Dancing through lighting Strikes

"really!?-" Queenie stopped themself from getting to excited "Great...holy shit I can't believe that worked." Okay so maybe they couldn't really stopped themselves from being excited "So Uh...you want to go to the sea dog next time you're off?"

"Well, I guess that's why that saying don't judge a book by its cover is so popular," Bart chuckled softly. "That sounds pretty fun. I mean, I watch people dance from the sidelines, and they all seem to be having such a good time. So I kind of figured being the person helping them have fun was its own kind of rewarding."

Queenie nodded in agreement when it came to the saying. "Well, now that you have a DJ as a Friend you gotta dance to my set! thems the rules!" They were kinda joking. "Or we could come here on a night and see a different DJ and I can help you get pulled off side lines."

"Yeah; but unfortunately breakups have a way of changing things. Sometimes you can't be both an ex and a friend." Narc knew that all too well. "You would have a friend there, duh. Me. You're not the only one who desperately needs to get over your ex. And yeah, if it doesn't result in a relationship, maybe you'll find a new friend."

"Does it make it worse that we weren't even officially together?" Lyla Cringed thinking about it now. It was more a friendship break-up than a romantic break up. "I would hope so! though who needs more friends when I have you" Lyra sat back an shrugged "You know we could go out and treat each other better than any partner this town could offer" Lyra was teasing but she wasn't totally wrong.

salem stayed quiet after his comment, her arms moving to cross tightly around her waist as she fell into step with him. gilen was the king of sending her mixed signals, and as much as she wanted to confront him about it, salem's fears always won out. she was terrified of getting the answer she didn't want, even if it was for the better. "you're good for plenty of things," she finally spoke, eyes turning up to meet his gaze. it was the perfect time for her cheeks to flush a bright pink color, even if she wished they wouldn't.

she looked from the bag to his face, idly wondering if this was even a good idea to begin with. salem could so easily take her bag back and head home, but the thought of spending time with gilen? she was a sucker. "sure. that sounds nice."

"well, maybe you should tell that to my parents..." He Chuckled. The last thing they would use to describe him would be Useful "but now I'm curious as to what you think I'm good for" he chuckled softly and nudged her noting the blush that formed on their cheeks but he didn't point it out. Not yet at least. He wanted to see how many more times he could get them to blush before the night was over.

Gilen nodded "Great, it's just up ahead." He pushed the unlock button on his keys. Stepping forward to put the bag in the back seat before opening the passenger side door "Your Chariot awaits" Gilen had a stupid grin on his face.

she was aware of the looks, catching a few out of the corner of her eye. but auden was used to being looked at, often drawing attention to themselves in some way, shape, or form; that's what happened when you were the town freak. but they'd learned to ignore it throughout the years, and as they watched cai shoot their own dirty looks at their spectators, they felt their lips tug into a pleased smile. it didn't last very long though.

"i promise i'm okay; i trip over my own feet all the time. it's just that the building doesn't usually have a service going on when it happens, and i feel bad interrupting and being a burden." auden wrinkled their nose, taking the key with a grateful look before disappearing down the hallway. they bypassed the change of clothes, knowing they'd just end up dirty within five minutes anyway. and while cleaning their palms stung, they knew it was necessary. they were in the process of wrapping them up when they went back to the main floor, seeking cai out and presenting them with the key. "thank you. i seriously appreciate it; i just feel bad for interrupting you."

Cai Continued to do their job after auden left. Not really caring if he had given them a dirty look just moments ago. He didn't let anyone disrespect his co-workers. Auden also felt like the younger sibling They never had, They felt a need to protect her when the moment came around. They really couldn't focus on their mind on the funeral at hand. They truly were worried for Auden.

Like clock work Auden came back to hand Cai the key. "You didn't change?" They question. Shaking his head they took the key and slipped it in their pocket. "You don't have to apologize. This is your place of work they're the ones visiting." He argued "Are you gonna be okay? Did you need any help" He motioned to the funeral "They're finishing up I think I can step away for a little bit."

"Well, I'm a little overly pessimistic," Lonnie admitted. "I don't think that's wrong of you. To want to go see or experience something else. I think a lot of people have that." He raised his eyebrow. "Haven't you heard? This place is - well. I don't know if magic is the right word. But apparently there's some sort of magic attached to it. But unless you've got a problem seeing ghosts and shit, it's just a normal town. So it's a normal town for me. But I know people who see stuff and then they come here and they don't see stuff anymore. Maybe that's why."

"Ghost?" She huffed a laugh "IS that why some people move here?" Then something clicked in her brain. A memory of her mother....Well her father telling her that her mother had gone to join her friends. She shook her head "I mean, that sounds crazy....I don't think my dad would be that crazy to move here for something like that." She remembers leaving pretty quickly "I just assumed he didn't want to live in the house my mom died in"

"On the other side of things I am stupidly tall" He chuckled. It was something he had always been hyper aware of. By middle school he had by past so many of his classmates. "I'm Hemlock Graves, and you are?" He put his hand out for her to shake. He didn't expect her to know who he was, or really anyone for that matter. He simply just lived in his own little bubble.

"You're so easy, you know that?" Mari let out a soft huff through her nose. "I'm kind of just being annoying, but you prickled so easily." She raised an eyebrow. "No; but I figured as long as I know math and have an eye for pretty things, it can't be that hard." She was just trying to get a rise out of them again, and unabashedly so.

"Oh, you can keep your eyes on whatever you want, just don't touch," Mari winked at t hem. "Mm. That's why I usually keep my distance. Drama at weddings? Tons of fun. Drama at funerals? I'd feel bad. Sometimes, sure, I knew them from work maybe, but other times, I mean... the town isn't that big."

"Do you expect anything less? This is my place of work. A place where I see people at their lowest and their worst" He said simply "So forgive me if I think you're constant visitation to something you have no reason to be at, something so sacred to people unhumorous." They couldn't help but be a little bit Protective of their Clients and their families. They put a lot of faith in Cai to take care of their loved one and Cai took that very seriously. "There medical things you need to know. Chemistry even and you have also need to know how to talk to people. Death is Sensitive topic, its sometimes considered Taboo." They explained as best as they could without getting heated.

"please..." Cai rolled their eyes at her, already tired of this interaction. "Perhaps it is small but even I don't know everyone and I've been here for quite sometime. I don't dwell on other people business. unlike some people"

"gilen, come on. the only thing i do for fun is sit at home with dull movies on while i doodle in my sketchbook. you must be mistaking me for my sister; she's the fun one, and even she'll tell you that." she only kept her hand in his for a beat or two longer before pulling it back, though she let him take her bag from her. "thank you. you don't need to carry that, but thank you." with a sigh, salem crossed her arms over her middle, gently nudging him with her shoulder as she followed after him.

"you gonna show off in pool again? you know i like it when you pull out your skills and leave everyone wondering what the hell just happened."

"Well, I don't really know your sister much so my bets still on you." He shrugged not really paying much attention to really anyone else when Salem was around. "If she says that to me I'll have a few things to say because I think you're great..." He said simply and he would defend Salem even to her own sister. "Eh, What else am I good for other than some eye candy and a pack mule?" Chuckling he resecured the bag to his shoulder.

"Maybe, but I'll do it just for you..." He chuckled motioning to Their bag "Do you want to just leave this in my car for the night? I can drive you home after were done tonight" He smiled softly.

when zoella spotted a cute man in the same store as her she couldn't help but slowly move to the same area as him until she was practically next to him. she acted dumb as she bumped into him, letting out a gentle gasp as she looked up at him. "oh my i'm so sorry, silly me i didn't see you there." she was absolutely playing it up but it's fine, she had no shame.

He was just trying to get a few things together for his dinner that night. He was contemplating just getting a few microwave dinners to save himself the trouble. However when hemlock did actually take the time to cook he genuinely enjoyed it. He was pulled from his thoughts from the slight bump against him and the gasp.

"Oh! no My apologies miss-" He turned clearing his throat his gaze meeting hers. She was so short compared to his overwhelming stature and there was no deny it she was Gorgeous. "Really, It's my fault I have a tendency to not pay attention to my surroundings very well"

"bullshit," salem giggled in reply, the peaks of their cheeks flushing a soft pink color. they hated being bashful around gilen, knowing that he wasn't scared to call them out on it if he happened to notice. thankfully, salem had gotten really good at hiding it from him. but then he was taking hold of their hand, and salem had to flex the fingers of their free hand to press their nails into their palm. they hated how badly they craved his touch.

"of course you can pull me away for a bit," they sighed, releasing the fist they'd made so they could adjust the bag on their shoulder. "let's do the roger; i wanna watch that lanky body of yours bend over a pool table for a little bit; i think that'll heal my depression."

"Its the truth, if i had met you sooner I probably would have been turned out more of a trouble maker than I already am..." He teased "Because now I'm finding any excuse to out fun you but I don't think that's possible." He noticed the slight tense in their hand as he held it. and while it might not have been the hand he was holding he could tell his touch had some sort of effect on them. He reached for their bag seeing them readjust it "Here, I'll take that for you"

He snorted a laugh "then I guess I better put on quite the show if its your mental heath on the line" He joked a bit starting to lead them to the Jolly Roger.

"welcome to hand me downs, if you need any help you can let me or one of the other associates know and we'll be happy to assist." he greeted from behind the counter as he did some paperwork behind it. he'd gotten used to working outside of an office plus this made sure if he was needed he was readily available.

Chris was really behind on his Christmas shopping this year. Mostly because he really did know what to get Josie. She had full access to the book store so books were out of the question and really Chris had no idea what Josie even liked anymore "I'm trying to find something for my daughter...do you maybe have some suggestions? Or...I don't know I'm starting to think a simple gift certificate is the way to go..."

"i'm just glad you're so understanding with all of this; not many people would be cool with so much chaos in such a small space. well, not that it's small, it's just a little more quaint than some bookstores that house these sort of things." she paused, huffing some hair away from her face. "i'm gonna shut up before i shove my foot any further into my mouth." she let out a tiny chuckle, flashing chris a grateful gaze. "thank you. seriously; this is the best."

the davis family was complicated in its own right, hoarding a stubbornness that could take down even the strongest of soldiers. but tessa knew when she had to give in, and this was one of those instances. "we didn't have a lot of kids, but i do have two older brothers. they're identical twins and they would've done much better had my parents not thrown a useless little sister into the mix." she shook her head, gesturing towards a nearby table. "i need to set up a flashy display. think you could help me with that?"

"You're not wrong it really is a small store but that's what people love about it. I think its the perfect space. It will make the signing more intimate" He smiled softly "I think if this place wasn't packed I'd be worried something was wrong. So believe me you're doing me a favor by bringing in potential customers maybe even some new regulars"

"You're not useless.." He quipped almost a bit protective. He chuckled slight catching himself "Sorry, you just remind me a lot of my sisters and I couldn't imagine life without them. If you family ever made you feel less than I'm so sorry..." he nodded with an understanding "I can try, I was never the most creative person growing up but I'll do my best" he said simply and headed for the supply closet. Bringing back some things that he could decorate the table with.

"Is it? I didn't know that was in the job description." Mari commented casually. "Maybe I should apply to be - what exactly? A funeral director? I guess it is in the name. You're here to direct."

"And what if I do?" She teased before shaking her head "No. I don't. I suppose you could call it a morbid curiosity. I don't disrupt anyone. I keep my distance. But there's also something beautiful about a funeral. How many people show up, etc. Just really makes you think about your own mortality and connections to people."

"I'm a mortician but in the event that the funeral director can't be here I can take over if need be." He shrugged a little "Do you have the proper education for it? There is more to this job than just standing in the background of the services...." They taunted a bit stepping closer to her.

"Perhaps, but it just means I'll be keeping my eyes on you from now on." They said simply. "Some family members might not take it well if there is a random stranger at their family's funeral..." He chuckled "Especially someone so young that they can assume has something much better to do than be at something like this" Cai had seen it all. From Astringed children to unknown mistresses, Funerals were almost as drama ridden as Weddings.