personal / rival

ఇ Pan returns the smirk without hesitation. "God, I wish. That'd be dope as hell. We could even have it be in red, white, and blue to match the theme. The best one I can see is like ... this medium one is a green and pink peony?" They point to the one tucked in the back. They didn't see a lot of ones outside the smaller box-ones or the sparklers, but there was no problem in saving the best for last. So long as it didn't tip any cows. "Think I'll have to set that off during the show ..." They waggle their brow. If it's at the same time, then nobody would be the wiser and just think it's part of it! Besides that, fireworks were allowed right now. "But these are all for public use, I swear!" The labels even say so!

ఇ "Do we gotta name for that? Like Gothicorn?" Could be a new patent if they put their mind to it. They place one hand right about their heart. "I'll have you know: I whole-ass everything, and half-ass nothing." It doesn't count for the chore wheel but hey, everything else was fair game! They take up one of the bean bags. "Looks like it's three of the furthest highest holes I gotta sink it in, sooo ... three dips." They waggle a finger. They're not yet tired, so they wind up their arm behind their back and toss the bag — backward? It hits the back ridge of the hole but still falls in. "I feel like this shit should get old, but it doesn't."

where: somewhere in the carnival grounds

when: july, 2026

"Come on, I know you've been holding out on me," Aisha was willing to pull out all the stops, including wide, almost pleading eyes, if it came down to it. She knew the games had been slightly rigged to ensure you spent extra on 'one game more', but it wouldn't stop her from having her roommate attempt to win her a prize for her. Priorities, after all. "Just one game of ring toss, to entertain me. If you don't win by the end of the round, you can choose what we do next. Do you accept this mission?"

ఇ Aisha hadn't released the kraken of big, pleading eyes as of yet, but Pan senses them on the distant horizon. They sigh dramatically, creating that raspberry sound with their lips and staring up towards the cloudless sky. "You're horrible. Ring toss. This is like skim milk. Just say you want that lobster, let's be honest." Of course they only dog on her. With yet another exaggerated sigh, they donate a bit of their remaining money to just one game of ring toss. "I ain't ever holding out on you! Who do you think I am, the Santa Claus saying you're naughty!?" Honestly if Pan was in charge of the naughty or nice list, they'd place Aisha at the top of the nice list every time. They flex their bicep black with ink and wink before picking up the first ring to toss it. It catches juuuust so. "Boo-yah."

Pan had texted her and she had been about to say it was too late and she was going to get ready for bed when her mom saw the text. She encouraged Mariah to go because she was never out on her own as just Mariah. They debated for a few moments before her mother replied to Pan's text that she would be there in twenty minutes. Mariah quickly put on some jeans and a t-shirt and brushed her hair and teeth before heading to the carnival. She smiled and waved as Pan called out to her. Chuckling at his greeting, Mariah took a few pieces of popcorn. "You know. Being a spider monkey with the Cullens." she teased back before eating the popcorn she took. Her eyebrows rose slightly as they told her where their bike was located. "Let's see what the carnival has to offer first." she smiled before starting to walk with them. She hadn't been on a bike in a few years when she was in a very different situation. "Ummm...the ferris wheel? That's always a good time, right?" she asked looking up at Pan. "How long have you been here anyway?"

ఇ They were glad that in the end they hadn't given up. They knew what it was like to have the best laid plans, and then they entirely went astray. Pan often tries to get her out of the house these days, so they had been expecting the usual I'm so sorry, can we rain-check? But it seems as though the carnival still has a bit of magic luring people out. (They wouldn't have been mad, just disappointed.) "Aw man. Sucks I missed out on that. I've always wanted to stand in the sun and sparkle." They hold out their arms as if the sun's shining down on them. It's only the bright lights from the Ferris wheel, and at her suggestion they lead the way toward it. The line isn't too long but there were a lot of people who still wanted to see Merrock from up high. "Wonder how many of these guys are tourists. It whacks me out still that people think of Merrock as a ... like, tourist-y town." To them, it was boring and home. "Eh ... Josh gave me the day off, so I've been here all day. What the hell else is there to do?" Once upon a time, Pan might have said that with some bitterness, but now it was just a simple question. If their bike being unable to stay without repairs for a week was the most exciting thing in their life, they figure it's a good thing. Or, well, they're trying to. And of course here they don't call him Mr. Lane at all. "Hope the Cullens don't miss ya too much, now you're with the wolves." The kettle corn was dwindling fast. They tend to talk a mile a minute and especially when eating, so they force themself to put a hard pause on the munching to ensure she gets some, holding it back out to her as they stand in line. "Bark-bark, awoo or whatever. This your first day coming?"

ఇ Pan's stare glazes over the minute curfews are mentioned. It throws them back to a time of being a teenager and told to be home by nine. (They never were. They could not stand it.) They give a low whistle in the middle of her explanation, his hands up in a mocking shake and already grimacing. "Jesus, are beach fireworks also on private property and somebody rich just said yeah go ahead? I ain't trying to go cow-tippin', juuust have fun with a sparkler or two." Would that convince her? Granted he had been looking at the bigger and colorful one but Pan is nothing but not adaptable. They can't believe they suddenly weren't thinking of getting into any trouble at all! "You gonna ... cuff me?" They make a wrinkled-nose face.

"Where there's a will, there's a way," he glanced towards the garage doors, trying to remember the Buick's owner coming through them, or if they had used a tow truck, but… he was fairly certain that they were right when Pan mentioned being unsure of how it was driven. "We'll make sure it leaves this garage much more driveable than it was when it came in." Maybe that should be some sort of slogan that they put over the doors, making sure everyone knew that their cars were in good hands when they came in. Bikes, even better. "I understand," he assured them with a small smile, "you don't want to be the person that tells someone that their standard oil change came out to thousands of dollars in repairs. But for what it's worth, I'm pretty sure that the Buick guy? That's just his slider. I've tuned up a couple of other cars that border antique status."

ఇ Pan nods in thought. Okay it may be an obvious answer but they can still take it to heart. It's the same everywhere no matter how big the city; if you know where to go and how to talk to people, you get a good cut of what's being had. Pan used to do that more often but has been a little bit of a hermit since they moved back to Merrock (and didn't realize it'd be their last time) last year. It's like a hit on their confidence bubble. "Good to know. I mean it's already hella good 'cause I don't have to cook it, but it's magic the way you get it even better. I oughta snuggle up to 'em the next time I head to Front Porch, see if the hotcakes are hotter." Because temperature was one thing but elevation in flavor is entirely another one. They bark a laugh at Josh's joke. "Oh sure. You could put printer paper in the sub sammy and I'd probably not even come up for air." This much was true despite the joke. "That'd make a hot slogan," they say. They don't even know Josh had the same idea. It just sounds catchy. Or kitsch like those signs above Ma and Pa stores. He smooths his hand across his chin and nods again. This satisfies him enough that he's able to eat in peace without overthinking the whole thing. Since when was he an overthinker anyway? "Hell no, but if it's his slider, then alright. Ain't gonna wanna cut corners. You never told me what your fave antique car you worked on is yet." They remember asking him, probably right in the middle of the rush (their timing is not great). Hey no better time to remind than to ask at lunch when nothing else needs to be going on.

ఇ "Whatcha doin' there, pal? Contemplating fuckin life without goin' up there?" Pan smirks as he approaches Xander, hands tucked in the pockets of their jeans, a swing in their step. They had been on the prowl for the late-afternoon snacks, because the stands change out what they sell and Pan would not be missing a tasty deal. They glance up at the highest car as if to prove their point (there was no point). "Suuuuure. We can hold hands if you're in need of emotional support. We can sing too. Did that in therapy one time ... not as embarrassing as you'd think." Xander's awkwardness doesn't bother them. They have enough annoying remarks they should stumble through (and don't) that they'll probably bother him before that happens.

WHERE: carnival

WHEN: july, 2026

"I'm going to go broke, but I'm going to win that unicorn," they pointed to the dark purple stuffed animal with a silver and blue mane and tail hanging out above the skee-ball slides, eyes narrowed in concentration, "in fact, if you help me out in my quest, I'll do whatever you want next, on my dime. Rides, more games, food... ice cream?" The last bit was supplied a bit sing-songed as they shot up both brows, trying to sound as appealing as possible.

ఇ "For a unicorn? Check her out, she's fabulous." From the last dart game they played, glitter adorns their hair in similar shades. Silver gets on their shoulders and purple trickles down their undershirt. What was with it being so humid today? Good thing they were used to it. "Dunno, she looks pretty hard to get, like a nice date ... might demand a huge ice cream." They follow along with their sing-song tone which breaks into a competitive grin. Their left pocket is devoid of change and stays inside-out. "Your dime's literal, right?" Because they didn't even have any pennies.

"Suck up," he grinned, reaching for a packaged salad for himself and dropping to sit in one of the camp chairs that had been scattered around the shop to keep a laidback, casual atmosphere. To encourage everyone to take breaks when they needed it, rather than working through a moment of frustration or dehydration. "But you're not wrong, I do bring the very best food." He didn't like to cheap anyone out of the good stuff, even if the credit went to the place that made the food. "By all means," he gestured to the Buick that Pan was talking about, "if they said to do whatever it needs, please do. Especially if it's the difference between the car running right or not. You could stop at an oil change, but there's a good chance they would just be back in the shop in a few weeks with a new list of things that need worked on."

ఇ The food motivation definitely worked on Pan. There was no getting around the influence good meals had on them. Scrabbling between paychecks and struggling to get groceries on the table for months would do that to a person. This is the most secure they have been in a while. In any other environment, they might even pretend to be cool, keep the swag on as they approached the table, but not in the garage. "I dunno how you do it. I know we ain't got a lotta choice, but you always make this stuff seem like it's brand new every time. I swear to god we've eaten at every restaurant in Merrock." Maybe there was an aura Josh grabbed when he became one of the garage's bosses, or maybe it was just something in his personality. Pan wondered if one day they could do it too. "Mm ... true. You got it. It's got a cracked gasket and the auto's on the fritz. He told me he can't really shift it into gear." A snort. "I dunno how the hell he brought it here." Cars and motorcycles were kind of like people to Pan. They kept going despite being run down and survived despite the odds against them. The problems they listed are typical of a Buick. When Josh sinks down, Pan joins him in the campy chair, legs sprawling and unwrapping the hot ham and cheese with gusto. It even had veggies on it. Health. "I just get ... weird about money. I dunno. I know how it is to be dunked on with expenses." However by this point they trusted Josh's opinion and expertise more than their own hesitation. And besides, the problems would in fact get worse, so there was no need to drag it out in the end.

WHERE: takato's, hideaway market

WHEN: june, 2026

"I've got lunch," Josh announced as he entered the bay of the garage, a box in one hand, bag full of bottled juices in the other. Summer had started out with a bang, the garage was busy, they were constantly moving cars and bikes in and out, and he thought that nothing boosted morale quite like making sure that everyone was well fed and happy... right? Wasn't that how that went?

Sweeping one arm across a nearby table, be pushed tools and discarded coffee cups aside -- he'd clean those later, he still made sure nothing fell off the table, which had to count for something -- and set everything down, clapping his hands together. "I've got salads, I've got soups, I've got sandwiches, first come first serve, and no low blows to fight each other to get to the good stuff. At least not that I can see."

ఇ Josh announcing I've brought lunch! acts like Pan's holy grail. They stop immediately in the middle of wrenching, sliding out from underneath the Buick LeSabre they're working on the underbelly of, smearing the back of their hand over their nose and — leaving behind a strip of motor oil, oops. The garage door opens wide like Pan already knows their mouth will to dine, and they rush over to the new outdoor sink that was installed. "Wait! Is it first come and serve if I say to save me a sandwich? Gah!" Practically tripping to reach the roll of paper towels, dragging them across their hands — aaand there's still some grease. "I won't blow low, Mr. Lane, I promise." A thousand and one times (probably), Josh has insisted no mister is needed, and for the most part, Pan has dropped it — except where the food is concerned. Now they use it as a tactic to weasel their way into getting the hottest sandwich. They use their two main fingers to pluck the sandwich from the pile by the paper. "Besides, ain't it all the good stuff when you bring it? That Buick needs a lot more than an oil change, by the way, I dunno if you want me to go ahead with that? The guy said do whatever it needs." They wave their hand as they unwrap the sandwich. People say what they don't mean all the time so it could mean no stop at the oil change anyway.

ఇ They narrow their eyes in disbelief. Something sounds suspicious about cherries all being different. "So, what I'm hearing is now we have to buy black and regular cherry sodas and compare them." They were always down for something like that. Pan leans over and inspects the punnet of the berries she has, making a very big hoorah out of flipping each one over and over, a nod of content to themself when no squished berries appeared. Then: "Ah-ah. Damn, we can't get this one. Look at the carnage." (It was exactly one small berry segment squished on the bottom of a whole berry.) They grin. This grin aims up at the poor attendant too, who seems like they would rather not work this job after this. Mood. "Yeah, yeah, we're joshin'. This punnet's the best. I'm gonna get a blueberry one, you want some? Doesn't baking soda wash keep it crisper or whatever? Thought I saw that on Tiktok." It would be rude or phone-attachment to pull it out now. Drawing from memory is hard work.

where: farmer's market

when: sometime in june

Ani picked up a punnet of berries, examining it with a raised brow. She was sure they were tasty but the woman next to her was being hyper-vigilant in examining every single piece of fruit in that basket and her shrill voice was making her feel like she needed to tell her to please relax. Desi had wondered off with the $10 she was given for the day to buy some kettle corn and Priya was following her, babbling on about whatever 9-year-olds were interested in these days. She couldn't keep up with the trends. She exhaled in thanks as the woman left to go talk someone else's ear off. Ani turned to the person next to her and smiled. "So what do you think? These are very nice looking raspberries, right?"

ఇ Pan currently has their eyes closed. Why Ani asked for their opinion on groceries for this week (when they didn't even live together) baffles them, and it baffles them further that they agreed without hesitation. Yeah, sure; what else do I have going on? Nothing a little power-nap can't cure, just for a moment. Sleeping standing up? Old hat. They hold a jar of jam, which were being sold directly next to the berries in question, as another variation on the crops provided. The babble of the other woman fades, and only then does Pan stop pretending to be asleep. "I ... thought we'd never be rid of that, hoooooly fuck." Under their breath. "I lost the plot between her yapping about the difference between a black cherry and a red cherry. It's a fuckin' ... cherry. Anyway." Upon her asking, they roll their eyes, but lean in to look. "I mean. They look like ... berries, Ani, what am I looking for? Monty Python's holy grail?" For them to whine during chores is no abnormal offense. They hold up the jam like it's a better idea and give her that cheeky smile.