@demonator

Adele looked over to the man near her and smiled. “I guess you’re right, but it doesn’t make it any less – well, I guess the word I’m looking for is terrible,” she furrowed her brows. “I mean, I guess I don’t know enough children myself, but I’d assume they might want something more – imaginative? At least Rabbit lives in the Hundred Acre Wood with Eeyore, Piglet, and the one and only Winnie the Pooh. All Lizzy has is a shit excuse for a sidekick character called Alvin the Alligator. If I’m honest, I prefer Alvin to Lizzy,” she returned her glance to the manuscript, “Alvin at least has a personality. A bit like Rabbit actually in that he’d much prefer if everyone leave him alone and finds Lizzy’s antics bothersome,” she smirked. “But, again, maybe I’m too far separated from kids to understand what kinds of characters they like.”

“Yeah, I mean... it kind of depends on the age range, doesn’t it? A one year old is only going to care about sounds and whether the book has a pop-up or not, whilst a three year old would want something with a bit more story to it. I personally prefer to buy those that has something to teach, like counting together or typical how to behave and whatnot.” Was he truly having a conversation about children’s books during lunch? Seemed like it. “But I’m going to take a guess and say this author hasn’t thought that far, or? Maybe she’s writing for the wrong age category, however I’m the worst to talk about such as I’ve never finished a proper book in my whole life.” To him, reading was a hassle he was unwilling to put himself through. He had tried during school, but the deadlines had killed any type of motivation he had owned for the task. “Do you ever screen test the books before publishing them or do you only go by guts?”

“I’m not entirely sure what they even mean here,” Adele pulled the red pen out from behind her ear and marking at the manuscript already covered in red markings. “Not to mention the main character’s name has changed spelling at least four times,” she groaned. “Honestly – if people paid a little more attention, maybe I wouldn’t have to take this shit home with me.” If she were honest with herself, she would admit she didn’t do much work while she were home by herself, but it was more interesting to be dramatic. “Besides, I don’t even know what this book is supposed to be about? Some sort of magical lizard named Lizzy? What do think kids are, idiots?”

Having lacked time to pack lunch the day before, Simon held no other option but to scout the city for something of interest. He had managed to find some sort of diner not too far from work itself, much to his favor, and nestled himself at a table in the further end of the room. However, he had barely glanced at the menu between his hands before a voice to his side caught his attention -- sitting on the feeling she was merely speaking aloud -- his tongue itching to add a comment of his own. “I don’t think my daughter would be able to pull that connection, honestly. I’m going to reckon you’re at least a little bit familiar with things such as Winnie the Pooh that has characters literally just named ‘Rabbit’ or that donkey named after it’s own sound. As long as it’s colorful and has something that rhymes they’ll eat it up.”

Placing a hand over her heart dramatically, Oli let out a gasp that was just as dramatic, “I loved the Revengers! Metal Man and Bulk? Iconic! You really stood your own against that cast. And your voice overs? A work of art. I can hardly believe I’m this close to such a huge star,” she said, fanning herself with her hand. The student loans she racked up at school were mocking her over the top acting, but it was worth it to add to her and Simon’s ongoing joke. He was not only holding his own, but genuinely funny without being offensive, which unfortunately was a bit hard to find these days. 

“Oh it’s just a sort of a–” Oli paused for a moment, feeling like she was sitting across from an interviewer during a press junket and had to relay her practiced answers. It wasn’t like he was giving off any sort of formal vibe, it was a simply question, really. She tried to shake off the feeling of this being anything other than friendly before she answered. “It’s a bit like Unsolved Mysteries? Basically it’s a documentary series on unsolved crimes and paranormal situations and the like with a few dramatizations and interviews. I’m just the host, but it’s pretty interesting to learn about.” Oli shrugged, trying not to show how excited she actually was about the project. Even though she didn’t actually get to act beyond hosting, she got caught up in almost every case they’d looked at so far.

Oli chewed on her lip while she thought of a codeword. “’Double’ would be too easy. Oh! What about ‘animal fries’? You know, like as the side of a Double-Double?” She paused for a moment, remembering that the fast food chain had only recently started branching out from California. “Inn-N-Out? Anyway, I have no idea how we’d defeat them, but I’m sure it has to end in an all out brawl, doubles on all sides, maybe even swords, that kind of thing. You have any swords?”

Normal people would have parted after realising they were speaking with the wrong person, excused themselves and deeply hoping they never had to encounter this awkward mistake of their’s ever again. This Oli, however, seemed the opposite of it and something that had started badly had turned into a matter of success. Simon was no late to continue their fake fawning and bragging of his fake career, pulling off a smug grin to match the “compliments” throw at him for his “hard work” as an actor. “Sooner or later all the stardom will be mine -- they won’t even see it coming. I might even pitch you in as my new sidekick if you’re nice enough.” A wink to match. “Only deal is that I’m the one wearing the cape.” 

Apollo crouched in front of the little girl, nodding along to all the “symptoms” she listed. “Do you mind if I take a look?” He reached out for the stuffed animal then, when she relented, carefully took him and set him on the miniature operating table. Apollo checked his temperature, his heart rate, his blood pressure, the he hummed thoughtfully and said, “Well, it’s just as I expected. Fluffititis.” He reached for a pack of Jelly beans then returned to the crouch at the girl’s level. “You’ll need to feed him one of these a day, and as soon as the box is empty, he’ll be all better. Do you think you can do that?”

He then clapped his hands together and rose to his feet again, smiling over at the man who must have been her father. “I can’t promise you I won’t be the cause of a sugar rush. But it should be all better. Medically speaking.”

“I heard the city was trying to come with an independent bill for healthcare” Tama said well aware of bullshit in the community “i think people refuse to see we can provide healthcare for all if we try” he added seeing the little girl go in the booth.

“Well, besides the check-in, there’s a face painting booth, a couple of people sewing and patching, a vet booth and a couple of booths for painting and crafts” Tama started to list the ones he could remember “i think there was a booth were you can make candy and there is a booth where a doctor performs a pretend operation, and one for a general check for the kids too, just general check up” Tama  said “i can take you to any of them” he offered.

“They are? I’m definitely here for that type of change. This place already seem to hold its own charm, although I can’t speak for it much since I have only droven past the rest on my way over here.” A few stops on the road didn’t offer anything but quick glances, but he knew there had been something about the city that had made him pull that break for real. “Isn’t it something surrounding taxes, or do I remember it wrong?” 

Gage held the drum of the stethoscope over the cat’s chest. “Do you hear the wheezing? Mr. Whiskers might have a cold.” He glanced at the girl’s father to make sure he wasn’t doing something the father didn’t like.

“I guess. But isn’t it better to look at things positively and just.. Imagine that everyone knows what they’re doing? I mean, at least that makes you feel better.” Harper said, smiling. “Oh, I’m not like.. For the news or anything, I just write fluff pieces for a magazine, mostly. Nothing too important.”

“When it comes to this? Then yes, maybe, but I’d be lying if I told you my head worked that lineal.” Honestly speaking, his head was everything but that and it had a tendency to act up twice as much whenever Hayley became involved. He wanted her to learn and have fun throughout the day, but did he trust people enough to ease up? Hardly. “What ends up feeling important depends on the person reading it, not the story itself. For some an article about knitting might be the headline of the week. Something I can help you with?”

“Hmm, maybe Halloween?” Aditi suggested, “Candy and hard conversations go hand in hand, don’t they?” Aditi couldn’t remember exactly when her parents had hard conversations, it wasn’t all in one go, she was sure of that much, she didn’t come out traumatized so they probably eased her into it one topic at a time. “Wouldn’t you be the mysterious man? My dad used to do it for me and my siblings, it was a nice touch, but we knew better,” she chuckled. “Or will you pay someone to dress up as Santa? The coal is so cruel though, they should at least get a little toy,” Aditi said with a slight shake of her head. “I’m a flight attendant and a vlogger in my down-time. Best jobs in the world, to be honest.”

Once they caught up to Hayley and the cat booth, Aditi picked up an official teddy bear clinic form and knelt down to talk to the little girl, “Can I know your name, and your friend here?” she asked with a smile, “I need to give it to the doctor so we can get him all fixed up.”

@wixenfolk

Frances was used to this kind of reaction. For every privileged kid like herself at Yale, there had been another three of less fortunate backgrounds with something to say about her upbringing. She opened her mouth to argue, but thought better of it. She’d done this enough times to know which words would come tumbling out, and that they would get her nowhere.

“I don’t have time for this. You clearly don’t understand, and you obviously don’t want to. Just— Be a parent, and stay out of my way, will you?”