moment. instead, she smiled with a sigh. “ i guess. ” seeing him try made her heart warm and ache all at once. one of the many reasons she cared for freddy was how their feelings mirrored each other at times. she knew he understood what she meant by finding a purpose, and yet here he was believing for her when she was struggling herself. serena picked through the clothing pieces he found, looking at them with real determination. “ fun, i can do that. i'm actually the most fun person to come out of hallow falls, ask anyone. ”

“ there's this trick we can do with fishing line to make it look like the hem is floating around. like princess ball gowns, you know ? though i guess if someone's going to use this to sneak around, they'd want their feet covered well too. maybe something to keep the hem down when it's windy... ” she started sprouting her ideas freely, looking down at the hem. as she looked up, she laughed as the hood was flung off. “ sort of, i think his just ... makes him invisible. so he can use it in daylight. if i use the blacker-than-black ink, it'll only be useful in night-time, i think. when you were sneaking around and sleuthing, did you have any useful clothes or something ? gadgets ? hats ? ”

MELISSA BARRERA Elle USA, April ‘23.

freddyjoncs​:

👻 ⠀  ⠀ ⠀  ⠀ ───────────   freddy   smiled   as   he   watched   serena.   there   was   a   fondness   and   a   mix   of   a   amusement   on   his   features.   leave   it   to   her   to   make   something   as   mundane   as   a   trip   to   the   thrift   store   to   be   entertaining.   freddy   admired   serena’s   creativity   for   that.      “   what   is   that   something   ?   ”      he   asked   looking   at   the   racks.      “   that   would   be   interesting.   a   glowing   cape   would   be   a   lot   better.   however,   if   you   were   trying   to   be   in   a   90s   slasher   they’d   see   you   from   a   mile   away.   ”

༶ ⋆

“ to find the something, we need the purpose, ” serena pointed out, using her forefinger to tap at the air. “ i always feel impatient when i don’t have a big project to work towards, i think i’ve lost my ability to ... to ... to just do something for the sake of it. for fun. ” months ago, she would have been struck by how easy it was to reveal so many of her thoughts to freddy. not just her prepared thoughts, but the random ones, the nonsensical ones, happy, sad, everything in between ... everything with him was wonderfully comfortable.

“ the next black cape i find — oh, i wonder if we could make that blacker-than-black colour. you know, the one that looks like a void ? ” she grinned. “ but for this one ... it might be more fairytale than 90s slasher. oh but now, i can’t stop thinking about the void cloak. ”

brutalteague​:

.

beckham raised a brow in question, seemed like she may be in some sort of trouble… and it wasn’t that serena needed help or that beck was one to offer, but, something was pushing him to make sure she was alright. so, against his (not-so) better judgement he decided to walk with her. it wasn’t like he was going anywhere besides the casino. 

tilting his head for her to follow suit he started walking in the other direction. “what the hell! better than talking to the voices in my head.” he said with a shrug. maybe he shouldn’t push it but beckham needed to know, “no one’s bothering you, are they?”

༶ ⋆

she had to laugh at his words. “some of the best conversations i’ve had have been with the voices in my head,” she said lightly, though she knew the voices in beck’s head meant something vastly different to hers. still, she hoped that was a safe joke to make. 

as they began walking, serena stole a glance behind her, at the street the car had pulled into. her lips pursed to the side, worry in her eyes — but at the question, she was brought back to their conversation. again, she forced a chuckle. “ah, i’m hardly ever bothered.  only when a love one’s life is at stake or, y’know ... there’s a serial killer about,” she waved her hand airily. her light demeanour wavered though. “it’s ... um ... i think they’re trying to bother me. but i’m trying not to be. bothered, i mean.”

brutalteague​:

.

beckham was in the business of minding his own for almost everyone in the world but a select few. serena seemed to be upset and there had been a couple times she had helped him out… so, as much as he wanted to just say no he couldn’t actually do that to her. “uh, depends am i gonna need a box’a tissues?” 

༶ ⋆

she forced a quick laugh. “uh, no — i — i’ve got it under control, don’t worry,” she tapped the side of her eye and made a motion as if closing a faucet. “i might just need some company until ... i get closer to main street or there’s more people around or something,” serena sighed, glancing down at her shoes before looking up to meet his eye with an apologetic smile. “promise i won’t bother you for long.”

༶ ⋆ OPEN starter

location: out on a street somewhere

the black-and-white car ( known to many to be undoubtedly the car of cruella de vil ) rolled up its driver’s window before screeching off the curb and speeding down the road. before leaving serena in the dust, the driver looked as if she had been yelling at serena for a minute or two, finding her on the road and parking right next to her. finally left alone, serena hugged her arms around herself and frowned, an unsettled look in her eye.

as someone rounded the corner, she didn’t hesitate to take a step towards them, almost automatic. “ um ... i’m sorry, but is it okay if i walk with you ? to the ... ” she gestured awkwardly, as if forgetting where she was, “ to anywhere ? ” 

nalaomita​:

status: open location: replier’s choice

“ look at me and listen closely - i’m only here to establish an alibi. ”

༶ ⋆

serena’s eyes lit up in amusement. “ and here i thought we finally broke the work-friend barrier and were becoming real friends. oh, when will i stop being so used, ” she sighed dramatically.

freddyjoncs​:

— ❛ open. ❜  

location: replier’s choice .

👻 ⠀  ⠀ ⠀  ⠀ ───────────  ❝   lose   the   cape.   it’s   way   too   90s   horror.   ❞

༶ ⋆

“ this is just the base, ” serena insisted, the plain black cape draped over her shoulders. “ we’re going to add ... something to it. ” she swished the ends of the cape around with her free hand, the other holding a basket of other thrifted items. “ i want to learn how to work with wearable LEDs. ”

freddyjoncs​:

👻 ⠀  ⠀ ⠀  ⠀ ───────────    “   oh   a   clue   huh   ?   what   mystery   are   we   solving   exactly   ?   touché.”   freddy   laughed   hoping   his   face   wasn’t   giving   way   to   the   blush   he   could   feel   creeping   up   his   cheeks   at   the   call   out.   “   i   have   ..   landed   myself   and   the   gang   in   some   predicaments   trying   to   find   clues.   i’m   sure   there’s   compilation   videos   of   our   best   blunders   or   something   on   youtube.   ”   being   a   niche   internet   celebrity   was   an   interesting   title   freddy   still   struggled   to   grasp   sometimes.      “   we’re   serena   and   freddy.   i   think   that’s   better   than   being   helpful   don’t   you   ?   ”      he   shrugged.      “   i’m   off   duty   tonight.   the   least   helpful   person   you   will   find   in   this   place.   ”

༶ ⋆

“ the mystery of ... how someone is able to be this rich, having all these sculptures and paintings and the whole building, ” she gestured around them at the extravagance. “ but that might be too deep for a full moon ball. maybe there’s treasure instead, ” she added with a laugh and a roll of her eyes at herself. just as her laugh dissipated, it bubbled up again at his words: “ is that a request for me to find those videos of you ? i’ll do it ! ” serena took out her phone and pretended to note it down menacingly. “well ... when you put it that way ... ” she gave a dramatic sigh while tucking her hair behind her ear. again, there was that warmth in her cheeks. “ ... i’ll try to be off duty too. but you’ll have to help me. keep an eye on me, or else i’ll wander off and who knows what i’ll get into. ” 

Melissa Barrera in Carmen

cowabungas​:

_Mikey ignored the chill that ran down his spine when he noticed what she pointed out. Those were definitely eyes and they were being watched. He was immediately on edge but tried not to show it. “Oh, yeah, that’s real creepy.” He looked around the other paintings. “The walls probably have a tunnel behind it or something so there has to be an entrance.” 

༶ ⋆

Always prone to noticing things she shouldn’t — or, rather, just realising that not everyone found creepy things interesting, Serena put a gentle hand on Mikey’s shoulder for support. “I wonder if it’s an intentional thing they want us to explore during the ball, or if people just happened upon it. But ... I’m also a bit snacky ...” she added with a smile. “So shall we explore the mysterious paintings or the buffet?”

freddyjoncs​:

👻 ⠀  ⠀ ⠀  ⠀ ───────────   “   why   would   a   scavenger   hunt   lead   one   up   a   statute   ?   ”      freddy   asked.   a   smile   was   still   pressed   against   his   features.   something   that   probably   wouldn’t   be   there   had   it   not   been   serena   speaking   to   him.      “   serena   are   you   suggesting   we   get   ourselves   stuck   up   there   as   well   ?   ”      he   teased   look   up   at   the   pair   on   the   statue.      “   there’s   other   ways   for   us   to   get   stuck   you   know.   ”

༶ ⋆

“ there might be a clue up there, i’m not the one who’s gone out on expeditions and investigations here, ” she pointed out. “ you’ve probably climbed something ridiculous before just to find out something. i’ve heard of all the mystery inc hijinks. ” serena chuckled. glancing at him, she felt her cheeks warm up, and quickly focused on the statue again. “ no, because if we get stuck too — anywhere — then that’s not very helpful to anyone. and if we’re not helpful, then what are we ? ” 

sxgar-rxsh-vxnschweetz​:

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆

Vanellope nearly jumped out of their skin when the other tapped their shoulder. They stared intently at the painting Serena indicated, not sure what she was looking at.

“A door?” Vanellope asked. Tilting their head, they ran their finger along the wall, feeling for any difference in the plaster beside the picture.

“I don’t feel anything. Maybe it’s one of the sconces?” They reached up and pulled on one of the golden decorations, ending up dangling just slightly above the floor. They chuckled, kicking their feet under the voluminous skirt.

༶ ⋆

“Didn’t you see it?” Serena pointed at the painting again. “The eyes moved, there must be people behind the wall —“ She pressed her ear to the wood as Vanellope looked around elsewhere, and she could hear the giggling and sound of feet travelling behind the painting. 

When she heard a creak, Serena turned to find Vanellope dangling and she had to laugh too. Picking up her own skirts, she made her way over. “I don’t think it’s that one ... maybe we’ll try further down the hallway. These dresses aren’t really made for investigation, are they?” she smiled, gesturing for Vanellope to follow her.

༶ ⋆ open starter

event: full moon ball 

serena gasped. she quickly tapped the shoulder of her companion, pointing up at the moving eyes of the painting next to them. “ look, ” she whispered. the painting’s eyes moved once more, and then seemed to be replaced by the original eyes of the artwork. serena’s own eyes lit up with curiosity. “ there has to be a door leading behind the wall somewhere ... can you see anything? ”

freddyjoncs​:

— ❛ open. ❜  

location: near the statues .

👻 ⠀  ⠀ ⠀  ⠀ ───────────       “   why   are   they   climbing   the   statue   ?   ”      freddy   asked   as   he   watched   the   person   at   the   top   of   the   statue   looking   for   help.   it   had   been   a   while   since   shenanigans   as   such   broke   out   at   a   high   class   event   so   freddy   wasn’t   too   opposed   he   was   just   curious   why   statue   scaling   of   all   things.      “   is   the   view   up   there   better   or   is   there   something   i’m   missing   here   ?   ”

༶ ⋆

“ maybe they ... saw something up there ? a scavenger hunt we don’t know about ? ” serena tilted her head, her mouth agape as they flailed about while others tried to help. “ i think they’ll be okay, they don’t need anymore help ... right ? ”