changeling

Is that DANIELLE PANABAKER I spotted on the beach? Oh no, it’s JOCELYN ALLEN, the 27 year old from AUSTIN, TEXAS. They are currently working as a CON ARTIST, but people around town refer to HER as THE GRIFTER. They’re BISEXUAL and they’re an ARIES I heard they’re living in OCEANSIDE. They’re known for being CHARMING and ACCOMMODATING, but I’ve heard some people describe them as MANIPULATIVE and DECEITFUL.

[gnarly-miller-blog]

Sutton had needed to get out for some fresh air. She had been wrapped up in school and work that she barely had any time to do anything, even hanging out with her friends wasn’t really something she got to do much. Innately, she walked towards the pier to watch the waves. Reaching her destination, she pulled out a cigarette. She turned herself away from the wind when she went to light it and saw nearly dropped it when she saw she wasn’t alone. “Didn’t see you there, you scared the shit out of me,” she laughed, slightly.

[jocclynallcn-blog]

jocelyn gave the other woman a little smile. “sorry, i didn’t mean to startle you. can you light me up?” she asked, holding up her unlit cigarette. “i kind of dropped my lighter into the ocean, i think.” she explained, shaking her head. it had been a long day and she had been trying to unwind with a walk and a smoke--only becoming more frustrated when she realized that her lighter had disappeared. 

[misslucylourdes-blog]

“This is going to sound horrible, but where can I get information on getting my drivers license?  I’ve literally just moved here and I guess I didn’t think the whole transportation thing through.”

[jocclynallcn-blog]

“oh no. you really didn’t think things through, huh? head to the dmv in the morning and they can help you out. do you have a state-issued i.d. or anything?”

[jocclynallcn-blog]

“is that really much better? then i’m just sitting around and watching videos of people talking at me.”

[jocclynallcn-blog]

“texas.” jocelyn replied. this was the truth. she didn’t usually lie about where she was from unless it fit into whatever identity she had most recently assumed. “i moved here for work. i do administrative stuff for a company based out of atlanta.” she lied. 

[jocclynallcn-blog]

“alright, alright. i won’t force you up, don’t worry.” jocelyn assured, sticking her ahnds in her pockets. “i’ve never lived by a beach before. there’s something that’s almost magical about it.”

[jocclynallcn-blog]

“it’s important to be able to take care of yourself. not saying that you can’t, of course. but still--it’s handy in a pinch.” jocelyn said, taking the gum from the stranger. “thanks. you know, my mother always told me not to take candy from strangers. what’s your name?” she asked. this was a lie. her mother had never told her anything about avoiding strangers, instead teaching her how to scam them.

[jocclynallcn-blog]

jocelyn got into the car and gave charlie a little smile. he didn’t ask many questions about her life--she liked that about him. still, that didn’t stop her from prodding him about his past. “so how long have you lived here, again? i keep forgetting.” she asked, starting to drive.

[jocclynallcn-blog]

jocelyn realized the error of her judgement and decided to write it off as a joke. “oh, you mean this isn’t...you’re not a kidnapper?” she teased, giving the other woman a little smile. she took a moment to glance at the baby in the cart, feeling a little shiver. children made her nervous--they were just so helpless. sometimes it was hard to believe that she had been one once, dependent on others to survive.

putting a package of gum into her own cart, the con artist laughed. “oh, come on. i was just teasing.”

[jocclynallcn-blog]

“yeah. i’ve mostly lived in cities. it’s kind of nice. it feels like time moves slower here.” jocelyn replied, taking a look at the girl next to her. there was a certain kindness here that the con artist had never experienced anywhere else. it almost made her feel bad. “jocelyn.” she replied, starting to get up and walk toward the waves. she turned back to look at her new companion, “well, cami, last one in is a rotten egg.”

[jocclynallcn-blog]

“they won’t notice if you take one, you know. i’ve been watching you stare for the past few minutes.” jocelyn said, half mumbling as she walked past the person. if they reacted badly, she could just write it off as a joke. and if they failed, which was a pretty big possibility, she could swipe something during the distraction. 

[evelyn-fucking-hastings-blog]

Reagan colorfully cursed to herself, dramatically trying to get her new home. She looked up to see someone walking the street, “I totally swear I live here.” She held up her keys, obnoxious pink puff ball attached to the keyring, “Plus, i’m in a vintage Chanel. I’m too classy to be robbing.”

[jocclynallcn-blog]

jocelyn gave a little laugh, “oh, don’t worry. i wouldn’t peg you for a thief.” said the thief. some targets just screamed ‘please, take all of my things!’ “you need a hand? i live down the street, by the way. my name’s jocelyn.”

[jocclynallcn-blog]

“don’t we all? i’d feel like people would be obligated to be nice to you, for like, you know, fixing their stuff for them.”

[jocclynallcn-blog]

“i’d suggest the former. there’s something really nice about getting to the top and taking a deep breath of all that ocean air. i don’t know.” jocelyn replied, running a hand through her hair.

[jocclynallcn-blog]

“oh, that is...that is somehow dorkier than i expected, even from you. that’s kind of cute, though.”

[jocclynallcn-blog]

“hah, thanks. i’m still new here, so i’m not really used to being outside this much.” jocelyn replied, putting sunscreen on her shoulders and legs. she shrugged at the thought of going into the water. “i’m undecided. i haven’t swam in the ocean since i was a little kid.” 

[jocclynallcn-blog]

“well, a car is here.” jocelyn said, getting up and wiping the sand from her legs. “i didn’t steal it, just so you know. i paid for it legally with a credit card.” a credit card that belonged to someone who had not, and would never exist, but still, wasn’t that on the dealership for not assuming that she was fraudulent? “give me some directions? i’m still getting to know the town.”

[jocclynallcn-blog]

“i, uh, i moved here a few weeks ago.” jocelyn said, looking at the man for a moment, then back to the ocean. “i’ve never lived this close to a beach before. it’s um, it’s actually incredible.” she said. even as a con artist, she still had moments where she couldn’t help but be truthful. this was one of them.