Next To You • •

[Scout Houghton Dallas Villiers]

Scout often seemed like an endless bundle of energy and on the busier days at work it was often a blessing in disguise. She was used to doing a lot of work in a short space of time after the years of pulling her weight with the circus. Of course, working in a bakery was nothing like travelling with The Big Top, but Scout took her work ethic from one to the other. She understood the pressures of a deadline and could whiz around from task to task almost effortlessly. Sometimes they had arrived late in certain towns and had less time to set up than they were used to, or there were things that had been misplaced during the unloading of everything and they weren’t noticed until some of the final minutes. That was usually when the circus kids were sent scuttling through the camp to find the forgotten case or trunk that had been put aside for safe keeping and then lost. Little odd things like that were the reason why the bright haired girl didn’t panic on days when work was busy or there were last minute tasks to be dealt with.

The end of her long day came just after three o’clock, when her boss thanked her for the extra hours she had put in and told her to take one of the cookie boxes from the back as an extra treat. They weren’t planning on being understaffed or busy, but one of the other workers was pregnant and had gone home sick almost the moment she had arrived that day. Scout didn’t mind the extra work since she’d be vanishing for a few weeks soon when her family travelled back through the state of New York. She had every plan on meeting up with them at their first location and spending two weeks working the old routine as though she hadn’t stepped away from the circus at all. She munched on one of the cookies as she walked the four blocks from the bakery back to her colourful apartment. If it didn’t look so much like the life she had left behind, Scout would probably be a lot more homesick than she had been during her life at her fixed address.

Taking the stairs instead of the elevator, Scout stepped onto the hallway only when there were no more stairs to take. Her loft apartment was cluttered with trinkets from throughout her life and the bright home welcomed her each time she turned her key in the lock and pushed the heavy door open. After tossing her bag down by the door and climbing the rope to the second level, rather than using the book cluttered stairs, Scout changed out of her work clothes and into something a little more summery before singing as she came back to the main level to rifle through her mail and then ignore all of it. Thinking of the two cookies left in the box from work, she snatched the box up and then skipped to her front door, pulling it open and twirling the few short steps to her neighbour’s front door. Knocking loudly so that anyone home would hear her, Scout bounced up on her toes as she waited for that familiar face to answer. As she heard the click of the lock, a smile crossed her face and she shook the lilac hair from her eyes just in time to see the neighbour she had been expecting. “Surprise!”

[/color] She grinned by way of greeting, holding the cookie box out.
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size][/justify]

• • •

TAGGED! Open! <3
WORDS! 631!
OUTFIT! Cutie Patootie!
LYRICS! Decipher Reflections From Reality - - - PlayRadioPlay!
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Dakota Marshall Langdon]

Almost ready to start his final year of schooling to become a paramedic, Dax was spending too much time playing shadow to a team running around New York. It was great getting the first-hand experience but it was draining him and seriously cutting back his hours at the bakery; which he wasn’t a fan of. Being at the bakery was a blast! He always had so much fun interacting with the patrons and the rest of the staff. He was so full of energy, like he had what he sold when the truth was, he barely touched the food. Even when he was given a box of goodies to take home at the end of the day, he brought them to his parent’s house for the family dinners every Sunday. He loved the treats but his stomach could only handle one or two before it was turning away treats.

He’d worked a shift with his first response team that day, which was the whole reason he’d had to move his shift at the bakery for the next day. It was a lucky thing his bosses were so nice and as understanding as they were. It was a good place for students who needed to earn some extra cash for expenses. Things needed to be paid and tuition wasn’t about to start covering his phone bill and video game habit. Before crawling up the stairs to his apartment, he went to the Chinese Restaurant he lived above for an easy meal. He wasn’t in the mood to cook anything and having his landlords also own a Chinese place made things simple. Plus the older couple seemed to adore Dax and were quite taken with him, even going so far as to call him their son, having no kids of their own. He stayed and spoke to the prettier half of the couple as the food he ordered was packaged and bagged for him and handed over the same amount he did every time. The Chang’s refused to take money for the meals, somehow thinking it was their duty to feed him if he ever had a craving for Chinese, but he still slipped at least ten dollars into the tip jar on his way out.

Dax gnawed on an egg roll as he took the stairs slowly wondering if maybe his landlords thought he didn’t eat and wanted to fill him out more or something. They were always tossing in extra food and a couple sodas despite never ordering them. In the end, Dakota just ended up thanking them and slipping out for the stairs. After unlocking his door, Dax dropped the bag of food onto the counter and turned to feed King because he’d been stuck in the apartment all day while his owner was driving around the city getting hands on experience. With that done and out of the way, he ran up the short flight of stairs to the loft and changed out of the uniform he wore for these days and into some real clothes, ready to relax with a video game and food just as soon as he got back from the walk he needed to take King on. With a heavy sigh, he put the bag into the oven to keep the heat and went over to the door for the German Shepard’s leash. He was clipping it in place when the knock sounded. Standing with leash in hand, Dax opened the door and laughed at the surprise on the other side. “Hey Scout,” he said, grinning. “Whatcha got in the box?”

Tag || Scout! <3
Words || 597
Clothes || To Come
Music || Alive --Adelitas Way
Notes || <3

[Scout Houghton Dallas Villiers]

Scout had no real idea of what she wanted to do with her life. College had just been one of the many things on her bucket list and her art had been her key to getting in to NYU. She was only preparing for her sophomore year so it wasn’t like she had to really spend her time thinking about it. Plus, Scout wasn’t exactly the kind of girl who went and made plans about the future. She had grown up in a society where everyone was a free-spirited and where they all trusted their instincts above anything else. There would always be a place for her in the family circus if she wanted it, and if she did choose to work somewhere else then it was a decision that would be supported, too. For now, she was bringing bright colours to an already bright bakery and it suited her just fine while appeasing her sweet tooth. There was still so much that she wanted to see and do with her life though, but at twenty she liked to think that she had plenty of time for it all.

The bright haired and tiny eccentric wasn’t one to procrastinate though. She rarely had an unproductive day and they only usually happened if she felt sick. The rest of the time she was off running around the city as much as she could, or travelling to other places as best as she could since she didn’t have a car and her impulses sometimes came on too quickly for trains or buses to work in her favour. For as long as she could remember her life had been non-stop mayhem and it was something she couldn’t snap herself out of. The first morning she had awoken in New York City alone she had been shocked by how quiet it was compared to the jumble of yelling voices, music and movement she had described as her own dawn chorus. Scout was a little more used to things now, but she still got the biggest surge of butterflies when she thought about returning to her old ways and habits, even just for two short weeks.

It was pretty nifty living next door to one of her bakery colleagues. It had given her a chance to get to know someone in the city a little better and it came in useful if she needed to know something about work that week. Aside from those practical reasons, Dax was fun to be around, too, which meant more to her than the convenience of their living arrangements did. Her grin never wavering, she pushed herself up onto her toes and pointlessly balanced herself for no real reason. Scout did not need sugar or treats to get her acting hyperactive! “Tinkerbell! Or, it could be a perfect cookie with your name on it!”

[/color] She answered, gasping as her words put another idea into her head, causing her to drop back to her pint-sized height. “Aww, I should have put your name on it. I have my icing kit in the kitchen.”[/color] Scout pouted and then offered the box again with a slightly calmer smile this time. She noticed King and the leash and realised that she must’ve just caught Dax on his way out. “Ah, King’s taking you for a run?”[/color] She asked playfully, blowing her grown-out hair from her eyes.
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size][/justify]

• • •

TAGGED! DAX! <3
WORDS! 566!
OUTFIT! Cutie Patootie!
LYRICS! Decipher Reflections From Reality - - - PlayRadioPlay!
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Dakota Marshall Langdon]

Dax’s life was a mess at the moment. If he wasn’t at the bakery, he could usually be found in the back of an ambulance, riding along for the experience and getting some of those extra credits for his final year. He wanted a head start to his future career. He wasn’t the type to make plans more than a couple weeks in advance but his college education was the single part of his life that had been planned out for years now. Dax had always wanted to follow in the footsteps of generations of his family. When he was younger, he wasn’t sure which route he wanted to run down but after a few years, he knew and did he ever run! It was a marathon, not a sprint but he was winning the race so far. Working the bakery, in his family’s eyes was just a stepping stone to keep him busy while he was going through school. He knew they all thought the second he had that degree in his hand, he would quit and become a paramedic full time.

It was always part of the plan; to an extent. He was planning on sticking around the bakery on a part time basis until he really couldn’t any more. He enjoyed spending his time at the bright and colourful bakery. Even after his time there was through, and he would be okay with that, he would still walk through those doors for the wonderful atmosphere and the delightful treats they sold. It was a wonder he wasn’t fat with all the goodies he got from the shop! “Tinkerbell?! Well, let her out already! You know how much she hates being locked away. Or did you miss that part of Peter Pan?” Dax asked his pixie sized neighbour, teasing her.

“Because I need even more sugar with a cookie covered in icing.” He teased, throwing his arm over her shoulders and leading her further into his apartment so he could shut the door. He worked hard on making sure the smell of the Chinese restaurant didn’t seep into his apartment and stayed in the hall. He came home from the bakery, scrubbed the apartment and then himself clean and then ran around the city doing his errands or if he had a shift booked with the EMS, he went straight from one job to the other, without a break. It was kind of perfect that Scout lived next door and they knew each as well as they did. If he asked, she would drag King around the city until he was exhausted and owner was reunited with pet, to crash on their respective beds until morning. Dax chuckled, shaking his head. "After the day I've had, he's only allowed taking me on a walk unless I get to the fields and let him off leash. Want to come with? I didn’t feel like cooking so I can offer Chinese when we get back.” He offered, grinning and wiggling his eyebrows like the goofy gesture would make her agree quicker. “And you know the Chang’s always put in extra food.” He added as an afterthought, like that would also help his case.

Tag || Scout! <3
Words || 533
Clothes || The Crazy King
Music || Alive --Adelitas Way
Notes || <3

[Scout Houghton Dallas Villiers]

Scout had never really had to worry about her future. There would always be a home and a job at the circus she grew up with, but that didn’t stop her from spreading her wings and flying; much like the act she was known for. Very few things managed to stress the ever-smiling girl out and Scout was ridiculously laid back at times, given that the pressure other people often felt she had rarely experienced in her young life. She may appear to be a whirlwind of colour and chaos, but it was only because of her energy, rather than a panicked rush of places where she needed to be. She would never be the girl in the professional attire working a regular nine-to-five. The very thought of Scout in that role was a laughable one! The only routines Scout believed in were the kind she practiced in the air to music and in The Big Top.

She didn’t have any long-term plans. She probably didn’t have any short-term plans either! Scout was the kind of girl who planned her days as they came and usually only after she had rolled out of bed and was halfway through breakfast. Shrugging casually, Scout’s natural grin stayed in place. “I’ve only actually seen that movie a few times. I don’t remember it all too well. Tinkerbell was just my brother’s nickname for me when I was little…well, littler.”

[/color] She amended, glancing down at herself. It was hardly one she took offense to, especially given her aerial act. Most of the time though she was referred to by the nickname she had tattooed on her, but that seemed to be something that stayed with her travelling family, rather than with the lively personality she had brought to New York City.

“Everyone needs more sugar! The world would be a livelier place with it.”[/color] She decided, nodding her head as though she spoke the truth. She had far too many memories of sneaking popcorn, candyfloss, hot dogs and other circus treats with her brother and friends. It was a good job they had all been so active and keen to train and follow in their elder’s footsteps or else who knew what state their health might be in! She placed the treat on a table, making sure it was out of King’s reach. If the dog ended up on a sugar rush, she could bet that Dax would be leaving her to deal with it! “But where is the fun in a walk? Run, Dax, run like the wind!”[/color] Most of the time Scout just let words roll off the tip of her tongue before she really thought them all through and it reflected in some of the slightly odd things she came out with. “Chinese would make such a change. Okay, I’m in.”[/color] It was a rare moment of sarcasm for the pixie sized girl, who much preferred goofy humour over dry wit. Still, she enjoyed the Chinese food and was setting about making her way through the entire menu. She hadn’t grown up with it and really only had started eating it once she moved to the city, so she was excited and eager to try it all and see what she liked the most. “I’m sure they think we don’t eat unless we get food from them.”[/color] She chuckled, shaking her head softly at the thought of the couple.
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size][/justify]

• • •

TAGGED! Dax! <3
WORDS! 573!
OUTFIT! Cutie Patootie!
LYRICS! Decipher Reflections From Reality - - - PlayRadioPlay!
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Dakota Marshall Langdon]

Dax wouldn’t admit it but he needed the EMS gig a hell of a lot more than he let on. His entire family were first responders, it was practically in their blood to do right by the city! He couldn’t stay at the bakery forever, even if he wanted to. But he promised himself he would go back and never forget the place that gave him his start outside the family. But he also had no plans for after he graduated school and went on to become a paramedic. That was as far as they went! He was happy living above the Chang’s restaurant and unless there was a reason he had to move, he didn’t plan on doing so any time soon. It was just too much of a hassle to pack everything up and move it all out. For a guy that lived alone, he had far too much stuff cluttering up his apartment.

“It’s a fair description of you, that’s for sure.” Dax teased, smiling innocently. He always thought of his petite, hyper neighbour as a little pixie. She was always decked out in so much colour that he often though Rainbow Brite had nothing on her. “I prefer Pixie. They’re more mischievous.” He teased, running his hand through his hair, messing up what little of it he had. He knew the next time he went to see his mother she would be questioning him on why he hadn’t had it cut yet. But it was on his to do list so she would just have to settle with that. “The world would crash at the same time and go into some sort of diabetic coma, too.” He pointed out, though he’d yet to feel that way about himself. Of course, he also didn’t go crazy while he was at the bakery and usually only took stuff home when he knew he was visiting his family. They all loved that he worked at a bakery and could bring the dessert to the family meals. It meant his mother and gran didn’t have to add something else to their long list of cooking.

If Dax hadn’t been so exhausted, he would have happily tossed on his workout clothes and gone for a jog with King but he was having a hard enough time walking from point A to B tonight. King wouldn’t mind if he didn’t go for a run and Dax would make it up to the dog in the morning when he’d rested up and felt like he could take on the world. “There’s plenty of fun in a walk.” He didn’t really know where the fun was except on a walk you could actually take in the scenery. But other than that, he didn’t have a clue. Dax shook his head, laughing. “Chinese is always a rare treat!” He joked, rolling his eyes. When he’d been growing up, grabbing Chinese food on the way home really was a rare treat for the Langdon brood. Their parents wanted to have family meals but it was almost always impossible except weekends. When that was the case, they grabbed pizzas from the place down the street from their house where the kids had a tab the parents paid every week so they wouldn’t go hungry; there was a lot of pizza eaten in the Langdon house. “Mrs. Chang has said as much to me. She thinks I’m too skinny. Oh well, let's go then!” It apparently didn’t matter to the proprietor of the Chinese restaurant they lived above that he worked out every day but he didn’t want to bulk up. He thought it would look completely ridiculous with massive muscles, he just didn’t have the natural build for it.

Tag || Scout! <3
Words || 622
Clothes || The Crazy King
Music || Alive --Adelitas Way
Notes || <3

[Scout Houghton Dallas Villiers]

Scout’s family went beyond her brother and parents. Everyone she had grown up with was considered family to her. They had all helped her move to New York, given her gifts to stop her feeling homesick and had turned the empty apartment into something bright, colourful and completely like Scout. They all had their different tricks and talents and she knew that they’d be there for her even if she did find a reason to stay in the city after college. Right now, she was unsure of her future, but she didn’t worry about it either. Scout hadn’t come from a world of plans beyond the city they’d travel to next. Everything was just dealt with as it came and since arriving in New York and having a fixed address for the first real time she had learnt that not everyone live like that or thought it a good thing. There was still a lot Scout was learning and getting used to away from the trailers and the circus.

Rolling her eyes, Scout still wore a smile as she shook her head. “Mischievous? Yeah, that sounds about right.”

[/color] She chuckled, remembering just a few of the times she had played innocent pranks on the people in her life. Slumping slightly, she shot Dax with a soft glare before sighing. “Why do you have to kill my dreams, Dax? Why?”[/color] In reality, Scout was just happier that she had found an apartment with a neighbour who could handle her crazy moments and silly ideas. Life in New York could be a hell of a lot crueller and she had unfortunately met some of the angrier, cynical people who could have made her regret her move to the city had she been forced to put up with them more regularly. Hell, she had once met a man who shouted at her for smiling at him on the subway! She had told herself that he was having a bad day, but it was still a hard moment for the naïve girl who was far from prepared for some of the more extreme moments of city life.

Scout could thank the long hours and almost endless days of circus life for her stamina. There was always a job to do, something that required all hands on deck, and then on top of that there was the training for the acts. It was a tough life, but growing up with it and knowing nothing else was probably something that made it easier. It had certainly proved handy for project deadlines and busy days at the bakery. It was surprisingly rare for Scout to be so tired that she needed a nap. Most of the times naps were used to combat headaches and not because she could barely stay awake. “You’ll have to show me that, I’m afraid.”[/color] She said, clicking her tongue and placing her hands on her hips. Scout preferred walking to taking cabs, but that had more to do with the fact that she wasn’t used to New York traffic. She didn’t think she ever would be used to it and she didn’t drive anyway so walking always just seemed more convenient to her. “I’m going to turn into a spring roll one day.”[/color] She commented, although the food was delicious and she didn’t think she would ever get bored of the take-out meals. They were completely different to what she was used to; like most things in New York were. Some people didn’t buy it when she said that, or they thought she was being silly when she asked a question about something which should have been common knowledge. But what was normal to everyone else was entirely strange to her. “I usually get a “here, you need it” and then a container thrust at me.” [/color] Scout laughed, remembering the last time it happened. It usually seemed to sync up with the times she smelt like turpentine and oil paint. “When I first moved here, Mrs Chang was pleased that I was shorter than her. I swear there’s barely an inch in it!”[/color] Scout shared, shaking her head at the memory as she crouched down to give King a moment of attention.
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size][/justify]

• • •

TAGGED! Open! <3
WORDS! 707!
OUTFIT! Cutie Patootie!
LYRICS! Decipher Reflections From Reality - - - PlayRadioPlay!
NOTES! <3 <3 <3