@loveandluc replied to your post “[pm] You- I- What- [.....] Thank you. [...] How's...”:
[user starts a voice note himself but his voice is too shaky so he scraps it]
[pm] Well, I hope it heals fast and won't need like, surgery or anything. [...] Yeah, I'd like that. Not really sure what I'm doing with it but people seem willing to give some food and time so maybe no pets will be forgotten. Anything you can do is definitely appreciated.
[....] You're like... a hunter, right? I've only known about one who was trying to hurt fae but he was also super strong and knew how to work a knife.
[pm] [voice note] That's [...] I totally appreciate the good vibes. [user feels soggy about people being willing to help with the pets affected in all of this]
[voice note] Maybe we can, um... We could definitely get together to work out those details. It can be like, an activity in the community center. I mean, if [...] you're okay with that. We don't have to, but my schedule is pretty open for a least a few weeks.
[user is somehow relieved that Luc already knows stuff]
[voice note] Right, like that. I'm sure an actor like you knows a bit about Buffy? That's sorta the gist here too. And yup, I'm usually stronger than whatever you saw that day, I'm still trying to figure out why I got juiced out, but I didn't feel... strong.
[voice note] Was that your first experience with a zombie?
@loveandluc replied to your post “[pm] So that whole promise thing [...] People keep...”:
[pm] Bit of his art, nothing big, obviously. Some clothing. A keychain [d: that I gave him]. Probably some more stuff, I don't remember, I haven't really opened the box up properly since I arrived. Just kinda rustled at the top items.
[pm] His art? Which pieces? [user feels a pang of something in their chest. they think of all the art that used to sit around the floor of their flat in london. they wonder what happened to all of it.] I could [...] help you look through it, if you'd like.
@loveandluc replied to your post “[pm] Hey! Haven't heard from you in a while, kinda...”:
[pm] Uhm, please refrain from talking negatively about my friend (you). That's good, that things are getting back to normal. I would have brought you like tea or soup if I'd known. I still can, for the record! [...] I'm glad too.
Haha hey, my shape is still great! Yeah?? Update right now, please. Welllll, I sort of dipped my toes back into dating, a bit.
[PM] You're such a fucking sweetheart, you know that? No, no, I'm fine. I had Daniel to take care of me, mostly. [...] We sort of broke up. For a little while. There were some important things that neither of us had been honest about. But we talked and figured it out I think and know it is not very casual. He lives with me and makes me dinner and brings me lunch <3
But now!!! Spill!!!! I love this for you. So much. Tell me everything. Who is he? Or they???? How many people do you have tending to that very lovely ass of yours?
PARTIES: @loveandluc; @appalachiannightmare
TIMING: June 20th
LOCATION: Video Vault
SUMMARY: Luc and Hazel have a blast!
WARNINGS: None!
Even without the promise of a friendly face working the register, Luc would have ventured to the old school video rental store at some point. Obviously, Netflix was way simpler than going all the way to the middle of nowhere to rent a tape, not to mention that Luc hadn’t owned a VCR since he’d been a kid and technically, it had belonged to his moms. And his laptop didn’t have a disc drive so there was no point in renting a DVD either. Browsing would be fun, though! Maybe he’d rent something just to support a small business, give himself a reason to come back in a few days.
Smiling at the bell that tinkled to mark his arrival, Luc paid no mind to the slightly dusty shelves and what looked like a flyer for a bouncy castle, enamored instead by the vividly colorful gumball machine that greeted him at the entrance. Like literally any person his age, he wasn’t carrying around cash so he passed it wistfully, venturing further into the store instead. Right away, title after title caught his eye as he perused the aisles, pausing a few times as he read the name of a movie wrong, backtracking to reread and no, that actually said Schindler’s Leg. Weird.
A movie clattering to the ground from one of the shelves broke the trance and Luc looked over his shoulder to find the aisle empty, save for the DVD case that had apparently decided to throw itself to the ground. Doubling back, Luc tucked it back where it belonged, only then noticing the staff member that had appeared at the end of the aisle. Yanking his hand back as if he’d been caught throwing the cases to the ground instead of putting them back, Luc succeeded in sending the first case soaring back to the floor along with five other movies. “Sorry! Sorry, that’s– I’ll get that. My bad.”
—
This would be Hazel’s first Fourth of July in Wicked’s Rest, and already it was turning out to be chaotic considering there was a full firework tent setup outside. Another one of Hubert’s ambitious projects that he was never around for, but left poor Hazel to figure out on her own. Especially now that she was, once again, the only employee. Thankfully D-List actor and ghost, Lionel Barnes had taken pity on her and promised to man the fort when she was outside making sure no one was running off with fireworks, but with the summer heat starting to take control, Hazel was desperate for a break and would do her best to keep an eye on things from inside. That was, until she heard a commotion in one of the aisles.
Capping the nearly empty water bottle in her hand, she sat it down on the counter and made her way to where the noise was coming from to find a man struggling with keeping movies on the shelf, “Oh hey! Where’d you come from? You musta slipped in on me when I was outside.” Moving closer to him, Hazel kneeled down and began picking up the movies, “Don’t worry about it. This happens all the time.” Noticing a pixie just above his head and to the side, she shot the small creature a narrowed glance followed by a lighthearted smile, before setting her sights back on the man in front of her, “Was there somethin’ I could help you find? Or do you plan on just hangin’ out and wreckin’ my store all day?”
As the last of the movies were placed back on the shelf, Hazel stood back up and brushed her knees off. Though she tried desperately to keep it clean inside, especially considering she usually had a lot of time on her hands, it always somehow managed to stay dusty.
—
Eyes widening at the question, Luc’s gaze swept the store and landed on the entrance. Were they closed? Had he accidentally broken in here? “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sneak around!” Luc dropped to his knees as well, picking up the cases along with the employee - Hazel, if her name tag was to be believed. “Oh, uh…” Before a third apology could make its way past his lips, Luc looked up at maybe-Hazel and spotted her smile. Jokes, right. “I’m just here to look around?” he asked instead of answering, as if seeking permission for being in this establishment. Clearing his throat, Luc rose as the employee did, happy to see the movies staying in place, for now.
“Someone told me there was a video rental store in town so I had to go check it out. Haven’t been in one of these since I was a kid, renting movies to watch with my moms. I don’t… actually have anything to play DVDs on at the moment but I came here for inspiration, I guess? Maybe nostalgia. Now I’m rambling. Hi, I’m Luc,” he finally cut himself off, throwing out his arm for a handshake, even though this employee probably wanted to get back to her job and not be stuck talking to one of the customers. Luc would let her get back to more important things right away. Just as soon as… “And I have to ask, sorry, but why the fireworks?”
—
Hazel already liked this guy. He was funny and friendly enough. She worked in a rundown video store that mostly rented out out-of-date stuff, except for the random things that the owner was always trying to make a quick buck off of, so anytime someone who seemed genuinely nice came in, it made her happy, “Look all you want. I don’t bite and neither does the ghost that haunts this place.” The pixies might though. She winked at him not knowing if he believed in ghosts or not. “It’s always nice having company, especially when it’s inside the store, cause it’s hotter than balls outside right now.” She knew it wasn’t very lady-like, but she was just speaking facts.
“You’d be surprised at how many people still do. Just don’t mention anything about s-t-r-e-a-m-i-n-g or my boss will get mad. Not a joke, by the way.” She leaned in and whispered, “This and hawkin’ the most random things is how he makes his livin’, and I guess me too, since he pays me. Well that and mowin’ lawns and trimmin’ bushes.” Hazel leaned back before meeting his hand and shaking it firmly, “Nice to meet you, Luc. I’m Hazel. As for the fireworks, I have no idea. I just sit the stuff out and try to sell it cause it was in the job description when I was hired. And you’re more than welcome to look around at those too. I’m gonna bask in the AC for a few minutes, and then I can join you back outside if you have any questions. Your choice, my dude.”
—
Relieved to find that he wasn’t being a total bother to this kind employee, Luc allowed tension to bleed out of him and be replaced with something that matched Hazel’s jokes and friendly wink. “Well, that’s good. Don’t think a biting ghost would be great for business.” Not that the place was currently overcrowded but that had to do more with Netflix rather than people actually thinking there was a ghost here, right? Luc had come to realize that there was plenty of superstition and stories around these parts so nothing was certain, he supposed. Grinning at her very apt description of the temperature outside, Luc gave a nod. “Yeah, you caught me, I’m actually just in here for the AC.”
The amusement continued right up until Hazel’s tone turned serious and as she leaned in conspiratorially, Luc found his gaze wandering to the corner’s of the store, looking for cameras. They were the only two people in here right now but could it be that Hazel’s boss spied on customers and kicked them out for talking about streaming services? Didn’t seem like a great business model… “I’ll be careful!” he promised, lighting up as Hazel confirmed her name and her identity as the woman from online. Unless there were two employees here who moonlighted in the lawn mowing business. “So you are the person who brought this store to my attention. Thanks!”
Glancing over to the glass doors which gave a sneak peek at the fireworks stand - and the hot as balls weather outside - Luc grimaced slightly. “Think I might cool off a bit more first. And I don’t think I have any use for fireworks. Hear they’re pretty dangerous and I like my hands, y’know, not blown up.” But maybe he’d scan the selection as he left, see if they had sparklers? That sounded like something Monica might enjoy.
—
“I rightly don’t think any kind of biting would be great for business, unless it was a different kinda store.” Hazel never really thought about stuff like that, and it always made her feel awkward when people would come in looking for the more adult oriented movies. She knew that was a thing, obviously, but it was a thing she had never done, not even with her ex-boyfriend. Abstinence was a powerful tool in her book. Thankfully Luc wasn’t in here looking for those kinds of movies, “You know, I will say the AC in here does work pretty good for this place to be kinda on the older than dirt side.” She laughed taking in the stream of air that was blowing in her direction.
Hazel couldn’t understand why talking about streaming had been such a big deal. It’s not like it had made that big of a difference right? Usually if you were coming in this place, it was intentional, but she had learned that crossing that line was a no-no, and not something she wanted to be yelled at about…again, “I appreciate it. I like it when I don’t get yelled at for breakin’ a rule.” The smile across her face was more of a plea for help, “Uh…you’re welcome, but whatcha talkin’ about? Have we met somewhere else or somethin’?” Hazel’s mind was not focused on previous internet conversations whatsoever.
Leaning forward to grab the large jug of water sitting on the floor near the counter, Hazel opened up the pop-top and took a long slow sip from it, “Man, that’s good. We got cokes in the cooler over there and a water fountain around the corner if you’re thirsty, but I don’t recommend drinkin’ out of the fountain for various reasons. It’s why the jug of water is bigger than my head.” She sat the bottle back down, “You have a point though. I like my hands too. Fireworks are pretty and all, but from a distance.” As she looked back outside, she realized some teenagers had come up, “Crap on a cracker. Looks like I got some customers. Make yourself at home, and I’ll be back in a few.”
Reluctantly, Hazel left the comfort of her chair behind the counter and made her way back out into the heat.
—
Luc choked on a snicker at Hazel’s comment, you know, like the mature and sexually active adult that he was, clearing his throat in what was a very failed attempt to hide his initial reaction. “Yeah, uh no, definitely… not the vibe.” Still a bit warm in the face, despite the AC that really did work quite well, Luc nodded along enthusiastically because AC units were a topic he was quite a bit more comfortable with. “I don’t think you could even run a business in summer without a good AC,” he mused even though he knew nothing of the sort, obviously not the kind of person who could run a business.
The more Hazel spoke, the more his eyebrows knitted in worry. “Your boss shouts at you?” Luc asked in a hushed tone, concern clear on his features. Not that it was any of his business, he knew that apparently some places were just run by rude supervisors but Hazel seemed lovely and obviously no one deserved to get shouted at but she seemed extra not deserving of that. “Oh, sorry, uh… online. Unless there’s another lawn mowing professional that works here.”
Luc’s eyes moved towards the corner in question, the dubious water fountain just out of view yet he gave a slight grimace anyway. Yeah, he didn’t need to be told twice. “That’s nice of you. But I make sure to stay hydrated every day, no worry. Love the waterbottle, though.” Smiling at her colorful cursing, Luc held up his hands in a display of just how little it bothered him that she had to go do her work - obviously. “Stay cool out there,” he called after her before shaking his head at the ridiculous comment. Distractedly, Luc wandered around taking in the movies, filled with nostalgia and intrigue and sometimes genuine confusion. Until again, one of the movies clattered to the ground once again and Hazel had clearly been joking, because ghosts weren’t real, but Luc was starting to feel just… a bit too chilly in the AC, that was all!
Stepping back into the smouldering heat, Luc sighed. It really was warm. Definitely a day where he should have swapped glasses for contacts, the pads on his nose almost immediately going slick in the warm air. “You should get hazard pay or something, having to work out here,” Luc told Hazel as he removed his glasses to wipe them off on his shirt, entirely unaware of how the lenses of them caught the sun just right, one of the fireworks’ strings starting to change color from unassuming string into a little bit more red… and glowy.
—
Hazel hated dealing with teenagers. She never knew if they were there to cause trouble or genuinely just looking around. But if they had wanted to buy something, Hazel was going to need to see some ID. At least one of them had to be eighteen, and she was hoping and praying that they were, because the last thing she wanted was pushback, especially in this heat. Her temper had already been shorter than usual with the hotter weather, and someone had nearly pushed her beyond her limit earlier trying to make a deal on bottle rockets that she just couldn’t do.
Some reprieve though, came in the form of Luc stepping back outside and without realizing it, she let out an audible sigh of relief. Thankfully the two teenagers that were looking at the more expensive fireworks hadn’t noticed, “Right? I know that’ll probably never happen.” Hazel leaned forward and whispered to Luc, “The owner here is way too cheap for that.” She laughed before leaning back and glancing back over to the boy and girl who were laughing about something.
Turning her attention back on her new friend, she brought the internet thing back up, “And you were right…about the online thing…I am that Hazel. You’d think mowing lawns I’d be used to the summer heat.” She shrugged, still hearing the teenagers whispering and laughing; a paranoia starting to form wondering if they were planning something or about to try and take off with something, “What do you think they’re over there laughin’ about?” She motioned towards them with her head as she looked to Luc curious to what his thoughts were, not even catching sight of the current fuse that was slowly eating its way towards the firework it was connected to.
—
Moments like these did tend to make Luc relieved that he had an… untraditional job. Well, career more accurately since he didn’t actively have a job at the moment, only career sounded so grand and imposing. Anyway, he still did kinda prefer it over a 9-5 with bad pay and a cheap boss. When he did actually get jobs, Luc liked that he was kind of his own boss in a way and that the jobs were either great or, if they weren’t so great, they were just temporary. “Man. At least you might get a nice tan?” Luc tried with a comforting smile.
The laughing teenagers hadn’t really caught Luc’s attention, they were just there and having fun like teenagers did which was nice… except maybe it wasn’t? Hazel’s voice was ripe with suspicion and in a show of camaraderie, Luc narrowed his eyes at the group, too, as if that would help him hear the whispering or read into their motives. Which were probably pure, right? Luc preferred to believe that at least, but he did want Hazel’s worries to feel heard. “I mean… some weird TikTok, probably? Something we’re probably too old to get even though we’re not even that old–”
His heart leapt into his throat at the first pop of a firework, loudly shooting from the box that had somehow ignited. He’d never been this close to a firework going off - actually, Luc had only ever seen fireworks from a great big distance but he knew enough to figure that this was definitely too close. “Hazel–” Another pop and Luc startled again, dread filling his chest as he wondered how many fireworks were hidden inside that small box. And whether or not any of those sparks would make the rest of the fireworks start to fizzle. “Come on, we should move!”
—
Hazel was halfway paying attention to Luc and what he was saying, so focused on the teenagers, that when the first pop of the lit firework rang out, she jumped and let out a scream. The two teens, startled by both the pop and the scream, immediately fled backwards trying to get away from the stand as quickly as possible. And it took Luc calling out to her to move, to actually get her to flee from her place behind the tables. All while she could feel the underlying urgency of her devil wanting to come out, but somehow Hazel resisted.
“No, no, no!!!!” Maybe it was the fear of her boss firing her over this or the fear of someone else getting hurt from whatever lit the fuse, but Hazel’s focus was stronger than the need of the beast to tear its way out of her body and rip through a tent of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise. The lit firework was already doing that as it burned holes in the roof of the cheap vinyl tent that was meant to keep all the product safe from the elements. Not necessarily from themselves, as plastic began to burn and melt down onto the other fireworks igniting some, but thankfully sparing others.
“LUC!!! CALL 9-1-1!!!” Hazel was frantic, and without waiting to see if he and the teens were back far enough, the young woman ran around to the side of the building where a hose was attached to a faucet for some of Hubert’s other unconventional product ideas.
Righty-tighty! Lefty-loosey!
As the water began to flow out of the hose, Hazel quickly drug the tubing back around to the front of the store and sprayed it directly at the popping and fizzing fireworks that had nearly started a full on fire. But somehow, between the plastic suffocating some of the open flames and the water taking care of the rest, the Video Vault employee had put the fire out before it could spread, or worse, take out the store itself.
“What the hell happened?!” Collapsing to the ground out of breath and covered in soot from the fireworks smoke, Hazel released the nozzle on the hose and let it go slack in her arms as she tried to register everything without resorting to tears from the rush of it all. Also secretly grateful her devil didn’t make an appearance somehow to cause even more destruction.
—
Right, 911. That was definitely a good idea, Luc thought as he watched more fuses start to get lit up, dread filling his chest and spilling up into his throat. “On it,” he called back, hoping he sounded more confident than he felt (he didn’t), whipping out his phone and sending it hurtling onto the ground. “Shit.” Scrambling to pick it back up, Luc winced at the new onslaught of loud noises, glancing over to find Hazel missing. At least she wasn’t trapped under the melting tent starting to envelop the rest of the fireworks.
Finally dialing the right number - his shaky fingers had gone through 991, 891 and 111 before Luc finally took a deep breath and punched in the correct number - he hurriedly explained that there was a firework related fire at the Video Vault. Just as the operator explained that they’d send some people over, Hazel reappeared, looking like an action movie star as she wielded that hose. Luc stepped back to avoid the spray, mouth agape as he watched the flames actually start to die down, momentarily ignoring the operator on the phone asking if everything was alright.
“I… hmm? Yeah, yes! Sorry! The… fire is out? I think? Maybe send someone just in case,” he blurted out, hanging up before he could get confirmation because Hazel had dropped to the ground. Stuffing his phone somewhere safe, Luc rushed over, tentatively placing a hand on her shoulder. “That was so cool. You just totally saved the store,” he told her excitedly, gently starting to rub Hazel’s back as he watched tears threaten to well up in her eyes. In the distance, Luc thought he faintly heard the sound of sirens. Carefully, he helped Hazel back onto her feet, offering a soft smile.
“Come on. Heroics like that deserve to wait inside where there’s AC. And maybe also a drink of water.”
@loveandluc replied to your post “[pm] [user debates sending this for hours before...”:
[pm] [...] I don't know, maybe? But then when I told you about [d: Caleb] the zombie, and the whole body swapping thing? [d: Were you /ever/ going to tell me?]
[pm] Bit of a leap, though, isn't it? And anyway, I don't think it would've been any better. You'd only just found out that that sort of thing was real. Me coming in and [...] hitting you with more would have been [...] overwhelming. And I didn't want to think about I didn't want to talk I didn't want to remember
@loveandluc replied to your post “[pm] Hey! [...] How are-- About that coffee-- I...”:
[pm] Oh no, you okay? And not... really? Someone kinda stole my body, I guess you could say? And I had theirs for like half a day. Technically it was an evening and a bit of the night, not during the day. Anyway. Definitely topped the void or whatever it was. [...] You believe me, right? I know it sounds super insane.
[pm] Oh, I suppose I will be eventually. Got a bit chewed up, I'm afraid. Still handsome, though. [user decides not to make this comment, on account of the sebastian of it all.]
Someone stole your body? Are you sure they didn't just look like you? Steal seems like a very strong word. I'm not sure it's fair to Maybe they needed it, did you ever think of Wait, you were You had someone else's body? Has that sort of thing ever [...] happened to you before? You're not fae. I would know if you were So what are
Suppose it's not the strangest thing I've seen or heard in this town. Mind sharing a few more details? I'm the nosy sort.
@loveandluc replied to your post “[pm] Are you alright? I don't know from what...”:
[pm] No need to say sorry! Just glad to hear from you. [...] I'm [...] [d: coping bad] fine. Got help getting home safe. What about you?
[PM] Hopefully you didn't witness any horrors while getting home. I'm [...] not exactly human. I'm not what Baz is, though, not at all. And [...] what I am takes those surge blackout things pretty rough. But I'm all right. Safe and sound, now, if a little mangled. Nothing that won't heal up.
