Luminous

…I prefer the word borrowed.

Borrowing doesn't risk you getting thrown in jail or deported.

So… I don’t know where he is at this very moment, but there is a monkey in the house now, and his name is Justin Timberlake. He’s our new house pet. Respect the monkey, love the monkey, and probably don’t tell anyone that we have the monkey.

What do you mean there's a monkey in the house? Danny...did you steal a monkey?

greenlight ; paxton + taryn

Paxton couldn’t help but be a little surprised that Taryn hadn’t called a taxi for the pair of them, but truthfully, he found that he respected her a bit more for wanting to experience the city on foot. Although Paxton had done his share of traveling with his mother — or well, the woman he’d thought had been his mother, there was something about new cities that thrilled him in a way few things could, and he’d yet to truly experience the city so he was happy to be given the chance to do so that day. Tucking his lower lip between his teeth, he followed Taryn around, barely glancing at her as he heard her question. “It could be better,” he admitted, tugging a hand through his blonde hair. “But I can carry on a conversation if need be. Why? Afraid that we’ll be lost and I won’t be able to help you find your way home?” He let out a soft sigh before shaking his head, keeping his gaze averted from hers. “I’ve been a few places, but never Spain, no.”

#p: greenlight #p: paxton

"No! I didn't mean it like that." Taryn was quick to defend, bringing her hands up close to her chest as she began to shake her head up at the boy, brown eyes going wide as she began to blink."I didn't mean like that that, I'm sure when we get lost you'll be able to find our way back even without needing to speak to others. I was just curious, that's all." She didn't want him to think she was meaning her question in a negative way. So far each time the girl had ventured out into the streets, she had managed to not only get lost but also offend someone. When she finally allowed herself to breath once more, she began to walk with her attention focused in front of her. She noticed that when he spoke he liked to keep his gaze adverted, or maybe it was just her? Taryn had always been taught to look at someone when they were speaking to her, she had plenty of habits that she noticed others didn't really have, whether it be meeting someone's gaze, keeping negative comments tucked in, or her hands on her lap as she ate quietly, tiny mannerisms picked up from a nanny that made relaxing a bit harder. Picking up on his words, Taryn took it as a sign to move their conversation further, she turned to him briefly before once again looking away and focusing on the street, "A few places? Where else have you been? Was it mostly in the European area?"

greenlight ; paxton + taryn

Although Paxton had been the one to agree to go out with Taryn that day, it wasn’t like he had high expectations for the outing as he usually didn’t have high expectations for much of anything. But regardless, he was pleasantly surprised as he looked at her to feel a slight bit of relief at the feeling of seeing her and a little bit of excitement for their forthcoming outing. Which was weird, since, you know, they were literally buying a Christmas tree. But for whatever reason, Paxton found that he was looking forward to it. Running a hand through his hair, he let out a small sigh before nodding, thinking about her question for a few moments. “We could always just adventure around the city and stuff,” he told her after a minute. “It’s Christmas season, there’s bound to be a Christmas tree somewhere.” Running a hand through his hair, Paxton nodded before following her outside, his gaze moving to meet hers. “We can do the shopping first, yeah. Otherwise we’d have to drag the tree around while we shopped.”

#p: greenlight #p: paxton

"That's what I was thinking. We'll just roam about until we find something that we need─just before I forget, how good is your Spanish?" Taryn's mind went back to the previous time she had left the house where she had been so confused by her surroundings that needed to head back before she could even get what she was looking for. Hopefully it would be different now that she was being accompanied by someone else, even if that person was someone who had been giving her a hard time the day before. She hadn't bothered calling a taxi for them, both of them quickly falling into step as they made their way down the winding road. She knew Barcelona was a large city but she had heard from friends that the best way to experience the place was by foot, as most place in Europe. "Have you ever been to Spain before?" Taryn found herself asking as she toyed with the hemline of her skirt, a habit she tended to have when she was excited or simply nervous. She didn't know if the boy would be willing to answer her questions but the point of the experiment was to get to know others and she was willing to try even if others weren't.

I resent these accusations.

Why? Because you know it's true?

connorbye

That’s cool, I hope you guys can find a really good one. A huge one, more like it. We can put it in the main room on the first floor, ‘cause it’s big and will fit. What, are you gonna carry an axe around with you and cut down whatever tree you like? That’ll be hard to explain to people.

Yeah, you're right. I think cutting down someone's tree might lead to some pretty big repercussions. I'm sure there's a place for it somewhere in Barcelona, I mean it's a Christmas staple. We could also order one online if needed.

#C: connor

Taryn, Taryn, Taryn. I would never. I don’t know where you got the idea that I would. I’m completely innocent.

You're about as innocent as I am fluent in Spanish.

…That’s true. I suppose you have a point. Gingerbread men? Let’s do it. I can draw on them with the frosting or whatever, I’m known to be the best at that. I won’t even write any dirty things.

Please don't draw any genitals on my gingerbread people, that's really all I ask for. That is not Christmas appropriate.

augustfarley-blog

"Oh, okay! Well, if you do end up needing my help, just come and find me, or something. I don’t know if you were gonna get a big Christmas tree but I’m sure they can get pretty heavy. Gifts? Oh, kind of like a ‘Secret Santa’ sort of thing? That could be nice for the house, I think."

"I'm thinking of getting started on some gingerbread men or maybe some gingerbread houses? I know no one ever eats but they're still cute. A Secret Santa would be fun too, you should ask if the rest of the guys want to do it. "

#c: august

I’m offended that you didn’t ask me first. I’m a pillar of strength, I can sing you Christmas carols and throw decorations at you while you’re working. What’s better than that?

That's because I knew the only help you'd be is throwing things at me while you told me where to place the spheres. Do you want to help me make gingerbread men with me later? I can place a mean gum drop.

connorbye

Let’s do it. Where are we going to get a tree, though? Are we gonna have to go all around Barcelona looking for trees and decorations?

#c: connor #lol pls enjoy this random gif

I'm going to get a tree and the decorations with Paxton, but I don't really know where to start looking for one. I'm thinking if worse comes to worse I'll chop my own down.

greenlight ; paxton + taryn

Although he’d promised to spend time with his sister, Paxton couldn’t help but blow her off to go spend the day with Taryn. Maybe it was cruel to do so, but honestly… he just couldn’t handle his sister. No matter how she tried to get close to him, that wasn’t something that made him comfortable, nor was it anything he particularly wanted. Hence the brilliance of the idea of getting out of the house, even if it was merely to go get some things for Christmas. It was still somewhere else, and at that moment, he’d rather be anywhere but in the house. Making his way downstairs, Paxton’s eyes skimmed the room before he saw Taryn, presumably waiting for him so that they could leave. Making his way over, he inclined his head before speaking up, “Hey, ready to go?”

#p: greenlight #p: paxton #this is such trash im sorry

So far for Taryn her afternoon had consisted of very little, she'd gotten up mid-afternoon, despite her usual early bird status, and moved from her bedroom to the entertainment room where she'd watched cooking shows in a language she didn't understand. Had it not been for Paxton finally taking her up on her offer, she was sure she'd be in the same place until bedtime rolled around once more. She had all but skipped down the flight of stairs, small bag hanging from her shoulder that held her ID, a small dictionary that came out to be useless when she realized she had her phone, and the credit card given to everyone at the start of the experiment for expenses since she figured Paxton wouldn't remember to bring his. She kept her attention towards the window, noticing how the sun was already setting as she let her head rest against the wall, when she heard someone speak up she all but jumped before turning to face him. "I haven't really figured out how to get the tree back to the house, nor really were we'll start looking for one, so would you mind if we did the shopping first then the tree?" She wasted no time in asking as she opened the door for them.

Uh, honestly. I could use getting out of the house, so if you want some company, I’ll go.

#c: Paxton #its so hard being mobile

No, of course I wouldn't mind the company. I'd really like it, but do you have a split personality thing I should know about? I don't mean that rudely, I'm just surprised considering you didn't even want to learn my name yesterday.

For you? Sure.

Do you just want to go later? Cause I was also wanting to go do some Christmas shopping since a tree without gifts isn't a tree. Unless of course you wouldn't mind going into town with me either?

#c: paxton

ffszackery

God, I love getting reactions out of people. Humans are so easy to manipulate.

Is your idea of fun? Just going about your day just blatantly attacking people for no given reason?

#c: orion

imogencarlisle

That makes a lot of sense. Why do you like it?

It gives me an excuse to bake. I feel like sugar cookies taste better around Christmas time, and you can't make a gingerbread house in the middle of July. It just doesn't work, but you've also got your candy canes and gift giving. Plus in Cape Town we would always go out to the country side on Christmas afternoon and spend a couple of days camping.

#c: imogen

augustfarley-blog

"I could help, if you don’t have enough people yet. I thought the house was lacking something… I almost forgot it was December, to be honest."