Mr. Moon's Market

"Just that I was having an awful night and Florian was a perfect gentleman and saved the evening for me. He even helped me out when my heel broke," Judy explained, deciding to brush away any thought of John and that evening's situation. It didn't matter. Well it did, but it was not information that her eomma needed to know about. Or her brothers for that matter.

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I wanted to wait until we made things official. I didn't want to mention somebody to you and then have it not turn into anything." Judy thought that was reasonable anyway. "But I think there's a chance. And Jun knows that I am involved with prom things either way. He just wants to ruin the whole thing and force it to that weekend because he's-" and then she faltered.

Judy didn't want to use his break up and all of that against him. Even if she was seriously annoyed with him. "Well because he must be bored of railing against other small town dilemmas. As I said though, during the week I could go. Maybe the monday to wednesday or something like that." It was a compromise, in her mind. Because originally she hadn't intended to go to the beach at all.

Now, what was this! His cousin, attacking his character and his noble mission to improve Swynlake?! He hadn't attacked Judy personally. In fact, he had been trying to help this whole time. Bah, ungrateful!

He glared at her, though of course, Jun's mission to "destroy" prom was known by everyone here. It wasn't a secret. Jun had even talked about it a few days ago at dinner when his aunt asked him about what he was up to.

Of course, he'd framed it much differently. Judy made him sound crazy!

"I am not bored!" Jun broke in. "Canceling prom is an important step for this town, so we stop wasting resources! I am a concerned, engaged citizen!"

"And a grump," mumbled Star under her breath.

"I agree with Oppa," said Sky, uncharacteristically speaking up. She blushed a little but added, "We could use the money and time more efficiently. Even if we just allocate the money differently to the repairs fund."

Jun flung a hand toward her. "Ehhhh, see?! I'm not the only one!"

"You're practically the only one," said Star, rolling her eyes.

"Han-byeol, don't roll your eyes." Eomma wagged her finger.

"I agree with Judy, Hyung's bored!" Tae declared then, stretching his arms above his head.

"Ach! Don't you start." Jun glared at him next. "This isn't a debate about my petition! We're planning a family vacation!"

Eomma nodded. "That is right. Judy-- the problem is that it's harder to close the market on a weekday. People expect it to be open."

Still, Robbie accepted the clipboard that was shoved rather quickly towards him, his gaze sweeping over the names for just a moment before he sighed again. Quickly, and messily - a fair bit unlike his usual signature, Robaire signed in the next blank spot, handing it back to the other man.

"...there. I wouldn't call it standing up for my principles but-.. I hope it helps with... everything you're doing."

Yes, most petitions he wrote gathered fairly more signatures after several hours of standing around and appealing to people. But he had known this was going to be a bit of a stretch. Prom had deluded everyone in this town-- he needed to work extra hard to pop the bubble!

"Thank you!" Jun ducked his head in a quick bow. "Your efforts will be rewarded!"

Judy loved him. Really she did. But in moments like this she found it quite difficult to remember that when he could be so infuriating! It WAS his fault. He had to go and suggest they do the beach on prom weekend, when he already knew that Judy was involved with it. And had to be there... date or not.

But she did have a date. And now she had to tell her whole family about it. Great. She wrinkled her nose. "Just because it isn't a relationship right now, doesn't mean there's no potential for it to be. We've been on a few dates, he and I." And she was really starting to like him a lot. Judy thought that Florian was very sweet and charming and devastatingly handsome.

"He saved me from complete humiliation on New Years you know, so even if it's not a relationship yet, there's good potential! He's a good guy," Judy insisted. "His name is Florian. He's sweet and kind and he teaches primary school children." And what did Jun have to say to that huh? Considering he was the one he'd been pushing Judy toward more.

Not that she needed much pushing. Because Florian had really drawn her in pretty easily. Her brothers, of course were snickering and mumbling about searching up this Florian guy. Judy would probably have to warn him, just in case they were able to track him down. "I like him," Judy added softly.

That was how you stopped the onslaught of eommas and imos and ahjummas.

But listen to her-- she started gushing about this guy. Well, Jun thought Florian probably was the best of the bunch, so that was good. But tch, he could already see what was going to happen before it happened--

"What do you mean, humiliation on New Year's!" exclaimed her mother.

Yup. There it was. Now Judy had to talk about dating a two-timing rat! Unless Jun stepped in of course, but so far, she kept sending him these nasty looks! Why should he help, hm?

"And if you've been dating him so long, why haven't you mentioned him?" Leah added, looking offended.

Mhm, mhm. See, Judy. Less is always more.

But Robaire did give slight pause, a breath leaving his lungs in a soft sigh as he shrugged his shoulders lightly. "I mean, if you can assure me he wouldn't know I signed it in the first place, I have no issue signing it." Robbie agreed with a vague gesture of his hand.

"It's not like I uh-... really want to go to Prom anyways so. I mean, I get where you're coming from."

So.. well, Jun wasn't going to lie. He'd just focus on the facts.

"It's extremely extremely unlikely anyone will pay attention to the individual names!" Jun declared. "So if you feel that way, you should sign it! Go on! Be brave! Stand up for your principles!"

Jun thrust the clipboard at the young man.

"Well, yeah, maybe that's for the best," Herc grinned ruefully. "I can bring the nutritional advice, and you can make sure that it'll taste delicious."

That was sensible, right? That felt exciting? Something he hadn't expected at all before he walked into the conversation.

@moon-yeongjun

Jun beamed. "Precisely. Well! Let me look on my calendar. We can set up a date to talk through this idea more and start putting together some recipes."

She scowled at Jun again. "It's not just about it being prom." Although prom was important to her. "I..." she faltered. She really didn't have to explain it further. But she would, because Judy knew her mother wouldn't let this go. "Although it's also not silly because I am part of the group that organizes prom and makes sure it goes off without a hitch."

Judy turned toward her mother. "I wouldn't abandon the things I promised to do. But also..." She tucked some of her hair behind her ear, worrying at her lip. "I have a date," Judy finally said, even though she knew declaring it before both her parents and her brothers, her aunt, and her cousin was just asking for trouble.

"EHHH?!" Kevin and Jacob yelled in unison. Judy sighed. "Noona's got a date? Who is he? What's he do? When do we meet him?" Judy rubbed her forehead, sinking a little in her seat, but not before she glared at Jun. "This is your fault. Why would you make things more difficult Oppa?" She then glanced back at her mother. "Eomma, I can still go to the beach during the week before that. For a couple of days."

That was Jun's reaction to everything Judy said:

Bah! to that dreadful prom committee, what a joke.

Bah! to the idea of Judy landing a date. Undoubtedly, whoever it was, wasn't a serious prospect for his cousin. At this point, Jun had a good idea of Judy's taste, and it was not very good.

Also-- bah! His fault?! She was the one prioritizing a silly party over her family!

"Well, who is this date?" said Leah at once to her daughter. "You didn't mention you were dating someone!"

"She isn't. Well--" Jun nearly exposed that Judy had been dating multiple people for months now, like a harlot-in-training. No, he wouldn't betray his cousin like that...yet. "Not a relationship."

Leah frowned and looked back at Judy expectantly. "Who is this date?!" she asked again.

Judy would have even said yes, probably. If it was during the week. She could have tried to make that work. But then her cousin... of course he would suggest that weekend.

"Hang on!" Judy blurted, sitting up a bit straighter and scowling across the table at her cousin. "You know that weekend won't work for me," Judy pointed out. "During the week for a few days before that I could maybe tag along... but not the weekend," Judy added.

Just because Jun had a problem with prom didn't mean that Judy did. Prom was romantic. She'd never really done it when she herself was in secondary. And now... well now she was making up for some of that lost time. And she planned to go with someone special.

She could see her mother start to give her that disappointed look. Judy sighed and tried to avoid her eyes. It wasn't as if she had completely refused to go! She just needed it to be a bit different timing. "Judy don't be such a fun killer," Jacob quipped to her right. She wrinkled her nose at her brother. "I'm not being a- I have plans!"

Ah yes. Jun knew that look. Even though Leah and Eun-jung were not related-- it was their husbands who were brothers-- it was the type of look that you learned when you became an eomma. Jun would never master such a look, but he felt it in his bones and how it made him want to sit up even straighter.

Though he was a good son. He wouldn't put some silly prom over time with his family!

"It's prom," Jun chimed in, then. "A very silly thing the town does-- not just for kids, adults go too. It happens every year, so Judy can always go next year."

Unless I cancel the blasted thing, thought Jun to himself.

"Ah, I see. Yes, Judy, you can go next year," said Leah.

For the third night in a row, then, they had a big, big meal-- though this was actually the first Judy attended, because she had been working the other nights. Tch!

"So good to see the table filled," said Eomma cheerily. She reached over to squeeze Kevin's hand, who sat on her right.

"Totally. This is an awesome spread!" said Jun's cousin.

"Now that we're all together, we can talk about our week at the beach!" exclaimed Leah. "Eun-jung and I were conspiring...if the rest of you come, we can probably afford a bigger AirBnB! We were checking out some options."

Ah yes, the beach trip. Jun hadn't gone on a vacation in a long time. Normally, he'd poo-poo the idea. It was too costly! He couldn't take the time off!

But you know, it had been years and years since their families got together...

"That's a great idea, Imo! The weekend of the 19th, yes?" asked Jun.

"Exactly!" said Leah.

"We should definitely make it happen," said Jun.

“Oh so you’re like the wrinkle makin serious about this!” Lottie would have bought it you know…being committed to the bit here. Some people just like attention.

“Well bless your heart.” The pen was in her hand and the ink was flowing on the paper. “I still think I could find you a little sweetie pie for a date! If you change your mind.”

As her hand gracefully slipped over the paper the name Elise Duval. Lottie looked down at the name and squinted as she saw it all written out. Why did she come up with that name?

Who knows! She shrugged.

“Hope your don’t plan on protesting the prom.” Lottie tried to trash Juns face. “Only going to make yourself more mad seeing everyone enjoying themselves!”

Hopefully, it wouldn't come to that, and he could put an end to this event before it even got started.

He snatched his clipboard back, not bothering to check what the lady wrote (though later on, he'd have several hooligans write stupid things like "Poop" and also "Hitler," so he'd learn to double-check.) "Hmph! We will see. Anyway. Thank you for the support," he said, rather stiffly.

Did that mean more work for himself and the staff? Yes. But Jun had always been curious about those prepared meal kits that larger grocery stores did. Why not try it out!

Without really meaning to, Hercules found himself actually thinking about the idea, and about what he might be able to do to encourage people to enjoy eating healthily. He wasn't a great cook though, which was the downfall. "We'd uh, we'd have to find some good recipes though. I'm not that good of a cook," he smiled a little awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand.

@moon-yeongjun

He did not brag as he said this, but rather stated it as a matter-of-fact, like saying "I'm Korean!" or "I live in the Besydus Farmlands." That was how Jun saw his cooking abilities. It wasn't any more a talent than having all the hair on his head.

"Plus, we can always look up things online, eh? To get a variety of ideas and all that."

Jun scrunched his face, the name tickling a distant memory. Yes, yes, he was starting to recall something Sunny had gushed about. Oppa, how cool, we're getting our own One Direction!

Pfft.

"Well, the petition is only really shown to the Board," said Jun swiftly. "It's not like these things are made public. So I don't see that as an excuse."

He supposed if someone wanted to, they could look up the filed petition and see people's names. But who did that, hm?

Surely not, right? This was some small town thing that didn’t even become a thing till she’d been in New York for almost a decade. And besides, Jun was kinda right: there were more important things for the Board to spend money and time on.

Also, it’s not like this movement would gain traction. Drizella’s name was lonely on the sheet. What was showing up for a few meetings or two?

Briefly, Drizella wondered why she was entertaining this.

The answer: why not? 

“Alright, I can do that.” Drizella nodded. “I can ask around and see if I can’t swing some people to our cause. Maybe there’s some like-minded souls in Castle Suites. I can post a flyer on the bulletin board.” 

He looked briefly flummoxed then, but recovered and grinned from ear to ear-- a strange expression for Jun Moon, who usually appeared to wear a permanent frown, etching deep, unhappy lines into his forehead.

"Yes-- yes, yes! That would be wonderful!" Jun exclaimed. "Your support will be very important. After all, you've got a platform and everything! You'll see. People will respect that you've invested in this important cause." Jun nodded firmly. "Here-- I'll give you my number!"

"Yes, it is a lovely idea. But I don't see why one has to replace the other? This sort of fair could easily be put in one of those months nobody cares about otherwise. Like March or April or something like that." She tilted her head. "Or even July. Summer where more tourists want to turn up?"

"Because, obviously, these kinds of things take money and time to organize!" Jun exclaimed, clearly losing patience. "Instead of spending it on something frivolous and meaningless like prom, we can invest it in something actually worthwhile! We can't just come up with events willy-nilly and expect to have the resources to see them through!"

“Life really could get you places if you just made little deals sugar!” Lottie rolled her eyes. “Since this is so important to you I figured you’d be willing to to I don’t know…throw me a favor!”

It was a simple little shrugged and you never know unless you ask.

“I do think it would be very bizarre to sign your petition while also participating in the event!” Lottie knew a scandal - golly she was in one! That alone was going to hurt her for votes. Lottie was sure she wouldn’t get a single one. Honestly she should write Junes name on the petition. Ruin her campaign and then expose her!

No no no don’t do that.

Lottie looked down at the petition again and signed. “Well I could sign it. Do you think it will actually do anything though?” She motioned for the pen.

Truly, what was with young people these days?

Anyway-- Jun thrust the pen and clipboard at her. She offered, anyway. "You're doing the right thing," Jun confirmed. "And if you want to get more involved, you can take my card. I'm organizing an anti-prom committee."

And clearly, he did not know who this young man was. He had never heard of a 4*Town before. (Well, he had-- Sunny was extremely excited about the boy band in town, but Jun just deleted anything she said after she said it from his brain. He had too many important things to remember to try and keep up with some boy band.)

"What job is this, eh? It's a violation of your rights, you know, if he's forbidding you from getting involved politically."

Cruella couldn't help but scoff. Film screenings where people would dress up like some nerdy character? Horrid. She refused to assist with styling that. And picnics were also ordinary. "I suppose I could agree a renaissance faire could have some merit." But it still didn't beat prom as an opportunity for her.

"Exactly," confirmed Jun. "Why did we only do that fair once anyway? Well, I know there were some magical shenanigans, but every event has a risk for that; that's just Swynlake for you. There is an educational component to a Renaissance-like faire, and more opportunities for people! More things to do and ways to get involved."