In which Jade n Jake meet and both the similarities and differences are striking between them. @tallyhothere
Mabs (PI/02/gT Jake)Last Thursday at 8:36 PM
Your name is JAKE ENGLISH and you are currently galavanting around the not countryside at all. Is cityside a word? It is now! You are galavanting around the cityside as you explore the concrete jungle you find yourself in.
It's been exciting! It's been new! It's been thrilling! But most of all...its been COLD AS THE DICKENS. So you have found a sneaky technique to beat the chill is to step into random shops and browse around a bit. Marvel at all the knick-knacks, chat with the clerk a bit. Then skidoo out for another block or two.
At this juncture, you find yourself jingling the small shop bell and are greeted with perhaps the best shop you've seen yet! Plants! Flowers! A bona-fide jungle inside a box! Wonderful! And warm....very warm.
You step inside, coat a flashing eyesore blinking as you start to look over the various flora. @🌺 Shadow 🌺 (Jade/Skylla)
🌺 Shadow 🌺 (Jade/Skylla)Last Thursday at 9:05 PM
Your name is JADE HARLEY and you're in your flower shop again. You are.... well, not fine but you will. In time. For now you felt like taking care of your plants!
You just need to keep your hands busy and well, you think you've done enough murders for the next couple of days. Also you still got orders to finish! Not a lot mind you, but you like to keep on top of things.
You're finishing up another bouquet when you hear the bell ring. Another customer maybe? Or a friend perhaps? You do love to chat when it's a dear friend!~
"Just a minute!!" You say, tying the final bow for the flowers. Aw, this arrangement is rather pretty actually. Blue's a calming colour.
Mabs (PI/02/gT Jake)Last Thursday at 9:20 PM
Oh! A voice! Sounds like a lady, but who knows. "Alright!" you call back. "Take your time, don't rush?" You aren't really sure what you are supposed to be saying in this situation.
Walking among the flowers, for the first time since you've arrived you actually feel a pang of homesickness. The snow is a marvel, the city is fascinating, but...also so unfamiliar. Being surrounded by greenery feels comforting in a way, even if it is an artificial jungle.
🌺 Shadow 🌺 (Jade/Skylla)01/19/2019
Oh! That's an odd accent; maybe a newcomer to the city? How fun!
You set the lovely arrangement to the side and dust off your hands before walking over to where you heard the voice come--what on Derse is that weird light show coming from among your plant???
No raves in your flower shop! Well at least there's no obnoxious music.
Mabs (PI/02/gT Jake)01/19/2019
Your attention is turned to the voice as you try to make your way towards it.
"Hello! Sorry! Was distracted! Quite a lovely shop you have heeeeee...."
Your words taper off as you round the corner and for a moment you are confused by the lady in front of you. She looks like the old photos of your grandmother, down to the hair. Age her up some and she'd be a spitting likeness.
You blink, shake your head, blink again. Hwah...wow. Weird. Maybe she's related to the Jude Harley fellow? It suddenly dawns on you that this is another realm alltogether...she could in fact be a daughter or a granddaughter in this time to your grandmother? The sudden concept that you could have very well a timeline of family who never had to deal with the batterwitch's terrible undertakings leaves you a bit speechless.
So you just stand there flabbergasted.
🌺 Shadow 🌺 (Jade/Skylla)01/19/2019
You blink at him. And then blink again just as astonished.
You have absolutely no idea who his guy is before you, but he reminds you alarmingly quickly of your Grandpa. You don't have much in the way of photos, but you remember his eyes, and his voice and it just... leaves you speechless.
Almost choked up even. He looks like a young version of Grandpa--!
Actually the longer you stare the more you kinda see Jude in him. A cousin to him then?? Maybe you and Jude might be more related than you thought.
"Ah.... w-well... you're new!"
Mabs (PI/02/gT Jake)01/19/2019
The vintage memory standing before you speaks, and you are reminded she is in fact a person and not just a surreal memory. Right, she's....likely someone else entirely. And you're here staring at her like a buffon.
You look away at the plants and give a laugh that is uncharicterisically shaken.
"Ahaha! I am! Right you are on that! Bit of a newcomer to this city of Midnight! Can sort of say I just dropped in really!" Another laugh, a bit more comfortable sounding this time.
"I must say, been in and out quite a few shops but this one so far gets the egg! Think I've seen more plants here than I have the entire time I've been here so far!"
🌺 Shadow 🌺 (Jade/Skylla)01/19/2019
You pick up on that; his nervous laugh reminds you that this guy can't be your Grandpa. He's dead after all. But the way he responded to you... well. You definitely don't think he knows you but maybe someone similar?
"Well it is a flower shop." You smile brightly, gesturing around you. "There's not quite a flower shop like mine in Midnight City! It's my way of bringing a bit of colour to this city~"
You eye his rave coat. "Though I must say, I think you've gotten me beat! I'm surprised that the Fashion Police hasn't stopped you yet."
Mabs (PI/02/gT Jake)01/19/2019
"Well I'd have to say you've done a right good job of it. Bang up to the elephant even!"
Some of the plants are not anything like you've seen, but there's a few that make you think of home. You lean over to smell one of the more tropical flowers.
The comment about the coat gets a chuckle. "You aren't the first person to say that...what even is a fashion police? I've met one policeman so far and he seemed rather friendly. I didn't think the coat is that bad...though I guess not being able to turn it off really does make it a bit rough on the totsies."
🌺 Shadow 🌺 (Jade/Skylla)01/19/2019
Oh god he kinda talked like your Grandpa that's so weird!!!
"Why thank you Good Sir!~" You giggle, hands clasped behind your back as you observe him. "The Fashion Police are exactly what they sound like; they're a whole division devoted to making sure we Derse citizens stick to wearing clothes of the 1920s."
You tip your head as you step a little closer to the Grandpa double. "An off switch would have been smart yes!~ Really, I can't imagine that you came to Derse the legal methods; not that I'd tell anyone of course! Promise!~"
You really do. He's only in his odd coat and short shorts! And it's winter!!! Just how the heck did he get to Derse???
Mabs (PI/02/gT Jake)01/19/2019
"Huh....quite the oddity! Wait....is it the 1920's?" You suddenly look a bit confused. You thought this was just another planet. "I swear this whole thing gets more and more tomfuddled the more I hear about it..."
Rubbing the back of your head, you think a moment. "True. Granted at this point not even sure if it does turn off. Been going for as long as I remember...but sheesh. I've yet to figure out what the legal methods are so not sure if I am or not? I suppose portal in sky meets ground is on the backlist of no-go. I appreciate that though, last thing I came here to do was get arrested. Specially for coming here!"
🌺 Shadow 🌺 (Jade/Skylla)01/19/2019
Oh. Oh dear. He doesn't seem to have noticed much since he got here! When did this guy even arrive to the city?
"Wait wait; first! Not actually the 1920s but because of Prospit winning the war against Derse, they implemented the Technology ban and thus life on Derse has been stuck in the world of Earth's 1920s; yes that does include the alcohol ban too."
"Secondly..." You narrow your eyes, and place you hands on your hips. "You came here via portal in sky???" That sounded very much like Dirk, but more on purpose. "Where did you come from exactly?"
Mabs (PI/02/gT Jake)01/19/2019
Prospit? War? You read about the ban in Arq's files but huh...this all just sounded utterly silly. Then again did you really have room to speak mister wearing shorts in the middle of winter? Nope! So you don't speak up on that bit at all.
At her gesture, you make a visible yerk as you are temporarily transported to a time when you were a child and your grandmother made that exact pose. The James Hamilton English what are you doing mister pose that causes the reptile part of your brain to immediately feel guilty over everything you have ever did in life.
"OH! Well! Ah." You find yourself a bit more tongue-tied than you've been in years. "It's a bit of a humdinger of a tale, probably going to make me sound more like I'm zozzled out of my gourd trying to sell you a dog."
🌺 Shadow 🌺 (Jade/Skylla)01/19/2019
You arch a brow, completely dissatisfied with that answer. He's kind of a dork, this double, but quite open about his expressions. Makes him pretty easy to read! Poor sod; you hope he has friends that'll keep him from being manipulated then.
"Well, good thing I already have a dog." Bec was the best boy hands down. "Now spill! If you came via portal, I'm guessing it had to be a very powerful portal to bridge you here from Earth. And since there wasn't any rips in the sky or blinding flashes of light, this portal had to be more discreet to not be spotted."
All assumptions you make, but you say them to gauge.... this guy's expression.
....you should ask a name soon though.
Mabs (PI/02/gT Jake)01/19/2019
Well, she certainly seems sharp enough to know a bit about portals and things...so maybe this would be more believable. If anything, worst case she'll think you're a nutter and that's that.
"I think it was discreet? Hoo. Granted from my perspective I just felt like I was hurtling down from space itself for a bit, so not sure how big or small it was from the other end. The portal my friends and I hopped through was about uhh....yey big. Maybe the size of your shop window?"
You gesture as you speak, as if you're incable of speaking and standing still at the same time.
"As for where I came from! Well! From another planet it seems, in a whole other dimension! Earth, though a different Earth. My friends and I came across time and space to find and rescue one of our dearest friends who vanished when we tried to transportalize him over!"
🌺 Shadow 🌺 (Jade/Skylla)01/19/2019
If you hadn't experienced Candy Hell and Horror Town you honestly would have thought him nuts! And yet you have and thus you believe him. He is also being openly honest about it too; there's nary a lie that you can see.
He's so innocent; untouched by the city and its own set of poisons and pain. He hasn't experienced what it's like to live in Midnight City, a world blacker than it's name suggests.
You have a desire to protect that, but push it away. This wasn't like how it wa with Jay. You're both couldn't possibly be related!
"So... you came here. To my dimension. With other people. Just to find a friend??" You admire his loyalty.
Wait the only guy that he could be possibly referring to was--!
Mabs (PI/02/gT Jake)01/19/2019
The idea that it seems odd or perhaps suspicious that a random flower shopkeeper would know Dirk and catch on so quick is completely overshadowed by how excited you are to talk about all of this to someone.
"I am! I am indeed! You're sharper than a tack!" You smile wide. "Days....I guess now months back? Hoo time stuff. Time stuff I must say is the worst stuff. Some time back Dirk vanished in our attempt to bring us all together at long last, and so the rest of us put our collective noggins together to find out he fell into some rift or wormhole that had unexpectedly shown up!"
You give a slight spin, coat flowing around behind you as you do.
"So we found a way to get here to find him! And I have! Which is good, because hoo-diddy did I get very lost for a bit there. But he's currently having a bit of a trouble spot with one of our other friends so I'm just...hm. Well I'm giving them some time and space to sort that barrel of figs out. Gives me a chance to explore this whole city thing in all its delights and marvels!"
🌺 Shadow 🌺 (Jade/Skylla)01/19/2019
You smile back. My god this boy is too precious and he's probably the same age as you. You might be that sharp but him? Duller than a butter knife. Or maybe you're just jaded and you hide it smoothly with your bubbly personality. One or the other.
You mean, he just told his whole story to you, a complete stranger! You sincerely hope he only did that because you remind him of someone, or that his friends are smarter street-wise; this city will gobble him up otherwise!
"Well, I'm glad you found Dirk then. He's a lovely friend." Good kisser too. "Though I'm worried about this trouble he has..." You figure it has to do with the Felt and Arquius. You do hope they both will be alright, all things considered.
"Though if you were going to go explore, I have to ask why you didn't put on something a little warmer??" You question, eyeing those booty shorts. If you didn't like wearing pants on principle, you could probably pull off a pair of those too.
Mabs (PI/02/gT Jake)01/19/2019
"I'm glad too. I was expecting to have to search high and low for him in who knows what wilderness. It didn't even dawn on me that he'd end up in a city, but perhaps for the best! It's quite a nice place...full of people!" you smile brightly. "Did you know there are friendly trolls here? Wait why am I asking that, of course you would. Ahaha...sorry! It's just been such a plum novelty since I arrived. Everything is so different, magical even! Street lights, crowds of people, SO MANY PEOPLE, shops of just...things! And snow!"
You look down at your outfit and chuckle.
"Yeah that was a bit of a blind-shot for me there, really should have thought of that one before I jumped. It actually skipped my mind that of all the places to go, one may be a place that has more than one season that isn't tropical island. Hahahah...I mean I'm not sure I'll be here long enough to worry about getting pants."
🌺 Shadow 🌺 (Jade/Skylla)01/19/2019
Oh no he's ridiculous you want to protect this idiot child so much he rambles!!! You can't help but giggle in delight at his antics!
"So I guess you were raised on an island then? A quiet one?" You tease just a little bit. "That sounds lovely; I think I used to live on one myself a very long time ago. I think that's partially why I have this flower shop. The city's not quite as colourful as an island!" Minus the red, black and pale light district of course.
"There's troll, humans and carapaces all living in Midnight City. Some are lovely people but others not so much. You best be careful when exploring; not everyone may take kind to you and your shorts~"
"....you know what? I don't think we ever exchanged names!" You can't keep calling him Dork in your head. "So sorry about that! I'm Jade! Jade Harley!~"
Mabs (PI/02/gT Jake)01/19/2019
"A bit yes. Though that's likely another long tale in and of itself. " You grin. It's just so...novel to be able to talk to another person face to face. Is this what it's like to have a normal world and normal life? Is this...small talk? "It's true...this city does seem to be a bit low on color. But the lights are remarkable! Just everywhere sparkling like the stars came down to nest!"
The caution is noted...you did expect sooner or later someone was going to get a bit irate at the strange man running around in shorts and flashing lights. Dirk had offered you some of his clothes but...that felt a bit odd. Besides, may as well enjoy this chilling cold while you can.
Your smile goes wider at the mention of name exchange, but you can't quite hide the surprise when she introduces her name and you feel yourself once again thrown for a loop. Ooh heavens to murgatroy, this just got weird again.
Maybe she's an alternate younger version of your grandmother...or maybe she just was named after HER grandmother who would have been your grandmother. Oh god, what if she's an alternate YOU. There is a bit of resemblence there.
"Ah! Right right. I'm Jake. Jake English. Please do m-meet you G-Miss Harley! Don't suppose you are related to the Jude Harley fellow I met a bit ago?"
🌺 Shadow 🌺 (Jade/Skylla)01/19/2019
"That's Midnight City for you! The city that never sleeps~"
Jake English; well not quite your grandpa's name but close! You're pretty sure his name could've been Jake too. Though you vaguely remember calling him Grandpa Harley.
"Please! Just call be Jade! Less I call you Mister English in turn!~" Oh he's met Jude?? He come to think of it, he kinda looks like Jude too! Hmm maybe in his dimension that Jude could've been an adult relative??
"So you've met him?? No, no relation of any kind! We just happen to share a last name. I don't have any blood ties."
A small white lie, but you're not about to tell your possibly alternate younger grandpa about your illegally experimented dog gal sister when you've barely told anyone else.
Mabs (PI/02/gT Jake)01/19/2019
"Righto! Jade it is! Pleasure to meet you Jade." You give a good proper bow this time, realizing you should have done that earlier. Human interraction is difficult.
"I have! I well, ran into the poor gent headlong when I shot into the brown on my landing here. Still feel a bit bad for that really. Should make an apology proper before I leave. Quite and alright chap!"
You listen to her speak and nod solemnly. "The Harley name is quite the prolific one I daresay. Was my grandmother's, though since she passed I think...well shoot maybe it's not that prolific at all now. Well that's a bit of a humdinger....SO! What do people here do for fun?"
🌺 Shadow 🌺 (Jade/Skylla)01/19/2019
Oh he's bowing; you let out a giggle and curtsy back. He doesn't have to actually but hey, you've always been a go-with-the-flow kind of gal~
"Oh! Yeah I think so; Jude's a sweet guy if a little shy." You like Jude a lot; you might not be related but he's a darling! Especially after learning he's not a stalker.
Ah; how odd! His grandma's dead, yours is too.... or maybe you're grasping at straws with that tidbit. "Well we are stuck in the 1920s so there's a lot of swing clubs and we still have movie theatres and casinos and the like! There's also bars if you know where to go; technically it's illegal to be drinking, but people love their drinks too much to really give it up."
Mabs (PI/02/gT Jake)01/19/2019
The giggle she gives sounds so much like your grandmothers, it's uncanny. If anything, there was a strange surreal comfort at the idea that perhaps this is another time and place where your grandmother is alive and gets to have a happy life running a flowershop versus well...what all happened in your time and place.
Your eyes light up at the concept of clubs, and theatres! Casinos...eh not so much cause it isn't like you have any money to gain or lose. "Fair fair. Not much for the gigglewater myself what with the whole island thing....though Roxy is quite fond of it. She'll be glad to hear there's that."
You chuckle, not showing any opinion on the legality of things. Not like that kind of thing is really your concern. "A theatre sounds nice though! I don't think I've ever been to one before so I should definitely try to get to do that!"
🌺 Shadow 🌺 (Jade/Skylla)01/19/2019
"Roxy? Is she another friend of yours that came to find Dirk??" You wonder how many that makes; currently that's four people from the same different universe. How are they going to go home? Would they even make it back successfully...?
"There's are a lot of fun! I don't go often but sometimes it's nice to go watch a movie with some friends and popcorn. I very much recommend the theatre on Main and Bayview; they always get the newest movies first~"
Honestly that sounds fun; you should probably go see a movie when you get a chance.
Mabs (PI/02/gT Jake)01/19/2019
"She is! She's the smartest most talented church-bell I've ever met! One of my best friends!" One of your only friends, but you aren't going to let that detail get you down. "Her, Hal and myself all jumped through and here we are. Though I guess Hal is now Arq? I have noticed people sure love their name changes when coming over here. "
You laugh and then listen, nodding enthusiastically.
"That sounds perfect! I'll get to try popcorn for the first time! I've read about it, it sounds delightful! Thank you for all these suggestions."
🌺 Shadow 🌺 (Jade/Skylla)01/19/2019
Awww she sounds wonderful. Maybe with your luck, you might run into this Roxy lady too. She sounds very pretty! And sweet~ "I think that's because there exists in this world a Hal? He's... he's very neat all things considered, but he was here first before your Hal~"
You laugh and smile back. "It's not any trouble Jake! Just be safe! The city is wonderful but it can be dangerous; not everyone is a sweetheart like you!~"
Mabs (PI/02/gT Jake)01/19/2019
"True true. I've noticed there seems to be a bit of a double up. Wonder if there is another of me out there on adventures. Maybe I'll get lucky and run into him before I have to go." You like to assume that he is somewhere out there...doing some grand escapade. Probably is really cool.
"Well if this city is half as pleasant as you are, I can't imagine it being anything but a paradise! But I shall do my best to stay safe. I hope I can meet you again before I go though, this has been the most delightful of meetings." It's true, and admittedly you'd like to see this place once more before you stop off and away. It feels so much like home, and she looks so much like her that it kind of recalls old feelings you wouldn't mind having at least once before you lose any chance again.
🌺 Shadow 🌺 (Jade/Skylla)01/19/2019
"Maybe!" You doubt it, if his counterpart was indeed your grandpa. Who is very much dead. Definitely not alive anymore.
You give another bright smile and before you know it, you're giving him a warm, patented Jade hug. "I concur! You have been the most interesting person to enter my shop today! You're welcome back any time! You can bring your friends too it would be nice!~"
Mabs (PI/02/gT Jake)01/19/2019
The hug is a surprise, but a welcome one. Goodness, it's been so long since you've been around people in general. But then you got hugs from Roxy, and Dirk, and Arq, and sort of one from the little green fellow, and now this! Hands down, this is your best city experience ever.
You are already starting to miss it.
But for now, you smile bright! "Oh! Definitely! I'll make sure to bring them as well! I expect they'd love this place, and be glad to meet you too! Thank you so much Jade. You've been the jammiest bits of jam!"
🌺 Shadow 🌺 (Jade/Skylla)01/19/2019
You give the best hugs! You've been told this many times so it must be true.
"You're very welcome Jake!" You let go after a few moments, hands clasped behind you once more. "You are also quite the darling! I hope you all get home safely. And uh," You eye his coat and shorts, amusement all over your face. "Try to find something warmer okay? City winters can be harsh, too harsh to wait it out."
Mabs (PI/02/gT Jake)01/19/2019
"Can do!" You give her a salute and a smile. No sense bringing up the whole what is money and how you have none of it, the last thing you want is to come across as a nose bagger.
"Until next time! Tally ho!"
And with that, you turn and make your exit.
🌺 Shadow 🌺 (Jade/Skylla)01/19/2019
You smile and wave him off, watching as he steps out of your shop and braves the cold once more. What a curious individual! And so very, very trusting. Too trusting even.
You pull out your phone and stare at it a little. Telling the bosses about people apparently dimension-hopping into yours would be pretty important you feel. You'd rather not give those Felt bastards any more potential help if possible. Hmm.... yeah, you should let others know.
Though you do hope Jake goes home. He would be safer that way.
