Shay felt awkward.
That was an understatement. She was semi-alone with Calan at the fair, but she was keenly aware that she was being followed by her dads' people. Not because she could feel it, or because she saw any of them, but because Vito had informed her of as much. She was also sure Vito was at his stall, so, it wasn't like she wouldn't see him around, too.
She should have been madder. A teenagers indignation. She was, a little. But there was pride too. She thought that came from having lived without parents for so long. She was glad to have people so over-protective of her. It reminded her that they cared; even when it was a little annoying sometimes.
But on the matter of Calan... well. Shay wasn't sure what to do. She was not a fan girl, not in the flippin' least, so she wouldn't get all cutsied up. But at the same time, it was all oddly intimate to her. Logically, she knew it was nothing, but emotionally, the girl inside her was squealing.
When she first met up with Calan, she eyed him over slowly, looking at his outfit, trying to show how much she didn't care. "Ready?"
Calan didn’t feel awkward… but, all things considered, he probably should have.
After all, he was 19 - holy shit, already? He hadn’t even had a party… oops. Anyway, most 19 year olds, especially those who were multi-platinum, world famous singers, generally hang out with those their own age and up. Usually, they might attend a fair, if they gave it a second glance at all, with one of their many significant others, a group of friends, or family members if they were still a little down-to-earth. They’d be obnoxious, loud and disrespectful towards the ride managers, flashing their name in order to get free things for whoever they were wish, and generally just having a grand ‘ole time.
Well, Calan at least had the obnoxious and loud part down.
Rather than the rest, though, he had only attended the fair with a single friend. Sure, Shay was a girl, but she certainly wasn’t a girlfriend - because, after all, she wasn’t nearly his age either. Calan was 19 and attending the summer fair with a 12 year old girl, and while he really should have felt awkward as he didn’t even know her very well in the great scheme of things, he really didn’t at all. In fact, Calan would even call himself excited! Shay was adorable and he said this in the most innocent of ways.
...Her dads were a little intimidating though…
...You know, later on, he was really going to have to figure out why.
Calan mentally shrugged before he caught a glimpse of short raven hair. A smirk playing at his lips, he briefly considered jumping her for old times sakes… But then again, Vito, and it looked like she had already spotted him anyway. Darn…
Calan waved as he approached her, both his hands half filled with cotton candy. He offered one to the girl and beamed, definitely not realizing that he might have had a tiny piece stuck to his bottom lip - oops, lip rings amirite? “I mean, I’m always ready for amusement parks… But are you~?” he asked. The redhead noticed as she scanned him over, looking absolutely unimpressed, and he internally shrugged again. It wasn’t like he had gotten too fancied up; maroon skinny jeans (one of his few unripped pairs), white hightops and a silver belt. He’d even forgone the vulgar-to-a-degree or song-lyriced tees he often wore, settling for a clean white dress shirt. All around, he supposed he looked good - but hey, he always looked good~
Once-overing Shay herself, he smiled again. “You look cute today~” he grinned, and he really did mean it platonically.
[ @FoxalypticWorld RIP Shay, you will be missed.]
After all, he was 19 - holy shit, already? He hadn’t even had a party… oops. Anyway, most 19 year olds, especially those who were multi-platinum, world famous singers, generally hang out with those their own age and up. Usually, they might attend a fair, if they gave it a second glance at all, with one of their many significant others, a group of friends, or family members if they were still a little down-to-earth. They’d be obnoxious, loud and disrespectful towards the ride managers, flashing their name in order to get free things for whoever they were wish, and generally just having a grand ‘ole time.
Well, Calan at least had the obnoxious and loud part down.
Rather than the rest, though, he had only attended the fair with a single friend. Sure, Shay was a girl, but she certainly wasn’t a girlfriend - because, after all, she wasn’t nearly his age either. Calan was 19 and attending the summer fair with a 12 year old girl, and while he really should have felt awkward as he didn’t even know her very well in the great scheme of things, he really didn’t at all. In fact, Calan would even call himself excited! Shay was adorable and he said this in the most innocent of ways.
...Her dads were a little intimidating though…
...You know, later on, he was really going to have to figure out why.
Calan mentally shrugged before he caught a glimpse of short raven hair. A smirk playing at his lips, he briefly considered jumping her for old times sakes… But then again, Vito, and it looked like she had already spotted him anyway. Darn…
Calan waved as he approached her, both his hands half filled with cotton candy. He offered one to the girl and beamed, definitely not realizing that he might have had a tiny piece stuck to his bottom lip - oops, lip rings amirite? “I mean, I’m always ready for amusement parks… But are you~?” he asked. The redhead noticed as she scanned him over, looking absolutely unimpressed, and he internally shrugged again. It wasn’t like he had gotten too fancied up; maroon skinny jeans (one of his few unripped pairs), white hightops and a silver belt. He’d even forgone the vulgar-to-a-degree or song-lyriced tees he often wore, settling for a clean white dress shirt. All around, he supposed he looked good - but hey, he always looked good~
Once-overing Shay herself, he smiled again. “You look cute today~” he grinned, and he really did mean it platonically.
[ @FoxalypticWorld RIP Shay, you will be missed.]
Sad truth. All Shay could think while looking Cal over was, 'damn, Vito is going to judge this outfit so hard.' Somehow that worried her more than anything. Shay was new to crushes and all manners of romance, but she was pretty sure you weren't supposed to think of your parents when you saw a cute boy you liked. Not even a little.
"Cal," Shay said carefully as she took the cotton candy. She was staring at his lip ring hard. "Wipe your face. It's covered in cotton candy."
She turned her face, giving him her profile instead, trying not to blush at his compliment and his gaze. She wore what she always wore, long sleeves and gloves. The shirt was simple cotton blue, the same color as the candy she held now.
Shay did note his lack of vulgar t-shirt and wondered if he had done it purposefully. She was about to ask, but she made a snap decision that she was going to try hard not to talk about Vito or Klaus today. Not right now.
"Thank you," she said in turn to his compliment after nearly a minute of silence on the subject. Shay wished she could have breathed deeply, but that would not have been subtle at all. She desperately needed the release, though.
"What should we do first? Did you want to ride the anti-gravity thing?" she distracted herself from staring at him by peering over the entirety of the fair to see what choices they had. The answer was: a lot. Their options were vast, because this was Manta Carlos, and the island always outdid itself. Shay hated crowded places, but she could appreciate the island's fairs. There was something for everyone.
She led them further into the fair. Walking was good. It gave her something to focus on. Easier to breathe. Easier to relax. "How long ago did you get here? I didn't keep you waiting long, did I?" Shay was too aware of her body. How it was moving (a little stiff, to be honest), or how her chest felt tighter than normal. To her, all of her imperfections were under a microscope.
Calan's cheeks reddened ever-so-slightly at Shay's comment, and he quickly chuckled out an, "Oops!" Quickly, he swiped the cotton candy away with his tongue, before shooting Shay a sheepish grin. "I blame the lip ring," he said.
Honestly, Calan had almost forgotten the compliment after about a minute of silence - a minute spent wondering if he had done something unspeakably terrible - when Shay thanked him. "Any time, Shay," he smiled.
It didn't really matter that Shay had only worn her regular outfit. Something about her just seemed extra-cute that day, though he felt that in nothing more than a brotherly manner. Honestly, Calan wasn't really sure what it was. Perhaps it was the fact that Shay was still trying to hard to shrug him off, despite the fact that she agreed to come to the fair with him, or perhaps it was the fact that she seemed inexplicably flustered.
Wait, flustered? Why would she be-
"Oh- yeah! The anti-gravity is great, though I'm up for anything in the festival. I say you pick the first ride - whichever catches your eye," Calan said. It was true, really. Alongside countless stands selling international cuisine and various trinkets, several rides dotted the fair. There was even a roller coaster, and for a moment, Calan could only wonder how they had assembled it so quickly. The mysteries of Manta Carlos...
Calan walked alongside Shay, letting her take the lead and waiting for her to reply. He noticed how stiffly she seemed to be moving, but due to her disposition, felt it was best not to comment. He did wonder what was eating at her, though. Perhaps it would be a conversation for later, assuming it proved consistent.
[I'm so sorry this took so long.]
Honestly, Calan had almost forgotten the compliment after about a minute of silence - a minute spent wondering if he had done something unspeakably terrible - when Shay thanked him. "Any time, Shay," he smiled.
It didn't really matter that Shay had only worn her regular outfit. Something about her just seemed extra-cute that day, though he felt that in nothing more than a brotherly manner. Honestly, Calan wasn't really sure what it was. Perhaps it was the fact that Shay was still trying to hard to shrug him off, despite the fact that she agreed to come to the fair with him, or perhaps it was the fact that she seemed inexplicably flustered.
Wait, flustered? Why would she be-
"Oh- yeah! The anti-gravity is great, though I'm up for anything in the festival. I say you pick the first ride - whichever catches your eye," Calan said. It was true, really. Alongside countless stands selling international cuisine and various trinkets, several rides dotted the fair. There was even a roller coaster, and for a moment, Calan could only wonder how they had assembled it so quickly. The mysteries of Manta Carlos...
Calan walked alongside Shay, letting her take the lead and waiting for her to reply. He noticed how stiffly she seemed to be moving, but due to her disposition, felt it was best not to comment. He did wonder what was eating at her, though. Perhaps it would be a conversation for later, assuming it proved consistent.
[I'm so sorry this took so long.]
Flustered seemed like an understatement. Shay's heart throbbed, and her fingers shook. Her hands were too hot and clammy. Everything was too much. This was all very new for her, and she didn't want to keep it to herself. Who could she tell, though? Telling Cal would just kill her.
"Uh. I haven't participated in many fairs before; maybe you can lead?" Shay's mind wasn't there enough to lead anywhere. She could hardly think enough to walk in a straight line. Too aware of his warmth. Too aware that Cal was there with her. "The anti-gravity might be a good start, I've never been on one, but I like fast rides." Shay had a thing for speed. The thrill of possible death. Her dreams hated it, naturally, but she couldn't hide from everything.
"You must have been to the fair with lots of people." Shay wanted to say dates, but the connotation would have been all wrong right then. Besides, that would have been too transparent for her tastes. "Hope I'm as entertaining. I'm not used to outings, and I'm young, so that's two black marks against me here. What kind of things do you do when you come to these events with other people?"
Shay's mind was on all sorts of negative things that made her want to scowl. Luckily, she was good enough at masking her expressions.
Calan nodded at Shay, nearly reaching for her hand but stopping himself. It was something he was used to doing, whether he was with a date or a friend, someone old or someone young. He was a physical person, and when he was told to take the lead, he usually did just that - by taking someone's hand and gently bringing them along. However, today, the warnings of Vito and Klaus were still loud in his ears, and he knew better than to touch Shay without permission. Still, he had to stop himself. It was a close call.
"Anti-gravity it is, then, yeah? I like fast rides too," he said, grinning. From there, he walked alongside Shay, listening as she spoke. Despite their odd meeting in the forest, and despite her young age as well, Calan had really begun to value Shay as a friend. She was a nice girl, attitude in all, and always found a way to lift his spirits. Strangely enough, though, something had seemed increasingly... off in her reactions to him. It wasn't anything outright noticeable, really, and nothing he could really place. It was just a mixture of his instincts and senses combined that clued him in, but really, Calan was wondering if he'd just been mistaken.
"Honestly? I've always loved fairs, but I haven't had the chance to go to many, either. Too busy, and before that, too... Eh, hard to explain," he said, brushing off his own sentence towards the end.
Calan looked at her, really looked, though, as she talked herself down. "Black marks? Shay, you realize I used to be the biggest introvert in the world, right?" he asked, laughing lightly. "Big turn around, I know. And young or not, you're smarter and wittier than half the twenty-year-olds I've met in my life, so age be damned. We're going to have a blast, you and I."
Calan's smile was bright as he looked down at Shay, continuing on. "As for things to actually do, I usually go ride-hopping, play some games here and there... And oh, funnel cake. Funnel cake is a terrible, terrible creation, but no fair experience is complete without it."
@Foxy
"Anti-gravity it is, then, yeah? I like fast rides too," he said, grinning. From there, he walked alongside Shay, listening as she spoke. Despite their odd meeting in the forest, and despite her young age as well, Calan had really begun to value Shay as a friend. She was a nice girl, attitude in all, and always found a way to lift his spirits. Strangely enough, though, something had seemed increasingly... off in her reactions to him. It wasn't anything outright noticeable, really, and nothing he could really place. It was just a mixture of his instincts and senses combined that clued him in, but really, Calan was wondering if he'd just been mistaken.
"Honestly? I've always loved fairs, but I haven't had the chance to go to many, either. Too busy, and before that, too... Eh, hard to explain," he said, brushing off his own sentence towards the end.
Calan looked at her, really looked, though, as she talked herself down. "Black marks? Shay, you realize I used to be the biggest introvert in the world, right?" he asked, laughing lightly. "Big turn around, I know. And young or not, you're smarter and wittier than half the twenty-year-olds I've met in my life, so age be damned. We're going to have a blast, you and I."
Calan's smile was bright as he looked down at Shay, continuing on. "As for things to actually do, I usually go ride-hopping, play some games here and there... And oh, funnel cake. Funnel cake is a terrible, terrible creation, but no fair experience is complete without it."
@Foxy
Hard to explain he said. Shay wanted to prod about what they could have meant. Celebrity status? Negative rumors? Vampire stuff? Bloodlust? Too many possibility and not enough information.
To Shay, these were merely facts. Straightforward and cruel as they seemed, that was life. There was always the debate between cynism and realist. Shay liked to believe she was the latter, but most people would have disagreed with that notion, and she didn't have the energy or care to fight them over it.
"I like funnel cake," Shay said, tone lighter than before, "and ride hopping. I usually just do it alone, but it'd be nice to have someone with me this time."
With that said, Shay's mood was a tad brighter than before. She led him to the large swing-like ride first. The one that went round and round until you could see the entire fair. Shay always loved that ride because it reminded her of flying. She would kick her feet and stare downward, or try to catch all the sights. Voices were drowned out by the wind and speed, and Shay was in a state of utter comfort.
Shay was busy laughing, trying to hold her hair out of her face and point off to things for Cal to look at before they were out of sight for a few minutes. When the ride stopped, Shay swung her legs and waited for the ride conductor to unstrap them. She teetered a little, trying to regain her composure.
"The best part of the fair is when you go on too many rides and you feel sick, you can just throw up and go on more!"
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