1st roll, 2nd exposure | Video

[strangeandunusual]

[the feed shows a sunny spot in an alley, just outside the Gibson Girl. Lydia has borrowed one of their tables and set it with an assortment of snacks, fruit, a pile of napkins, a stack of glasses, and a pitcher of their amazing lemonade... but the clear focus of the shot is propped against the alley wall: a giant book that anyone from the Temple party of the Jungle mission will recognize as a retired but unusual tent. She's wearing black jeans with splatters of maroon spray paint, courtesy of her roommate's creativity, and a matching brocade top, with a large, full envelope in her hands. The envelope is 8x10, yellow slashed with red diagonal lines.]

Hi, everybody. I've met most of you, I think, but my name is Lydia Deetz, and I work at the camera shop when I'm not training. I take pictures when I'm out exploring, and when we have parties, and meetings ... pretty much all the time. My friend Fenton made this giant book with his magic as a mistake, but... I want to turn it into a big photo album for all of us, as a record of everything that happens. I have a lot of pictures already, from the first two months I've been here... And some of them are from the other night, so you're all here.

[she pats the envelope]

One of my favorite myths about photography is some people think it steals your soul. Not really, but... It helps keep a memory. And memories are part of our soul, so ... Maybe what it really does is make our souls stronger. If we're going to be doing a lot of fighting and exploring and repairing... We're going to need to be strong. So. Maybe this will help. I'm in the alley by the Gibson Girl, if you want to come and help... Or even if you want to just look at the pictures. Once all the pictures are in, I'll keep it in the lobby of the apartments until I get more.

[an awkward pause as she realizes she has no clue how to end this]

Um. Hope to see some of you?

Comments

[strangeandunusual]

Okay, this one.

[grinning, she makes a note in her sketchbook to reprint the negative so she can make a new one for the book, then flips the print over and signs it with a flourish: To Buggy: Thanks for being my first and flashiest customer! XO, Lydia. his enthusiasm is touching, especially since they've only just met, and she's still not quite sure what to make of him. she can tell there's good in him, though, and a lot of creativity, and that's the sort of thing they need here. she doesn't want him to lose sight of either, and anything she can do to encourage him - even if it's just taking his picture - she will]

Ta- daaaaa!

[strangeandunusual]

[once she saw Leia approaching, Lydia waved as she climbed down off the stepladder Fenton had brought her, sticking the pencil she was using to sketch out a page heading into her wild ponytail]

Hi Leia! I'm glad you found me. Did you end up needing directions?

[she'll go in for a hello hug if Leia will take it]

[strangeandunusual]

I bet he's just not used to seeing a woman in armor. Some men get really intimidated by strong women. ... [a tiny smirk] Which, you know, they should.

[she pauses, thinking as she pours them each a glass of lemonade, sure Rose must be warm in that gorgeously badass armor]

Maybe he should just have a part of the apartment that's completely his. My Dad needed a room to do his own thing with when we moved, because my stepmother wanted to remodel everything else. If people are scared, it's good to give them something they can know is theirs, and safe. Even if they're scared over something really stupid. [a little chuckle] Like the fact that you don't like being vulnerable to whatever it is you usually fight.

[strangeandunusual]

"I bet Missy would love living in a castle with us. Have you met her yet? She's got this whole regal-crazy-fun thing going on, and she loves purple and black like you do."

[strangeandunusual]

She laughs at the Brita joke, pleased and grateful that he's able to move on from the note and not embarrass her making A Thing of it. "He must get it special from somewhere. I know he takes a lot of pride in showmanship, so his hair's got to be part of it."

But then he starts talking seriously about the Gallery, and she realizes that she's crossing over some strange, invisible meridian into legitimate artisanship. People have stopped patting her on the head and just saying 'that's nice, pumpkin' and are really making something of her work. Really being affected by it. And ... it terrifies her, but at the same time, who is she to hold herself back?

"No," she says, with a sudden burst of excitement that threatens to lift her off her feet. Literally. "No, I don't think there is. But where would we put it?"

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Crowley raised a hand in quiet acknowledgement that he had heard her thanks but he started to wander off. He only inspired humans, now and then... like a side project he wasn't really meant to have, but he let them come up with the idea on their own. Wonderful creative creatures that they could be! ]

Don't mention it.

[strangeandunusual]

Mention what?

[she called after him, grinning. yeah, she definitely had his number. once she'd finished here, she'd have something to eat at the Cafe or the Tavern and draw up some sketches, then go by tomorrow to scope things out and pitch her ideas.

she arrives with a portfolio full of ideas and a brand new macro lens, which she borrowed from work on the proviso that she returned it in one piece]

Hey, Crowley! I brought those ideas you asked for.

[she spreads them out on the counter: sketches of candies photographed larger than life, trick photographed to dwarf the castle, the apartments, other landmarks on Main Street. Lettered beside each one are variations on Little Treats With Gigantic Flavor in the sort of sweeping, antique script all of the shops seem to favor]

[woo_oo]

Aw, thanks!

[She isn't sure it'll be the 'best', considering it might be without the boys/granny/etc, but she doesn't wanna kill that buzz.]

Makes me wish I could something for you...

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Crowley stepped away from the counter not even bothering to look at the pictures until he had knocked on the glass partition drawing the attention the older gentleman with the chef's hat on the other side. ]

Oi, Chef! Something for you to see!

[ When he returned to the counter he leaned on the top and loomed over the photographs much like a vulture. ]

I like that one... something very Tokyo, giant monster attacking the city, that.

[ The Chef and owner gave Crowley a 'you poor thing' sort of smile as he approached but pointed out how lovely his Petit Four's looked giant sized. Also the slogan. Absolutely inspired it was! ]

[big_top_boss]

Yeah, that's the good stuff! It's gonna go right on my wall when I get back!

[While Buggy isn't the best person in the world, and he's got his share of sins and flaws, this place really is bringing out the best of him. And things like this, moments with people who are good to him without him having to work hard or resort to trickery, does him a world of good.]

[strangeandunusual]

Great!

[an idea strikes, and she catches it before it can run away]

Hey, when you get back ... if Ace is there, see if he wants to go on another trip with me. We could take you out into the jungle, so you can practice your talents. Maybe help fight some Corroded. It'll be a good way to get even better and flashier! I already have camping gear, we'd just need to pick up more food.

[strangeandunusual]

I thought it would look fun on a billboard. Like you said: big.

[she's smiling, but glad for the huge pockets in her skirt, so she can tuck her hands in and hide how they're shaking. she's never done this before, after all, and tries to look confident and mature as she watches the chef]

What do you think, Monsieur? May I take some proper photos and do a few mock-ups for you? I wouldn't charge until the final proofs. This would all still be development work.

[strangeandunusual]

[she's not sure it'd be the best without Adam and Barbara, either, so at least they're even in that regard. she misses her family, too]

I'm sure you can, Webby. You don't have to think of anything right away. Just surprise me with it when you do.

In the meantime, we should take a good portrait of you! What's your class? We can make it epic. Like a poster or a trading card.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ The Chef was rubbing at his white moustache and pawing through the photographs. Picking out those ones he particularly liked and setting them aside in a pile. ]

My dear girl, you are as skilled as Crowley said you were!

[ The demon ducked, not taking any credit for that act of kindness. ]

Yes, yes! These are quite good! I do like these! But, I should tell you the advertisement campaign I had in mind was more for Halloween. It is our biggest season, right behind Christmas, and I was hoping to drum up even more business with a clever and hopefully spooky set of ads.

[ He chuckled and looked to Crowley. ]

He doesn't do spooky but, Ms. Lydia, I think you might? Please! Take all the photos you want... of the counters, the candy, the staff...

[ Crowley sneered but didn't say a word against it. ]

I should show you the set of treats I am preparing to roll out for October!

[ Off like a fairy he hurried back to his kitchen to put together a platter of the Halloween goodies he was thinking of adding to the menu. Crowley and Lydia were left briefly alone. ]

He gets really into his work... Seems to like yours too though.

[strangeandunusual]

Halloween?! Oh! Oh, I'd love to! I was just telling Webby earlier that I hoped the Kingdoms did something for Halloween, it's my favorite.

[she really does lift off the floor a little, her toes the only things touching as her Affinity glows a vibrant green, practically bursting with Sparks]

Crowley, this is the best day I've had since I got here. The absolute best. ... Don't worry. I won't tell anyone it was your idea. I can say it was the chef.

[he can be as sour as he wants about it. she'll allow it out of thanks]

[woo_oo]

Oh, I'm a Warrior! So you can show me defeating my enemies in battle as I make my legend known!

[strangeandunusual]

That's great! Do you have a weapon yet? If not, I have a dagger you can borrow for the picture.

[she knows that sometimes they give out the weapons at training, and that some others prefer to choose their own]

Or I can show you where the blacksmith is.

[woo_oo]

Oh, I got one! It's a grappling hook gun! It looks like the one I have back home, minus the carved initials and glitter.

[guitar_hero]

"Good question... Maybe the garden... Oh!" He snaps his fingers as a thought occurs to him. "You know? We could use the tent. I mean the gravity is wonky and there's that door, but it'll add to the ambiance. We could call it... The Freaky Gallery..." He thinks about that name. "No, let's work on that."

[serpentinthegarden]

It was Chef. The advertisement campaign was his idea.

[ So he said as he took a step back from her 'glow' just so he could circle around behind her to see it from all angles. ]

I just put the right people together to get it done.

[ You're welcome.

Chef hurried back in about then with a tray filled with 'test' items, any or none of which could end up as next month's candy treats. Hitchhiking Ghost cookies and cream-filled chocolate puff, Worms and Dirt, Poison Apples, Creepy Marshmellows, and Candy Corn Shaped Rice Treats]

Here is the very first batch, my dear! I am considering adding a cookie, maybe even on a stick! I think the kids would like them, don't you?

[strangeandunusual]

[her jaw drops at the sight of them all, particularly those worm-and-dirt coffins. she'd seen dirt cakes before, but that one was spectacular. and the detail on the poison apples... her Spark is already up and running, and she beams]

I have a great idea for a stick cookie, a really spooky one!

[she turns her sketchbook to a clean page and sketches out a sandworm, curled up in a comfortable spiral around a stick, its twin mouths open. it might take a little fondant work on the head, but given the Chef's skills, she has a feeling he'd see it as a fun challenge. she glances up as she's drawing]

You know, I don't think I ever thanked you in person, but that dragon cake you made for our party was amazing. It was so pretty I almost didn't want to eat it ... but it was even more delicious than it was beautiful.

[strangeandunusual]

That sounds really neat. And handy - when I was in the jungle there were a lot of high places that would have been useful in ... and I wasn't even in the group that went to the temple full of booby traps.

[she grins]

Do you have it with you?

[strangeandunusual]

It hits her like a bolt from the blue.

"The Graven Image."

She shakes her head, grinning. "I can have Mal paint the tent on the outside to look like a mausoleum and make the inside all spooky. We can say the bad gravity is because it's a haunted gallery, and the spirit inside inspires everyone who comes in to enjoy the art!"

[woo_oo]

[A little smirk, and she whips it out, twirling it about in her hands like a cheerleader with a baton.]

Ta-da! Perfect for booby traps, scaling evil headquarters, and jump rope.

[strangeandunusual]

Oooh, that's so neat!

[she beams, leaning down a little for a closer look]

Don't let Dreamfinder see, he'll want to take it apart. [she's only half joking] I wonder ... oh! There's a cobblestone building about a block from here that would be a great backdrop for some climbing shots...?