The next morning Dibs slowly opened his eyes and shivered. His eyes were groggy from having been knocked out so nastily the night before. Suddenly he wondered why he was so cold and looked around. It was then he realized he was no longer in a bedroom but up on top of the Whipstaff roof! "CAARRRRIGGAAAANNNN!!!" Screaming at the top of his lungs the man panicked. Carrigan who'd been sleeping soundly sat straight up in bed and groaned. How annoying that man was, why had she bothered to become partners with him again? Lifting the sleeping mask from over her eyes she stomped towards the window in her black robe and flung it open.
"AUGH, DIBS! What is it?!" She looked around until she spotted him above her window.
"Carrigan, those maniacs put me up there! Help me!!! I... I'm afraid of heights!" Dibs flailed and panicked as he looked at how high up he wise.
"Oh quit your whining, some fresh air will do you some good! Now shut up and let me SLEEP!" Slamming the window shut Carrigan pulled herself back to bed. Dibs continued to talk for awhile and scream for help. Rolling her eyes Carrigan turned on the TV to drowned out the noise. If she had to listen to something at least it wouldn't be his whimpering. Casper sighed heavily as he exchanged glances with Kat in his room. He didn't sit well with either Carrigan or Dibs, but, he was the one you could count on to get things done. So without a second thought he helped Dibs off of the roof. The man thanked him over and over again.
"Heh, forget about it..." Smiling lightly Casper floated off to the kitchen to make breakfast only to find that Carrigan had some other people in there making the food. Pausing a moment the boy stared at the sight and raised his eyebrows in curiousity. The Trio seemed alright with this, but the workers sure didn't seem to. In fact the Trio appeared to take quite a pleasure in annoying the workers. "Oh boy... this won't end well..." which it hadn't, soon enough all of the maids and chefs dashed and darted out of the kitchen covered head to toe in their meals. ".....Yup, just like I thought..." Sighing Casper pushed himself through the door and stared at the Trio who had erupted into laughter over their scare-raid. "If you're trying to get on Carrigan's bad side you're doing a good job.." Flying over to the stove Casper started up where the chefs had left off with their cooking.
"Y'mean dat sack a skin has a GOOD side...?" Stretch questioned sarcastically.
"OOH, It must be de side dat's in back of her pants! Dat's ALWAYS da BEST "side"!" Stinkie added and chuckled with his brothers at his little joke.
"GRRR... DO YOU THINK THIS IS SOME KINDA JOKE?!" Casper blurted not out in anger, but out in frustration. "We could lose Whipstaff, we could lose the Lazarus, we could lose Kat and Dr. Harvey, we could even lose MELLE for that matter!" He aimed his words toward Stinkie. "She could wreck EVERYTHING in our home that we've managed to keep for over 100 years, JUST because you can't control your antics on her and what she does! I know it's unfair, I know it's aggravating, I know that you guys have your pride and scaring is everything to you! JUST THINK about it before you act! I don't know what I'd do if she destroyed anymore of Dad's room or any of our memories that are locked away in this manor! They may not mean anything to YOU, but they mean something to ME... HRMPF, I bet you haven't even thought of what it'd be like to go a day without Dr. Harvey around to mess with and talk to. It's been a long time since they arrived, we've all grown used to them being here. What would you do if they HAD to leave?!" That's the thought that bothered him the most, losing Kat and Dr. Harvey. Nothing would ever be the same without Kat or Dr. Harvey around to talk to or to spend the day with. It'd go right back to the dull days.
Stretch started to say something but backed down as he watched Ghastly fly into the room with Melle trailing behind her. Staring at Ghastly the corner of his mouth twitched and he grunted. "We'd be.... just fine without 'em!" Casper paused and held back tears as he floated out of the kitchen having lost the urge to cook. Ghastly in turn just smirked and tapped her fingers on her arm.
"Good move, Slick." Raising an eyebrow she floated over to the stove and poked at the pan deciding that she'd cook. For Melle's sake if anyone's that morning.
"Yer gonna cook for us?" Stretch started up one of his Cigars as he placed his tail up on the table. It was a mimic of how he used to kick his feet up back when he was alive.
"MMhm, oh by the way... close your eyes and move that Cigar from your lips..." Stretch grinned as he saw that smile on her face he obeyed. The second he'd done that he found himself with the frying pan planted in his face. This tossed the specter right out of the kitchen. "Let's just say I'm a lady with an IRON will.. hmn?" with that she winked and started cooking up the food. Melle just giggled and yawned. She lowered her head down to the table and closed her eyes. Stinkie and Fatso both gulped at Ghastly and her wit. She was one ghoul they wouldn't mess with for sure. Shifting his gaze from the menacing ghost to Melle he stared at her. Through the window the Sunshine poured down over the table and over Melle with her orange and golden locks. Lightly a sigh escaped him as he noted the tangles in her hair from her having tossed and turned so much in her sleep. Not only was it tangled but it was messy, that natural look always got him every time. Looking her over he grinned as he noted she'd slept in her t-shirt and jeans again. It was the 3rd day she'd worn the same pair! Softly he sighed as he admired every flaw about her, even her dirtied fingernails.
Fatso finally caught on and blinked at his brother oddly. Darting his eyes from him to Melle he started to worry about him. Something seemed very wrong about this. He tried to get his attention as he waved his hands in front of Stinkie's face. Those eyes just would not budge! Finally he smacked him upside his head. "YEOW! HEY, What da hee-haw was dat for?!" Rubbing his head he demanded to know as he glared at his brother.
"Cause you was starin' at her!" Fatso folded his arms.
"At Who?" Stinkie Questioned.
"At Her!" Pointing towards Melle and Ghastly Fatso frowned.
"Her WHO?" "Frustrated that he'd been caught, he proceeded to act dumb.
"You know who!" Jabbing Stinkie in the chest with his pointer finger Fatso again pointed to Ghastly and Melle.
"Who who?" Shrugging Stinkie shook his head and grinned nervously.
Melle just quietly giggled to herself and watched the two brothers make themselves out to be idiots. It amused her as she found Stinkie's antics to be adorable when he wanted to hide what he did. This peace and quiet as they ate only lasted a little longer as Stretch arrived back to the scene. Both eyebrows narrowed he growled and waved his arms around like a madman. "What da hell didja do dat for!? What'd I do ta you ya dim dame!"
"You wanted one right in the kisser, you expected it so I gave it to you! Pfft, with how you treated Casper you deserved it. It's your own fault for not questioning my motives before you acted upon your lust!" Sticking out her tongue Ghastly smirked and placed herself next to Melle. Carrigan and Dr. Harvey soon walked in side by side, Carrigan clearly ticked off about her workers that she hired having bailed out.
"I suggest that you get these damned ghosts of yours under control or I swear you won't be living here for very much longer. I'm not afraid to toss all of you out on the street Mr. Peabody!" The woman hissed and looked at Melle who had only finished a little of her food. "AUGH, Why are you eating that crap? You're gonna get FAT that way!" Grabbing Melle's plate, Carrigan dumped the rest of the food down the drain. Melle and Ghastly both moved from their seats as Melle reached to grab it back. "Don't worry dear you'll thank me later when you're still skinny."
"Thanks, Mom..." Melle sighed as she stared at this nutritional granola bar she now had. Slowly getting up she turned and left to go get dressed. "I'm gonna head out for awhile..." Carrigan couldn't have cared less. She was more focused on getting what she wanted, the Lazarus recipe. As she puffed her cigarette she looked at the Trio who promptly snorted and left. Dr. Harvey remained but only to get his waffles and leave to his study. Dibs came in as Dr. Harvey went out and the two finally discussed what Kat and Casper had been up to with the clues and searching.
After awhile, Melle had just finished brushing her hair when there was a clank at the window. "AH!" Jumping back Melle stared at the window as another clank sounded. Someone had started tossing pebbles at her window. When she raced over and opened it up the first thing she was greeted to was a pebble in her face. Grabbing her forehead she just kinda paused and winced for a moment. A light glare streamed out as she looked to see who it was. When she saw Boomer she felt a rush of excitement go through her despite that she smirked at him. A blush formed on his face as he shrugged his shoulders at her. He really hadn't meant to hit her in the face with it. It was just bad timing if anything really. "B-Boomer....? What is it?" Swallowing Melle blushed as she was curious to see what Stinkie had hidden up his sleeve this time.
"Juliet, I'd be mighty pleased if ya'd come wit me on our foist date right now...! Dey gotta carni in town an' I'm sure you'd have fun! I can pay fa everythin'! W-Whatta ya say...?" Rocking on his heels he waited for her reply. Blushing deeply at his calling her 'Juliet' she couldn't help but think just how true those words were in some ways.
"O-Okay... I'll be right....right down!" Quickly she darted from her window and started on off towards the stairs. When she reached the steps he was stood there with his arms stretched out to greet her. "BOOMER!" Smiling she pushed herself into his arms and hugged onto him tightly. Both of his eyes nearly popped out out of his head as she squeezed. His shades even faltered to his nose at that point. "I'm so happy to see you...! I was feeling really down... my Mother is being a pain..."
"Y-Ydun say...?" Laughing nervously he adjusted himself and walked with her towards the Fair. "I missed ya..." Coughing he looked away and then back again. Melle just smiled at him slyly. Part of him irked at the smile and wondered what it was about. "A-Anyways, Dey got some NEAT things ta do dhere! Like one of 'em is a race in a garbage bin! Hehe, It sounds like a scream ta me! I hope it's FULL!!" jumping he did a little happy dance. "I was thinkin' we could do da Carni, take ya out ta dinnuh and just all around raise some heck! Dat sound good to ya?"
"Yeah, it does! So will you win me prizes at this Carni....?" Batting her eyes at him she chuckled in her head. There were so many things that she was curious about, especially curious as to how far he'd go to impress her. Would he really buy her anything that she wanted, would he bend over backwards while he was like this to make her feel better..? Why had he started doing this whole bit anyways? Looking away she gently sighed and stared at the ground. There was a chance that he really cared for her and in some ways she prayed that he did. It felt nice to actually be loved by someone rather than brushed off. She enjoyed being admired for just being herself too.
"Of course I will! I'll win ya da biggest prize dey got, I....Er....?" Stopping in mid sentence his smiled faltered when he seen her frown. "What's de matta....?" Tilting his head he pulled his hand out of his pocket and placed it on her shoulder.
"Oh, no.... It's nothing...I was just thinking about Mom and...everything.." Hiding her true thoughts she explained.
"Oh yeah, dat must be pretty tough! So, how IS yer relationship wit yer Mom anyways...?" Curiosity had gotten the better of him and he wanted to know. This was information that he could travel back to Stretch and Fatso for sure.
"Mom and I don't see eye to eye about anything. She thinks only about fashion and weight, looks and money.... Most of the time Mom only does stuff for herself. She'll try to do what she thinks is best for me, but the problem is that she doesn't understand the real me. Heh, I don't think she's ever liked how I truly am. If I ever consented to a make-over she'd put me through plastic surgery!" Quietly she laughed and looked up at him. "I don't agree with her and what she's doing to Kat and Dr. Harvey.. she NEVER wanted that place to begin with, so why she's taken an interest in it now, I have NO CLUE! It's so hard to ....to deal with this, I'm confused and..worried... I don't want to lose Kat or Dr. Harvey... I know I haven't been around them for long, but I really like them! They've been more like family to me than anything.. I even like those really obnoxious ghosts...especially the smelly one.."
"Y-You do...?" His eyes widened as he paused and stared with jaw dropped. That certainly had been something he hadn't expected to hear from her.
"Mmhm, but I don't think he likes me at all..." Shifting her eyes from Boomer she smiled at the ticket lady. As Boomer paid they both placed their arms up for wrist bands.
"DAT'S A LIE I ..... er.....HE, HE probably... likes you a..lot more den y'know~! A....at least I... I think he would, I mean... I-if it weren't for...uh... them.... 2 other ghosts." Laughing nervously he looked around and pointed. "OH LOOK! Dat right seems like fun!" He pointed to the Spaceship. "Wanna go on dat one?" Grinning widely he jumped up and down.
"Y-Yeah!" Smiling now Melle was satisfied with herself for getting him to mention his feelings. Ah, trickery at it's finest. Grabbing his hand the two raced for the ride. When they got in the two made sure to be next to each other. At first the ride had seemed fun as they moved around the walls. However, after a few moments Melle's face started to pale as motion sickness gained it's way up. Let's just say when the ride had finished a boy screamed and ran off the ride with puke on his pants. Boomer had turned red from having laughed so hard while poor Melle was as green as she could be. For the next few minutes her best friend was the trash can near the port-o-potties.
"Here, I think dese'll help ya fle...- ...flush out the rest..! Heheh..." Stinkie grinned nervously to himself. He really had to watch what he told her. The boy handed her a clear pop and some napkins. "I heard dat clear liquids settle da stomach... I dunno if it's true 'er not, I mean, I kinda like it! " Melle accepted the offers and smiled lightly at him. It figured that he enjoyed something so gross as that. When she'd felt better the two of them started back for the rides. The first one was the wimpy dragon-coaster which Stinkie didn't understand at all why she thought it was fun. The second one was the merry-go-round which again he failed to see the humor in. However, he pushed himself to do it for her. If it made her happy that's all that mattered. After those two rides Stinkie grinned at her and suggested the Break Dance ride which both fully enjoyed. The next ride suggested by Melle was "The Scrambler". When the both of them got on this one they found themselves being pushed together pretty darned close. At one point their eyes both met and Boomer placed his hand upon Melle's. When the ride finished the two jumped off and darted for the next event as they laughed.
As they made their move a set of eyes followed their every move. They had been followed by 2 very upset ghosts that had been ditched so he could goof off with a fleshie. The worst part...? He hadn't even TOLD them he wanted to do this, he just created an excuse and LIED to them... It was that sheer fact that worried them about their brother the most. Oh well, they'd find out what they wanted anyways...