.:: taken by the wind

“of course,” the woman tilted her head, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear. “it’s a festival for everyone, everything is paid for and free. it’s supposed to be an experience… a chance to feel love with our town.” 

malefica: i wouldn’t go to the corner of 2nd street and harbor blvd if i were you.

Once again, he shrugged at her. “I must have terrible intent then.” He happily quipped, now allowing the corner of his lip to curve as he did so. As she directed towards someone, Miguel shifted his gaze to glance at them, only for his eyes to swiftly gleam with recognition. He didn’t necessarily know them, but he has seen them around a lot, and so after silently observing them for a couple of minutes, Miguel nodded. “Ok, biologically they are obviously a female. Most likely prefer the pronouns she/her and is in her thirties. Early though, very early, like may just have turned thirty or so within the recent months. And creative too. Might be an artist of some sorts. Or a writer. Classy though. Oh, and definitely is a friend of nature.”

    ---- her hackles raised and defenses were up. there was something about this kid. he just... knew how to push her buttons. “bet,” was all she replied to him and his smirk. she followed his gaze and stared down the person he was talking about. lips pursed and arms crossed over her chest, shock shifted her weight onto her back leg as she looked at miguel once more. “definitely stalking,” she sang, a wicked look on her face. “you can just admit it. your life would be so much easier,” shock replied, letting the spider go on a nearby plant.

“yup! everyone in town is automatically invited,” she nodded happily. “are you interested?” 

“just because i’m the youngest doesn’t mean i can’t be perspective.” perceptive, barrel. you mean perceptive. anyway, he knows it’s a good thing, so he smiles at his sister’s comment. “well, aren’t we all? that’s why we do this shit. keeps a roof over our heads, don’t it?” he shrugs. there’s a moment of silence, but shock’s next words pique his interest even more than the previous conversation did. “play both sides?” he blinks, struggling to believe it’s her that’s the first one to utter such an idea and not him — not-so-secret mr. skellington fan. “why can’t we all just be our own responsibilities? if i were an only child, i would’ve had to make it on my own when mom and dad turned out to be fuck ups. y’know, protect myself. and i can protect myself even with you and lock in the picture… you don’t always gotta baby me.”

    ---- shock looked at her brother with a bemused expression. “right,” she replied. a small smile played at her mouth as she focused on her brother. however a sigh escaped her mouth. “i don’t put my eggs all in one basket. oogie could easily cut us off and then we’d be even worse off,” she reminded him. they were technically all expendable to their boss. she looked at barrel once more and nodded. “work for jack, too. afterall, he’s always trying to top his own parties. and when it comes to halloween, we’re the best.” it was obvious. extra money. extra hijinks. all that. the eldest selick pursed her lips. mom and dad were still a sore spot for her. “i promised myself i would watch out for you two knuckleheads,” she near snapped.

“a spider?” he questioned with a crinkled nose. “kid, you’ve got some serious issues if you’re carrying spiders around willingly. i mean, where are you even hiding one right now?” 

taffyta was convinced that the selick family only existed to make her life a living hell. barrel wasn’t so much a problem– he basically did whatever his brother and sister told him to. he was no real threat to her. but she tried her very best to avoid both lock and shock as best as she could. it was hard, though, with lock begging her for money on what seemed like every other day. it was even harder with shock, who seemed to be standing around every street corner, as if just waiting for taffyta to pass. “ what do you want, wicked witch of the west? ” taffyta knew she was testing her luck with her attitude, but she was never one to cower in fear. “ whatever bad thing has happened to you this week wasn’t my fault. ” / @shxckingg

lock scoffs, pulling out a chair and falling lazily into it before propping his feet up on the small table. “ not this time … we’ll be stronger in a trio. we’ll need someone to be the bait and no one’s as good at playing dumb as barrel. comes naturally and all that. ‘sides oogie said no mistakes or — ” gesturing, lock drags a finger across his throat, adding a small sound effect before hanging his head to the side. 

     sally raised her brows  when the other girl mentioned a cost ,  though it wasn’t that much of a surprise .  she couldn’t blame shock for wanting to make a quick ,  extra buck here and there  —  after all ,  the redhead was just the same .  usually ,  she’d give people her baked goods for free ,  but never refused payment if someone insisted on giving back .  ❝  i …  okay ,  sure !  i’m not sure i want to be a bother to  your brothers  though ,  assuming they’re home .  maybe tea leaves then ?  ❞

barrel frowns — he hates the fact that every single word that comes out of his siblings’ mouths seems to be either patronizing or peppered with insults. still, he appreciates the validation of her admitting he might have a point. “maybe it’s time he like, i dunno’— stops bribing teenagers? w-well, i guess i’m the only teenager, but you get my point,” he shrugs. “honestly? don’t laugh, but sometimes i kinda wish we were on the other side. y’know? as in… working for jack skellington. at least he seems like more of a decent guy than oogie. i bet he has enough money to give me the extra i’d need for the skateboard, too.” at her blatant attempt at egging-on, he only rolls his eyes. “do it, huh? you just wanna see me get in trouble, dickwad.”

    ---- the more barrel spoke, the more that shock realised he had a point. “when did you get so perceptive?” she asked in a sour tone, but genuinely proud of her little brother. the elder pursed her lips. barrel’s point was extremely valid, however to an extent oogie held power over them. plus there was the fact that the trio were his fall guys; sam as lock was to her. “i mean. i’m all about money,” was the only reply that she could come up with in the moment. “but,” she began, getting one of her ideas that shock was known for, “we could always play both sides.” it would be risky. very risky. but... always an interesting idea. “nah. if you got in trouble it would be my responsibility. just get a job. legal or illegal, i don’t care.”