cowboy like me

“I appreciate you coming to play the hero and making sure I’m okay, but I am- really.” Max commented from where he was currently sat on the ground, skateboard a few feet away from him from where he had came off it. He was more then certain that after the Spring festival events too that this was nothing compared to what others were going through. “I’ve had a lot worse, got the scars and stories to prove it but I’m not sure you’ll want to hear them, apparently I can be pretty graphic when describing the oozing.”

“While I’m not too bothered by things like that given the stuff I’ve dealt with on the farm, I hope you’re not too offended if I pass on those descriptions this time,” Luke replied with a soft chuckle, glad to know the other wasn’t too injured though. “Do you need any help getting up?”

“Yeah, I certainly hope so. Our end of year performance is over and we’re just playing some things for fun, so I think this would definitely brighten the mood. I just wish some of them didn’t have to go through what happened, they’re only kids.”

“I can’t even begin to imagine how they must feel,” he replied when the other mentioned what the kids were going through because of recent events. “You’re doing a good thing. They’re lucky to have you looking out for them and trying to brighten their days.”

“Do you suppose putting confetti in instruments and on drums to let it fly out is a good idea? Or better, a fun idea? With everything going on, I’m really trying to make the end of the year just fun for the students, their morale has been… well bad to say the least.”

“I can’t say I’ve ever seen anything like that before,” Luke commented when he listened to the other’s idea. “I think it could be a fun way to bright a new energy into the classes. Maybe it’s worth giving a shot?”

“Linkee?” Gale repeated, “What’s Linkee?” he asked, furrowing his brow further, “Yeah, please. I absolutely do not know what you mean.”

“I’ve been in here long enough.” Maeve commented, knowing it would probably only be a matter of moments before the others hands were pulling her shoes and clothing out of reach and trying to get her back into bed. “It’s been days and I’m sure someone needs this bed a lot more then I do.” She continued, never one to want to be the centre of attention or the centre of people’s fuss because she believed she didn’t deserve it. “I’m feeling fine.” She grumbled in defiance, not sounding very convincing given most of her movements came with a facial expression of grimacing pain due to her ribs and her head. 

“I can imagine you feel that way, Maeve. But the healers haven’t said anything yet,” he got up to follow her, his legs wobbling slightly as he realized just how long he hadn’t used them for. Luke had been sat beside Maeve’s bed for long periods of time, constantly checking up on her and wanting to know how she was feeling since he’d gotten word of her being found in St. Mungo’s in the first place. “Are you sure this is a good idea? Maybe we should have them look you over one more time before you leave here?”

“Frankly I’m just glad nothing happened here this time, because I’m fairly certain the insurance policy doesn’t cover death eater attacks.”

“They... don’t?” he seemed pretty dumbfounded by that information. “These sorts of attacks seem to be a frequent occurrence around here so I would’ve assumed. Are you sure it’s not something you could discuss with them maybe? If you need any help I’m definitely around to lend a hand.”

MAEVE: I think so. I can't see anyone else.

MAEVE: Part of a bed maybe? A chair?

MAEVE: Everything hurts and my eyes are so heavy.

LUKE: That's not good

MAEVE: I don't know.. I don't know what's going on

MAEVE: Everything is dark and there's smoke

MAEVE: I don't remember what happened

LUKE: Are you by yourself?

LUKE: I wish I knew where you were. I wish I could help

“You say that and yet I usually manage to do a pretty good job of eating everything in sight but if you like, we can share in the buying of things and the trying. That way you have the chance to try double the amount?” Theo offered, always enjoying just how enthusiastic and happy Luke seemed to be when it came to things like this. “You know, I’ll be holding you to that mate. When I get my holidays, you’re the guy I’ll be coming to.” At the mention of the colour changing cookies, Theo laughed. “Well there is only one proper way to find out, right?”

“You’re more than welcome to have meals to yourself. I’ll just order less for myself or give you anything I can’t finish instead,” he offered when Theo said he was able to eat pretty much everything in sight. “But yeah being able to share would be nice. That way we can both try a bit of everything,” Luke mentioned with a smile. “Will you? I’ll be happy to oblige!” he promised brightly. “I like the sound of that.”

LUKE: Where'd you go? I thought you were nearby

“Mmm, I have been looking at some of the blueberry ones, maybe I should get one today too,” she replied. “You’re right, it is hard to choose, especially when I’m so indecisive usually.”

“If the blueberry ones are calling to you, I think you should totally get that flavor,” he encouraged brightly as they walked up to order. “That’s okay. I’m somewhere in the middle with decisions. I guess it depends on what I’m deciding in between.”

“According to Pinterest they are.” Maeve commented, still looking at her phone and pulling up a photo to show the other. “They look pretty I’ll give them that, but I have a feeling it’s going to be an acquired taste. And like you said, I think it’d go a whole lot better in tea.” She commented. “What do you say though, brave enough to give it a go?”

“They’re certainly pretty,” Luke appreciated when she pulled up the photo for him to check out. “That color– that’s so nice. It feels like you shouldn’t be drinking it,” he laughed lightly as he admired the purple beverage on Maeve’s screen. “Maybe. I mean we can call it research, no? Looking at options to potentially expand the Inn’s menu?” he suggested lightheartedly.

“Well, you definitely have the food trucks at the very least.” Theo assured him with a little laugh. “And we’ve had carnival rides before, just not at this event.” At least not to the best of his memory anyway. “Garden parties and mazes sound great though. I’d love stuff like that.” He liked being out in the sun and doing activities, just having a laugh with people in general. “So is there anything you’ve seen here that you are really drawn towards?”

“So I’ve seen! I wish my stomach was twice its size because I want to try everything they’ve got on offer but won’t possibly be able to eat it all,” he confessed with a soft chuckle as he thought about all the food trucks he’d already seen on his wander around the festival. “Do you? I’ll add that to the list of things I need to show you if one day I ever take you back to Texas with me,” Luke smiled warmly in response. “I saw sugar cookies with color changing frosting. Do they taste different each time they shift colors? I need to know.”

closed starter - alison & luke ( @lukedawscn​ )

“Oh! I would definitely choose that one, I tried it yesterday it was so good,” Alison replied with a nod, pointing to the drink option on the menu. “I mean, unless you don’t like strawberry tasting drinks.”

“I was starting to think about how I’m going to have to come back here every day of the festival to try all of their flavors because it’s so hard for me to pick,” Luke admitted with a laugh when the other came over to where he was stood. “You recommend the strawberry one though? I trust your judgement. Do you want one too?”

“Are lavender lattes really a thing?” he furrowed his brow, clearly puzzled when he saw the writing scrawled across the menu on a nearby stall. “I thought flowers were only in tea... not in coffee. Clearly I’ve still got a lot to learn then.”

“The closest thing to this that I remember doing back in Texas was kind of like a state fair. While the actual State Fair usually happens around September, the ones we had in the spring were kind of like that with some carnival rides and food trucks,” Luke explained to the other. “Some cities even celebrated with these garden parties. Not anywhere close to where I lived, but we made the trips out sometimes because my grandmother loves flowers. It was usually packed with small mazes and cool looking topiaries. I wonder if they’ve got any here.”

“Mandrake. Young too.” Louis commented, moving the pot out of the others reach for the sake of himself and everyone else that was standing in their radius. “You’re not going to spontaneously combust or anything, don’t worry. But you know what Mandrakes are like at this age, anything too alarming or jarring and we’d all be the floor, passed out in seconds.”

“Man... mandrake?” he echoed, not familiar with what that was. Luke looked back to the plant, definitely not recognizing it as anything he had back at home. “What... what are they like at this age? Passed out? Are they... are they poisonous plants? I’m more of an animal guy than a plant one.”