aurorae.

but your image stains my mind until my conscience bleeds.

[redwinds]

redwinding:

“That’s a whopping here!”

“Great! You two are always welcome. Please do, it’d be so much fun. We really had to learn how to make our own growing up here, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.” 

“I guess that’s true. A pretty good portion of our population... I still think you’d win.”

“I’m sure Dahlia will be all for it. We’ll just have to get the dates straight and iron out all the rest.” The last part really rings true, especially for her. “I know a lot of people are itching to leave this place, but I couldn’t imagine it. I love Redwind too much.”

[redwinds]

redwinding:

“I wish you luck finding all your dreams, and all your dream daddies.” 

She runs a hand through her hair, giving another nod. “No, definitely not. It’s been nice so far, but we’ll see. You never know whose dream daddy might show up and give me a run for my money.”

“That means a lot to me.” In truth, he hates that he made the joke in the first place.

He smiles again, leaning back in his seat. It’s easier to avoid doing what he knows he has to when there’s a good reason. “Nah, you can probably take ‘em. You seem tough enough.”

[redwinds]

redwinding:

“I’d be so busy! And I’d have all of no UPS drivers’ votes. But… thank you, really.”

“She has, hasn’t she?” She’s just happy that they’re leading good, fun lives away from the home they grew up in. “Oh, you have to, then! Even if you just want to come over for a few drinks one night–just give me a call a day before. We don’t have to rent anything out to have a good time!” 

“Oh, who cares? How many are there here, four?”

“Since the moment I met her!” Which was probably at a party, now that she thinks about it. Laura has always admired Rhiannon’s courage. “Yes, of course! I’d love that. I can bring Dahlia along, we’ll have a bunch of fun.”

[redwinds]

redwinding:

“So, hoping for no dramatics. And no Black Widows. That leaves you with, what, Daddy Long Legs?” 

“Thank you. It works for me.” It sounds like a very different kind of story, so she nods attentively. “Oh, I see. For such a small town, everything is pretty unpredictable here. I hope that everything goes smoothly!”

“Yeah,” he deadpans, “I’m looking for my dream daddy.”

“Must not get a whole lot of trouble, I’d think. But you don’t look like any librarians I’ve ever known, either.” Dante has had his fair share of rummaging through libraries, much to their hatred of him. “Thanks, though. I hope so too.”

[redwinds]

redwinding:

“It exhausts me, thinking people are okay just being so careless.” 

“And there’s nothing better than that!” She encourages, knowing that she’s in a place to follow a passion of her own. “It’s too bad you couldn’t make it–I had a project to finish, but I caught the last hour or two. Just in time to hold a friend’s hair up. You should come next time! I’m sure we’d have a blast.” 

“You should run for mayor, you know. I think you’d be great at that. I’d vote for you.”

Laura laughs, not at all surprised that a party thrown by Rhiannon, inside of a bar no less, would end up with a couple of heads in the toilet. “Your sister has always known how to throw a party.” She thought it was amazing that she actually threw it in celebration of her own homecoming, as well. “I’d love to come hang out with you guys sometime! It’s been a while since I’ve gone to a party.”

[redwinds]

redwinding:

“So, a more thoughtful spider. One you could take home for Thanksgiving, if it wasn’t already there.” 

“No more than a few months–I just got a job at the library, actually.” She nods, not wanting to pry too much. “Oh, really? Did you live here before, or is it just a new sort of visiting? Feel free to cut me off at any time, if that’s too– I don’t know, nosy.”

“Oh yeah. And none that could kill me if we got in a fight or anything either.”

“Must like it enough to stick around, then? Congrats on the job.” Dante thinks he could see the appeal, but he’s used to bigger and busier places. “Nah, you’re alright.” He knows how to get around anything he doesn’t want to answer well enough. “This is the first time I’ve been here. My parents are split, just visiting his side of the family.” It’s honest enough.

[redwinds]

redwinding:

“One of the UPS drivers dropped his plastic for the soda cans, and there’s so many strays around where it happened! I really couldn’t help it. If for nothing else, then at least for future reference.” 

“That’s a good way to look at it. Building up a tolerance would help, I’m sure.” She nods with a light enough enthusiasm, genuine intrigue crossing her features. “Already? You must be excited. That’s such an admirable job, genuinely. I’ve been well! Rhiannon is back in town – she’s always keeping me busy, in the best way.” 

“Hopefully he learns his lesson. I’d hate to see our beaches or fields filled with trash someday.”

“Thank you so much, that’s so sweet of you to say. I’m really excited for it, I love what I do.” Laura can’t imagine herself doing much else, either. “Oh yes, Rhiannon! I saw her at the store the other day, getting things for her party. I wanted to go, but I was working. She’s a lot of fun.”

[redwinds]

redwinding:

“What kind of a spider would you date?”

“A little bit. It just moves really slowly, and there’s no helping that at all.” She tilts her head, sitting up straighter. “I hope moving in goes well. I had a minimum of fifteen complications when I did. What brought you?”

“A considerate one. One that winks with at least four eyes.”

“Yeah? How long have you been around for?” Dante doesn’t mind slow, not when it lets him get things done, but he’s not sure how he feels about stick around Redwind for too long. “Thanks. I actually came here for family.”

[redwinds]

redwinding:

“I did. I couldn’t just let him go scot-free like that, could I?” 

“That’s true. Even when you don’t mean to, that’s how it’s all processed.” Her cheeks dimple, and she sighs contently. “You’re pushing your luck! How’ve you been, then? How’s school?” 

“Oh, absolutely not. What happened?”

“Wish it wasn’t, but... something to work on, I guess!” She’d love to be able to remember every compliment and well-wish more than every difficult moment or an especially hard to hear criticism. “I’ve been doing pretty well, thank you! School is going great, I’m getting pretty close to graduation. How about you? Everything good on your end?”

[redwinds]

redwinding:

She laughs harder then, almost in disbelief. “It would be sort of an insult if it only blinked one, right? Don’t you think that would feel a little half-assed? Like you were getting a 20%?”

“Really? You’re actually the first new person in town that I’ve met. There isn’t a whole lot of fresh meat here, that’s for sure.” 

“You’re right. I wouldn’t date a spider that only winked at me with one eighth of their eyes.”

“It’s kind of creepy.” The thought of Redwind Beach was always creepy to him, but actually coming here has proved his point. It might just be him. “But yeah, I think you’re actually only the fourth or fifth person I’ve even spoken to.” How his own sister beat the odds here only adds to his weird feeling about this place.

[redwinds]

redwinding:

She lowers her gaze, an appreciative hint of color rising in her cheeks. “The same could be said for you, Laura–but I’m sure you get that a lot. And at least you don’t go giving people trouble when they litter!” 

“I’ll do my best to. But I have trouble keeping tabs like those, unless it’s on someone who’s done something thoughtless or insensitive to someone else. For some reason, my memory is always clearer.” Despite the teasing tone in her voice, it’s unmistakably true. 

She gets some teasing for it from time to time, that’s for sure. But she doesn’t mind. “Oh? Did you have a bad run-in with a rampant litterer?”

“That makes sense. It’s always easier to remember the bad than the good, as sad as that is.” The bad always gets to her more, always sits at the front of her mind. “But I do mean it. I got really lucky that it was you who found my locket.”

[redwinds]

redwinding:

She laughs into her hands, covering her face and trying to push the image out of her head. “No! That’s terrible!”

“And… yes, actually. What about you? Did you grow up here, like almost everyone else?” 

He laughs quietly, deciding to push further. “Would a winking spider be just one eye, or four, you think?”

Dante shakes his head. “Nah, I actually just got in this morning. Sure gives off that vibe, though.”

[redwinds]

redwinding:

“Oh, don’t think of it like that! I couldn’t stand to think of something that precious out there by itself. There’s no telling what people around here would do, not knowing its value. ” 

“Then I’m just grateful it found its home. And hugs are always nice, on the side.”

“I think you’re the sweetest person I’ve ever met.” Laura’s voice has a hint of a laugh in it, but it’s true. Ever since she’s known Alice, she’s been the epitome of a truly good and caring person.

“I didn’t mean to just jump you like that, but I mean... at least you didn’t mind. Thank you again. And really, if there’s anything you need help with, or that I can do for you, just let me know.”

[redwinds]

redwinding:

“Oh, definitely. I feel like if you zoom in a little they’d have all those hairy legs. I couldn’t deal with that.” 

“It’s no problem.” She smiles, taking his hand and giving a light squeeze in response. “They can make an inconvenient home of just about anything, can’t they? I wish it were that easy.”

“And all those eyes. You think they all blink at the same time, or individually?” He’s not sure why he’s giving her a hard time. For the distraction, maybe.

He reciprocates the exchange before pulling his hand back. “Just about. I take it you’re new, then?”

[redwinds]

redwinding:

She’s not averse to hugs in the slightest - especially ones of relief, which Laura deserves. “Oh, no need! Really, I’m just glad that I found the right person.” 

“It’s beautiful,” Alice tacks on, a wide smile easing her features. “Have you always had it?”

“I’m glad too! Honestly, you’re a life saver. I owe you one. Or ten. Anything you need.” She looks down at the locket again before clutching it tight.

Laura smiles when her eyes meet Alice’s again. “My mom handed it down to me when I turned thirteen. It’s been in my family for a long time.”

[redwinds]

redwinding:

“Hey, I get it. They’re not doing much more than minding their own business.” Still, they make her skin crawl.  

“No, it’s okay. I’d rather tough it out. But I appreciate the thought–I’m Ellie.” 

“Still pretty creepy looking though, huh?” He gives her a bit of a smile, mostly just an attempt to make her feel a little better if she needs it.

“Yeah, sure thing. I’m Dante.” He hesitates for a moment, but decides to extend his hand. “Thanks again for letting me know. Before he decided to take up residence in my hair, or worse.”

[ellcwrites]