/ˈekō/

Aaron was taken aback by Star’s reaction, though he figured he should have known better than to tell her a story that involved the possible harm of an animal. “The dog was okay, I promise,” He insisted in an attempt to assure the redhead. “He hadn’t eaten much of it, so all you have to do is guide them through the effects. Keep them hydrated and calm until it wears off. Make sure they don’t fall and injure themselves. There wasn’t anything for me to do, except hope that the owner won’t leave his stuff out for his pets to eat in the future, you know? But the dog will be okay, really.” He paused. “I wouldn’t lie to you about that, darling.”

Star’s features still showed her obvious annoyance with the situation that the animal had been placed in, a frown creasing otherwise bright features. “I still don’t like it. That’s really... well, it’s really irresponsible to just let your ‘pet’ into something that you know will hurt them. They’re supposed to be a friend, and you wouldn’t let your friends near things that would hurt them either.” 

“So, earlier, during my shift, this guy brought in his dog and the poor thing seemed really out of it, but also nervous and my boss was asking questions about what the pup had eaten, because he could potentially be poisoned, you know?” A chuckle escaped Aaron’s lips as he crossed his legs and wrapped his fingers around the soda cup in front of him. “And this owner was really evasive about the questions and eventually broke down and confessed the dog ate his marijuana. So we assured him the dog will be fine and we won’t report him. I don’t want to say I wish all my work days were like this, but it definitely beats actual emergencies.”

dark circles contoured his brown eyes, tying together his all-black attire with a punch of fatigue caused simultaneously by insomnia and a gaming addiction. café regulars were likely to recognize him, for he appeared like clockwork. every morning at 9:00 to order the same black, venti coffee that he proceeded to chug in-store before stalking out. the total affect of his appearance made him look unfriendly. today was no different, only he was so busy with his brooding that he didn’t realize he was about to walk into someone until it was nearly too late, spilling his coffee all over himself. for a moment, nothing, and then the most decidedly childish gasp known to man. “AHHH. hot hot hot hot,” he began repeating like a mantra, peeling his now soaked sweatshirt slightly off his torso. “hot, hot, hot, SO HOT.” just like that, his demeanour appeared less ‘badass’ and more like the human version of the ‘T _ T’ emoticon. “where did you come from?!”

Stardust really, really liked coffees and teas. Like, really, really. Her days generally centered around speaking fondly to the birds that existed near her window, attempting to catch a frog or two as she would send herself on a nice long walk to stretch spindly limbs -- frog hunting proved to be very difficult within the confines of the city--, grabbing a coffee, and continuing in the same fashion. Today was no different as she happily walked into the establishment, a smile pulled over sharp features and a tune being hummed brightly. 

Though, the problem for her was that she never looked where she was going and this always lead to running into someone or something. Today it was someone. 

As the coffee splashed her features went a dark red, her eyes growing wide, and a gasp escaping as she reached into the bag at her hip quickly, very little hesitation in her actions as this was one of the most common occurrences in her life right next to tripping over random things and accidentally drinking milk.  She produced a wad of tissue and promptly began patting them against the dampened shirt. “Is it really that hot? Oh jeez, oh jeez, I’m sorry. I do this all the time, just the other day I almost tripped over a bunny boy and nearly spilled my coffee on his head and he had dyed hair so it would have been the worst-- at least your clothes are dark, oh jeez, it won't stain but you’ve probably got burns, don't you? Maybe I should get you a wet tissue instead. I’m so sorry, wow.” She spoke at a rate that was difficult for herself to keep up with, which, was sort of standard for her. 

STARDVST»BE KIND, ALWAYS

Ft. Nature

“ Yeah. ” Expect there was a laugh, a shake of the head. There wasn’t a single thing out of the ordinary about Hank. Not even gold behind his mask. “ No, not really, I’m just kidding. ” 

His brows furrowed, but the smile stayed the same. Unwavering, warm. Hank couldn’t help the easy way softness came to him as she went on and on, talking non stop about a boy he didn’t know who was, painting a clear enough picture for him to almost be able to see him. Small, and wide-eyed under some hoddie. “ Stardust, ” escaped his lips, softly, in amusement. 

What a well-fitting name for a girl who seemed to shine with her mood alone. 

“ I— I don’t know, stardust, a dog, maybe ? Loyal, a little too energetic. ” you kick him to the curb and he keeps coming back despite his best instincts. “ Maybe a porcupine. I am very prickly. ” And the warm smile got stuck on his features, the easy affection attaching itself to him as he watched this strange girl. “ What animal would you be, Stardust ? ” 

‘Well, maybe you aren't golden on the surface, but maybe on the inside? Sometimes we use masks to reflect what we already are or to project what we are in a safe way. Maybe you’re just a golden boy.” She patted her own head of bright red waves, bits of glitter freeing themselves of their entrapment in her hair as she finally rested the empty glass on the nearest table and her hands on her hips.  “Hm,” a pause as she looked him over.  “maybe like a big farm dog. You know, with these long ears and the sad faces? Those ones are really cute. Maybe you’re one of those. They can be really prickly too, just like porcupines, but last I checked they weren’t related to each other.” 

❝No,❞ Tethys grumbled in response, swirling around the contents of his drink around the rim of his glass, bloodied knuckles on full display to all galactic ball attendees. He could agree on one thing Stardust had said, the ball was too much. He felt as if the walls were slowly closing in on the crowd like a booby trap in an Indiana Jones movie. There were too many people. Too many faces. He did not want to give off too much of a sad boi vibe so he felt as if he had to entertain her with his comedic chops. ❝Oh, this hello kitty mask really gives me away? Damn, I’m famous in Japan or everywhere,❞ he boasted. ❝I like to think this mask really brings the bloodshot out of my eyes.❞

She reached out, poking the mask lightly, mostly her own curiosity getting the best of her as the other spoke. ‘Well, Maybe your mask isn’t you, but maybe it expresses a part of you?” She suggested, tone bright and cheerful though her eyes did graze the injuries. Did she mention them? Maybe it was best if she didn’t. Stardust talked a lot yes, rarely understood personal space and was regularly an airhead, but she did understand boundaries. “Maybe a drink or two less would do wonder for those eyes of yours? Maybe some water actually? Have you not been sleeping? I know that when I’ve been particularly busy mine look terrible.” 

Humankind, Atticus thought, are a curious assembly. They dressed not for practicality, but for extravagance. He would even go as far as to label it a parade–a constant competition of which ruthless judgment is held through narrowed eyes. Atticus… was simply in heaven! Oh, how he had wished that he had brought a notepad to record these peculiar behaviours. He was reminded of the primitive nature of the Amazonian jungle as he watched the swishing of skirts and the puffing of chests. Atticus was somewhat amused by the spectacle as he sipped at his drink, which was far too weak. That was one aspect of home that he missed–the strength of the intoxicants. 

“I should hope not,” Atticus answered. turning his entire body towards the redhead. Atticus was learning the etiquette of Crystalline, slowly but surely. Only, his forward demeanour was a little frightening to those unaware of his origins, and instead, his movements were more ROBOTIC than they were welcoming. “I imagine that it would be quite scary.” Atticus’ fingers skated along his own mask, simple in its design, but indented with high cheekbones and a sculpted forehead. 

“If only. Herculean, is it not? I am a fan of the mythologies. I would be incredibly lucky to have been blessed with those intrinsic ideals of masculine beauty! Alas, that was not to be. I just look like Atticus under here.” 

Stardust wasn’t entirely sure what was being said to her, in fact when the other spoke her mind drew a big, long, blank, Something akin to a dial tone could be heard ringing in her skull to anyone nearby with the ability to read minds. Maybe even a touch of radio static. “intrinsic,”  she echoed, confusion taking over glittering features for a moment. 

“I’m sure you are... very handsome-- Hercules wasn’t all that cute if you ask me. The movie was also really dumb, I remember that much. I didn’t like it. Maybe I’m thinking of something else, though, who knows. But there must be a reason you picked that mask? I feel like everyone here picked a mask because it mirrored how they wanted to look on the outside, but only on the inside are they able to express that.”