#oh joy š¾ - occasional appearances from Joy Talbot because what is a little sister for if not annoying her big brother
All photos not reblogged are from pintrest
Benji lore:
Benjamin Franklin Talbot (he/him) eldest (of mine) by a year. has his dad's smile and eyes but Baaabe's nose
Does know how to cook some things on a stove. Because like hell David was letting him turn out as hopeless as his dad. He's still better with a grill, it's in his genes.
He's like freshly 18 so he's just joined Shaw Security. Didn't even consider going to DAMN
Hotly debated among pack elders whether he will be future Beta
Lily knows Benji is her mate, he hasn't quite figured it out yet but he's loved her "for forever". (Since he was 9)
Their song:
- other important people -
Joy Cynthia Talbot, 16 (she/her) has vitiligo like her dad, she and Lilith were born just two months apart
Lilith Rosemary "Lily" Shaw, 16 (she/her) potential future Alpha*, has been a menace since the day she was born. Frank says she looks a lot like David's mom.
*within rp verse the logistics can be discussed
Hallow Greer, 17 (he/they) is the best at non-shifting magic, takes after Sweetheart
Gabriel Goliath "Liath" Shaw, 14 (he/him) basically Fooliverse!David, youngest (of mine) by two years
Any baby raised by Asher and Babe would be hella creative and dangerously perceptive before puberty believe you me
It's not so much that the baby would be hyperactive because that's a given, with 1 year olds, +1 year olds. That little snot would eat crayons and drink watercolor and somehow still be alive. If Angel, Sweetheart, and Sam make the mistake of having kids w their respective mates at the same time as Babe, I'm sorry but hell is now on earth in the form of four toddlers lmao. If Asher's kid isn't the leader of those mini hellions, they're the second in command. A face like that can never be ignored
That baby would steal their parents phone w the camera on and then giggle throughout the house as they're running away. Off screen Asher is just loud, but not angry going "š£ļøHEY. WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING" above the baby giggles
It falls. A lot. There's a new bump and a new bruise every day and the only reason they don't wail on impact is because Asher looks them in the eye and goes "Dad's here. Breathe. I know it's ouchie. It'll go away soon."
I dunno. I'm just bored. My parents are workin', I'm still suspended from kindergarten, and my siblings are doing their things. I don't know what to do.
No, I punched a kid in the throat in my class. He was too tall for me to reach his face. He kept mocking me because it's hard for me to say my R's and that it was hard for me to tie my shoes before Hallow taught me.
I dunno. I'm just bored. My parents are workin', I'm still suspended from kindergarten, and my siblings are doing their things. I don't know what to do.
I thought I recognized their magical signature from when I was in that mirror universe. The Imperium. I could have been wrong because I never actually saw them, but it felt kinda familiar.
[He's leaning against the doorframe on the side of the hinges. The Shaw Security Logo is visible on the top left of his t-shirt, dog tags hanging. Black cargo pants and work boots complete the ensemble. He bears a striking resemblance to Phoebe]
I'm just the legs on the ground, Unc- ah I mean boss-man tells me where to go, I show up. I know for a regular person having a bodyguard is a little weird.
[He dips his head to stage whisper]
When you leave us a review on Yelp, don't mention that I almost slipped up and called David my uncle? It's a family business but, y'know, professionalism.
[He's clearly joking, trying to put her at ease with the whole situation]
Or drive. Considering I drove here. Whatever makes you most comfortable.
...
Look, I wasn't told any details because that's private personal business, but I did hear that you were attacked. My job is to get you from point A to point B.
You've clearly got people at your job who care enough to hire us so that you're comfortable getting back to work. Think of me like a service dog.
I mean, you might as well post it on the news. āRandom girl gets attacked by a big ass animal,ā it feels like everyone knows, or at least has heard.
Iām being very hesitant because Iām still distrustful. Not fromā¦yāknow, but from other things.
I might have been. I don't actually pay attention to the news.
And hey, I get that. When your whole life feels like drama you didn't ask for, right? My buddy Hallow's going through something similar.
...
I wasn't going to bring this up, but I'm not gonna get paid for this job unless I take you to work.
[He rubs the back of his neck]
Usually, that's no skin off my back, I still live with my parents, but I've also been on an unexpected inter-universal vacation for over a month. Which means I have like no money, and I've been trying to spoil my mate as much as possible because I worried her sick for being gone so long.
It would be a huge relief if you could let me do my job, just for today.
[As soon as she comes back out, he flips into work mode. Standing at his full 6'4, shoulders back, face impassive. His eyes scan their surroundings and signs of her undue distress. He measures his steps to keep her 5 paces ahead.]
You know, you donāt have to be so far awayā¦unless thatās just your own preference. I donāt bite, and neither does Mini Moo, despite how hyper she is.
[The dog is indeed very hyper. It kept tugging on its leash and circling Julie.]
[Julie falls silent. After a few minutes, she speaks again]
Is it like part of your job be quiet? Because if it is then I can totally shut up but if it isnāt I would like to talk because the silence is absolutely driving me nuts and I feel very awkward walking with someone silently but then I also tend to jabber on and talk peoples ears off so I can never really find that sweet spot of talking just enough but then people normally donāt like me anyways because I either talk too much or they think they bore me which they donāt bore me at all but I guess when you just sit and listen to someone else talk for so long without adding at least something to the conversation theyāll obviously start to question why youāre so silent and uhā¦yeahā¦
Sorry, Iāll shut up now.
[she chuckles awkwardly before falling silent again.]
[He is about to speak when she takes off on a tangent. He waits patiently for it to finish.]
I don't have to be silent, no. I just kind of default to it when I'm focusing. I also don't mind if you just want to ramble. Sometimes that makes people more comfortable, too. I'm a pretty good listener, whether I'm on the job or not.
You seem really cool, is there anything in particular you want to talk about?
Let's stick with good thoughts and good vibes, yeah?
It seems like you know my older sister Phoebe. I've also got an older brother Alyn, he's in New York right now.
Then there's my younger siblings Rylan and Joy who are both still in High School.
That's who all I'm close with anyway.
And then there's a plethora of Shaws and Greers that are basically family, too.
Me, Hallow, Rylan, Lilith, and Joy all shifted for the first time in the same summer. Aside from Joy being two months older than Lily, following exactly in our dads' footsteps. They've been attached at the hip since birth, double wedding like our parents had planned since they were 9.
Ohā¦mateā¦what is a mate? Iāve always heard it around, especially from Phoebe lately, and I thought it meant the same as like boyfriend or girlfriend or romantic partnerā¦
No, a mate is so much more. It's... a feeling, in a shifter's core. Slightly different for everyone. My dad says it feels like electricity. For me it feels like the heat of a star. Like the sun is in my chest warming every inch of me. When I think about her, when I call her my Mate it's like a flare. It's a deeper-than-bone knowing when the bond sets.
[He speaks of the experience with a reverence that wouldn't be out of place in a house of worship]
I could've dated fifty other people before realizing Lily was my mate. I even probably could have fallen in love with any number of them, maybe even married. But it wouldn't feel like it does with Lily.
[He phrases they hypotheticals like he doesn't actually believe any of that to be true]
It shouldnāt be as big of a deal as Iām making it, but itās justā¦itās very messy. I mean, she told me she had a crush on another person-an alcoholic, which alcoholics just suck ass at living-and then she went and dated that person and all was calm for a bit I guess, I mean she even went to Vegas with the girl, but then she came back and asked if she could come over and so I let her and while she was over she kissed me out of nowhere andā¦
Yeah, I know. We were hired for "as long as is needed" so my work calendar is full of your schedule this week.
[He shrugs]
Look, I know stubbornness when I see it. Runs in the family. Lena, Lily's oldest sister and Adri, Hallow's older sibling both suffer from it. They think they have to stand strong on their own and not bother people with their problems. But it doesn't make you weak to lean on the people giving you support.
What you went through being attacked is a big deal, traumatic, especially in an area you thought was safe.
And that's great. That you can pick up and keep moving. But that doesn't mean you have to do it alone.
I might be beating a dead horse here, but I'm hired by your manager to help. There are people that care about your well-being enough to have done that. I'm your Point A to Point B guy for this week.
And if it makes you feel better, I'll bring my mate along tonight when I pick you up. She's been dying to see the ins and outs of the job, but the boss-man wouldn't let us get feet on the ground until we graduated high school.
ā¦okay, fine, I just donāt want to feel like Iām intruding in your life. I know this is your job, but thereās gotta be better things than walking a girl to and from work everydayā¦
[He's leaning against the doorframe on the side of the hinges. The Shaw Security Logo is visible on the top left of his t-shirt, dog tags hanging. Black cargo pants and work boots complete the ensemble. He bears a striking resemblance to Phoebe]
I'm just the legs on the ground, Unc- ah I mean boss-man tells me where to go, I show up. I know for a regular person having a bodyguard is a little weird.
[He dips his head to stage whisper]
When you leave us a review on Yelp, don't mention that I almost slipped up and called David my uncle? It's a family business but, y'know, professionalism.
[He's clearly joking, trying to put her at ease with the whole situation]
Or drive. Considering I drove here. Whatever makes you most comfortable.
...
Look, I wasn't told any details because that's private personal business, but I did hear that you were attacked. My job is to get you from point A to point B.
You've clearly got people at your job who care enough to hire us so that you're comfortable getting back to work. Think of me like a service dog.
I mean, you might as well post it on the news. āRandom girl gets attacked by a big ass animal,ā it feels like everyone knows, or at least has heard.
Iām being very hesitant because Iām still distrustful. Not fromā¦yāknow, but from other things.
I might have been. I don't actually pay attention to the news.
And hey, I get that. When your whole life feels like drama you didn't ask for, right? My buddy Hallow's going through something similar.
...
I wasn't going to bring this up, but I'm not gonna get paid for this job unless I take you to work.
[He rubs the back of his neck]
Usually, that's no skin off my back, I still live with my parents, but I've also been on an unexpected inter-universal vacation for over a month. Which means I have like no money, and I've been trying to spoil my mate as much as possible because I worried her sick for being gone so long.
It would be a huge relief if you could let me do my job, just for today.
[As soon as she comes back out, he flips into work mode. Standing at his full 6'4, shoulders back, face impassive. His eyes scan their surroundings and signs of her undue distress. He measures his steps to keep her 5 paces ahead.]
You know, you donāt have to be so far awayā¦unless thatās just your own preference. I donāt bite, and neither does Mini Moo, despite how hyper she is.
[The dog is indeed very hyper. It kept tugging on its leash and circling Julie.]
[Julie falls silent. After a few minutes, she speaks again]
Is it like part of your job be quiet? Because if it is then I can totally shut up but if it isnāt I would like to talk because the silence is absolutely driving me nuts and I feel very awkward walking with someone silently but then I also tend to jabber on and talk peoples ears off so I can never really find that sweet spot of talking just enough but then people normally donāt like me anyways because I either talk too much or they think they bore me which they donāt bore me at all but I guess when you just sit and listen to someone else talk for so long without adding at least something to the conversation theyāll obviously start to question why youāre so silent and uhā¦yeahā¦
Sorry, Iāll shut up now.
[she chuckles awkwardly before falling silent again.]
[He is about to speak when she takes off on a tangent. He waits patiently for it to finish.]
I don't have to be silent, no. I just kind of default to it when I'm focusing. I also don't mind if you just want to ramble. Sometimes that makes people more comfortable, too. I'm a pretty good listener, whether I'm on the job or not.
You seem really cool, is there anything in particular you want to talk about?
Let's stick with good thoughts and good vibes, yeah?
It seems like you know my older sister Phoebe. I've also got an older brother Alyn, he's in New York right now.
Then there's my younger siblings Rylan and Joy who are both still in High School.
That's who all I'm close with anyway.
And then there's a plethora of Shaws and Greers that are basically family, too.
Me, Hallow, Rylan, Lilith, and Joy all shifted for the first time in the same summer. Aside from Joy being two months older than Lily, following exactly in our dads' footsteps. They've been attached at the hip since birth, double wedding like our parents had planned since they were 9.
Ohā¦mateā¦what is a mate? Iāve always heard it around, especially from Phoebe lately, and I thought it meant the same as like boyfriend or girlfriend or romantic partnerā¦
No, a mate is so much more. It's... a feeling, in a shifter's core. Slightly different for everyone. My dad says it feels like electricity. For me it feels like the heat of a star. Like the sun is in my chest warming every inch of me. When I think about her, when I call her my Mate it's like a flare. It's a deeper-than-bone knowing when the bond sets.
[He speaks of the experience with a reverence that wouldn't be out of place in a house of worship]
I could've dated fifty other people before realizing Lily was my mate. I even probably could have fallen in love with any number of them, maybe even married. But it wouldn't feel like it does with Lily.
[He phrases they hypotheticals like he doesn't actually believe any of that to be true]
It shouldnāt be as big of a deal as Iām making it, but itās justā¦itās very messy. I mean, she told me she had a crush on another person-an alcoholic, which alcoholics just suck ass at living-and then she went and dated that person and all was calm for a bit I guess, I mean she even went to Vegas with the girl, but then she came back and asked if she could come over and so I let her and while she was over she kissed me out of nowhere andā¦
Yeah, I know. We were hired for "as long as is needed" so my work calendar is full of your schedule this week.
[He shrugs]
Look, I know stubbornness when I see it. Runs in the family. Lena, Lily's oldest sister and Adri, Hallow's older sibling both suffer from it. They think they have to stand strong on their own and not bother people with their problems. But it doesn't make you weak to lean on the people giving you support.
What you went through being attacked is a big deal, traumatic, especially in an area you thought was safe.
And that's great. That you can pick up and keep moving. But that doesn't mean you have to do it alone.
I might be beating a dead horse here, but I'm hired by your manager to help. There are people that care about your well-being enough to have done that. I'm your Point A to Point B guy for this week.
And if it makes you feel better, I'll bring my mate along tonight when I pick you up. She's been dying to see the ins and outs of the job, but the boss-man wouldn't let us get feet on the ground until we graduated high school.
[He's leaning against the doorframe on the side of the hinges. The Shaw Security Logo is visible on the top left of his t-shirt, dog tags hanging. Black cargo pants and work boots complete the ensemble. He bears a striking resemblance to Phoebe]
I'm just the legs on the ground, Unc- ah I mean boss-man tells me where to go, I show up. I know for a regular person having a bodyguard is a little weird.
[He dips his head to stage whisper]
When you leave us a review on Yelp, don't mention that I almost slipped up and called David my uncle? It's a family business but, y'know, professionalism.
[He's clearly joking, trying to put her at ease with the whole situation]
Or drive. Considering I drove here. Whatever makes you most comfortable.
...
Look, I wasn't told any details because that's private personal business, but I did hear that you were attacked. My job is to get you from point A to point B.
You've clearly got people at your job who care enough to hire us so that you're comfortable getting back to work. Think of me like a service dog.
I mean, you might as well post it on the news. āRandom girl gets attacked by a big ass animal,ā it feels like everyone knows, or at least has heard.
Iām being very hesitant because Iām still distrustful. Not fromā¦yāknow, but from other things.
I might have been. I don't actually pay attention to the news.
And hey, I get that. When your whole life feels like drama you didn't ask for, right? My buddy Hallow's going through something similar.
...
I wasn't going to bring this up, but I'm not gonna get paid for this job unless I take you to work.
[He rubs the back of his neck]
Usually, that's no skin off my back, I still live with my parents, but I've also been on an unexpected inter-universal vacation for over a month. Which means I have like no money, and I've been trying to spoil my mate as much as possible because I worried her sick for being gone so long.
It would be a huge relief if you could let me do my job, just for today.
[As soon as she comes back out, he flips into work mode. Standing at his full 6'4, shoulders back, face impassive. His eyes scan their surroundings and signs of her undue distress. He measures his steps to keep her 5 paces ahead.]
You know, you donāt have to be so far awayā¦unless thatās just your own preference. I donāt bite, and neither does Mini Moo, despite how hyper she is.
[The dog is indeed very hyper. It kept tugging on its leash and circling Julie.]
[Julie falls silent. After a few minutes, she speaks again]
Is it like part of your job be quiet? Because if it is then I can totally shut up but if it isnāt I would like to talk because the silence is absolutely driving me nuts and I feel very awkward walking with someone silently but then I also tend to jabber on and talk peoples ears off so I can never really find that sweet spot of talking just enough but then people normally donāt like me anyways because I either talk too much or they think they bore me which they donāt bore me at all but I guess when you just sit and listen to someone else talk for so long without adding at least something to the conversation theyāll obviously start to question why youāre so silent and uhā¦yeahā¦
Sorry, Iāll shut up now.
[she chuckles awkwardly before falling silent again.]
[He is about to speak when she takes off on a tangent. He waits patiently for it to finish.]
I don't have to be silent, no. I just kind of default to it when I'm focusing. I also don't mind if you just want to ramble. Sometimes that makes people more comfortable, too. I'm a pretty good listener, whether I'm on the job or not.
You seem really cool, is there anything in particular you want to talk about?
Let's stick with good thoughts and good vibes, yeah?
It seems like you know my older sister Phoebe. I've also got an older brother Alyn, he's in New York right now.
Then there's my younger siblings Rylan and Joy who are both still in High School.
That's who all I'm close with anyway.
And then there's a plethora of Shaws and Greers that are basically family, too.
Me, Hallow, Rylan, Lilith, and Joy all shifted for the first time in the same summer. Aside from Joy being two months older than Lily, following exactly in our dads' footsteps. They've been attached at the hip since birth, double wedding like our parents had planned since they were 9.
Ohā¦mateā¦what is a mate? Iāve always heard it around, especially from Phoebe lately, and I thought it meant the same as like boyfriend or girlfriend or romantic partnerā¦
No, a mate is so much more. It's... a feeling, in a shifter's core. Slightly different for everyone. My dad says it feels like electricity. For me it feels like the heat of a star. Like the sun is in my chest warming every inch of me. When I think about her, when I call her my Mate it's like a flare. It's a deeper-than-bone knowing when the bond sets.
[He speaks of the experience with a reverence that wouldn't be out of place in a house of worship]
I could've dated fifty other people before realizing Lily was my mate. I even probably could have fallen in love with any number of them, maybe even married. But it wouldn't feel like it does with Lily.
[He phrases they hypotheticals like he doesn't actually believe any of that to be true]
It shouldnāt be as big of a deal as Iām making it, but itās justā¦itās very messy. I mean, she told me she had a crush on another person-an alcoholic, which alcoholics just suck ass at living-and then she went and dated that person and all was calm for a bit I guess, I mean she even went to Vegas with the girl, but then she came back and asked if she could come over and so I let her and while she was over she kissed me out of nowhere andā¦
Yeah, I know. We were hired for "as long as is needed" so my work calendar is full of your schedule this week.
[He shrugs]
Look, I know stubbornness when I see it. Runs in the family. Lena, Lily's oldest sister and Adri, Hallow's older sibling both suffer from it. They think they have to stand strong on their own and not bother people with their problems. But it doesn't make you weak to lean on the people giving you support.
What you went through being attacked is a big deal, traumatic, especially in an area you thought was safe.
[He's leaning against the doorframe on the side of the hinges. The Shaw Security Logo is visible on the top left of his t-shirt, dog tags hanging. Black cargo pants and work boots complete the ensemble. He bears a striking resemblance to Phoebe]
I'm just the legs on the ground, Unc- ah I mean boss-man tells me where to go, I show up. I know for a regular person having a bodyguard is a little weird.
[He dips his head to stage whisper]
When you leave us a review on Yelp, don't mention that I almost slipped up and called David my uncle? It's a family business but, y'know, professionalism.
[He's clearly joking, trying to put her at ease with the whole situation]
Or drive. Considering I drove here. Whatever makes you most comfortable.
...
Look, I wasn't told any details because that's private personal business, but I did hear that you were attacked. My job is to get you from point A to point B.
You've clearly got people at your job who care enough to hire us so that you're comfortable getting back to work. Think of me like a service dog.
I mean, you might as well post it on the news. āRandom girl gets attacked by a big ass animal,ā it feels like everyone knows, or at least has heard.
Iām being very hesitant because Iām still distrustful. Not fromā¦yāknow, but from other things.
I might have been. I don't actually pay attention to the news.
And hey, I get that. When your whole life feels like drama you didn't ask for, right? My buddy Hallow's going through something similar.
...
I wasn't going to bring this up, but I'm not gonna get paid for this job unless I take you to work.
[He rubs the back of his neck]
Usually, that's no skin off my back, I still live with my parents, but I've also been on an unexpected inter-universal vacation for over a month. Which means I have like no money, and I've been trying to spoil my mate as much as possible because I worried her sick for being gone so long.
It would be a huge relief if you could let me do my job, just for today.
[As soon as she comes back out, he flips into work mode. Standing at his full 6'4, shoulders back, face impassive. His eyes scan their surroundings and signs of her undue distress. He measures his steps to keep her 5 paces ahead.]
You know, you donāt have to be so far awayā¦unless thatās just your own preference. I donāt bite, and neither does Mini Moo, despite how hyper she is.
[The dog is indeed very hyper. It kept tugging on its leash and circling Julie.]
[Julie falls silent. After a few minutes, she speaks again]
Is it like part of your job be quiet? Because if it is then I can totally shut up but if it isnāt I would like to talk because the silence is absolutely driving me nuts and I feel very awkward walking with someone silently but then I also tend to jabber on and talk peoples ears off so I can never really find that sweet spot of talking just enough but then people normally donāt like me anyways because I either talk too much or they think they bore me which they donāt bore me at all but I guess when you just sit and listen to someone else talk for so long without adding at least something to the conversation theyāll obviously start to question why youāre so silent and uhā¦yeahā¦
Sorry, Iāll shut up now.
[she chuckles awkwardly before falling silent again.]
[He is about to speak when she takes off on a tangent. He waits patiently for it to finish.]
I don't have to be silent, no. I just kind of default to it when I'm focusing. I also don't mind if you just want to ramble. Sometimes that makes people more comfortable, too. I'm a pretty good listener, whether I'm on the job or not.
You seem really cool, is there anything in particular you want to talk about?
Let's stick with good thoughts and good vibes, yeah?
It seems like you know my older sister Phoebe. I've also got an older brother Alyn, he's in New York right now.
Then there's my younger siblings Rylan and Joy who are both still in High School.
That's who all I'm close with anyway.
And then there's a plethora of Shaws and Greers that are basically family, too.
Me, Hallow, Rylan, Lilith, and Joy all shifted for the first time in the same summer. Aside from Joy being two months older than Lily, following exactly in our dads' footsteps. They've been attached at the hip since birth, double wedding like our parents had planned since they were 9.
Ohā¦mateā¦what is a mate? Iāve always heard it around, especially from Phoebe lately, and I thought it meant the same as like boyfriend or girlfriend or romantic partnerā¦
No, a mate is so much more. It's... a feeling, in a shifter's core. Slightly different for everyone. My dad says it feels like electricity. For me it feels like the heat of a star. Like the sun is in my chest warming every inch of me. When I think about her, when I call her my Mate it's like a flare. It's a deeper-than-bone knowing when the bond sets.
[He speaks of the experience with a reverence that wouldn't be out of place in a house of worship]
I could've dated fifty other people before realizing Lily was my mate. I even probably could have fallen in love with any number of them, maybe even married. But it wouldn't feel like it does with Lily.
[He phrases they hypotheticals like he doesn't actually believe any of that to be true]
It shouldnāt be as big of a deal as Iām making it, but itās justā¦itās very messy. I mean, she told me she had a crush on another person-an alcoholic, which alcoholics just suck ass at living-and then she went and dated that person and all was calm for a bit I guess, I mean she even went to Vegas with the girl, but then she came back and asked if she could come over and so I let her and while she was over she kissed me out of nowhere andā¦
[He's leaning against the doorframe on the side of the hinges. The Shaw Security Logo is visible on the top left of his t-shirt, dog tags hanging. Black cargo pants and work boots complete the ensemble. He bears a striking resemblance to Phoebe]
I'm just the legs on the ground, Unc- ah I mean boss-man tells me where to go, I show up. I know for a regular person having a bodyguard is a little weird.
[He dips his head to stage whisper]
When you leave us a review on Yelp, don't mention that I almost slipped up and called David my uncle? It's a family business but, y'know, professionalism.
[He's clearly joking, trying to put her at ease with the whole situation]
Or drive. Considering I drove here. Whatever makes you most comfortable.
...
Look, I wasn't told any details because that's private personal business, but I did hear that you were attacked. My job is to get you from point A to point B.
You've clearly got people at your job who care enough to hire us so that you're comfortable getting back to work. Think of me like a service dog.
I mean, you might as well post it on the news. āRandom girl gets attacked by a big ass animal,ā it feels like everyone knows, or at least has heard.
Iām being very hesitant because Iām still distrustful. Not fromā¦yāknow, but from other things.
I might have been. I don't actually pay attention to the news.
And hey, I get that. When your whole life feels like drama you didn't ask for, right? My buddy Hallow's going through something similar.
...
I wasn't going to bring this up, but I'm not gonna get paid for this job unless I take you to work.
[He rubs the back of his neck]
Usually, that's no skin off my back, I still live with my parents, but I've also been on an unexpected inter-universal vacation for over a month. Which means I have like no money, and I've been trying to spoil my mate as much as possible because I worried her sick for being gone so long.
It would be a huge relief if you could let me do my job, just for today.
[As soon as she comes back out, he flips into work mode. Standing at his full 6'4, shoulders back, face impassive. His eyes scan their surroundings and signs of her undue distress. He measures his steps to keep her 5 paces ahead.]
You know, you donāt have to be so far awayā¦unless thatās just your own preference. I donāt bite, and neither does Mini Moo, despite how hyper she is.
[The dog is indeed very hyper. It kept tugging on its leash and circling Julie.]
[Julie falls silent. After a few minutes, she speaks again]
Is it like part of your job be quiet? Because if it is then I can totally shut up but if it isnāt I would like to talk because the silence is absolutely driving me nuts and I feel very awkward walking with someone silently but then I also tend to jabber on and talk peoples ears off so I can never really find that sweet spot of talking just enough but then people normally donāt like me anyways because I either talk too much or they think they bore me which they donāt bore me at all but I guess when you just sit and listen to someone else talk for so long without adding at least something to the conversation theyāll obviously start to question why youāre so silent and uhā¦yeahā¦
Sorry, Iāll shut up now.
[she chuckles awkwardly before falling silent again.]
[He is about to speak when she takes off on a tangent. He waits patiently for it to finish.]
I don't have to be silent, no. I just kind of default to it when I'm focusing. I also don't mind if you just want to ramble. Sometimes that makes people more comfortable, too. I'm a pretty good listener, whether I'm on the job or not.
You seem really cool, is there anything in particular you want to talk about?
Let's stick with good thoughts and good vibes, yeah?
It seems like you know my older sister Phoebe. I've also got an older brother Alyn, he's in New York right now.
Then there's my younger siblings Rylan and Joy who are both still in High School.
That's who all I'm close with anyway.
And then there's a plethora of Shaws and Greers that are basically family, too.
Me, Hallow, Rylan, Lilith, and Joy all shifted for the first time in the same summer. Aside from Joy being two months older than Lily, following exactly in our dads' footsteps. They've been attached at the hip since birth, double wedding like our parents had planned since they were 9.
Ohā¦mateā¦what is a mate? Iāve always heard it around, especially from Phoebe lately, and I thought it meant the same as like boyfriend or girlfriend or romantic partnerā¦
No, a mate is so much more. It's... a feeling, in a shifter's core. Slightly different for everyone. My dad says it feels like electricity. For me it feels like the heat of a star. Like the sun is in my chest warming every inch of me. When I think about her, when I call her my Mate it's like a flare. It's a deeper-than-bone knowing when the bond sets.
[He speaks of the experience with a reverence that wouldn't be out of place in a house of worship]
I could've dated fifty other people before realizing Lily was my mate. I even probably could have fallen in love with any number of them, maybe even married. But it wouldn't feel like it does with Lily.
[He phrases they hypotheticals like he doesn't actually believe any of that to be true]
It shouldnāt be as big of a deal as Iām making it, but itās justā¦itās very messy. I mean, she told me she had a crush on another person-an alcoholic, which alcoholics just suck ass at living-and then she went and dated that person and all was calm for a bit I guess, I mean she even went to Vegas with the girl, but then she came back and asked if she could come over and so I let her and while she was over she kissed me out of nowhere andā¦