the siren

renegade. 21. 

[sirenjoleora]

“If one more person starts singing that renegade song to me, I may just call in sick to my patrols. I mean, honestly, this whole trend is starting to get to me and I don’t ever get annoyed like hardly ever.” Jo rambled all the while taking a bite of the pizza slice in her hands. She knew that she should be careful about eating in uniform but there was nothing like Gatlon City pizza. The other parts of the world truly didn’t know what they were missing. “Do you know the dance? I don’t know it but I feel like I know it now even though I’ve never really learned it.”

[zofias]

WE WERE ALL VILLAINS in the beginning.

[sapphicpinkyverse]

Kaylee “the only loml” Bryant

[posiecrack]

omg she’s so cute wtf

[sirenjoleora]

sincerelymurtaugh‌:

As the dance finished, Matt started to bounce on his toes. When he was dancing he hadn’t even thought of his nerves, instead taking in the beat of the music. Now though… Nova clapped and he felt himself grin, the nerves leaving him in waves. He hadn’t messed anything up and… she was so pretty when she smile. Wait. Did she just say– No, no he had to have heard wrong. “Thank you,” he said, offering her a quick bow. His eyes darted to his jacket and then back to her, before he rushed to her (unable to wipe the smile from his face.) “There’s one more. But you have to open it quick, because I might have a heart attack if you don’t.” He pulled out another package, holding it out to her.

Matt’s smile was intoxicating and she felt - for just a moment - jealous of everyone else who had gotten to grow up with that smile. If Nova had had this boy around growing up, maybe she wouldn’t have become as lonely as she was. Her own smile remained bright and she watched as he rushed closer and held out one more gift. “Matt, you really... you’re spoiling me now.” And her heart fluttered at the thought that he saw her as someone to spoil. But, of course, they weren’t dating or anything so this was entirely too much. Nova looked up at him and then back at the present and began to tear it open with careful precision. Her speed was not lacking though. “Please don’t go having a heart attack,” She said as she opened the gift, “I can’t lose you after I’ve just found you.”

[sirenjoleora]

annabellramsay‌:

Annabell didn’t know this girl, so she was most likely some sort of new. Though she seemed like she’d fit into the town pretty well, with that kind of holiday attitude. “I’ve dreamed of organizing an event for the…” Bitter. “people who don’t like the holidays where we just remove the decorations in as little time as possible.” She wasn’t a very sociable person, but she would be for that. “But as I’m sure you’d believe, there aren’t very many people here who hate the holidays.”

If there was something that Nova considered herself best at it was giving other people what they needed/wanted. Looking up at the bar and its decorations, she tilted her head to the side and hummed. “If you’d like, I could help you take this all down. I mean... it is a full week or more after New Years. There are plenty of other holidays to start preparing for. Or dread preparing for.” Nova looked over at the older woman and gave her a teasing wink before stepping forward to touch the garland. 

[sirenjoleora]

sincerelymurtaugh‌:

Matt struck his starting pose, knowing he only had so much of the dance prepared. The CD itself would keep going and the dance (with just him) would most likely be lackluster, but it was his strongest ability. The music started, an upbeat tune allowing him to showcase the hiphop moves he had learned over the years. He moved as much as he could in gear that wasn’t fit for dance, trying not to focus on the beautiful girl in front of him. Until he was finished, not even close to out of breath, offering her a shy, but big smile.

((HERE))

Nova had not been prepared for the boy to dance. At first she was worried that she wouldn’t know how to respond. What if it was just too cheesy and bad? Nova was taken aback, though, at how well Matt could move. Like... he could really dance. Nova hadn’t realized that when he talked about dancing he could dance like the professionals did. The girls smile grew and soon her hands were clasped to her chest to keep herself from trying to move along with him. When he was done, Nova stood up and clapped. She gave a little holler before holding her hands up in the air. “Where did that come from?! Matt! That was incredible!” The girl laughed softly, “Matt, seriously, that was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. Also hot too.” Nova paused as she realized that she had just admitted that she found him hot. “Just... woah.”

[sirenjoleora]

sincerelymurtaugh‌:

Matt found himself laughing, a carefree one, at the flustered way she tried to defend her words. “It’s totally fine. We’re pretty close. He’s a great guy.” They had just started out as gym buddies, but Matt felt like he could confide in him more than his real brother. “You’ll have to tell me more about her sometime,” he prompted. Nova had already disclosed some information about her sister, but really Matt wanted to hear more stories about Nova herself. He wanted to hear all about her old life. Now wasn’t quite the time, though. He waited for her to sit down before he moved to the center of the room, standing tall. The nerves were coming back, but Matt was determined. “Can you just, uh… press the play button? On the boom box. Right there.”

His laugh had her relaxing slightly. Thankfully, Matt should have been used to her ramblings by now. They may not have known each other for years like some of the people around here but a couple months was a long time when it came to their age. Nova wasn’t a hard person to understand, either. “I will..” It’d be a lot easier to tell him about her now that she was actually in town. Maybe the two of them could meet. Except that might not be the best idea. If she had any hope of making Matt fall for her, he couldn’t meet her sister. The girls twin was just too endearing... too... everything Nova was not. Beautiful, fun, interesting.. dateable. Of course, who was she kidding? Matt probably wouldn’t fall for Nova even now. The girl nodded and pressed the play button, unsure of what was about to happen but giddy nonetheless.

[sirenjoleora]

sincerelymurtaugh‌

“I know what you mean,” Matt replied, his eyes falling on her lips for just a moment before he turned away. He was trying so hard to not be obvious, but he wasn’t sure how well he was doing. Nova was a great girl, but he didn’t want to ruin this town for her and clearly overstepping as a friend would not be the right move to make here. “Asher isn’t technically my brother, but he might as well be.” He spoke as he led her down the hall to one of the closest practice rooms, where a chair was already placed on one end, a boombox close to it. “Take a, uhm… Take a seat.” Matt gestured to the chair as he pulled off his jacket, tossing it in the corner.

Nova’s heart skipped a beat when she noticed where the boys gaze fell. However, her mind would not allow her to believe that he was actually gazing at her lips for the reason she hoped. So, she slyly brushed a finger across the soft skin of her chin and back again over her lips to make sure nothing was out of the sort. Knowing her, there could have been a piece of food left over from her lunch stuck to her face without her knowing it and how embarrassing would that be? “Oh! I don’t--” Nova shook her head and blew out a slippery bit of air. “My bad. I mistook him for your brother. A good friend then? That’s always nice. Having a friend who’s basically a sibling. Of course, I love my sister more than anything in the world. She was a built in best friend.” It was why it had been so hard for Nova to leave. But, she didn’t regret coming to Holiday Village. Looking at Matt now, her heart racing as his gaze met hers, she didn’t regret it at all. She looked at the seat and then the boombox. A slow smile spread to her lips but she squashed it as best she could. “Alright...” Nova sat down slowly and made sure to keep her gaze cautious although she already knew this would be her favorite present yet. “I’m all yours.” And she was. More than he could ever know.

[sirenjoleora]

annabellramsay‌:

“I keep forgetting that this town doesn’t take it’s decorations down until like, March.” It was both refreshing and annoying, depending on when it came to place. Right after the Holidays when Annabell just wanted a break, it was more annoying. She passed the other their drink, almost grimacing. “You’d think I was killing someone by suggesting to take it all down.”

“You know, I always thought the holidays came and went too quickly. My mother would have the house decorated right after Thanksgiving and then torn down on New Years. It was almost sad.” Nova always knew that with the new year came the loss of the holiday jitters she so enjoyed. “At least this way we can watch the days slowly fade back into a normal rhythm. Less shocking. Seems kinder.” The girl smiled, “I mean, look at it this way: at least you don’t have to use your energy to tear down all the decorations until later.” 

[sirenjoleora]

sincerelymurtaugh‌:

Nova giggled at the sight of the gift and for a moment, Matt could feel his heart seizing in his chest. Was she laughing at him? No, no, don’t be stupid, she wouldn’t. Nova was too kind to ever do something so cruel. Almost immediately after those thoughts passed through his head, she clutched the pathetic keychain to her chest and the anxiety seemed to disappear. That was the worst of his gifts and if she really loved it as much as she said… it was only uphill from there. He smiled, much more genuine this time, his hands pulling out the set of keys from his pocket. “I’m glad you like it,” he said, his voice soft as he placed the keys in the door of the dance studio. “This next gift is… a secret.” He pulled the door open, holding it for her. “You have to swear not to tell anybody. Well, Asher and Noelle know, but they’re basically the only ones.”

Nova’s gaze shifted to the keys in his hand and her eyes shown with a mischievous tint. Although she liked to consider herself a good person who followed most rules, the girl couldn’t deny that there was something thrilling about having a secret to keep. Back home secrets were incredibly important. In fact, they could make or break you in high society. So, Nova felt like she had this whole keeping a secret thing down. “Thankfully I have a very good habit of keeping my lips shut. I mean wh-when it comes to secrets. Obviously, I can sort of ramble and that’s not really keeping your mouth shut.” Nova flushed faintly. Her fingers itched to reach into her bag and give Matt his gift but it wasn’t the right time yet. “I swear. Not a soul but us will know. And your siblings, of course.”

[sirenjoleora]

sincerelymurtaugh‌:

Matt met Nova’s eyes and wondered if this would be the day he died. Already he was incredibly nervous, wondering if she’d actually like the things he got her. He hoped so, but it felt like a lot to live up to and boy oh boy, he wasn’t new to failure. “Let’s hope this doesn’t change your mind.” He stopped at the door of the dance studio, digging the first gift from his pocket and holding it out to her. The wrapping was terrible– Matt had never been one to be all that well at wrapping. Plus, the gift itself was pretty awkward. “Gift number one.” And as she opened it, he spoke. “I tried making you a bracelet but, well, as you can tell, I didn’t do very good. So now it’s just… well, it’s a keychain.” It was made with string and beads, which spelled out her name (N*O*V*A). 

Nova could sense a small bit of tension rolling off of the boy. She honestly felt sort of bad about it. Had she known that his nerves were not because of the pressure to get her a gift at all, she might have felt better. Still, it felt like a big ask to spend the holidays with someone she’d only met a few months ago. Even if he had been the one to offer, Nova didn’t want Matt or his family to resent her being around. “There’s multiple gifts?” The brunette smiled and took the poorly wrapped present into her hands. Immediately she got a little choked up. It was sweet enough that he got her a gift but to see that he’d even put in the work to wrap it, no matter how imperfect it was, touched her heart. It may have been a little bit different from the professionally wrapped presents she’d always grown up with but that made this all the more special. “Part of me doesn’t even want to open it. It’s cute enough as it is.” But, she opened it nonetheless. Nova giggled as she held it up to see her name spelt out with the beads. Then, she hugged it to her chest. It was one of those silly sort of things a child attending elementary school might make their crush but she loved it. God, she loved it more than anything else she’d ever received. More than her electronics, her trips to marvelous cities across the world. “You don’t understand how much I will cherish this. Thank you Matt. It’s absolutely... it’s perfect.”

[sirenjoleora]

sincerelymurtaugh‌:

“So it’s a three part kind of gift. Partially because I, uh… couldn’t decide, and partially because I’m not certain about each part individually.” He really wasn’t sure if any of his gifts were good, but all put together, it was something decent at least. Matt led Nova to a part of town that was special to him. Fingers dipped in his pocket as he felt the two wrapped packages– and the keys. “And, I’d like to clarify, for anxieties sake, it’s totally okay to not like what I’ve gotten you.”

@novafrey​

The fact that Matt had gotten her any gifts at all was heartwarming. Not only that, it was butterfly inducing. No... bat inducing. Nova was positive the things beating inside of her, turning her insides out and getting her all giddy, had to be bats, not butterflies. “Matty.... Matt...” Nova placed a hand on his arm and tried to meet his gaze without blushing too hard. “Anything you get me is amazing. I can already tell. I mean... its from you and you’re amazing so how can any gift you give me be any less amazing?” Nova was just happy she’d gotten him some gifts as well. Although she had her credit cards back, the brunette had purchased them with the money she’d earned and she was just as nervous to give them to him. Surely he would notice how deep her feelings ran for him through these gifts. “Besides, just spending this Christmas with you has been amazing.”

[sirenjoleora]

sincerelymurtaugh‌:

Nova lost herself in laughter and Matt couldn’t help but join her, though he wasn’t sure why she was laughing. It was just a contagious action, her giggles doing things to his heart that he couldn’t explain. “Trouble?” He asked, the laugh still heard in his tone as he raised an eyebrow questioningly. How could optimism like that get someone in trouble? He couldn’t imagine a girl like Nova ever getting in trouble, especially for making people feel like they were on top of the world. She was just too pure. “I don’t think I’d get an ulcer, I just–” Matt choked on his next words, realizing what she had said. “I’m not– Cute? No, I’m- It’s not, uh…” he nearly tripped through the door after her, running a hand through his hair in hopes that it’d play off the absolute clumsy action. “I don’t know if cute is the word I’d use.” Nice save, Murtaugh. “You strike me as a waffles kind of person.”

“My parents weren’t exactly the sort to look at the bright side of life. Things either went their way or... well, it had to go their way. There was never an or.” Nova couldn’t even begin to explain the complexity that were the Frey’s. She was just lucky that she was so good at keeping quiet. She’d learned when she was young that her being ‘happy for the other team’ would not be appreciated by her parents. Her sister was much better at getting the whole ‘being a Frey’ thing. But, Nova was nothing without her twin which is why she’d stayed as long as she had. The girl watched Matt struggle with her compliment and she wondered if she had gone too far. His reaction alone proved her point, though. He was cuter than any boy she’d ever met. High society guys all looked and acted the same. You couldn’t decipher one from the next. But, Matt? He was unique, an individual, and his smile was the first to ever truly give her butterflies. “I think it’s the best word to describe you. At least right now. I’m sort of failing at synonyms right now.” Mainly because she was so distracted by him. She motioned to the waitress that there would be two of them and smiled kindly at her. Nova had always been generous when it came to waitstaff. The things they had to put up with from her family alone was enough to earn them a salary larger than the one they got. “Waffles and strawberries and syrup...” Nova hummed, letting her head fall back at the thought. “Oh I could live off that alone. What sort of person are you though? Chicken tenders.... oh fish and chips?” 

[sirenjoleora]

jaelynfrey‌:

  Jae was quick to follow after her twin after taking her hand. Had she heard her right? Break? Was she working here? Not that Jae didn’t value work. Despite growing up in a rich household, she was never one to belittle the workers that her parents had but she couldn’t help but wonder why Nova had put herself in a position like this. There were many questions that were going through the blonde’s mind but she wasn’t sure if she wanted to unload them quite yet. She didn’t want to scare her twin– not that she felt like she’d shut down on her but there was a risk that she just might. After all, she ran away without telling her and deep down that had hurt a little. She had thought that maybe she trusted her. Despite these feelings, her logical side of her told her that Nova was probably just scared. “Nova..” She started, her tone gentle as she faced her twin now, she took both her hands and gave them a gentle squeeze, “Nova.. are you ready to come home? This little town is cute and all.. but this isn’t home..” 

Nova double checked that none of the other kitchen staff was hiding around and when she knew the coast was clear she turned to her twin. It still felt like a dream seeing Jaelyn in Holiday. How had she even found Nova? The girl had thought she’d been so careful. Nova let her sister take her hands into her own and watched her warily. She could only imagine the kind of anger and upset Jae must be feeling but Nova could only hope that her sister would understand. That there was a reason she had to run first and then make contact later. Because, Nova couldn’t go forever without her sister. Two months was long enough. At Jae’s question, Nova smiled gently and shook her head. “Jae, I-- there’s a reason I left home in the first place. I wasn’t meant to be there.” The brunette didn’t know how to explain to her sister just how wrong she had felt in New York. “I could never just be myself. Here... Jae, it’s amazing. This place! It’s amazing. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted... well, almost. I’m sorry I didn’t bring you with but you have to understand, I was going to make contact. I just needed to give it time so Mother and Father didn’t just send the plane for me. I’ve started to make a life here and-- and I’ve started to figure out who I am. Back home I was just... whatever they needed me to be. I couldn’t speak freely or feel freely. Here? It’s different. It’s so different!” Nova laughed a little, “I can bake all day long and I get paid for it! And this family, the Murtaughs, they own the Inn and they’ve basically taken me in. And the people here are so kind... a-a-and there’s a boy.... a sweet and charming boy who I-I really like and he may not like me back but I can’t just leave.” This would be the first time she truly expressed some sort of strong feeling about a place, “I don’t want to leave.”

[sirenjoleora]

sincerelymurtaugh‌:

Matt clenched his own hands in his pockets, internally cursing himself. He’d never have the guts, that much he knew, but he wished he wasn’t so obvious about it. She had to know, right? That all he wanted was to hold her hand? No, that was crazy, there was no way she could no. “You’ve got a lot of optimism,” he replied, bumping into her with his shoulder. “I wish I could share that optimism, but I think most people care about what they get.” Even the indifference bothered him, though he at least felt reassured that she wouldn’t think so poorly of him. They had reached the diner and Matt pulled open the door, holding it for Nova. “After you.”

Nova looked over at Matt when his shoulder bumped hers and the nerves she’d been keeping inside bubbled out into a loud laugh. The girl could have keeled over right there. Turning her face away from him, she continued her series of giggles for a moment, hand covering her mouth to hide the sound. “I’m so sorry. I just-- it’s funny. You say it so kindly. Back home, that optimism got me into trouble.” Nova wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch him then. To get him to understand that she would never worry about those sorts of things. But, she didn’t want to push a boundary and obviously Matt hadn’t exactly enjoyed their hands brushing. Maybe he had a thing about germs? No, that was silly. He just doesn’t like you, Nova told herself. “Then they’re all punks. That’s not the true spirit of Christmas.” She sighed, “I just want to make you feel better. You’re too young to get an ulcer. And as cute as your whole nervous face is, I much prefer you smiling.” Nova mumbled, kicking at some pebbles in front of her. “Thank you, sir.” She gave a quick curtsy and then walked into the diner, about to run herself right into the first wall she could find. A curtsy!? He wasn’t a lord! Why would she curtsy? Nova was going insane. He was making her insane. “The question is, do I get waffles or a burger?!” 

[hipster]

It’s a beautiful thing when you get so comfortable with someone and you realize you’re telling them things you’ve never said out loud before