my head is a neon ocean

Sally’s eyebrows came together. While Jack seemed concerned, he wasn’t exactly helping. “Why don’t you go back to the house and I’ll look for the boys?” She said, putting her car keys in his hands, “Grab anyone who seems vulnerable if you can. Our house might be the only one with protections.” 

He nods. “I can do that. Protect everyone, got it. I love you..” He kisses her cheek before setting off, taking as many vulnerable people with him as he could.

“I’m fine.” Sally frowned, still looking around. “I have a bad feeling.” She admitted. It wasn’t hard to see why, her children were somewhere in this chaos. She tucked a dark lock of hair behind her ear. “Did Salem and Jasper come with you? Did you see them at the masquerade?”

“I saw them earlier but i haven’t seen them since the announcement. I’m worried to death. We have to go find them.” Jack says exasperatedly. He was worried about his children. They meant the world to him.

After a disastrous tarot reading, Sally had run to the scene of the castle, feeling that was where the cards had directed her to go. When she arrived it was complete chaos. Someone had told her what had happened and she still couldn’t quite believe it. Jack and the boys had come to celebrate. Of course they’d all be alive (you couldn’t kill someone who was already dead) but she knew the villains knew more about the dark magic that governed their true forms than even she did. Who knows what they could do with a couple of ghosts? 

She spun around to see her husband and immediately threw her arms around his neck. “Oh Jack! I was so worried! Where are Salem and Jasper?” 

Jack shakes his head, exasperated. “I can’t find them. They’re nowhere to be seen. I just hope they’re okay. I’m worried to death.” He hugs her back, shaking. He knew he couldn’t die, and neither could the boys or Sally, but they could still be harmed and that’s what terrified him. He wanted to find his children desperately, but was definitely happy that he had his beloved in his arms. “Are you okay?”

Jack was looking around frantically for Sally. He hadn’t seen her since before the masquerade. He was terrified that something had happened to her. He saw the familiar hair and hoped to the gods that that was her. He ran up and tapped her shoulder. “Sally? Is that you?”

Wren’s feelings suddenly turned darker as Jack listed the war he took part in, alarmed at the sound of this ‘Oogie Boogie.’ “Wait- I know the child of the Oogie Boogie. I met him not long ago- And Ollie. How do you feel about them?”

“Hyun? Yeah he’s okay. I’m thinking about allowing him into Halloweentown. I’m just not sure. He might sneak Oogie Boogie in. I’m a little wary of that.” He says.

Wren felt a sense of pride in that and continued to eat until his belly was full and his bowl was empty. He leaned back on his chair with satisfaction. “Can you see why we eat this before we go to war? Well, not war. Consider it more like disagreements between the clans that are solved with butting heads for an hour or so.”

He nods. “I’ve been at war. With Oogie Boogie. He tried to kill Sandy Claws. That’s what I call Santa Clause. But that’s all over and Oogie Boogie will never set foot in Halloweentown again.”

Wren smiled humbly at Jack’s response. He didn’t know why he cared so much of his approval but he wanted to impress the other. He was sharing a part of him from home and it was important for him that it was accepted here. “Well I made plenty for us. And don’t worry, secret is safe with me.”

He smiles. “It’s very delicious. You’re an excellent cook.” He eats as if he’s been starved. He doesn’t eat a lot, most of the time forgetting to eat at all. So when he does eat he usually scarfs it down.

Wren sat down with Jack, having set the servings up for them and tucked in to his meal. He sighed happily once he tried the first spoon. It was good, and he was glad he had the right ingredients. Fresh ones too. He grew a lot of his own back home. “I hope you like it.”

Jack takes a bite and groans. “Oh this is better than anything back home. Don’t tell anyone I said that though. This is delicious. I could eat this forever.” He exclaims happily.

“I really appreciate that. Seriously. You’ve been amazing and kind to me and I honestly couldn’t ask for more,” Wren admitted, filling up the bowls with hearty portions. They’d need all the energy they could get and he’d made lots spare, too. “How about some wine?”

Jack smiles. “I try to be kind to everyone. There’s few people I dislike, and that’s because they gave me a reason to dislike them.” He nods. “Oooo that looks so good.” He pours them a glass of wine, serving it to him.

“I like swimming too, although I usually swim in a lake or the sea. I was thinking of continuing to take up swimming while I was here. I prefer more solitary sports activities rather than team sports,” Wren admitted, stirring. “Do you want to try a little now and contain the rest for later?”

He smiles. “Well you’re always welcome in my pool. You can just come in anytime you want.” He nods. “Let’s do that. I won’t deny i’m a bit hungry.” He says, grabbing two bowls. “What would you like to drink?”

“I’m glad you like it. Its a decent price and very fitting for myself. I didn’t want anything to grand. Comfort over granduer anyday, right?” Wren said with a smile, emptying the last ingredients into the pot to finish it.

“My house is modest here too. It has a pool though. I’ve found I quite like swimming.” He smiles. “God it smells so good. I can’t wait to eat it.”

Wren was comforted by the fact that Jack genuinley seemed to care for him. He added the ingredients that were prepared and stirred, adding herbs and flavourings to the mix. It started to smell homely and reminded him of DunBroch, even if the thing tasted and smelt different each time he made it.

He smiles. “It smells amazing. I can’t wait to taste it.” He says excitedly. “You have a nice place here. It’s so homey.” He says, grinning at the man.

Wren rolled his eyes light heartedly and moved out of the way. “Sorry, I’m kind of aggressive when it comes to my cooking but that’s how I was taught. Everything always looks terrible but it tends to taste amazing. But sure, you cut, I’ll stir.”

He smiles. “I just don’t want you getting hurt. I’m not really any better though. No perfect cuts here. As long as it tastes good I don’t mind.” He starts to cut up everything, but he was slow at it.

Wren went about his own adventure in getting ingredients while Jack went to the farmers market. They’d arranged to meet up and when the other returned, he was already started on the brew. “Okay, lets chop up all these vegetables,” he said, directing the other. He wasn’t exactly clean cut with them though. His cutting skills were hazardly and rapid. He almost took off a finger, but at least it got the job done.

Jack came back with the ingredients excitedly. He gasped as Wren cut everything. “Be careful. I don’t want to eat your finger now.” He laughs. “Let me help cut for you?”