[Souls of Paranoia]Asherton Flea Market - Money Bags [Week 2]

Now that Daniel was in control of the situation things seemed to start calming down. Was it because of Daniel that things calmed down, or was it just a coincidence? Regardless, everything seemed to change. Monroe went in for a hug from the man, for comfort? It was unusual, out of character, and bizarre. The new guy, he introduced himself as Russel, was calmed down, and willing to join them.


Was this all because of how Daniel handled the situation? Was it this Julian character controlling everyone? Or was there something more complex involved in the situation. Regardless, everyone was cooperating and willing to continue onwards, so Daniel decided to waste no time. "Well, we are all in agreement then?" Daniel headed away from the jewelery vendor who spouted a complaint about his time being wasted. "Well, my apology's."


"So do you know where you are heading anyway?" Sam asked of Daniel, as Sam had no idea where they would head to find candy. Though Daniel scoffed at Sam.


"You never watch your surroundings do you? There was one back this way, we passed it on the way through the market here with your family earlier. Honestly, make that lesson 2: be observant." Daniel walked off scouting the area as he traced his steps backwards a few shops and around a corner not waiting for the others. Around that corner Daniel and Sam encountered a daughter and her mother tending to a small stall selling various homemade chocolates and candies. "Alright Sam, I'm putting you in change, find her something she would like."


The two of them Switched between control, and Sam found his way into his body once more. The girl was around 13 years old, the mother was probably close to 35. Sam picked up the closest item that seemed appropriate. It was a heart shaped box with various chocolates inside. Though there didn't seem to be any markings on what chocolates were what. "Oh, are you looking for a special someone?" The mother asked of Sam.


"Er... no. I mean, she's a friend." Sam put the box back down. "I think that's not the right choice. right?" Daniel was silent. Watching, Judging. Daniel confused Sam recently, he would occasionally help, or seem like it, then other times makes things worse or appears to be indifferent. Sam couldn't pin the man's true game.

"Babe" Monroe repeated distastefully, it was her fourth time hearing Julian call her that, "My name is not babe." She shot a dangerous look over her shoulder at him, only to fall into step besides the group- she had no idea where this candy shop was. New guy agreed to tag along after some hesitancy, "Careful not to hurt yourself again" her quip was meant to prod at him.


The most likely reason for why Monroe was so irritable today was probably due to the fact she had yet to get a cigarette in. Penny had been so upset the last time she had smoked, but it was actually Troy stopping her. He had picked up her half smoked cigarette from the ground and pocketed it like it was nothing. Monroe was so bothered that she abstained from the habit, but Penny had felt a craving in the mere moments she took over.


Monroe opened the flap to her satchel, slowing down to dig through the bag and find her pack of cigarettes. Her hands were slightly shaky when she slid out a cigarette, it was Penny again, bothered by what she was doing. "Penny- do you know how easily you can get cancer now?" the question is rhetorical, only because she doesn't wait for the answer. "Easier than Julian." The dirty joke was probably lost on the girl, but Monroe continued, "Everything- can give you cancer..."


Monroe wasn't looking for an argument, she convinced herself to continue smoking and that was all she needed. With the cigarette in between her lips, she cups her lighter away from the wind and tastes the fresh tobacco. Pulling the cigarette away after her first long drag, she throws the pack back in her satchel and flips the flap over the top again. As they approach the candy store, Monroe feels the relief the cigarette gives her and is much happier to stand with the group of guys. When Sam picks up the heart-shaped chocolate, she scoffs on the sidelines "Really? A heart again?" When the mother of the booth asks if it's for someone special, Sam again stammers his words.


Monroe claps him on the back, "The best tactic is honesty" she lets him know this before continuing on her tirade. "Sam here, is looking to make this 'girl' his 'girlfriend', if you know what I mean? Now, I think a heart shaped box is a little strong- especially since he seems unsure that they're even friends..." the statement is open-ended, but the owner of the stall seems to nod along. After all, girls often thought they gave the best relationship advice.


"Well- my husband..." the woman starts and Monroe raises her arms in defense.


"Woah. We don't got all day here, ma'am" Although the title is proper, Monroe says it in such a way it comes off as rude anyways. The store owner is slightly perturbed, but continues looking around while Monroe taps her cigarette's ashes off- taking another drag.


"Well, we have samples?" the owner finally tries, and although it might not exactly help Sam, both Penny and Monroe were sold on the idea. Chocolate, was, after all- a girl's best friend.


"Sure."

Julian was baffled again by Monroe's change in personality. Her gentleness seemed to morph again into a harsh exterior that he associated with the woman he only recently met. Unlike Sam's transition, he didn't particularly enjoy this one. He felt tricked a bit, but he wasn't sure what ulterior motives this woman had. For Sam, it was obvious but that still didn't deter Julian. He would eventually get what he wanted, like he told Marco, the wink was a bit too genuine.


However with this woman, both of her actions felt genuine. Julian couldn't read anything further than just the hug and now the cold attitude. It was possible she was crazy or something. "Alright bro cool your jets, we aren't stealing your car here," Julian said to Monroe. He was going to say something with more compassion but Julian could tell that Monroe didn't like nice guys. She especially seemed annoyed by Sam.


As they approached the candy stand, Julian became aware again of the new guy named, Russel. In the moment of anguish he almost forgot about the guy. He forgot exactly why he was with them, something about being injured and needing to calm down. He was more offering him to come along to just smooth over the argument, he was a little surprised that he agreed to come.


Julian looked over all the candies in the stand and really was at a lost. He never really got why candies were romantic, they seemed rather childish to him. Yet Julian didn't really feel the need to leave or suggest something else as he watched Sam scamper about nervously in the store. That's where he found some pleasure.


Marco however was not as entertained, finding the whole arrangement awkward. "Maybe we should go help the poor kid or something?" Marco suggested with some earnestly.


"You caring about someone, huh? That's unlike you." Julian said to Marco.


"Its not really caring about the guy, more that I am not beyond the mercy of shooting a dying animal. It would make me feel less awkward really than standing here..." Marco explained.


Julian shrugged as he walked over to something on the stand and picked up a big bag of gummy sea-creatures. Inside the clear bags there were rainbow sharks, fish, mermaids and octopuses. "Sam, man you have to check this out," Julian said gesturing to the bag. "Its got Octopus gummies in here, chicks dig octopuses."

Sam was flustered by Monroes comments. "I mean, were friends. But like, I did something, and it was kinda... anyway. She's upset or something like that." Sam had started to ramble then before long Julian stepped up and offered another suggestion.


"Sam, man you have to check this out, Its got Octopus gummies in here, chicks dig octopuses." Sam considered it for a while, but he decided that Kim wouldn't be a fan of octopuses, or tentacles at all really. He did kind of scare her with his own tentacle. No, he would need something else.


"Yeah, maybe. But this girl is like the 'no salamander or tentacles' kind of girl, you know?" Sam thought it might hurt Julians feelings to just shoot him down like that so he continued. "I mean, I'm sure more girls would love it, but this one is... different."


Suddenly Daniel took over his mouth, if only for a few words. "She's quite the show stopper." Sam didn't get why Daniel had to comment on it, and he doubted that he would even if Sam asked. Sam looked around and found a couple items that he thought might be good.


There was a jar of peppermint sticks, that seemed innocent enough. There was a box of Toffee cubes, which could be good. Maybe do a no chocolate mixed bag? "Hey, using your noggin' I see. Chocolate is a romantic candy. Well, not the cheap crap, but anything fancy is instantly romantic." With that as confirmation Sam pulled together a few samplings of different things.


At the end Sam ended up with a batch of mixed candies. A few toffee, some peppermint sticks, a handful of fruit flavoured lollipops, a small bag of variously coloured gummy cat faces, and a small bag of bubblegum. It seemed like it hit the major non-chocolate candies. Though he wondered if it was a good choice? He tried asking Daniel, but he didn't seem to respond. "Do you guys think this is a good 'I'm sorry' gift?" The mother seemed interested and started to rummage through some items off to the side before presenting something to Sam.


"You should get this as well to put it into." She was holding a red basket with a tag stuck onto the side where a message could be written. "You just tell me what you would want on it, and we can write it in and wrap it all up! Ready to give!" Sam wasn't sure if that was a good idea, or just a money grab from the lady.

Monroe smiles slightly, taking the last drag of her cigarette before flicking it on the ground, using the heel of her ever present boots to diminish the light. "Alright, bro" her brow quirked in challenging way, playfully bumping his elbow, before noticing the little girl of the stall put small samples of chocolate in front of her.


The girl was slightly older, but Monroe was reminded of Penny- orange hair, freckles covering most of her face and bright green eyes. Although she had never seen Penny, nor even cared enough to ask how she looked, this young girl reminded of her. "I have sandy hair and grey eyes" Penny's voice breaks through her thoughts. Monroe's image vanished and now the young girl in front of her was just that.


Taking one of the chocolates from the platter, she pops it in her mouth while idly listening to Sam and Julian. "Bro, is there anything chicks don't dig?" she says, mildly amused at the things he suggested, especially Sam's responses to them. Monroe popped another chocolate in her mouth, watching as Sam collected an array of small candies.


"This is kiss and make-up?" she silently weighs the amount of candy, "Yeah, looks good" she shrugs. All Sam had explained was that she was 'upset' but by this amount of candy, he was playing it safe for whatever he did. Monroe licked the chocolate off her lips, looking at the basket the woman in the stall was offering them. "Where are you planning on giving her this candy? Carrying a basket might be embarrassing for her?" Monroe tilts her head back and forth.


All Monroe knew was that it would embarrass her.

Julian smiled as Monroe called him "bro". To Julian it meant they were friends, and while being friends did have its disadvantages, Julian wasn't discouraged. "Hm, I do wonder," he said to Monroe. "What is it that chicks don't dig?" Julan was stumbled on the question as he wrapped his hands around the back of his head, there were very few things he had done in the past that a chick he liked didn't enjoy. Ultimately he shrugged again and said, "I am not psychic, so there are probably things, but I do know what girls like and they like octopuses."


Marco was mildly impressed by Julian's response, "You make it almost seem believable..."


Julian found the comment bizarre, "What are you getting at, Marco?"


"Oh nothing," Marco said almost innocently. "Just go on playing your game, as you usually do."


Julian was perplexed by Marco's dialogue. It wasn't the first time Marco spoke up like this to Julian but he didn't have much time to ponder it as Sam was already selecting his candies out. "This different girl, I mean she doesn't seem like the typical chick, not liking octopuses and being a scene stopper. So what is it that you like about her" Julian asked Sam. "Because if you really like her or want her to like you, I agree with Monroe: you are going to need something better than that basket."


"Lady," Julian said to the stand's owner. "Do you have something more showy, like this basket isn't nearly unique enough."


The stand owner became a bit befuddled with Julian's comments. She raised one eyebrow to him and replied, "Unique? I mean these baskets are special because of the candy inside. I don't see why you would need something..."


"Its cool, don't worry. I just wanted to know if you have something more classy or not?" Julian interrupted the woman oblivious of her stares.

"This different girl, I mean she doesn't seem like the typical chick, not liking octopuses and being a scene stopper. So what is it that you like about her? Because if you really like her or want her to like you, I agree with Monroe: you are going to need something better than that basket." Sam wasn't sure if that was what Monroe was getting at, though maybe he was right.


Though, Julian didn't disagree with the candy selection, and Monroe said it was fine, so he could only assume that he picked out some good candies. Julian took it upon himself to start inquiring about fancier baskets. It game Sam some time to think about how he could explain things to Julian, but realized he might need to think on Julian's level. "Julian, it's like, yeah. There is a lot of girls that like salamanders or octopus. But they are like, normal, average, everywhere. But when you find the one who doesn't, you know they're special. Right? they're not like all the other ones, and you know you gotta do something special for them, because what you would expect would work, doesn't work." He wondered if that would get through to Julian, he wasn't even sure if what he said made sense. Mostly the octopus was what through him off.


Sam thought about how he would give it to her, likely after class one day. He could just keep it in his locker, and the basket would possibly help keep everything together for her. It's also easier then raining candy onto her, more officially like a gift. He looked at the candy then the basket. "How much would all this be?"


The Lady was busy looking in her baskets at Julians request, and stopped briefly to respond. "Let's see. 1. 2. 3.... Ok. Is that 5 toffee?" Sam nodded yes before she continued. "It looks like it would be $18.50. $23.50 with the basket." Sam thought about it before deciding.


"Alright, I'll get it without the basket." Sam signaled to Julian with his hand out and flat as if to say 'it's cool, I got this' and took out his bill to hand to the woman. She took the Bill and game Sam his change before putting the items into the small basket anyway.


"What do you want it to say? This girl sounds special. The basket is on the house this time." The woman smiled and Sam blushed out of embarrassment.


"Er.. uhh... Just write 'Sorry. From Sam' on it." The woman nodded and got a marker.

Monroe was mildly surprised that her question actually stumped Julian, half-expecting him to go on another random tangent. She could think of a lot of things chick didn't dig, and most of it had to do with being a chick. "I do not like octopuses" she wasn't trying to rain on his parade, but she was in fact a 'chick' and she could not 'dig' anything with tentacles.


Although Julian had taken what she said completely wrong, she didn't bother correcting him- instead she was rather astonished at the way Sam handled it. "Wow, Sam...if only you could do that with girls" she smiles, flashing him a thumbs up at the way he handled Julian. Finally he seemed to decide on the basket, and in the process ignored both her and Julian's opinion. Sam also offered to pay, despite the fact he had accepted Julian's offer to pay.


Penny swivelled her head back in the direction of the table, "Can you get me some of the blue raspberry candy?" The way Penny popped the 'p' in 'raspberry' made Monroe falter slightly, picking up the blue raspberry sour candy tape. She also grabbed a mint for herself, fishing into her jeans for a proper bill.


"How 'bout, I owe you one?" she suggests to Julian, knowing she would never follow up on this 'one' she might owe him.

Julian tried to reach for his wallet when the vendor read the price to Sam. However Sam seemed to beat him to the punch pulling his own money out and paying for it himself. Julian's face changed to one of disappointment at first as he expected to pay for Sam but it then became one of awe. This was because Julian was happy over the fact that Sam bought the gift himself. Not because Julian wanted to save money. No, it was because he thought Sam was only hanging out with him because he lured the kid out with purchasing him something. Now he knew though that Sam was genuine, more than just that wink.


Pretending to still be upset though Julian waved down Sam just after he paid for the purchase. "Woah, didn't you say I would buy this for you?" he asked Sam. Returning back to his calm state though, he told the boy, "Don't worry, I gotcha back." Julian started to think how he could pay back Sam for paying for the purchase himself. Feeling through his things he tried to think if he had anything other than money to give to the guy.


That was when Monroe spoke up, something about owing him one. Julian knew that Monroe was only interested in him for his money, but that's what he liked about her. It wasn't something sweet like Sam, no he liked the burning.... well the burning something about the woman, he would refuse to call her a girl. "Yeah, yeah, sure," he said back to her as he switched through his pockets. "How much do those things cost anyway? Like how much do you want?" he said as he glanced towards what was already in her possession. "You could have more if you want. A bro like you need some sweet stuff, else you get too bitter."


That was when Julian remember the baggy in his back pocket of his capris. "Hey Sam," he said to him. "Come over here, I totally forgot, I got you something as a gift," he gestured to bring Sam close to him and away from the vendor.

Monroe actually seemed to compliment Sam on his speech, which was completely out of left field as far as Sam was concerned. Though it made him feel good, it always felt good to get a compliment of some kind. While sam was pleased with himself the woman at the counter wrote Sam's message on the basket before wrapping it in clear plastic. The plastic was placed underneath the base and brought up to a bunch at the top of the basket which the woman kept tied together by a green ribbon, similar to a streamer in texture. It did look quite beautiful.


Julian seemed to believe that he owed Sam something not that he didn't buy Sam anything. It was strange, but the man seemed sure he had to make it up. "Hey Sam, Come over here, I totally forgot, I got you something as a gift," Sam walked over to Julian to see what was up and when he got close enough Julian passed him a bag of something very discretely. Sam looked at it briefly before realizing what it was. He quickly pocketed the bag, wondering what would have possessed Julian to give him it. Though, it explained the man a lot. The money, his demeanor.


Daniel was slightly curious. "Was that... weed?" the man asked, more curious then anything else. "It was, wasn't it? You know, back in my day weed was very rampant. Most everyone smoked it, and the laws were very loose. Then they began to crack down. I don't know why." It was strange, usually Daniel didn't talk about himself that much, or when he was from. Though it was interesting. Sam would never have taken Daniel as a druggy, though the man was clearly reminiscing about something.


Then Sam realized. He wasn't a druggy. He never did any drugs. But he just accepted some. If his mom found it she would be very angry. "Err... thanks." It was all Sam could get out, as he didn't want to draw attention to it, and wasn't sure if Julian would even take it back. He could just flush it when he got home anyway.


Sam realized he should probably send a message to Kim, possibly arrange a meeting after class. So he brought out his phone to send her a text.


@Miz -




As Sam hit send the woman at the counter called out to Sam to grab his basket as she pushed it towards the front of the counter. Unfortunately she misjudged and sent it falling to the ground. The basket was plastic, so it was undamaged, but he would need to grab it. Sam wasn't thinking to much, just knowing he had to grab it and his hands were busy. So Sam instinctively handed his phone over to Julian before rushing over to pick up the basket. The Woman at the counter apologized and Sam made sure to let her know it was no problem.

Monroe declines Julian's offer by shaking of her head, although she does give the stand another quick look. These two items of candy would soon multiply into four, and even after that they still might be good. The storekeeper seemed slightly un-pleased with her purchase, Monroe wasn't sure if it was because she ate samples without buying or because of her earlier comments toward her. Frankly, she didn't care either...


She expectantly looks back at Julian- who had disappeared from behind her with Sam, only the new guy behind her. When she spotted the two she saw Julian pass Sam a small bag. Due to their discrete nature and the way Julian had been acting, she immediately knew what the exchange was. What surprised her more was the fact Sam was willing to take the drugs from him.


As the boy was texting who she assumed was 'the girl', the woman accidentally pushed the gift basket off the counter. Sam reacts fast, quickly passing his phone to Julian before rushing over to pick up the basket. Monroe looks down at the boy, mildly interested before turning her focus back on Julian, almost challenging him with a quirk of a brow.


"It's only $3.20" she says, shrugging her shoulders, "Maybe you should add something to it?" she felt sort of skimpy, not paying 3.20.

The walk to the candy shop had been interesting, he'd lagged behind a bit due to the heavy backpack but wasn't about to make any more of a pest of himself than he already had. Russel wasn't sure if these three had been acquainted before this but their conversation at the jeweler's certainly hadn't sounded like it. It seemed almost alien to him how...buddy buddy they were acting...and by extension himself due to Harold's big mouth. "Why did you make me do this, I feel like an idiot now. These guys must think I'm some sort of creeper now." Russel sulked. "I already told you, you don't spend enough time around others outside of family or school. How are you supposed to be productive if you can't manage a simple shopping trip? Spend too much time alone and you'll become a beast. Your mind is also slipping, it's Tim's birthday tomorrow and you promised him that giant jawbreaker."


Russel slapped himself on the forehead as they entered the shop. It had indeed slipped his mind and his mother would surely make him dig his own grave if he forgot his little brother's birthday again. "Damnit why didn't you say anything earlier? That would have made a much better excuse than whatever you came up with back there." Having these inner conversations never came easy to Russel, he had to constantly shift his focus to make sure he wasn't staring off into space or something strange like that. "Don't worry, I would have said something on the way home. Toffy Palace probably has them much cheaper than this place."


Amid the excitement of all the things to satisfy his ravenous sweet tooth, Russel tried to keep himself collected in order to not turn into the actual kid in the candy store. Before he knew it, he'd grabbed a small pouch of golfball-sized jawbreakers for his brother, caramel-coated scorpions as a gag gift for his dad, some Turkish delights for his mother, and half a dozen other goodies that he hadn't had in years. "Russel you really shouldn't punish your body like this." Harold could be a real stick in the mud sometimes, Russel reminded himself to continuously call him Harry more often to get back at him for this. He stood in line behind them and kind of wondered if this was even real life anymore. They were acting a thousand times friendlier than they had prior to the mess at the jeweler's.


They didn't really see nor particularly care if a small bag of weed had been passed, what one does to themselves is their own business and definitely not worth the trouble of giving a lecture on the dangers of substance abuse. When Monroe suggested that something should be added to the basket, Russel pulled a bag of peanut butter almonds out from his chosen bunch and dropped it in. "That should work much better for you, now it should be $10 even."

Julian tried not to draw any eyes to himself when he exchanged the bag with Sam. Nonchalantly he simply dropped it into Sam's hands without much effort. He had done this stuff many times before. Yet Sam appeared a bit awkward out by the experience and was a little delay to pick up the baggie. Julian smiled though at Sam once he took and put it away. He intended, with his payment now dealt with, to devote his time to Monroe. Sam had other plans it seemed though, giving Julian his phone when his basket was knocked over.


It was an alright phone, perhaps two year old. The screen was a bit crack and the entire frame seemed damaged. "That's what happens when you don't use a case," Julian said to Marco. It was definitely an older model, a Quasar 2 it looked like, maybe a Quasar 3. Julian didn't really care for phones and was rather unimpressed. It wasn't as nice as his Quasar 6 he bought just a few weeks prior.


The phone was locked by some patten puzzle code. They weren't hard locks, mainly because you just had to swipe your fingers across it. Gentle motions would do it. For Julian though, just a flash of his eyes removed the password mechanism. "I don't know why these things are even put on here, they are so easy to break..." Marco said with some indifference about the device.


"Well man they aren't supposed to be the most secure," Julian replied as he peered at the phone. "Who is this Kimi person. Is this who he was referring to, she doesn't have a picture assigned to her. Don't know if she's a cutie." Julian read the message log and saw the pretty awkward dance unfold before his eyes. "Huh, who are these Daniel and Felix guys, and why it is so important that they meet."


"Felix," Marco said. "The name sounds familiar, both of them do though. I can't put my finger on it."


"Whatever man," Julian said as he then typed in a message to this girl named Kimi.




Julian after sending that message immediately turned the phone, which wasn't much different than his to the contacts list. Adding his own number into the listing, he snickered a bit. However Marco wasn't as amused. "Wait, I know those names. They were both souls, souls like me, Felix was trying to help Daniel or something like that..." Marco said with some rare enthusiasm.


"Huh, dude?" Julian said as he turned his attention to Monroe. Looking at the basket she had with the stuff New Guy put into it. All he said to her was "Double it," as he took a twenty dollar bill out.