Wild Child

Maybe it was because the cinema had seen it's share of disaster a few years back and piecing it back together had given it a sort of shielding from the typical town chaos, or maybe the town just liked the old nostalgic spot and didn't throw too much of a mess in its direction very often. But Lucky always figured it was never a given that was going to last out forever.

When he thought in terms like that though one of the thoughts that never really crossed his mind was his sister might just walk through the office door one day, like it was the most normal thing in the world.

He blinked, slow and like he was trying to make sure what he was seeing was actually what he seeing, confirming what he was hearing really was what he was hearing and that voice was a familiar one from a time that felt lost.

But it was her, if nothing else the fact that she was shooting him a flat look might have confirmed it.

He nearly dropped the phone, and then he did set it aside on the desk because he didn't really want to have to replace the thing.

"Pepper? How'd-" it was the sort of question that didn't matter though, wasn't it? The how wasn't important. The complicated twist in the pit of his stomach, apprehension and guilt, a dizzy sort of elation at seeing her again; it all tumbled over him at once and he'd moved, a reflex, from his seat but then slowed himself to a stop because he didn't really know what exactly to do with himself right at that moment.

But on the reverse side of that, she wanted to march right over to him and wrap her body around his like an octopus. If she did that then there was no denying that he was real and he was in front of her. She'd already seen Roland. Seeing Lucky made that phantom limb less of one. It had a corporeal form and was real. There was no more explaining away the missing piece, no more trying to justify that gaping hole in the middle of her chest.

It took her a moment, her features going through a complex range of utter disbelief, anger, and happiness before finally settling on relief.

She moved quickly, her legs bringing her closer to Lucky before she launched herself at the other Doyle. She wrapped around him like a vine growing around a tree, tight and unyielding, as she buried her face against his shoulder.

"You absolute fucking asshole," she seethed even as she felt that tell tale moisture building at her lashes. "You don't get to disappear off the face of the Earth like that. You don't get to leave me behind. Ever. Selfish fucking bastard. I missed you."

That was usually the time like he had to spend in his office making plans for the months ahead. Because he had learned plans months in advance were a necessity when it came to all the strings that needed to be pulled for events and changing the film roster played in the screening rooms that showed newer films instead of the two that continued the cinema tradition of those old Hollywood movies instead.

Summer wasn't even over and he was busy getting in contact with the necessary vendors and making sure everything was in order for fall and holiday events.

If nothing else the cinema had required Lucky to think about the future, think about having one and where it was going to find him. And that wasn't such a bad thing.

But it did mean he spent an awfully long time on his phone, or surrounded by paperwork before he usually spent a few evenings during the week at his job over at the Court of Miracles. The paperwork was threatening to eat him alive that day though and he'd taken a break to scroll through his phone.

Social media didn't hold his interest much, Scott was largely in charge of that part of the cinema advertising anyway, and Lucky didn't care much either way to waste his time scrolling. But he liked to look at the pictures stored in the phone, ones the twins had conspired together to somehow upload and send to him; it felt like a little piece of home again.

He was still lost in those images when Adaline popped up at the door, a vibrating blur of rainbow colors that really had nothing to do with pride months because the cheerful fairy was always brightly colored from her hair to all the pins on her uniform vest.

"Somebody here to see you," she chirped with a smile that looked just a little like she was holding in a secret, and then just as quickly she was gone and ushering whoever it was through the door while Lucky glanced up from the screen.

Lucky’s and Roland’s absence had felt like a phantom limb. It wasn’t there any more but she couldn’t convince her brain of that. She still found herself turning to show them something, to drag them into some silly scheme. Her fingers had typed out so many unsent texts detailing the places she’d been to, the things she’d seen. Even silly stories about their other siblings. The times she did send those texts, Roland answered. Lucky was an entirely different story.

Still, she didn’t let her nerves stop her as she talked the very vibrant and enthusiastic employee in the front of the cinema. She barely had time to process before she was being led through and towards an office door.

She barely had a moment to prepare herself before said employee was ushering into the room and closing the door behind them. Barely a moment to register that Lucky was there. That was him sitting behind the desk, phone still in hand watching her watch him.

“So you do know how to work one’a those things.”

"I guess that depends what you're into," Agustin said as he was on his way into the Board office. "Book club if you read. Dinner club if you like to cook. Oh--"

He pointed to a flier.

"Running club if you're into that sort of thing. My daughter runs a magick support group. And it's Pride, there's all sorts of events during Pride."

"Runnin' club..." she hummed as her gaze lingered on the flier before she turned towards the man. He looked like he belonged there. All business casual and such. "D'you know if they have a hiking club or something like that? Runnin' is fun and all but I like to explore the great outdoors at a much more leisurely pace."

This girl was clearly not from Swynlake. Hell, she was probably from closer to where Damian was from. She was a pretty thing, too. The combination of those two things was enough for him to continue the conversation. 

“If I’m being totally honest,” he said, letting his own accent slip out a bit, “I just moved her myself. So, what I’ve been doing is just kinda …” He made a show of closing his eyes and then pointing a finger, gesturing in the air, before jabbing it at a flyer. 

“Movie Night at the Comic Barn,” he read from the brightly colored flyer. “This week’s showing is Superman (2025).” He chuckled and glanced back at the girl. “Well there you go.” 

Thankfully, Phoebe was the one in control and she decidedly did not do that.

She did smile, though. Bright and big. Nice and welcoming like her mama had taught her to. "That... is a brilliant idea," she drawled, trying her best to hide the slight excitement in her voice. She didn't know what the Comic Barn was or if this movie night was a big to do but it sounded fun. And she hadn't seen Superman yet. It sounded like a good a time regardless.

"You from Appalachia too?" She asked, not denying her curiosity. She hadn't thought for a moment that she'd find someone from so close to home in Swynlake. At least, not anyone that wasn't her brothers.

"Audrey." She nodded back with a smile, "Got in a few years ago." She stretched her arms out a bit in front of her, "As for the atmosphere of the Court, think updated jazz club. Chill vibes. Good drinks. Live music." She painted the picture of the Court. It really was one of the better places to be in town, not that she didn't love a good shit faced make out in Pierrot's but you couldn't have that every night.

"Plus, the talent is usually really nice to look at." Audrey said casually with a grin, her eyes glancing over the blonde, "Kind of the thing about this place, a lot of attractive people pass through."

While her gaze had wandered to Audrey briefly, she flicked it back to the posters to try and commit the place to memory. There was really no turning down an updated jazz club. It was the kind of thing you'd find back home. The type of place that lured people in looking for something a bit more alluring and mysterious than the typical club atmosphere.

"Safe to say I'd see you there?" She questioned with a slight tilt of her head. "Might make the place even better seein' a friendly face there. Forgot how wild it is bein' a new face."

But…

As much as he hated to admit it, Swynlake had grown on him. Sure it was a magick friendly town ( the one thing he was taught to hate when he was a kid. ), but, his long time fling was here.

Needless to say it was somewhat paradise.

Speaking of, the sun was finally giving off its full energy and warming this quaint town.

Which ment one thing, he had no more excuses to be cramped in that joke of an apartment.

So off for a stroll he went.

That’s when the former Pirate started to gravitate towards the Community board, see what this town had in mind for this month.

As he continued to examine the future plans a stranger decided to strike up a conversation with him.

“Hmm???” He let off before turning to Phobe! It wasn’t long before she was asking him questions. “ Oh… umm…” it felt like some sort of trick or even rhetorical, but, he decided to answer honestly ( for once ) “ what ever calls my name…” he admitted before letting off a a hum.

“Maybe… start with what’s next… Yes,No?”

At least if she picked the next thing coming up it would be manageable. Less anxiety inducing than trying to do everything all at once.

"Not a bad idea, really," she hummed, looking over at the man that spoke. "Dunno how much fun bingo could be but hey! It's the next thing comin' up. Wonder what they mean by the prizes. Gonna make things interesting for sure."

As she made her way toward the community board, she noticed an unfamiliar face making a study of it all. Ah, a new visitor. This was the best place to get familiarized with Swynlake.

"Well, I think if you see that there's plenty of opportunity to try everything the longer you stay in this town, I think you'll find it easy to pick one and then go down the list through your time here." Judy said with a small smile. "I would recommend visiting the lake, it's so beautiful this time of year. And also Hatter's is our popular spot for tea and coffee. Really lovely shop."

[outfit is just her uniform so lol]

"I guess you're right," she drawled, finally turning her gaze from the wall of flyers. She was a woman in uniform and something in that gave Phoebe pause. There was no denying that there were people out there that hated her for what she was. Swynlake was supposed to be more open-minded but there was always the chance. But if she didn't know then it had to be fine, right?

She smiled softly, taming the edges of herself that often went unchecked simply because she was around people who knew her well. "I've seen the lake. It's... incredible. Breath takin' truly," she huffed out a soft laugh. "Might hafta try out that Hatter's too. If the town stops turnin' me every which way. Any tips on that? Or am I just s'posed to take it all on the chin? It does get more friendly, right?"

She debated on approaching her, engaging, whether or not she had enough on her plate at the moment, but she figured fuck it. Crossing her arms, she looked over the Town Hall board next to her. "Gotta choose which one suits your interests. Me? I'm not exactly the karaoke type. But I know plenty who are." She pointed over towards a different flyer, "I'm pretty partial to most of the Court events, meet people, listen to music, good atmosphere, or entirely different, something I can do with my hands." She flexed her finger tips on the flyer she'd been pointing to before putting her hand back down.

"Guessing you're new around here then." Audrey said, looking the blonde over with a small smirk playing on her lips.

"Hmmm, karaoke can be fun though. Gettin' drunk and beltin' out your favorite song," she grinned, twirling one of the rings on her hand. "But it ain't for everyone." Her gaze trailed over the other posters, taking them in with a thoughtful tilt of her head. "Midnight Bingo? Ain't too sure how bingo could be that interestin'. Ain't that somethin' old folks do t'pass the time?" She giggled then, giving the other woman a teasing smile.

The Court, though, that sounded fun. Sounded like a place she could lose herself in. As much as she missed being on stage sometimes, she'd found a different sort of pleasure watching other people take the stage. How many bars had she found refuge in back home? "What the atmosphere like there? Gotta be pretty good if its somewhere you like to haunt."

She nodded then, a fun little thrill going through her at the other woman's looks. "Yeah. Got in a few weeks ago. Phoebe, by the way. Nice t'meet you."

And that thought put a slight damper on things.

But that was why she was here! Not to get the band back together but to somehow get her brothers to stop being absolute idiots. She just... needed to talk to them first. Which she would! They were the big ticket items on her to do list.

She just... wanted to explore a bit first. She wasn't sure how long she'd be in Swynlake so she wanted to get the most out of it for as long as she could.

Peering at the communication board at Town Hall, she hummed as she took in everything that seemed to be going on. "How in the hell d'you pick just one thing to do?" She mused out loud. "Got any recommendations?"

[outfit]

He was searching the bushes nearby in case his pet had gotten her little sweater caught on a branch when he finally spotted the orange tabby approaching a woman on the sidewalk, demanding as much attention as the feline could soak up.

He sighed, relief flooding his system, and hurried forward.

"Hey! There's my little escape artist!" He announced, unable to scoop the cat up as she was trying to do little circles around the woman's legs. Scott looked at the stranger, feeling that familiar hum but chose to ignore it. "Sorry if she's bothering you."

Monotony bred contempt or whatever some pretentious fuck said.

What she wasn't expecting was the most adorable cat approaching her as she made her way to Pierrot's. The orange cat was insistent as she demanded Phoebe's attention. Attention that was easy to give as she reached down to scratch at the cat's ears. She laughed as she wove between her legs, rubbing against her in that adorable sweater.

"You really are the cutest lil' thing ain't ya?" She mumbled as she stooped down. She looked up as she heard a voice, grinning at them as the cat bumped against her shin. "Naw. She ain't no problem. Very adorable. Very demanding."

[outfit]

She knew it was a fool's errand. That there was still so much animosity there. But Phoebe was nothing if not determined. She missed her brothers. Missed the antics she would get dragged into. Missed having her support pillars around her.

Sure, she still talked to them. Those late night texts and phone calls that kept them tethered despite the miles of ocean between them physically. Roland was doing amazing with his cooking thing. That charisma that had charmed so many people when he was on stage easily bleeding through to his podcast and other ventures. Pepper listened to every new one, watching raptly any time new content came up. He was made for the limelight and she was so proud of the success he'd found after the band.

He was first on her list, naturally. She knew he would be the tougher nut to crack in her epic plot to reunite the Doyle Triplets again. He still didn't think he'd done anything wrong; a fact that posed a completely different kind of challenge. But she could work with it. Even if he liked to change the subject whenever she brought up their younger brother.

It was easy to find Gusteau's, the swanky place sticking out somewhat in such a cute little town. It was even easier to get a table at the tail end of what she assumed was their lunch rush. She ordered water before asking if Roland was working (she knew he was, had confirmed it through text without telling him why she needed to know) and requesting to talk to him.

She fiddled with her phone while she waited, playing a few mindless games until her nostrils flared and her head tilted at the familiar scent of her brother wafted over. "Is it too cliche say to say surprise?"

[outfit]

She wasn’t the only one looking for something to wear, evidently. Hera looked up from where she had been parsing through the formalwear, accidentally making eye contact. “Looking for promwear?” She guessed. “Have you picked a dream to dress for? I’m not sure I even know where to begin.”

She was really just surveying the town. Getting a lay of the land, if you will.

Which she will argue is exactly what she was doing, not looking at dresses for an event she'd only heard about through the grapevine. "A dream to dress?" She raised an eyebrow at the woman, letting her fingers drop from the silky fabric she'd been looking at. "Is that the theme? Something to do with dreams? Sounds like a wild concept for a prom."