dance it out

“Different that’s for sure.” Brooke gave him a nod. “Yeah I’ve always been fascinated about things behind the camera. I know I could be a lot better at it but I would like to think I’m not horrible at it all.” she smiled. “But my real hobbies is dancing and yoga. Having a job in either of those fields would be a dream for me. What about you? You have any dream job fields?”

As Brooke mentioned her other two hobbies Jasper could help but laugh at the coincidence, it was kind of ironic really. “I love yoga, I like to meditate and that just kind of led onto yoga,” Jasper replied, his grin faltering briefly as he considered the best way to answer her question without telling his life story to a stranger in a park. “I’m kind of trying to figure that out, I had my dream job for a number of years and now I can’t do that anymore I’m trying to find the next dream.” 

Kessa pulled out the glasses that she used to help see the finer details, she slid them onto her face. This way she could get a clear picture of exactly what he was suggesting, she could do it while talking. Standing off to the side, she watched him look over the painting while he gave his feedback. “It does. Okay let me just try something.” She held up a finger to him to signal to give a minute, then she pulled out two buckets of white and light blue paint along with thin brushes before going to town. In the darkest areas she took the white and scattered with a simple movement of her hand against the brush over and over. 

Once she’d covered the dark areas she tossed the brush into the sink behind her and grabbed the blue one. “Okay a better contrast.” Repeating his words as she studied it to make sure she did this correctly and didn’t ruin the painting all together. Taking her brush and she made a few swipes of it around the edges of the light to brighten it even more. “Should I keep going or stop here?” She asked, she took a step back so he could see what she’d done.

Jasper stood silently as she got her paints and everything together, and continued to watch her as she began making the adjustments to the painting. He rather enjoyed watching her paint, the little movements of her hand. Jasper couldn’t help but link it back to dancing. The two art forms were rather similar. Two creative outlets that when mixed with movement could result in beautiful art. He found himself nodding as she made the changes. Jasper was just glad she had been able to make sense of his suggestions. At her question, Jasper studied the painting again briefly before answering, “Stop there, I think you’d lose too much of the original painting if you kept going.”

“Thank you, thank you. Unless you meant the bear, and not me,” Jules grinned. “Um, I love that idea!” she assured, a laugh sputtering from the blonde. “Definitely not judging at all. It’s fabulous,” she promised, shaking her head. Although she was sick of carrying the thing around, Juliet felt guilty having someone else do it for her. “Are you sure? Maybe we can switch off at least? But, yes– it’s definitely all yours if no one else claims it. Especially if you name him. I mean, you can’t name a bear then not keep it.”

“Oh, I 100% meant the bear,” Jasper replied, his grin mirroring her own. “But, I’m guessing you’re the one who taught the bear those moves.” He couldn’t but chuckle as a laugh escaped from the blonde, “It would be like a budget version of Ted. He chuckled some more at the notion before holding out his arms for the stuffed bear, “Of course I’m sure. It’s no problem. Honestly,” Jasper reassured - Jasper was always happy to lend a helping hand. “Name it? Not sure I can cope with that kind of responsibility.” 

“Yep, the one and only.” Kessa nodded with a blank expression on her face. Holding onto the painting, she looked back at him while she waited for his answer. “That’s okay. I mean you’re looking at it and giving your opinion. I value both artist and non-artist opinions.” Kessa commented with a shrug. “Yes, I do. Follow me please.” With that she turned sharply on her heels and she started to walk upstairs towards the studios. Opening the door to one she knew wouldn’t be used for the day, she walked the paining over to the table so it was laid out for him. “Okay show me where you thinking it should be lighter?”

Smiling at her response Jasper nodded, he was relieved that he hadn’t offended her and pleased by her response. It was a good attitude to have. Sometimes people were just being negative, but when their comments were constructive and only intended to help it was good to listen. Following her up the stairs into a studio Jasper was more than happy to help - if he could. After all, his best dance teachers were the ones who gave him constructive criticism and then helped him improve. Tilting his head to one side Jasper was silent for a moment, studying the painting. “That’s where it’s the darkest, so I feel there should be some small.... flecks of light. Does that make sense? And then there, where it’s already lighter it should just be enhanced... brightened. And I don’t mean a brighter colour by that unless that’s what you think it needs. I think that’ll give it a better balance, a better contrast.” 

“Do you genuinely think it’s the best joke?” Frown creased her brow as she gave him a look to suggest he baffled her. She found herself wondering if it was another kind of joke that she’d missed. Words left her lips slowly, for once uncertain of where the conversation was going. “Look I’m not usually one for crushing dreams but I can’t lie to you either. Definitely ranks somewhere in the worst twenty I’ve ever heard.” The next speech he gave made a whole lot more sense to her and she found herself nodding along, impressed with his line of thought. “Touche. Nice mentality to have.”  

“The best bad joke,” Jasper reiterated with a chuckle. “There’s always something or someone, that’s the best at being the worst.” That summed up Jasper’s way of thinking entirely. Even when the glass was empty Jasper somehow saw it as half full - or at least the potential it has to be half full. “If we keep talking I’ll probably be able to feel up those other nineteen slots. Like, did you hear about the guy who got hit by with a can of soda? Good thing it was a soft drink.” Jasper gave a small shrug, thanking her for the compliment. “Just comes with the territory. Used to be in a rather competitive field, lots of auditions. You had to let others opinions roll off you.” 

“Oh I bet that’s cool. I would think working a photography studio would be interesting.” Brooke thought that between the stories and getting a glimpse of seeing behind the scenes of the photography world, it would a job to remember. “Oh believe me I’m no professional, what so ever, but I guess it gives a chance to pretend to be one.” she joked. “Well I hope it’s sooner rather than later because that stain should get treated as quick as possible.” 

“Yeah, it’s pretty cool,” Jasper replied with a small shrug. He was grateful to Nathan, they’d worked together before on a couple of shoots where Jasper was modelling for one dance-related thing or another. However, it wasn’t exactly where he envisaged himself. Not that Jasper let himself dwell on that, always the smiling happy bean. “It’s good to have hobbies you like though, interests outside of work. And an amateur photographer is still a photographer,” He said, back to his positive self. 

He’d told Gemma. And honestly he still thought about it when he tried to fall asleep, pondering about what he could’ve said better, or what he should’ve left out. If he should’ve lied or if her reaction was what she truly thought at that moment. He didn’t know if Gemma had told Jasper yet, though given their relationship she most likely had. There was nothing Gemma knew without Jasper knowing, and Noah was aware of that. Still, going to see his little brother and come clean about everything had been hard on him. His heart had been racing the entire walk to his home. He’d decided to take the slow means of transportation so that he had more time to prepare what he was going to say. All futile in the end for the moment they sat down together, he just flapped everything. 

He told him about all of it. Starting off with an apology for having left without a proper word to either of them and about how long it had taken to come and see him. Frankly, he wanted to wait until the chaos in his head had set more, which it hadn’t. Not at all. But his sudden meeting with Gemma had thrown all of that into the water. So he told him about Washington, about how legally, he was a Sinclair. According to his birth certificate at least. But how an old family friend of the family had told him the truth. About how their father had married their mother knowing she carried someone else’s child. True love. The woman had called it. It was romantic, that much he could agree with. But because he was the child in question he wasn’t sure how he was to feel about that. Had it meant it had all been a lie? Or had it meant something else? He couldn’t imagine Philip ever having looked at him with the thought he wasn’t his son. He’d seen the pictures. Of how happy he’d been when he’d just been born. How he’d taught him everything a father had to teach his son. Deep down, now that he knew the truth, that’s what Noah felt most guilty about. He’d stolen those moments away from Jasper, who had to learn those things from his older brother and his high school friends rather from his actual father. Did Jasper feel the same way about that now too? 

“I don’t know what it means, and what will change. I’m still… processing.. But if you need time to .. figure this out yourself, I understand.” @jasper-sinclair

Apart from the occasional ‘mhmm’ accompanied by a nod of his head to show he was listening, Jasper stayed silent throughout Noah’s explanation. He guessed it was probably easier for Noah to get through it without interruptions, and it made it easier for Jasper to digest. Gemma had told him a little about their conversation but Jasper hadn’t known all the details, allowing Noah to explain exactly what had happened to him. To say Jasper had been dreading this conversation was an understatement. This wasn’t something Jasper could smile his way through, and not knowing how to act made him feel uncomfortable. 

It was tough, he hated that Noah had gone through all of this alone. Jasper wished Noah had confided in him and Gemma. They could have gone to Washington together. Although, he understood why Noah didn’t. This wasn’t exactly an easy conversation to have. Part of Jasper was hurt that his parents had kept this secret from all of them. It was sweet that their father stuck by their mother like that, it just reaffirmed what they knew about their parent’s relationship. He just never imagined they’d lie to them like that. 

There was one part of Jasper that felt jealous. Noah and their father had always had so much in common. Jasper knew his father loved him, but they just had different interests. They never bonded quite in the same way. Now, in the knowledge that he had bonded that way with someone who wasn’t even his son biologically hurt. Jasper hated himself for feeling that way, he loved his brother and father and was thankful they had each other. It was a feeling Jasper pushed down as he listening to Noah, not wanting to acknowledge it. 

“Nothing will change. Not between us anyway,” Jasper replied once Noah had finished. Stripped of his usual sunny attitude Jasper seemed different as he spoke, naked. “You’re my brother. You could be the evil spawn of aliens adopted by humans and that wouldn’t change.” 

“I am.” Callisto said matter of factly, before extending her leg and stretching the tendons. “Oh I know I smell. It’s call hard work and determination.” She smirked to show that she was completely kidding. It had been awhile since she had gotten back into dancing. Usually focusing on soccer than the passion she had when she was younger. But since her sister passed, it was the only way Callisto was able to feel close to her again. “I like being your excuse to dance. But you know if you’re hurting you can just critic my every move instead of dancing with me.” She smiled. “I’m just a professional when it comes to soccer, but it’s kind of like dancing.” 

“I call it sweat,” Jasper replied with a chuckle, standing up beside Callisto to stretch as well. People often forgot that the cooldown was just as important as the warm-up. “I’ve never been one to sit on the sidelines and watch but don’t worry about me, I’m wearing my heart rate monitor, and I don’t feel any pain,” Jasper explained quickly, so she wouldn’t worry, before quickly glossing over it. He preferred not to think about his heart condition, and chose to focus on happier things. “Oh definitely, there’s a lot of skills required in both sports. I think it’s why a lot of soccer and football players learn to dance. You need to be able to control your body to control the ball, and that’s one of the most important things a dancer has to learn.” 

          “So… I might have reverted back to our ten-year-old selves.” A bashful smile crosses her lips as she slowly makes her way out of the little fort she’d constructed in their apartment, not that she’s ashamed – god knows Jasper’s always managed to find excitement and withhold judgment in whatever she suggests. But it’s perhaps not the best coping mechanism, even if it is better than what she’d resorted to as a teenager – and Gemma will take that small victory. After all, life seemed to be insistent on continually throwing them hurdles, and for once, she doesn’t want to be brought down by it entirely. For so long, she’d relied on Jasper and Noah – her demons tackled and defeated by them, and now they’re the ones who need lifting up, and Gemma can only hope she steps up to the job. “We can have hot cocoa, or ice cream – and just relax.” Perhaps it would be easier to talk about the more important things too – how Jasper was doing, how to make Noah feel like he was still completely their older brother, if Santa Monica could possibly feel like home or if she’d end up leaving in a couple months as with all the places she’d stayed in after Las Vegas. (@jasper-sinclair​)

“You can never outgrow a fort,” Jasper replied, a large grin spreading across his face as he saw the fort in their living room. “Metaphorically of course, definitely not literally,” He joked. Jasper could tell something was bothering Gemma, hell it wasn’t surprising considering everything that had happened of late. He knew as well why she built the fort. The two of them needed a space to talk. Jasper wasn’t great when it came to dealing with negative emotions simply because he didn’t deal with them. He made jokes and smiled to hide his pain and sadness whilst pushing it down. The fort seemed like a safe space though, and if they were about to talk about Noah, or whatever else was on Gemma’s mind, then the fort seemed like the perfect place. The comfort of childhood making him feel at ease. “Sounds like a great plan,” He replied, still smiling. “And I think we should have both - ice cream hot chocolate floats.” 

MONSTER MASH COSTUME PARTY

Kessa stood there quietly as she waited for what the man would say about the art work. She was slightly taken back when he admitted that he liked it. Although when he started listing off what might be missing the artist in Kessa took over, she started to imagine what he was rattling off inside of her head to see if it would work or not. “I wouldn’t say lighter colors are needed to brighten up the painting. A neon would look horrible, but I could see greys, pinks, and even maybe a light white helping lighten it up.” Nodding as she agreed with his suggestion, she walked over to the painting. Looking it over for a moment before she picked it up and moved it off the wall. “Do you want to come with me to help fix this painting? This way when it’s light enough you can let me know?”

“Shit, your the artist?” Jasper had said, not realising when he answered her question. Not that knowing she was the artist would have stopped him being honest, he would simply have dug a bit more to see if she wanted his honest opinion, or if that would just offend her. As a dancer, Jasper had appreciated constructive criticism, but he had known plenty of dancers who didn’t. At least she didn’t seem offended. “Like I said, I don’t know much about art but if it’s really my help you want I’ll be more then happy to.” 

Nose scrunched up as she considered the joke, deciding that it maybe wasn’t the worst thing she’d ever heard. “I’ve definitely heard better. But the sentiment is appreciated.” For once her dry humour was suspended, sincere in the fact that it was nice a stranger cared enough to attempt to cheer someone up. But that didn’t stop wry words from falling from her lips almost straight after, smirk tugging at her lips as they did. “You might want to be careful going around like some human ray of sunshine though, people might not always take it so graciously.” 

“Ah, but I bet it’s the best bad joke you’ve heard,” Jasper retorted with a laugh. In all honesty, it was only the bad jokes he ever remembered. They just appealed to him more. Perhaps it was that something bad was still able to bring about something good, or perhaps Jasper just had a really shitty sense of humour. “Maybe so, but I’m not going to get along with everyone, even though I might like to think I can. I don’t go out of my way to displease people, but I’m not about to change myself to please them either. I rather like being a human ray of sunshine.” 

Bending over trying to catch her breath from the routine she just did, Callisto couldn’t help but smile at the joke Jasper was trying to tell. Leave it to him to try to turn her bad mood upside down. Really, it would take more than a dance routine and a corny joke to fix everything, but it was working right now. “I think you should continue being addicted to soap.” She chuckled, moving over to her water bottle to take a large sip. “Thank you for that. For this really.” Ever since her sister’s death, the incident on the field, and her citizenship in question, Callisto had been a walking nightmare. 

“Are you trying to say I stink?” Jasper retorted dramatically, pretending to be offended momentarily before breaking into a grin. “ ’Cause I hate to break it to you, but you're not smelling too great yourself right now,” He teased, taking a seat on the bench and picking up his own water bottle. “Hey, no need to thank me. I like having an excuse to dance.” As he spoke he shot her a kind smile, hiding his own pain. “You’ve got that routine nailed. Are you sure you weren’t the professional?” 

Juliet had worried that the magic of the pier might have faded as she grew older. Although she certainly noticed differences than when she was a child - like how long the lines were for the rides, or the hyperness of the children stuffed with sugar - she still found it delightful. Offering the stuffed animal she’d snag by some form of luck, when a guy responded positively, she beamed up at him.

“Really? Please don’t leave me hanging then!” she mused back, trying to wiggle the stuffed animal in her hands– as if a little dance from it might seal the deal. “True! So you should totally jump on it if you want him. He is rather cute, I just don’t have it in me to carry him all the way back to my place… nor do I really have a proper spot for him. I figure he deserves a home where he’s gonna be displayed and loved.”

Jasper chuckled as he watched the stuffed animal jiggle about, “Certainly one of the best dancers I’ve seen.” He wasn’t 100% sure what Gemma would say if he brought the giant bear back to their place. “Honestly, I’m not sure if I have the room either. Although, don’t judge me. I’m kind of tempted to put it in my brother’s apartment, just because part of me thinks he’d rather just have the bear around than try and move it out and I kind of love that. How about this; I’ll carry the bear around for you, and if we don’t find it a more suitable home I’ll take it.” 

Summer’s face said it all, she was sure, and she tilted her head to the left, mouth turning up into a crooked smile. “Did I honestly look that depressed?” she questioned, her tone dry. Truth was, she was trying her best not to laugh, because no matter how bad the joke was, it was actually funny. “I had a bad day, give me a break, you should know by now my default is resting bitch face.”

“If you’ve had a bad day that just gives me even more reason to make you smile,” Jasper replied with a chuckle. “Never too late to turn your day around.” His silver lining, optimistic attitude did annoy some people but this was Jasper’s addiction. Smiling was what got him through the day. “Awww, come on. You don’t have a resting bitch face. Not that I’ve noticed anyway.”

“Soap….operas?” Kaden prompted hopefully, brow raised with a thoroughly amused smile that followed through to the finished joke. “Wow. I’m usually the joking one but you just told me a joke I’ve never heard before. Congratulations.” The smile faltered with the next words, and she sighed heavily. “Cheering up or more like wishing a genie would just come and grant me three wishes.”

“Then I see that as both a great achievement and a great compliment,” Jasper replied with a grin. He had a talent for picking up and remembering jokes from all kinds of places, this one had been from a video game. “Well, I can’t grant you three wishes but I can tell you two more jokes,” He replied with a kind smile. “Or I can just listen... if you needed to talk.”