/ˈbedˌro͞om/ walls

[gccdxvibrations]

He was glistening with sweat, and not for the obvious reason that he had spent most of the day partying, dancing to his heart’s content. No. Benito was dealing with the effects of the lotus fountain. He had opted out of going on the journey at last year’s celebration, too afraid to partake, but he figured he could do it this year. What was the harm?

So far he hadn’t seen any of his ancestors, but he had seen a variety of technicolor beasts dancing around the large bonfire with him. He was spinning, twirling around the flames, grinning like a madman, his dance shirt long lost, reveling in the feeling of the night air against his sweaty chest. Everything felt heightened. For once his other senses overtook that of his hearing. 

“Dance with me!” He called out, rushing to whoever was closest and grabbing him by the wrist, pulling him in toward him. “Can’t you feel that, man? It’s like I can taste colors, and I breathe music.” He was still dancing about, laughing at nothing in particular. He was about to go on a tangent about everything he was feeling when he squinted at the other, furrowing his brows, his head cocking in confusion. “Abuelo?” The other person no longer looked how they did a second ago, instead Benny was seeing his long dead grandfather, someone he hadn’t seen since he was a kid. “What are you doing in Santuario? is mami with you?” He wrapped him in a tight embrace, not wanting to let go, not realizing that it was not actually his grandfather he was hugging. 

[coopermurray]

Cooper had had the minimal time to mind his own business. He was happy for this, to get a break from whatever was happening and regain a sense of self as it pertain to Cooper: before the shit show. Cooper’s brother had been right in some way, he didn’t believe that this was the best fit for himself, though he didn’t hate it like Bradley had predicted. Cooper was taking a break because he was overwhelmed in sensory overload, but not because he wanted to leave. It was all a bit ridiculous, the big showcases, the couples, the tricks...Fascinating even. 

And Cooper should have known better than to think he could walk away from any of the madness. Before he knew it, he was entangled with some guy throwing out his spanglish while forcing Cooper to sway with him in a tight embrace. “do you usually dance this close with your grandfather?” He questioned with a raised brow, slowly trying to untangle himself, “unfortunately your mother is not with me, but neither is your grandfather.”

[coopermurray]

sinclairice‌:

        “   that’s  true.   but  i’m  curious  now ??  am  i  someone  you  rather  be  with  for  the  night  or  were  you  pining  on  being  paired  with  someone  else ?? ”    artemis  asked,  curious  to  hear  the  other’s  thoughts  on  him.   it  was  true  though,  most  pairings  might  not  work  out.   some  may  not  even  like  each  other,  but  for  artemis,  he  wasn’t  against  being  paired  with  cooper  tonight.

At the question Cooper turned to look at Artemis, give him the once over and stop to ponder, “I’m happy with their decision.” He left it at that as he continued on walking, sensing a pull from nearby. “Is there a lake or pond nearby?”

[coopermurray]

sinclairice‌:

      “   i  think  so  too.  ”   he  responded.    “  i’m  glad  we  don’t  have  to  go  at  it  alone,  ”   he  chuckled.    he  wasn’t  around  for  the  last  time  the  festival  was  out,  so  artemis  was  intrigued  to  see  what  it  was  all  about.    head  shifted  to  look   at  cooper  when  he  spoke  again,  a  soft  chuckle  escaping  his  lips.    “   does  he  now ??  ”    he  chuckled.    “   well,   i  heard  that  it  can  lead  to  that,  or  just  bonding  with  other  gifted,  getting  to  know  them,  making  new  friends,  ”   he  stated.    “  hmmm,  i  guess  we  have  time  to  figure  out  what  trouble  that  is.  ”

Cooper laughed, “bonding. That’s cute.” he picked a leaf as he walked by, “do you really think things are as lofty as they make it seem?” he picked at the leaf, “I mean it’s cool to get to know one another but we can’t be expected to like each other just because we both have this weird thing going on.”

[coopermurray]

sinclairice‌:

      he  nodded.   this  definitely  was  his  first  time  doing  this.   he  never  thought  of  doing  this  before,  but  here  he  was  now.    “   it  is,  yes,  ”  he  admitted.   “   i’m  glad  that  ew  are  both  can  relate  right  now,  ”   he  said,  smiling  softly.    “  let’s  play  this  out.   i  definitely  wouldn’t  mind  getting  to  know  you.   whatever  happens,  happens,  ”   he  said,  keeping  his  soft  smile.     “   do  you  have  any  expectations  here ??  ”

“Good. I imagine it would be weird going into this with a veteran.” They reached the garden level, the maze just barely out of their reach as they were surrounded by all kinds of flower bushes, “my brother thinks this is some crazed sex-fest.” he shrugged, “I’m allegedly in big trouble if I don’t partake, but that’s kind of intriguing. I wonder what kind of trouble we’re talking about.”

[coopermurray]

bradleymurray‌:

“Didn’t say you have to but… In the spirit of what the festival represents, it may be looked down upon if you don’t, Coop.” His brother was more than old enough to make his own decisions, but it didn’t mean Bradley wouldn’t nudge. “I forgot to tell Adelaide I would be in town after double-checking my schedule. She may try to see if there’s anyone new in town that may need a partner to celebrate.”

“what are they going to do to me? That hardly seems like a legit thing to get in trouble for.” he looked up to his brother, raising a brow, “you’d do it right? You’d just sleep with whoever they wanted you to?”

[coopermurray]

sinclairice‌:

      artemis  smiled,  seeing  the  other,  realizing  that  he  was  his  partner  for  the  masquerade.   he  smiled.   “   hi  cooper,  i’m  artemis,  ”   he  smiled.   “   yes,  let’s  get  out  of  here.   i  rather  the  chill  air  outside,  ”   he  chuckled,  eyes  that  were  still  on  the  other  male.    cooper  seemed  sweet  already,  and  something  about  him  was  familiar,  but  he  couldn’t  quite  grasp  it.

Whether or not there would be anything promising to this encounter, Cooper didn’t care. Sure Artemis seemed interesting, but so did sushi before giving you food poisoning. “This is my first time doing this, I’m guessing yours too judging by your age.” Cooper added while making his way down the steps onto the expansive outside. “do you wanna play this coyly or get straight to the point and tell me if you have any expectations?”

[coopermurray]

bradleymurray‌:

“You couldn’t participate last time, right? You were 16, I think?” He did the math in his head, they only ever allowed consenting adults join in. “Just… Be careful. It’s all about intimacy and creating a connection with other townspeople but, some of them are super sex-driven. I know how you used to be, not sure how that’s changed since my time gone.” He offered his brother a concerning look before a smile, not wanting to be overbearing after all these years apart but still feeling like Cooper’s older brother and wanting to protect him when he could. 

“just because someone is sex driven doesn’t mean I have to have sex with them.” Although Cooper wasn’t concerned, he had been thinking about expanding his horizons a bit further and maybe this was a great opportunity to try something, or someone rather. “so what’s holding you back from doing it?” he plopped himself down on a chair, “or are you holding out your torch for someone specific? You were kind of a romantic.”

[coopermurray]

bradleymurray‌:]

“I mean, i’m still gonna do whatever the fuck I want, but i’m gone half the time anyways for scouting trips and the like.” He shrugged at the suggestion, putting his hands on the other’s shoulders and giving them a squeeze. “I’m sure you’re tired of living with Mom and Dad. I also haven’t lived with you in what, twelve years or so? So, pretty positive. There’s seriously a room and a half bath on the other side of the house. It was gonna be a guest room anyways.” He wondered if Cooper would take him up on the offer. “You gonna go to the Festival of the Locus tomorrow night?” He changed the subject, eyes looking over to the man, Bradley not even sure if he wanted to put his name down for Adelaide’s partnership of intimate bonding.

“Thanks.” he nodded, he wanted to let it die there because as much as he knew he ought to find a way to do something more than being at home with his parents, he didn’t mind it so much. Peer pressure definitely didn’t apply to him. “yeah, I signed up for the pairing thing. Figured it might get weird so why not?”

[coopermurray]

@sinclairice​

The whole pairing up thing was at first daunting but also exciting. It was intriguing to Cooper how they could assign him someone to spend his time with and Cooper didn’t have much to say about it. He hadn’t met Artemis before but taking one look at the guy, he knew he had lucked out. “I’m Cooper.” he told the guy, “and I’m hoping you don’t want to stay in this stuffy room for long? I could use some fresh air.”

[coopermurray]

bradleymurray‌:

“It’s a cute little spot for just me. It’s a two-bedroom but it’s fairly simple in design. If you ever wanna move out of mom and dad’s house, you know you can come here with me, right?” They’d been a little distant as of late, still figuring out their whole dynamic but Bradley loved Cooper so much. He’d do anything for his younger brother. Opening the door, he nudged it forward with his foot to lots of empty boxes and a couch, a tv on the floor and clearly a man still decorating and making it feel like home. “What’dya think?”

Cooper turned to look at his brother a bit surprised at the suggestion, “you’d let me live with you? Are you sure? You finally got your own place to do whatever you want and you’d just move your little brother in?” Cooper stepped inside, a lot of imagination still required, “it’s cool. I mean, it’s your own place, it could look like anything and it would still be cool.”

[blooming-jay-deactivated2020060]

It was a slow day. Most of the time while he had been here, people are drawn to the vibrancy and scent of his flowers that were a product of his powers. He still wasn’t sure if it was simply irony or pure coincidence that he was blessed with his powers with his parents having a floral shop line. Regardless he had more than enough plant life to practice on. Jeremiah was leaning over the counter, phone in his hand while he strolled through his social media apps. He was juggling with the idea of staying open or closing early and heading out to soak up some of the constant sun that beamed down onto Santuario. Just as he was about to make a decision, the front bell rang off. “Hello! What can I help you with? Or are you in here to escape some of the heat because I get that too.”

[coopermurray]

“can I say both?” Cooper said as he stepped inside, blowing out some air as he looked out at the scorching heat he sighed. “So, flowers huh?” he looked around, “I guess I could always do flowers...I like the ones that float on water, do you have any of those?”

[coopermurray]

@bradleymurray

“so here we are.” Cooper stood in front of his brother’s place. It wasn’t anything ostentatious but clearly it was much better than whatever Cooper could show for himself. He figured he ought to be jealous, but mostly he was curious as to how his brother felt about it. “Are you happy then?”

[coopermurray]

text ✉ murray bros

Bradley: Do you even have a job now ??

Cooper: I don't succumb to societal pressures

[coopermurray]

text ✉ murray bros

Bradley: thanks fam. i'm so glad to have you as a brother.

Bradley: uhhh :/ dad said in your dreams, remember? you're not disciplined enough.

Cooper: Scouting isn't anyone's dream job, but it'd be good side money.

[coopermurray]

text ✉ murray bros

Bradley: idk what to tell you, scout's get paid well.

Bradley: i'm not 18 anymore. all i really wanna do is watch game of thrones on a big screen with some chips and salsa.

Cooper: Hope you get fat

Cooper: Maybe I should become a scout.

[coopermurray]

text ✉ murray bros

Bradley: You get dessert then.

Bradley: idk, it's alright. I tried going to the plant shop today but not sure, weird that this is my new home and i'm not at home. Still getting used to it.

Cooper: Yeah weird that you somehow can afford your own place.

Cooper: Surprise you're not throwing some party yet.

[coopermurray]

text ✉ murray bros

Bradley: Okay well, I just moved into my own place and had all my stuff shipped.

Bradley: When I went to see Mom & Dad, you weren't home.

Bradley: Can we get dinner tomorrow or something? We got a lot to catch up on.

Cooper: Okay if you're paying.

Cooper: How's your new place?