( & & ▒ TROUBLED YOUTH * )

“Look, this isn’t a JOKE.” Xavier huffed out, his voice louder than it had ever been to them since they’ve known each other. “You’re hiding something from me.. I thought we told each other everything? Why can’t you just be HONEST ?? ”

Caroline grinned, watching them go back and forth. She had been an only child her entire life, sometimes she thought it may have been easier growing up if she had someone to lean on; like these two did. “Oh yeah, totally serious. My Uncle is kind of a Grinch around here, so it’s the least I could do.”  And to be honest, Caroline just loved Christmas -- she could understand Delaney’s want for all the lights and decoration, it would make the place seem more like home. She glanced over to the male, quirking a brow. “Never been much a fan of jewelry.” She lied, the ring was beautiful, and it had edge. But it seemed to hold more value to him, than it ever would her. But once Drystan mentioned the cursed objects, Caroline wiggled her brows in excitement.  “I can’t say I believe in curses as much as the next voodoo priest, but where there’s a curse, there’s a story. And I’m a sucker for a good story, ask your brother here.” She teased, hinting back to the folklore of the Werewolves.  She glanced back at where Delaney had nudged, and nodded with a smile as she pursed her lips. “Not a problem, it’s kind of heavy -- not sure your brother to lug it over there on his own.” She laughed, knowing these things were too much weight usually for one body alone.  “Oh, he’s been spitting quite the game. You know, even hustled me into having a drink with him.” Caroline winked playfully, knowing with full intent that’s not exactly how it had went down. “I mean, it’s a pretty impressive tree, Drystan!”  

Caroline enjoyed Dryston’s company, he wasn’t like others she had met that had very little. Sometimes she didn’t blame the ones that stole food from convenient stores, they were just trying to do what everyone else was these days; survive. Her lips pulled upward into a kind smile, and her cheeks heated to a tinted pink against her porcelain skin. She stood there, as the other called his sister to meet them. He had mentioned them being twins, and there was no doubt about that. She had the same roundness to her eyes, the way her lips parted when she spoke practically mirrored his own. She couldn’t help but wonder if she too, had the hint of a crooked smile. But Caroline decided to keep all these observations to herself fr the time being. She offered the woman a kind smile, the same she would do for anyone. “Hi, you’re Delaney, right? Your brother was just telling me that you’re in the market for a Christmas tree. My uncle owns the place, so I told him if he could offer up a trade worth my while, I’d help you guys load up this bad boy. Trust me, the tall ones are overrated.” She  teased lightly, before shrugging her shoulders and placing her hands deep in her jacket pockets. “Plus, I hear you got some pretty cool stuff back home. I’ve always been a sucker for a good curse.” She tucked a piece of blonde hair behind her ear before speaking again. “If you guys need any lights, we have thousands of them in the attic. And it’s not a hand-out, it could be known as hard-labor though; they’ve been tangled up for years.” 

Caroline enjoyed the way his smile softened up his rough features, glancing away she nodded through a bashful grin. “Oh, your money would not be wasted my friend. Seriously, my mother wanted me to do beauty pageants when I was younger, wish it could have been my thing but the only real qualifying talent I had was being blonde enough.” She laughed, shuddering at the memory of fluffy dresses and bow-socks. To be honest, Caroline just didn’t want to take something that may have meant more to him than it would her. She knew what it was like to be down on your luck, when her mother died -- she rebelled, got kicked out of the house at age sixteen, was on her own for awhile before she went to live with her uncle. She still doesn’t hav the best relationship with her dad, but she understands now that every time he looks at her, he sees her mom. Caroline lifted a curious brow before her mile widened, crossing her arms around her chest. “You know, the whole cursed thing might be a little much when you throw your next house-warming party.” She teased lightly, nudging him playfully with her elbow. She then looked around her shoulder, spotting the dark hair among a sea of blondes. “There’s your girl, right?”

“Those are the best kind, I always loved music like that -- it has more soul, ya’ know? Classical puts me to sleep sometimes.” She grinned, nodding in agreement. She would have been lying if she hadn’t noticed the lingering eyes from around the city. In fact, she would probably get an earful from her uncle later. It all sounded like the thing he was into, he had always been extremely superstitious. Once, even convinced her when she was twelve that their neighbor was a witch, silly man. Caroline, however, was drawn to the facts. She had never really believed in something, until she saw it with her own eyes. That’s what this job did to people, it turned first respondents into realists. Suppose that’s why she’s never been too religious either. “Yeah, I thought about being a Dominatrix but decided to put my skills to better use and turn it into a real badge and gun. Besides, I’ve never been great in heels.” She taunted with a smirk, but of course she was just testing him, a playful undertone lacing her words. His next statement did however, cause her brows to perk in curiosity, Listening to him carefully, watching him as he stalked slowly. It made her stomach bubble with anticipation. If she got anything out of being a cop, it was reading people. And for a moment, it seemed he had actually believed the story he was telling. “Sounds like you might have let those children stories get in your head a little bit.” She spoke with a slight grin before shrugging her shoulders. “No, I would never ask her to part with a mother’s gift. They’re too important.” She spoke from experience, her mother had been gone for a long time now. “However, I wouldn’t mind having a peek around. You have me curious, is there a wolf in your closet?” She teased lightly. 

Caroline chuckled, covering her mouth so she didn’t snort when she laughed -- a god awful habit she’s had since she was a kid. “Damn, no trumpets.. I guess we could rock on the violin if she played it like a fiddle, I’m sure there’s an abandoned banjo somewhere in these backwoods.” She teased, lifting her brows a bit. “But admittedly, that’s impressive of her. The only thing I’ve ever been good at, is learning how to pin a guy in three seconds.” She wiggled her brows at him before faking a shocked expression. “You scare me? Well, I am absolutely terrified of .. Werewolves? Totally. Wait, are we talking Underworld Werewolves, or Twilight Werewolves? Because depending on your answer that may sway my decision on to run away screaming like a little girl. Choose wisely.” Caroline laughed again, she had never heard such ridiculous stories in her life. Werewolves? Did people in this town actually believe that hoo-ha? “And I’ll have you know, sir -- I am not easily bullied.” Her eyes glanced down to the ring on his finger, and she felt a smudge of guilt creep up on her as he handed it to her. It was beautiful, and strangely wicked; but she was a sucker for oddities. “Well, I can’t turn down on offer on something as shiny as that.” She chewed on her lower petal for a moment. “Are you sure you wanna’ give it up?” 

“Oh does it? Eh, being subtle was never really my strong suit, if we’re being honest here.” She teased, mirroring the sly grin that hinted at his scruffy features. Crystal hues caught his gaze, and she lifted a perplexed brow, a smirk curling into the corners of her mouth. “Roma twins, huh? Now that sounds interesting. I’m not really one for rumors, I think I’ll decide that on my own. As for going on the road, I could do the street performances. See, you can play the trumpet, and I can go like this.” She mimicked, wiggling her fingers like jazz-hands. “Huh? Huh? Pretty good right?” Caroline giggled, rumors only existed when you believed in them. Gypsies didn’t scare her, she had seen many more frightening than the fellow before her. “It’s a culture, not a discretion. It’s a shame more people don’t think so.” She huffed the last part out, mostly to herself before nodding. “Alright Rumpelstiltskin, whatcha’ got to trade for it?” 

“Oh, I love my uncle. But his manners could be tweaked. You can choose your friends, can’t choose your family.” Caroline explained with a playful roll of her eyes.”Plus, he keeps me around because of the whole badge and gun thing during the seasons. Last year, he had a kid set flame some of his market for something called Vine.” She was trying to defend his behavior, but that didn’t excuse him for being a dick. He had always been that way, even when she was a child. Glancing over her shoulder, she nudged her chin upward directing him towards the row of trees. Height is overrated, I’d go for the fuller ones. They look better all lit up when it’s said and done. It’s not a handout, just give me what you got and get me a drink and we’ll call it even.”

Levi has felt like shit for weeks; the guilt had been eating him from the inside out. Not that he ever acted on these newfound.. feelings. “Callie..” Her name felt helpless on his lips. Reaching out, slender fingers pawed at her wrist, keeping a soft grasp in an effort to stop her from turning away. “I didn’t love her, you know that right?” He didn’t -- he loved Callie. But Laura had snuck up on him, and to deny he hadn’t felt something for the girl, he’d be lying,  

Caroline’s lips turned upward into a graceful grin, nodding at his words. “It’s nice to meet you Drys. I’m Caroline, you can call me whatever you want. But I’d refrain from using Pookie, that’s reserved for my mom.” She understood that it was hard this year for a lot of people, it’s why she helped out during the Holiday seasons. Pursing her lips, she nodded. “Ah, well it’s perfect if you’re going for the Charlie Brown Christmas theme. But if you’d like, I’m kind of a big deal around here, ya’ know -- the plug? I got all the connects for the Christmas season.” She was half-way joking, lifting her brows playfully. “Nah but seriously, consider it an apology, and it would drive my uncle nuts, which is a plus.”