S U G A R

Tommy had met with the dean of the culinary department for the second time and was starting to feel positive about doing the program. He was just shoving all of the papers into his backpack when he heard footsteps up ahead. He smiled seeing Alexis. “Hey X.” He waved before ticking his head to his shoulder. “Nancy Drew?” He slung his pack over his shoulders and shrugged and nodded. “Sure. Sounds fun.” He pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to Master Lucas, before shoving it in his pocket. He knew her well enough that even if he wasn’t a chatty cathy with her, he didn’t need his phone anymore. “Got the Halloween vibe?” he asked wondering what brought on the notion of Nancy Drew shenanigans, which he thinks is about looking for mysteries and things. 

Alexis was surprised by the nickname, her chin tucking into her neck for a moment before a goofy smile pulled across her face. ‘X’? She replied with a bright grin as she looked over at him and nodded her head. “I like it! Makes me sound like a super hero.” She giggled brightly as she bounced lightly on her heels. She arched her brows, almost wiggling them as she waited for his response. “Yeah?” She questioned with bright eyes but was incredibly thrilled that he was available to tag along. “Well that is good to hear.” She grinned and nodded her head. “Oh yeah, it bit me real bad, I’ve been watching John Carpenter movies for weeks.” She grinned as she wiggled her brows. 

Layla watched as Alexis took a seat. She was more than welcome to, Layla didn’t mind really. She let out a humourless laugh at the girls answer and even went so far as to offer, Alexis a drink from her flask. The whole island could use a drink in all honesty, that much she was sure.

“I swear, ever time I think, ‘this is the worst it can get’, and yet every time they come up with a worse ordeal for us all,” she thoughtfully spoke with a sigh.

Alexis was certainly surprised as Layla offered her a sip from her flask. She reached out to take it from her, nodding a toast before taking a tip. Her nose crinkled before she giggled and handed it back to her. “Good idea to bring some along with you.” 

Alexis always liked this time of year, the weather changing and the crisp atmosphere riddled with excitement about halloween looming over everything. Alexis had her fingers crossed that the institute wouldn’t be planning any nasty events. But for now she was going to enjoy things while she could. Which meant getting festive after all. The blonde girl had heard tell of a spooky happenings going on in one of the hallways of the institute. She had been reading up on a few things and decided to investigate. A backpack slung over her shoulder as she trotted down the hallway. She paused however when she saw a familiar face. 

“Hey,” she walked over to Tommy with a bouncy smile. She flashed her flashlight a few times on and off playfully. “What are you up to?” She inquired as she pulled at the straps on her bag. “I’m about to go do some Nancy Drew shenanigans. Any interest in tagging along. I even brought my camera to see if we can capture some orbs!” She attempted as she waited for his response. @tommyheavyshield​

1. Nightmare before Christmas

2. Some Like It Hot 

3. Knives Out

4. Frances Ha

Layla was sitting at the base of a tree at the edge of the quad. She was trying to be discreet with her flask but in truth she wasn’t doing well at hiding it. Worst was the fact that it wasn’t helping very much, not like it used to.

Layla looked up at the gentle greeting, she tried to muster a smile but it wasn’t very convincing. She sighed and offered the truth with her answer. 

“I’m doing about this well,” she lifted her flask to make her point. “How about you?” she asked softly in return.

Alexis noticed the flask, though she couldn’t really blame her for self medicating after something like that. Alexis smiled down at her before she moved to settle down beside the other woman. She settled in bringing her knees to her chest. 

“Oh you know,” she let out a heavy sigh shaking her head. “Just steadying the rattling in my brain that happened after another one of this places cutesy little events.” Her voice dripping with sarcasm. 

“Read some books, played with Bumbles, did some brainstorming.” 

“Seriously? Like respect and a stimulating conversation. Generally getting me going is not that complicated.” 

“What I was gonna eat after I got done......” 

“Food, and like a good book. I’m an uncomplicated woman.” 

Samaea took the girl’s appearance in deeply. She came here for a reason and that agenda would always be at the back of her mind. A woman that forgot her motivations was likely to wind up dead. That was perhaps Eraral-Dro’s greatest failing. He had no shortage of dreams and ambitions, but these were rather volatile, uncontrolled, always floating from one idea to the next before any of them properly manifested. He had his head in the clouds, modern folks would say. And now he was no more.

“I think the guard made that rather clear”, Samaea pointed out with a suppressed snort, a hint of humour that did not fully vocalize. But she was sure the girl would be able to tell its meaning either way. “I hope to encounter some substance here, however. It would be a shame if the advert were a complete rip-off, hm?” Her smile became more genuine now, finding some humour in her own words. Would that not be ironic indeed? Samaea then nodded. “Splendid. I’m curious to see where you’ll lead me to. Say, what’s your name again?”

Alexis snickered a little at the girls sass. She always liked meeting someone with a sense of humor. As much as things did get pretty dark around here it was nice to meet someone who was not so serious. “Sure seems like it.” She smirked as she folded her arms across her chest as she glanced over at her shoulder at the guard. 

Alexis let out a heavy sigh as she tsked her tongue a bit. “You know I’m not gonna lie, even though I’ve met a few cool cats around here I gotta say I found the offer a little misleading myself.” She shrugged her shoulders. She remembered how absolutely gullible she felt when she had first arrived on the island. “Me? I’m Alexis,” she pointed to herself before lacing her hands behind her back “And I’m excited too, hopefully you are in for some good food and a good time! What is your name?” She realized they hadn’t properly done introductions yet. 

Alexis was not feeling the best after that event the school decided to put on. Having to be confronted with your own fears was probably one of the things most people wanted to do the least, and Alexis was certainly no exception. She had made it through, but was really emotionally shaken. She wondered how others around the island were doing. She had decided to go check on a few people, going to the school grounds and walking around the quad. She spotted a familiar brunette. 

Alexis sighed as she was glad she didn’t seem injured. She moved towards the woman, pulling on the straps of her back pack as she approached her. “Hey,” she said in a gentle tone. She canted her head to the side as she looked her over. “How are you,” She was cautious as she spoke. Alexis never liked to overstep or corner someone, but she did have a protective quality to her personality, which made her always want to help. @layla-dubois​