2025-04-30 - These Boots Are Made For Catwalking

When it comes to bad ideas that come to live, Peyton has a tendency to make it happen. It's a life skill obviously.
The middle of village square is a long aisle with chairs on each side. It's been formed as an obvious catwalk, but that is not all. Oh no no. There is always more.

The 'event' is open to all that want to come, Tourists too if they are still here for some reason. There is also a few boxes of items that have been taken from the various businesses lost and found bins. Scavenged for the the good of the party and the good of the show. There are also tables set up with paddles that have numbers to 'judge' if one wants to be so bold. The numbers flipping up to give a 1-10 score upon it. A few tables are set up with food and drinks upon them. While no one is going to check for flasks, the drinks are mocktails, just because.

Peyton is wearing .. an outfit. She's not here without clothing (thank God) but she's also not dressed all in black either. She has a bright pink CareBear shirt that only sort of fits. A pair of men's swimming trunks with lemons on them. The bring it all together piece is a faded black and red checkered flannel tied around her waist.

Ash must have just ended a shift because he’s here in his black security uniform, only the radio is turned off. The slender Asian man has spent a good few moments with a hand over his mouth in a thoughtful pose as he contemplated the lost and found items on offer. At last he went through gathering up pieces here and there, including some rain boots that have dried paint on them. He looks highly focused on this.

Aaron He was busy moving about, ensuring everything was set up and ready to go. He found a few interesting items. Shorts that are very short and should not be worn by anyone, let alone him, even if he is slender. Some form of tank top? Shocks that come up to his knees and a pair of Crocs. It's horrible, truly, truly horrible, but he is walking around smiling and greeting people, and he is also wearing his piercings with his hair pulled back into a braid.

Damian already did a look-see in the bins here. He then took his haul to get dressed. He had come walking in earlier in an animal handler uniform. But now? He comes out already ready for action!

A sun-bleached staff shirt is tied and layered over patched cargo shorts, accented with found leashes, carabiners, and toy reptiles. Mismatched accessories, rings, mood jewelry, and animal keychains. With smudged eyeliner and a parrot feather tucked behind one ear. He must have struck gold or didn't give a flip about how he presented himself.

He waves to all he finds here and makes a beeline for food and drink. Someone is thirsty and hungry.

Devon is fairly new, only having been in the park about a month, one of the new scare actors over in the Midnight Maze, though it's difficult to tell that it's him. He looks VERY different out of costume than he does while in it. And he looks very very different right now. He has on a pair of mis-matched flip flops that he got from the bins, a pair of cut-off green sweatpants that are now sort of shorts, and a Hawaiian shirt that is covered in pineapples and extremely loud tropical flowers. The sunglasses that are balanced on his nose are 3x too big for his face and probably not helping him see right now, but he is here and he is ready to strut his stuff.

After a long shift of work, Orion is here and ready for fashion! Having gone through the bins, he settled on a mixture of patterns and fabrics. His top is a silk scarf tied halter style around his neck and covering his chest. For his 'skirt' he has a multicolored striped beach towel that is wrapped and secured around his waist. Arm floaties are at different heights on either arm to create a chic asymmetrical look.

As for his footwear? Swim flippers of course. To complete the look he has a pair of neon green sunglasses and a big floral patterned umbrella that twirls as he walks over to the table. Seeing everyone in their attire he grins and looks to Peyton.

"This is such a great idea. I LOVE your outfit by the way. Very daring."

Peyton's metallic shaded eyes are gold for the moment. They could change. You never know. She lets them fall on Aaron for a few moments. It doesn't seem like she has the urge to go be a social butterfly.

A random Orion has appeared.

Peyton blinks at him for few moments. Luckily, she's not tiny so she doesn't have to peer up at him. Then she smiles. Well, Peyton smirks. It's how Peyton's in the wild smile. "Thank you. I found it all by myself. I tried to get them from different islands."

Her eyes drop to his swim flippers. "So, did you dress up or is this your every day look?"

There is an upnod towards the others that have arrived as she looks over their outfits thoughtfully. Perhaps to judge their ability to do their little walk on the cat walk (on the cat walk).

Having suddenly just vanished, a few moments pass before Ash returns wearing the paint-spattered rainboots. Fear not though, it’s not just the boots. Black and red checkered pants several sizes too large lead up from them to where they cinch at the waist, with a faded yellow Hello Kitty tank top hugging his torso at the top. For extra fun he’s tied a Union Jack bandana around his head.

And he’s smiling. “Sup guys?”

A couple of inches have been tacked onto Iseul's petite frame tonight, as well as breadth. You know those umbrella hat things that some people choose to wear in inclement weather, because holding onto an actual umbrella is just too danged inconvenient? Perhaps its original owner ultimately realized how ridiculous it made them look and left it somewhere, and the young Asian woman scored big when she found it. But it doesn't stop there. Attached to the end of each umbrella spine is a string, and dangling from each string is a small stuffed animal. Such lost critters are commonplace where she works in the park. Now they come together to make her look like some kind of demented crib mobile.

And yet, she strolls in with all the confidence of a kid in a Superman cape. Probably because she's wearing one. Pausing just inside the door to plant her fists on her hips all superhero-like, she grins slightly as she surveys her surroundings. The tall, red rainboots that rise almost to her knees sorta complement the cape, but it's pretty unlikely that Superman (or girl) ever had headgear like hers.

Damian is also Asian, but likely not the Asian Ash and Iseul are. There is a difference.

He offers high fives and hellos to those who want them. When he speaks, it's with a California accent with the subtlety of a Thai one; he must be fluent in English and Thai. He declares, "You all look great!" He then proceeds to stuff his mouth with a cookie and chew away.

At Peyton's question, Orion simply offers a nod, "Of course!" That doesn't answer either question. Or maybe it answers both?

Seeing all the others in their attire he nods towards Damian now, "Agreed! Love the use of colors and self expression I see going on."

There is a look towards the table where the judging paddles are located. He then looks to Peyton again, "Do you still need judges? Or where could someone be the most useful?" He apparently isn't as focused on walking as he is on dressing up. He's willing to do whatever is needed!

Devon grins when he sees Iseul's mobile hat and says, "That is amazing. And I feel very underdressed compared to everyone else," with a laugh. It's good-natured though. Then he notices Orion and the table with the paddles. "I could judge, too.. maybe. I don't think I'm going to win compared to all the others." Which doesn't seem to bother him, at all. To the contrary, he's checking out the rainboots, the scarf-tank-tops, and the egregious clashing of colors with a broad grin of amusement.

Peyton seems to consider the request of judges and what is best. "You know. I think everyone should walk the catwalk. We can all just judge and heckl--cheer on people at they do." She winks towards Orion and then takes a step to the makeshift stage.

There is a foot strike on the stage to cause a BOOM to echo in the square.

"If I could get names please or if you would like to line up to do your walk. We are looking for your best model strut. Your best showing of the outfit. Just your best. However, like the game of who's line is it anyways, points don't really matter."

As much of a train wreck as he is, Ash finds his attention drawn to the other wrecks present. His eyes linger on swim flippers, oversized sunglasses, short shorts with crocs, and…Supergirl.

He leans toward Peyton and says to her with a big grin, “Ash. Hi. Put me in, coach.”

When one is complimented, one shows appreciation. For Iseul, in this moment, this is expressed toward Devon in the form of heart-hands and a beaming smile. At his mild self-deprecation, though, she gives him a quick once over, shakes her head firmly, and offers up in perfectly sincere reassurance, "Are you kidding? That shirt is wild, I love it!" This, of course, said a bit less volume as Peyton takes the stage, but she still looks as though she means it. "You want my cape? Might give you some more swagger for your strut." Wink.

When Peyton makes her presence known on that stage, Damian moves in her direction and offers his hand to shake. "Damian been here a handful of months." That is what he was supposed to do, right? Well, that's how he took it. He smiles at the blonde as he moves off stage. If there is a form of a line, that's where he moves to.

Aaron waves at everyone, "Hello all." he does have his camera with him as well, he may not take photos so much for the park anymore but its still something he loves to do and why not take pics of everyone dressed up in their new fads. "You guys look great!" he moves over closer to the group, "I'm Aaron, you can call me AJ for short if you like."

The boom echoing has Orion lofting a brow and grinning at Peyton's commanding attention. With the show getting underway he joins the others in forming some kind of line. Oh hey they're volunteering clothes items!

Devon gets a nod as Orion wiggles his own arms, "You can have my water wingies! Not sure what they'll do for swagger. Could help if you step in a puddle though." Aaron's introduction gets a nod, "Orion. Nice to meet you...and everyone else too," he smiles to the others.

Iseul's eyes glimmer with warmth as Orion chimes in with his own offer to Devon. Community is fabulous. The multi-tiered water wings have her grin deepening a little, as that's just the sort of fanciful thing that she likes. Judging by her own attire, at least. "Never underestimate the risk of a flash flood," she agrees, with the sagest of sage li'l nods. While awaiting Devon's decision (and her turn), she glances up ahead at a few of the others, her attention lingering briefly on... a Hello Kitty tank top? Lips press together as she tries to stifle a giggle. Poorly.

Devon laughs as he starts getting offers from multiple sources to contribute to his outfit and he shakes his head, "Nah. I'll just have to rock the walk in style to make up for it. You guys should all keep your stuff. The point is the fun. And oh, I'm Devon. I work over at the Midnight Maze. I'm one of the Haunts." He gives a wave to those around him as they introduce themselves and makes his way over to where everyone is gathered to do their walks.

"All right. I don't want anyone getting hurt or anything. The cat walk is actually made from the dance floor planks, so it's a little slip---" Peyton is explaining for those that have come up to her. She has, of course, greeted each. Gave her name, because who wouldn't know her?! Lucky everyone is to get know her amazing self.

She fumbles just a bit and it looks like she's about to fall off the side before she catches herself. "This is where you cheer." She looks at each of them in open expectation/demand. Then she nods towards Aaron to do his moves.. if he volunteered, or is being volun-told, Peyton doesn't really remember

Once Ash realizes he’s being checked out he hooks thumbs in the shoulder straps of his tank top and does a prideful strut toward the staging area to walk. If you’re going to wear some shirt discarded by a girl and pants that MC Hammer forgot, own it.

It’s seeing how slippery things are that has him putting on a thoughtful look. “Hey do we get points for falling?”

Damian waits his turn now, messing with the parrot feather and trying to find a spot to put his thumbs as he waits for Aaron to go and for Ash's question to be answered.

Humming the song, I'm Too Sexy to himself. Yes. He went there.

Tearing her gaze away from Ash with great effort and determination, Iseul nods to Devon's polite refusal with a smile that still carries the mildest mirthful tremble. By the time she shifts her focus to Aaron, she's got her giggle pretty well under control, and is thus able to greet with, "Hey, AJ. I'm Iseul. Herder of lost children."

The slight flail happening at the stage catches her attention, though, and she looks toward Peyton with some concern, until she sees the blonde right herself fully. Applause is given, as their hostess commands. "Oof, I'm glad I wore grippy rainboots now," she murmurs low.

Aaron grins at Orion, "I remember you from the paint ball and the braclets." he grins as he looks over to Peyton, "I will take some pictures then walk." he pulls up his camera and starts to take some shots, "All for fun." he chuckles and blinks ready to move when Peyton almost falls but stops. "Please be careful, everyone." he smiles at Iseul, "Nice to meet you Iseul."

Devon gets a nod and Orion seems fine keeping his water wingies. As Peyton almost falls his eyes widen and he takes a step forward, but stops himself and lets out a relieved exhale when she is fine. Ash gets a shake of his head, "No. I don't think we get workman's comp either since we're off the clock. So I don't advise it."

The humming has him bobbing his head with Damian's song and he grins to Iseul, "Stylish and practical," he says of the boots. Then, Aaron gets a nod. "I didn't want to assume. Lots of different faces and names here, but I'm glad to be remembered! How have you been? And Ravin? We'll have to make bracelets again soon."

Apparently feeling himself, once Ash’s turn comes up he hops on his feet and then easily tumbles forward onto his hands and then begins his walk on his hands. To his credit it comes off smoothly, and he kicks his messy rainboots in the air overhead when he needs a little oomph to walk over inclines and across from one board to another. The baggy checkered pants sag down ridiculously to his ribs, but that tank top at least stays put. The hardest bit is watching where he’s going because he has to bend his spine to look up and…it’s just a hassle. But he makes it across without wiping out or losing his balance and then lets his feet fall over his head to land on them and spring upright again, shaking his hands out and letting out a grin and a whoop!

Aaron smiles, "We are good I think Ravin has a show its why they were not able to come join us." he nods his head, "Yeah I love to, maybe we can talk later I think to make something for Ravin." he grins at Orion then turns to start snapping pictures of Ash walking on his hands chuckling, "YOu look great!" he calls to Ash.

Devon lets out a whistle as Ash takes his turn on the catwalk and does a hand-stand to walk his way across. He laughs and calls out "Very impressive!" When it is his turn to make his way out onto the catwalk, he shows off some of his own acrobatic ability. He does a dive into a tumble and hops up to his feet before bouncing into a cartwheel. It's a miracle that those glasses don't go flying off into the great beyond. But that's only because he catches them with one hand before they manage to fully escape. His follow-up to the cartwheel is a little bow and then a little shimmying dance right off the end of the catwalk to make room for someone else. It's randomly silly and all in good fun.

Iseul peers down at her boots, which rise fairly high on her calves, but that may be more due to the fact that they're a bit big on her. Even so, she flashes a grin at Orion in thanks. "Well, if anyone's worried about slipping, I'm more than happy to swap a boot for a shoe, Fourth Wing style." She can't really look a whole lot sillier than she already does, so mismatched footwear doesn't appear to be a concern.

Turning her head toward the stage as things start to liven up, she immediately sputters as a dangling hamster plushie, set swinging by the movement, baps her soundly in the face. Swatting it away with a helpless (and only slightly embarrassed) laugh, she checks out the runway strutter... and instantly stills, mouth opening in startlement as she watches Ash hand-walking along. The droopy pants are hilarious, yes, but that in no way appears to detract from the impressiveness of the act overall, in her eyes. "Whoa," she breathes. "Okay, anyone know who he is?" And then Devon's completely disproving the need for an elaborate outfit with his own walk, which has her applauding enthusiastically. Still glancing Ash's way more than once, but clapping and cheering nonetheless.

Damian struts in patched cargo and sun-bleached threads. But this isn’t just fashion, it’s combat couture. Every step on the catwalk channels Muay Boran: sharp elbows slicing the air, knees rising like a challenge, animalistic grace in every turn. A leash-turned-belt swings at his hip, jangling with clipped-on keys and forgotten plastic reptiles, while a parrot feather flutters defiantly behind one ear. Reminders of his get-up as he does his walk.

Damian doesn’t just walk, he strikes. A slow elbow feint to the left. A raised knee to the beat. A smirk that says he’s * just too sexy for his shirt*. Someone likes the spotlight.

When he jumps off the stage, he whistles and makes a noise for his fellow models, grinning.

As the next in line come after him Ash claps and cheers the others, his face splitting into a huge grin as he approaches Devon with hands held high to invite two high fives! “Dude! The glasses!” He’s just super impressed at the impromptu catch.

His eyes go to Iseul then and he watches her until he feels he can catch her eye, then winks.

Another nod is given to Aaron, "Yeah that sounds great." As all the models make their way down the catwalk, Orion cheers for everyone.

Then, it's his turn. He doesn't do nearly as impressive athletics. Instead, he just puts a hand on his hip while the other holds the umbrella. Strutting forward, his swimming flippers add their sound effects to the walk as he lifts his feet higher to account for them. Getting to the end of the cat walk he strikes a few poses before twirling the umbrella and hopping down of the stage.

Giving a quick curtsey he gets out of the way of the next walker so he doesn't slow down the show. Another cheer is offered for those who walk after him.

Aaron grins as everyone walks, snapping pictures and laughing, having a good time, then it comes time for him to walk, "Here, can someone snap some pics?" he watches Orion walk across and claps for him, then moves up onto the cat walk he doesn't stand on his hands or anything but hands go into the short, short pockets and as he walks the hips sway a bit just to put a emph into the model walk he is trying to do and not doing to bad at it.

Devon totally goes in for the double high-fives. "That was impressive," he tells Ash with a laugh. Then he's turning to watch all the others coming after them, letting out shrill whistles and loud applause of appreciation for each and everyone. "Oh, hey, my boyfriend is a photographer.. which.. means.. I sorta know which end of the camera to point." He offers to take Aaron's camera and take some pictures for them. Will they be the quality of Bastien's? Not likely. But they'll be decent, hopefully.

Impending doom. After applauding and cheering for each model's walk, it's not lost on Iseul that her turn is coming up. Fast. Doesn't help that her eyes met Ash's long enough for her to catch that jaunty little wink of his, which has left her cheeks tinted a suspicious level of pink. Yep, she's doomed.

Just then, though, a light breeze catches her cape, and the feel of it fluttering around her is like a shot of confidence. A mild one, at least. Probably not as effective as a shot of alcohol, but she'll take what she can get. Squaring her shoulders and doing her best to ignore the lingering heat in her cheeks, she ascends to the stage, gives that hamster plushie a quick warning glare, then starts strutting her stuff. Does she do anything crazily athletic or awe-inspiring? Nah. Confidence > alcohol, remember? But she does execute a shimmy here, bust a goofy-ass move there, and she goes into a series of three twirls at the end of the runway, making all those dangling plushies swing out around her like the giant swing ride in another part of the park. Ending it with her arms going up in a wide 'V' of victory, she takes a bow, and hops down.

She survived. She'll call it a win.

Damian zoomed back to the food and drink table where he had left his plate and cup. "You all rocked! I think we all should get stars!"

Looking at Aaron when he says that. "What say you? Whose idea was this? Either way, it was a lot of fun!"

He reintroduces himself, "Damian, I work at Starlight Island." This is addressed to the whole group, as he is still relatively new.

Aaron comes down after doing a walk, laughing and clapping for everyone, "Both Me and Peyton came up with it." he looks over to Damian, "Yes, starts sounds good, you all did great and looked good up there." he grins, moving over to get his camera. "I was a park photographer for a while, but I have moved into a different department."

"Stars all around," Devon laughs, offering Aaron his camera back after he makes sure to get shots of everyone and Aaron's turn to walk up on stage. He's careful with it and does seemingly know how to handle it, even if it's mostly from observing someone else. Then he looks down at himself and says, "This was ridiculous, but a lot of fun. I'm glad that I got to meet all of you guys, too."

“Man everybody killed it.” agrees Ash to Damian. “Great to meet you guys. Call me Ash, I do security patrol. I’ve seen some of you around but been busy.”

Busy with guests who were griping for one reason or another, usually.

He then focuses on Iseul for a second and says with just a touch more weight, “Hi.”

More names being bandied about, and Iseul takes note as she returns to the group that's formed. She might've been verging on reiterating her own for those who didn't catch it the first time, but then... Hello Kitty. So, rather than speaking, she finds herself drawing in a fluttery breath, instead. "Hi," is eventually offered in kind, from beneath the edge of the ridiculous umbrella hat that's suddenly obscuring her features as her head tips down slightly.

"Well, I am glad to meet you all," Damian assures them.

Looking at Aaron, he asks, "You changed jobs? Is that allowed? What do you do?" The last part is geared toward Devon, Iseul, and Aaron. He did not hear what they did for the park, having listened to Ash speak of his job.

"I'm a Haunt at the Midnight Maze," Devon says to Damian when asked about his job. He pulls out his phone and shares a picture of him in costume with whoever wants to see it. "I look a little different without the glowing red eyes." And fangs, claws, weird shadows all around him, and all the rest. His grin is broad. "What do you do over on Starlight Island?" he asks Damian curiously. There's a little grin at the greetings exchanged between Iseul and Ash, then he's studying Aaron when Damian asks about his job.

Aaron nods his head moving to get a drink, "Yeah, I am not sure if you can now but there was a call for people who were interested in forming a new department in the park to study the magic and such." he looks between them, "I seem to be able to learn languages quick and well." he smiles pointing to the kind of rounded fur covered ears that peek out from his hair and he has pointy front teeth. "So I decided to go full-time and help figure things out."

Maybe something about the shy way Iseul dips her head to cover her eyes with that ridiculous hat does it, but Ash lets out a laugh. “I don’t know about you but I’m gonna get out of these clothes. Honestly they feel kinda gross. See you around.”

He waves to the others too, giving them all a big smile and Iseul a lingering gaze as he walks past her and on his way to go change out of his awful hoboclown outfit.

The displayed screen of Devon's phone is something of a life preserver being thrown, even if it wasn't intended as such. Iseul manages to drag her gaze away from Ash's retreating back, catches sight of the image, and blinks as though in recognition. "Oh. Ohhh. You should stop by Neverland sometime," she tells Devon, amusement infusing both her tone and her expression, as she lifts her head again. "I have probably half a dozen portraits of you by now, done by kids you scared the bejeezus out of before they landed themselves in my charge."

Then, by way of clarification, "Er... Neverland's what I've taken to calling the building where I work. Home of the lost boys -- and girls, of course. I look after them until their parents come to retrieve them."

Devon chuckles and says, "I try not to be too scary when out on the Boo'edwalk." Since the Midnight Maze isn't a place where little kids are allowed, it would be when he's walking the boardwalk that they might see him out and about. "But the costume alone just walking around is enough to give people the creeps sometimes. I could stop by sometime, but I can't wear the costume off the Booe'dwalk. But I am glad to know that I'm a muse for art, even if it's scary art. Maybe I can just come hang out as me sometime, though, and try to be a little less creepy inspirational."

Damian answers Devon. "Me? I am a Zoologist. I study the animals. I did think about joining Magical Studies." A glance at Aaron. "But I am hoping that I could still be called in when there is something to be studied about." Damian shrugs. "But for now, I am happy where I am." He did look at Devon's picture and smiled at it.

Aaron waves as Ash heads off, looking at Devon's picture, "Oh dude, that's pretty crazy looking." he smiles. "I do a lot of cosplaying, so I enjoy stuff like that," he smiles and looks to Damian, "Could come in handy around here." he grins, "Right now me and my team are charged with catagorizing all the different critters in the park and communicate with them if we can." his phone pings and he looks at it smiling, as he texts back the person. "Sorry about that was my boyfriend his show just got done."

"Oh, they're not so scary once they're all done," Iseul explains, of the portraits. "When a kid is spooked by something, one of the techniques I use to drain off that anxiety is having them draw what did the spooking, then add in something that makes them more silly than scary. So there's one where you have a big red clown nose and floppy shoes peeking out from under the robe, and another where you're surrounded by enormous daisies in all colors of the rainbow... that sort of thing." Her eyes, which she totally one-hundred percent keeps trained on the other members of the little group and not on the path Hello Kitty is vanishing down, glimmer with laughter. "You're more than welcome to come and hang out any time, though. Company is always great." Her attention flits to Damian and Aaron, and she adds, "That goes for you two, as well. For now, though, I think... um." No, she won't look toward where she's trying not to look toward. "I should probably go get changed into something more comfy, and get some rest. This was so great, though."