julicnisms

[julicnisms]

gabedecker·:

the scene is like something out of a movie . gabe swears it plays out in slow mo . the way the wings of the birds flap slowly , like he knows what’s going to happen but there’s not enough time before the drop . a frown forms on his face , pulling into a grimace that can’t help but feel sorry for the latest seagull victim .  ❝ yikes . it’s a bad day to be you , ❞ he announces , patting his pockets for anything . something . but there’s not even a old , half used crumpled up napkin to offer up . ❝ i wouldn’t rub it in !! you might go blind . ❞

“Thanks for the condolences, asshole.” It was physically impossible for Julien to lay on the sarcasm any thicker. “Y’know I just love to give myself eye infections. I can’t help it.” They roll their eyes back, or they roll their good eye, as they move their hands from their face. He was right of course and they knew that, it was just how they reacted in the moment. Although maybe going blind wouldn’t be the worst thing, they felt like they’ve seen enough. The brunette desperately searches their pockets for something that would help clean them up. “Are you just going to stand there or can you help me out?”

[julicnisms]

bellewethers·:

mid leg-headbutt, the cat was taken away from her; she made a face that started as disappointment and morphed into mollification for the little mewling creature. “poor baby,” she said, reaching out her hand to scratch under his chin. an idiosyncrasy, considering she never would have invaded a stranger’s personal space under normal circumstances. quite the contrary - she loved to give people space. as much space as possible, actually. “what’s his real name, then?” she asked, and then - overwhelming desire to pat a fluffy animal sated - took a step back. patting a cat at the same time as the person holding them was one of those things that required a little more intimacy than, oh, knowing each other for ten seconds? “i wasn’t accusing you, shatner. just checking. you brought it up. people are freaks, you know?” 

“Don’t let him fool you.” They don’t pull away when the woman continues to pet the cat. Julien wouldn’t admit it but they were grateful Oscar took a liking to her. There were definitely worse places he could have ended up. For a brief moment their expression softens when they gaze down at him. It was hard to stay mad when he acted so irritatingly cute. Not that the witch of a landlady would even entertain the idea of Julien taking him back to their place. He lived at the shop, unfortunately. “Oscar. Not that he responds. It’s more of a placeholder really.” They quirk a brow to the nickname, not showing any signs that they found it particularly humorous. “Anyway.” Julien shifts themselves so Oscar can rest more comfortably on their shoulder. “What kind of people do you hang around?” They inquire, lifting up an eyebrow. However they don’t give her much time to answer as the animal begins to wriggle around in their arms. “Actually, we have to go back into the store before he tries another escape attempt.”

[julicnisms]

ctrlhayden·:

··

     THE VIEW IS BREATHTAKING THIS TIME OF DAY, and it would be a crime if hayden didn’t whip out his phone to take a video of the horizon (which he’ll later edit over a sneak peek of his latest project in a compilation). and just when he’d stabilized his hands enough to get some usable clips, he hears a distressed voice to the right of the frame just before he could stop recording. and thank god for that, or he wouldn’t have footage of julien with bird shit on their face. that, right there, is the money shot.

“oooof, i’d so hate to be you right now,” he comments, more for the video’s benefit than the julien’s, though he can’t imagine rubbing it in would help any. both literally and figuratively speaking. “i’ve got baby wipes in my bag,” he adds, pointing to his backpack with his foot so he doesn’t have to stop recording. he’s having way too much fun with this.

Just when they thought things couldn’t get any worse, Julien hardly has any time to process the moment Hayden starts to speak. “Yeah well it’s better than being a giant talking dick.” Maybe if they were less reactive, less stubborn, they would’ve shown some sort of gratitude to his offer. Instead they get up from their spot and make their way over to him. “Do I have to go through your stuff myself or?” Whether he mentioned the wipes as an offer or to rub it even more in their face didn’t really matter to Julien. If asked they were acting accordingly— no, they were being completely reasonable given the situation. 

It doesn’t take long for them to notice the phone in Hayden’s hand. It’s actually pretty much the first thing they lay their eyes on. “You’re recording? Are you ten?” They take step closer, lifting their chin up in an attempt to add some height. “Give that to me.”

[julicnisms]

itsechoxiao·:

 the  day  presented  to  echo  was  one  that  consisted  of  spending  far  too  much  time  confined  in  the  space  of  his  apartment.  regardless  of  how  phenomenally  decorated  it  was  thanks  to  his  good  taste,  echo  could  only  breathe  in  the  air  conditioned  circular  air  for  so  long  before  he  went  stir  crazy.  when  he  left  earlier  after  finishing  up  his  work  for  the  night,  he  didn’t  have  a  real  destination  in  mind,  rather  letting  his  feet  guide  him.  enter  serendipity  pier  and  watching  some  stranger  get  wrecked  by  a  seagull.  upon  closer  inspection  as  echo  approached,  it’s  really  only  a  crushed  up  piece  of  bread  but  clearly  this  person  doesn’t  know  that.  ❝  you  must’ve  done  something  to  piss  off  that  seagull,  ❞  echo  joked  aloud  to  the  brunette  before  he  nodded  down  to  the  bread  on  the  sand.  ❝  on  the  bright  side,  at  least  it  wasn’t  shit.  you  just  got  that  bird’s  reject  lunch.  ❞

“Did I fucking ask you?” They snapped at the other before even looking to him. The last thing Julien wanted to deal with was a person who witnessed something so humiliating. Also, unless they were in a good mood, they were weren’t exactly one for humor. Not when it was at their expense at least. “On the bright side? That better be another joke. Ugh, god dammit.” Wiping their nose, they grimace at the sight of whatever the hell it was that landed on their face. Searching desperately for something, anything that could be used to clean themselves up, Julien sighs in exasperation. Finally facing the passerby, their annoyed expression doesn’t change. “Do you have a napkin or something? Hand sanitizer? A little help would be appreciated.” They asked not using a tone that would easily convince someone to extend any kindness to a distressed stranger. They never were any good at asking for assistance in, well, any scenario. 

[julicnisms]

adaletxyilmaz·:

Adalet couldn’t help but feel amused at the other calling her out on her chain of apologies, a soft chuckle falling from her lips in response. “Ah, it seems like I did,” She offered, pressing her fingers against her temple, as though the pressure there would give her some sort of relief from the worry over how good of a mom she was. “It’s not you or… the store, which is lovely by the way. Just… mom guilt, I guess. I work. A lot. The nanny told me the name of the book and I managed to forget it somehow. It feels like she’s so much better with them, I have absolutely no clue what I’m doing.” Then again, it wasn’t like she had any influence growing up showing her how a mom should be, and with her busy work schedule she tried her best when she was able to. Her daughters didn’t hate her, which seemed like a positive. “I guess I don’t have it all sorted out, but you can’t give me any different advice than the therapist I have on payroll already does, at least.” There was an hour every other week dedicated to giving her exercises on how to reassure herself that she wasn’t a terrible mom and yet, after case after case taking up her time, she still came out of those two weeks thinking the worst of her parenting skills. “Maybe not for Emine, but Cemile,” Adalet whispered teasingly. “I think the youngest is definitely gunning for a coup at some point. Uh, as for the oldest… Em is really into construction vehicles for some reason? Forklifts, dump trucks, diggers, cement mixers, you name it. She was so into watching our house being built two years ago and never seemed to shake the interest.”

Julien nods, appearing to be genuinely listening to the other’s woes. Who were they to not listen to a beautiful woman? Although a nanny was very much outside of their realm of reality, they did know what it felt like to think you weren’t doing enough for your own family. “Well, shit.” Maybe it wasn’t the best time to use such language in front of a stranger but it was too late now. “In your defense the mom thing is like super hard. You can’t beat yourself up too badly. At least you’re here making an effort when you could’ve just sent the nanny. That’s more than some parents would do.” It was their attempt at being encouraging. As Julien had mentioned they never fared well in these situations. When someone so clearly needed a pick me up however they figured offering a little kindness wouldn’t be the worst thing. “I didn’t want to say it but anyone who says they have it all together is a dirty liar anyway. I wanted to try to be nice. I’ll take cash for the advice but a check works too.” They look at Adalet expectedly before giving her a playful grin. If she was in therapy then they figured she probably had her shit together more than she gave herself credit for. “A coup, huh? Good for them. Kids are rebelling younger and younger these days. I would just track mud through the house.” They let out a soft hm and hold up one finger to signify they would be right back. It doesn’t take long for Julien to pull out a book called Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site and offers it to her. “Y’know I’d ask if this is too on the nose but that’s just how kid’s books are.” 

[julicnisms]

I can’t keep secrets about myself. I can keep secrets about other people, but if it’s about myself, I’m like, ‘blah blah blah blah.’

[julicnisms]

bellewethers·:

where the hell even was the spine? belle hated her phone’s gps, which would’ve seen her halfway drowned in a lake by now if it had it’s way. for someone who never read, truly never, three months living in one town was not long enough to take her to the local bookstore - but now aunty ev was going on and on about this book belle just had to read, and anyway the moon was in leo and it was probably healthy to get out of the house for something other than standing next to her eighteen year old coworker for six hours straight so - the spine. where the hell was it? in the midst of glaring at her phone, she felt something bump against her leg.

“oh, hey, little buddy!” her instinct was to crouch down and pet him, but anyone who’d watched sixteen hours worth of jackson galaxy content in the past week knew better than to go in for the kill right away. instead, she stood there, grinning down at this little fluffy ball of joy like an idiot, until she was distracted by the sound of someone approaching. probably the owner. belle braced herself for a conversation. “well, is he?” being neglected, she meant. it would have been come across frostier if she wasn’t still smiling because, of course she was. the cat was right there. “maybe it’s because you called him a little shit. i’d be running away from you, too.” 

Julien’s quick to scoop Oscar up into their arms which is met with soft mews of protest, however he didn’t do much else as he settled and just seemed happy to be held. Sometimes they truly worried one day he’d wander up to the wrong stranger never to be seen again. “Yeah. Can’t you tell? He might as well be in one of those Arms of an Angel commercials.” They scratch between the cat’s ears and he begins to purr. “It’s is his nickname when I’m feeling nice, he knows that.” There were plenty of creative things Julien had called the cat over the short few months they’d been working at the Spine. They adored him but he really had a way of testing their patience. “Well that depends if you did something that warranted a little shit. Like accuse me of mistreating an animal who gets too many treats a day. I won’t use it unless it’s deserved.” Of course what qualified as “deserved” was subjective. 

[julicnisms]

adaletxyilmaz·:

“Sorry, I…,” Adalet trailed off, starting to apologize for assuming before the other admitted to just messing around, her mouth closing into a soft smile in response. “Sorry.” She apologized for apologizing, a word that didn’t often come out of her mouth when she was working, which was more often than not, but she always found herself uttering without fault, as though to counteract the cold persona she found herself taking in the courtroom, or maybe it belonged partially to some guilt she had over not being there for her daughters and their normal, every day lives like this. “Isn’t that what bartenders and therapists are for?” She questioned, a grin curving on her lips as she imagined what people could possibly tell a bookstore clerk. “I promise all of my secrets are well on their way to my grave, but I could definitely use some help finding this book, but uh… I guess I probably should have figured out what it was called before coming in here, huh? She’s four, so she really doesn’t have titles down yet, just pictures and general ideas… do you have anything you’d recommend for a four year old? I’m sure she’d be happy with whatever I bring.”

“Did you just apologize for apologizing?” Julien asked, quirking a brow. “I’m not sure what you’ve heard about the Spine but we don’t bite, I promise. I mean unless you’re a real dickhead but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.” They grin at the other to show everything they said they meant in jest. With the right energy they admittedly weren’t that hard to get along with and they normally didn’t mind helping people out. “If I was a therapist at least I’d be getting paid more. I guess I just have one of those faces. Which is crazy because I am not good with advice, so it’s probably for the best you have yours all sorted out.” Julien pursed their lips, genuinely considering something a child might enjoy. “Four? So War and Peace is out of the picture.” As if they knew anything about children. Still, they wanted to make an effort. What does she like? Princesses? Dinosaurs? Uh, sharks?”

[julicnisms]

jackxsawyer·:

***

Mouth formed an ‘o’ shape, brows lifted and amusement sparked. He’d been verbally destroyed in a matter of seconds and there was no line of defense he could offer that would take away the gentle sting either. “I set myself up for that one, didn’t I?” He’d walked right in and made himself the punchline. Being the good sport that he was, Jack’s smile never faltered. “You sure about that? The last time I was around this many books, I ended up dropping out of college and never looking look back.” Dropping out hadn’t been by choice, but pretending as if it was made the truth a little easier to swallow. “No clue. I was just hoping there was a book in here with some nice pictures of projects someone had done. I’ve been doing this gig for years now, but sometimes I need a little inspiration.” Especially when his wealthier clients like to give him creative freedom with the remodels and renovations they wanted. “If you can point me in the right direction, I think I can handle the rest.”

Julien’s approach to customer service could be fairly hit or miss depending on who walked into the door. They hadn’t gotten in trouble for it, yet, so they didn’t mind taking a few liberties. If anything they were sure it added some charm to the place. “But you took it like a champ.” Giving the man a smile of their own, they laugh lightly. “Maybe being around books all day is the reason I still haven’t went. Damn, it all makes sense now.” Not that they had any particular interest in furthering their education at this point. “I hope you’re actually as tough as you look and we don’t scare you off though.” Julien’s brows raise up as they listen to him. “How creative do you need to get for people? Isn’t it mostly adding moulding to ugly living rooms and granite countertops?” Money couldn’t buy taste, that much they were sure of. “It’s four rows over but I’m going to be honest with you I need to look busy. I’m going to walk in the direction of the aisle and you can just happen to also be going that way.” They begin to walk and safely assume he’ll be right behind them. “What’s your name, by the way?”

[julicnisms]

LOCATION: serendipity pier STATUS: open

With spring right around the corner, Julien found themselves frequenting the pier more often. The Michigan winter was more brutal than they anticipated as they were used to a much warmer climate. They take the liberty of grabbing a coffee from Amber Waves of Grain and stealing a book from work to relax by the water (they’d return it in the morning). It was nice to have a moment to themselves. They peer out, looking beyond the horizon as a seagull flies overhead and something drops onto right in the middle of their face. "Oh my god! What the shit!”

[julicnisms]

LOCATION: outside the spine​ STATUS: closed for @bellewethers

“Where the fuck did you go?” Julien mutters under their breath, exasperated after seemingly looking through every crevice at the Spine for Tristan’s cat. While Oscar was one of the main perks of the job, they were less charmed by the his knack for escaping. With their boss gone for the afternoon though, the last thing they want to report is that they lost that stupid animal. They spot the animal rubbing his body against a dark haired passerby’s leg without a care in the world. “You little shit.” The brunette says, walking up. “Not you. Him. He runs out so much you’d think he’s being neglected.”

[julicnisms]

jackxsawyer·:

He wasn’t much of a reader, but he needed something to help motivate his newest renovation that he’d accepted on a home triple the size of his own. Turns out, boning one of his clients had worked out for him in the long run after she’d apparently dropped his name to one of her wealthy friends. “Excuse me,” he called out, waiting until the person had looked his way before spoke again. “I’m looking for some home improvement kind of books. Preferably ones with pictures? Maybe I’m looking for your magazina section if there aren’t any… but I have no clue where I should be looking. First time in a bookstore in a long time.”

CLOSED STARTER: @julicnisms· — the spine

“Home improvement with pictures? I think we have some Bob the Builder in the kid’s section over there.” It’s a harmless jab as they close the book they were currently reading. Julien never considered themselves to have a particular fondness for novels but ever since they started working at the Spine they can’t seem to get enough. “Well don’t worry the store’s not as intimidating as it looks.” As if a local bookstore could ever be labeled as such. “We have both so it’s really up to you. Do you have anything specific in mind? Like a Home Maintenance for Dummies or something?” They gesture for him to follow them. “I’ll just bring you to the section so you know where it is. Don’t ask me for a rec though ‘cause I’m going to be honest I don’t know squat about home improvement junk.”

[julicnisms]

adaletxyilmaz·:

location: the spine. status: closed for @julicnisms·

Her search for the book that her oldest daughter desperately wanted was proving futile and Adalet was about to give up and just order the book online before she came across someone who seemed like they would know more than she did about the location of a book in the store. Cautiously approaching, in case she was utterly wrong and they weren’t an employee at all, she offered a polite smile, questioning, “You wouldn’t happen to work here, would you? Our nanny mentioned that my oldest daughter was looking for a specific book and I think I’ve scoured every shelf in here and haven’t been able to find it.” Letting a breathy chuckle fall from her lips, she continued, apologizing for potentially interrupting a customer’s day. “Sorry, I guess I should have asked if you even work here before I went on rambling.”

Julien turns their attention to the dark haired woman, eyes flicking down to the stack of books they were carrying then back to her. “Work here? I can’t believe you would just assume that.” They shake their head as if they would be genuinely upset at such a question even if they weren’t an employee. “I’m just messing with you. I do happen to work here and you don’t have to apologize. People tell me some insane shit, like it should be taken to the grave type of stuff. The wonders of customer service.” Placing the pile down on a nearby table, they look back at the other. “This place looks small but even I can’t find what I’m looking for sometimes. What’s the book?”

[julicnisms]

leviiwang·:

“I could yeah, I suppose you’re right, perhaps I’ll just do that next time.” He mused, slightly put off by the question though he did his best to offer a smile anyway. “I never went to college either, but beer huh? I used to get jealous of all the kids who partied in high-school, they seemed to always have the best stories.”  He mused, letting his memories drift back to a much younger version of himself. “Well now I need to know, who won? You or the bouncer?”

"Oh, god no. You had nothing to be jealous over. Seriously. If I could do it all again I would be a studious nerd and go out to, I don’t know, the diner on a Friday night. Any stories those kids told were maybe half true.” Julien chuckles lightly. Very rarely did they like to dwell on the past, for multiple reasons, but the conversation was light. “I got kicked out so I guess he did. But I didn’t go down without a fight, nearly broke the guy’s nose.” They pause. “I don’t do that anymore though. Not as much.”

[julicnisms]

everlastingdawn·:

“julien!” tristan came bounding down the stairs calling for them as he peered between stacks of books. “have you seen oscar? that cat is always getting into trouble.” he looked over several stacks of books shaking a bag of treats as he moved to find him. “i was going to give him his flea medicine and he hates it. i don’t know how he knew it was coming but he did and he came running down here like he could escape from me somehow.” he continued speaking to them though he had yet to actually lay eyes on them. “oh and we need a coffee run. i think i’ve only had three so far today so i’m lacking.”

closed starter for @julicnisms·

“Whatever happened, I didn’t do it.” Julien replies without missing a beat. They’re quick to turn their full attention to Tristan, partially glad to have an excuse to take a break from organizing the shelves. “Did you check the back? The other day he was in a box which would be adorable if he almost didn’t scratch up some of the new paperbacks. You should really cut that cat’s nails.” They turn their head from side to side hoping to maybe see the feline run by at the right moment. “Or get him Xanax.” Crossing their arms over their chest, they can’t help but let the corners of their lips pull up into a bemused smile. It would take a lot for them to admit, but Julien actually liked their boss. “Yeah, I could tell. You’re definitely slowing down.”

[julicnisms]

[julicnisms]

gemmaliu·:

“heads up!” gemma shouted, their hands cupped over their mouth as they watched the soccer ball one of their buddies had kicked fly straight into the walking path of the park. a couple of the other players turned to watch, both of them wincing with gemma when the ball hit the innocent passerby. “come on, daniel!” they shouted back to the guy who made the errant kick before running up to the path. “oh god, i’m so sorry. are you alright?” they asked, still wincing. “not exactly the relaxing day at the park you might’ve expected.”

If Julien’s what the fuck was any louder they were sure the whole park could hear. They didn’t frequent the park all that much but it beat sitting in the backroom of the Spine during their lunch break. “I’m fine.” Julien’s tone is curt and if they didn’t have to be back at work within the half hour they would let their attitude get the best of them. “It’s not your fault. I could hit him back with it to make things even.” They peer over past Gemma to get a look at the crew she was hanging out with. When they’re acknowledged by the players Julien waves, turns their hand around, and lifts their middle finger up to them.