juliancross

[juliancross]

"Oh well thank you, Nova." He smiled at her. "What can I say? I bring a certain....vibe, I believe as you kids say it." He laughed.

Julian laughed. "I guess that means I have to try one then." He shrugged. "Thank you, Nova. I'm glad to be back. I loved Manhattan and wished I didn't have to come back, but I just..I knew I couldn't stay there forever and that Red Edge is my home."

[juliancross]

"I think purple drinks are just amazing in general." Julian chuckled and looked at her. "Well yeah, that shit kinda makes the world a more interesting place." @notillianafuentes

"Me either, I think that's what makes Sienna's work too, you know? Any other place that did this would feel like a cheap gimmick." Julian looked at her and chuckled. "I'll do that, it's been a while since I had a purple drink anyways."

"Hey that's good for business though. It means she knows what her customers want." He said and raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry to hear that. Those rumors are never easy to deal with."

[juliancross]

"Why would they?" Julian looked at Rowan. "All it is is a knock off version of Perez Hilton and that's me being nice about it." He chuckled again. "Are you serious? Fuck those people, jealousy is so ugly."

"That's very true, she's got a knack for that kinda stuff." He said and looked at him and smiled as he heard the catch up, though there wasn't much that Rowan was offering to give him.

"I get that, the city council blog is...it's fucking wild is a nice way to put it." He laughed and looked at Rowan again. When the waitress came over, he ordered his own drink and food and turned his attention back to Rowan once they were alone again.

"Besides not wanting to be on that dammned blog, which, no one blames you for for not wanting to be on, is there anything going on with you? How's the speak easy going? How's the tattoo business going?"

[juliancross]

"I can honestly say I don't have a hangover, but then again I had one beer and I'm not that much of a lightweight where one beer will take me down." He chuckled softly and looked at her. "Do you need Apsrin or something?"

"I don't know what it is about bonfires, but the next day, I always wake up with a horrible hangover and today is no exception." Aspyn said. "Please tell me you feel better or just as worse than me?" @rededgerpstarterblog

[juliancross]

"Well I'll be here to help you let loose and not give a fuck about anything." Julian offered her with a smile. "God you are still a trouble maker I see Kat, love that that hasn't changed."

Kat smiled at him. "I appreciate that Julien." She said iwth a nod. "I just need a day where I can let loose and not give a fuck about anything, you know?" She asked. "And I know they're dangerous." She smirked. "That's what makes them so much fun!"

[juliancross]

Julian's laugh was warm and genuine as he raised his own glass, the sound cutting through the restaurant's carefully curated ambiance. "Elite tier, huh? I'll take that as a compliment coming from someone who perfected the art of vanishing mid-conversation." He took a sip of his drink, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Though I have to say, your timing was always impeccable—right when things got too real or too boring."

He leaned forward slightly, elbows on the table, clearly enjoying this. "And Sienna as a natural law—that's poetry, man. I swear she's got some kind of sixth sense for when people are having too much fun without her approval." Julian gestured vaguely toward the window, where the town's perfectly manicured streets stretched out under streetlights. "Three-week approval window for climbing though? Jesus. Next they'll require environmental impact studies for jaywalking."

The clink of their glasses seemed to seal something between them, and Julian's grin turned slightly wicked. "You know what? I've been playing it safe for way too long. Maybe it's time to remind this place that some of us remember when it had actual personality." He paused, swirling his drink thoughtfully. "Question is—how much chaos are we talking here? Mild inconvenience level, or full 'emergency town council meeting' territory?"

Kai smirked, leaning back slightly in his chair, the dim lighting catching the edge of his grin. “Ghosting is a skill—can’t lie. But being mysterious and vaguely questionable?” He gave a low chuckle. “That’s elite tier. Almost makes me wanna step up my game just to keep up.”

At the mention of Sienna and the town’s rigid vibe, Kai nodded, eyes flicking over the menu with idle interest. “Sienna being a tastemaker and a control freak is the closest thing to a natural law we’ve got,” he said, amused. “And yeah, I’m climbing again. Keeps my head quiet, you know? Plus it’s the only thing here that doesn’t require a permit and a three-week approval window.”

He raised his glass once it arrived, purple drink catching the light like a neon dare. “Here’s to old times—and making new ones that might actually make the mayor sweat a little.” He clinked his glass lightly against his friend’s, then added with a grin, “Let’s ruin the vibe just enough to make it interesting.”

[juliancross]

Julian laughed. "I guess that means I have to try one then." He shrugged. "Thank you, Nova. I'm glad to be back. I loved Manhattan and wished I didn't have to come back, but I just..I knew I couldn't stay there forever and that Red Edge is my home."

"The purple drinks here are honestly what I imagine Heaven to taste like." She laughd and looked at Julian. "Seriously though, how are you? Welcome back to Red Edge? How was Manhattan? I want to hear all the crazy and wild stories you have to offer."

[juliancross]

"Me either, I think that's what makes Sienna's work too, you know? Any other place that did this would feel like a cheap gimmick." Julian looked at her and chuckled. "I'll do that, it's been a while since I had a purple drink anyways."

"Hey that's good for business though. It means she knows what her customers want." He said and raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry to hear that. Those rumors are never easy to deal with."

Illiana laughed and shook her head. "I wouldn't have it any other way with Sienna's being all those wrapped into one." She said with a smile and took another sip of her purple drink. "The drink is amazing by the way, you should get one for yourself." She added.

Tilting her head, she said, "Food has changed and has only gotten better. I think Sienna is getting new menu items and getting rid of ones that don't sell well, which is smart. As for me, I am still with Teddy though the accusations of being a homewrecker have died down a lot. Not that I'm going to complain about that though. I didn't like being called that."

[juliancross]

"That is very true. I think if this place was anywhere else, it'd fail miserably." Julian looked at River and smiled. "You act like I won't order and try a purple drink for myself though. When have I ever backed down from a challenge, River?" He asked with a laugh.

"Well that makes two of us since I have no life outside of the theater that I teach." He admitted. "I loved Manhattan and it was everything I wanted, but something called me back to Red Edge and you know I can never resist a call like that. No matter how hard I try."

"To be fair, no one else in Red Edge could pull this off, only Sienna." River smiled at Julian and took another sip of his prurple drink. "As for the drink, order one for yourself, it's fucking good." He laughed. Though there wasn't much River wouldn't try when it came to food or drink.

"Up to speed? Dude, you know I don't have a life outside the bar." He laughed. "There's not much to tell. How about you? How was Manhattan? Was it everything you wanted it to be?"

[juliancross]

Julian laughed. "Well it's mostly scandals with me and my ex boyfriend, but who doesn't have a scandal with an ex? It's sadly part of everyone's prophecy on this green and blue marble we call our home." He looked at Elias. "New York was fantastic, everything I have ever wanted but at the same time, not enough." He said. "There is nothing wrong with that though. Keeping to yourself can be a good thing."

"Okay let's circle back to the scandals becuase as much as I enjoyed being away, I do hate that I missed scandals. After all, Red Edge isn't Red Edge without those scandals." He laughed. "You just got back from New York didn't you? How was that?" He asked. "Elias Ren is...doing the same as he's always been doing. Keeping to himself and that's about it."

[juliancross]

"I mean I agree, but it still doesn't look like something I'd like, but I am an adult and I'll try it." Julian laughed and looked at Wyatt. "That is very true, I've seen a lot of vegan places in Manhattan, but they all failed. Probably because they didn't have Sienna's flair and her personal charm. They were all fad based places."

"Oh yeah?" He perked up when he heard that his friend wanted to take his family on vacation. "Where are you thinking of taking them?" He asked. "Really? Nothing. I came back and jumped right back into work here."

"Hey, don't knock the purple drink until you try it." Wyatt laughed and leaned back in his chair. He looked at Julian. "Well yeah, of course she could, but only she could do it and pull it off, you know?" He looked at Julian. "Anyone else would have failed, not Sienna though."

"Okay, uh, on the food and on me? Well the food is still good as fuck and I'm doing good and I'm excited as shit for summer to start. I'll have more time for Alexa and Ellie and I plan on doing a nice family vacation for the three of us." He added. "What's been going on with you though?"

[juliancross]

"That's very true, she's got a knack for that kinda stuff." He said and looked at him and smiled as he heard the catch up, though there wasn't much that Rowan was offering to give him.

"I get that, the city council blog is...it's fucking wild is a nice way to put it." He laughed and looked at Rowan again. When the waitress came over, he ordered his own drink and food and turned his attention back to Rowan once they were alone again.

"Besides not wanting to be on that dammned blog, which, no one blames you for for not wanting to be on, is there anything going on with you? How's the speak easy going? How's the tattoo business going?"

Rowan looked at Julian and chuckled. "What can I say? The purple drinks are good here. Sienna knows how to turn something most people wouldn't even touch into a drink and not bat an eye." He shrugged and laughed at the comparison of what the place was.

"That's just her flair coming thorugh and honestly, it wouldn't be the same if it wasn't a combination of all those things mixed together."

"On the food? Still fucking good as always. On me? Really have nothing to offer you. I've been busy with work and hoping that I don't get noticed by the damn city council blog."

[juliancross]

"What can I say? Some people are good at boxing and I am good at ghosting." He laughed and looked at him. "Mysterious and vaguely questionable is something I like to be compared to." He added and looked at the menu and then back at the Kai.

"Of course Sienna is still a perfectionist with god-tier taste, none of that surprises me, neither does you climbing again." He laughed. "Though the bonfies, does surprise me, it feels like nothing actually goes on in this town unless the mayor says so."

He smiled at Kai's suggestion or ruining the vibe. "I like that idea man." He said and when the waitress came over, he ordered his own purple drink and the tempeh tacos and turned his attention back to Kai after his friend had ordered. "Here's to old times." He smiled.

Kai grinned wide, setting his phone down and leaning in, eyes crinkling with amusement. "Julian, man, finally. You ghost harder than half the spirits in Red Edge. Good to see you."

He gave the beet latte a pointed glance, then shrugged, completely unbothered. "Drink your purple potion, I’m just glad you showed up in one piece. Kinda suits you, though—mysterious and vaguely questionable."

Flipping open the menu, he added, "Alright, catch-up time. Sienna's still a perfectionist with god-tier taste, I’ve started climbing again, and you missed at least two legendary bonfires. Your loss."

Kai shot him a look—warm, teasing. "But you're here now. So let's get weird food and ruin the vibe with our volume. Just like old times."

[juliancross]

"Purple is good for you, I do agree with that and I never said it was a bad thing, it feels nice to be here. Hell, this place would be out of place in New York." He said and looked at Devin. "So your life is more exciting than mine still, got it."

"Okay and? Purple is good for you, Julian." Devin laughed and looked at him. "Yeah, she's got a knack for all of that, it's pretty great." She looked at him and raised a brow. "Really nothing to be honest. I just work and sleep and have dates with Shane. That's about it."

[juliancross]

Talent Show Challenge | Wave's End District

Being an active member in the theater community, Julian was more excited for this challenge. However, that might have something to do with his love of the spotlight more than anything. He knew how to put on a good show and this show was going to be one that everyone who saw it, would pass down for generations. Was he being cocky? Yes, of course he was. But if he wasn't cocky and confident, then he had no business doing this challenge.

Walking to the courtyard dressed as Fiyero from Wicked, he couldn't help but have a cocky grin on his face as he waited for those who wanted to watch, were quiet and all eyes were on him.

"Excellent." He said with a smile. He cleared his throat and turned on the microphone that was attached to him. "As you can see, I am here to put on a show and yes, I am dressed as Fiyero. I will be singing Dancing Through Life from Wicked."

Without waiting for anyone to ask any questions or protest, he began to sing, and boy, did he put on a show. He knew this song like the back of his hand, hell, he knew most of Broadway shows like the back of his hand and he wanted to bring that spark that Broadway had to Red Edge and in this challenge.

When he finished the song, he took a bow and heard a round of applause and like Lady Gaga, it was something he lived for. "Thank you, thank you!" He bowed again and waved before turning his microphone off and leaving the courtyard. @rededgechallenge

[juliancross]

Julian pushed open the door to Sienna’s, letting the soft jingle of the bell announce him. The place smelled like citrus and spice, and the open windows let in just enough sea breeze to stir the hanging ferns. He spotted his friend at a corner table, already halfway through a beet latte.

Sliding into the seat across from them, Julian gave a quick grin. “Only you would be halfway through something purple before I even got here.”

He leaned back, taking it all in—the polished wood, the chalkboard menu filled with unfamiliar-but-intriguing dishes, the hum of quiet conversation. “This place is so Red Edge. Of course Sienna opened a vegan restaurant that feels like a yoga retreat and smells like a candle store.”

He nodded toward the menu. “Alright, bring me up to speed—on the food and on you. What’ve I missed while I’ve been off being a ghost?” @rededgerpstarterblog

[juliancross]

"Elias, long time no see." Julian smiled at his friend and chuckled. "I think it's a miracle that it didn't burn down, though from the time you were away, there were a few scandals that had people more than ready to start a fire or two." He shrugged.

"I've been good, busy as hell, but good." He chuckled. "How about you? How is Elias Ren doing?"

Elias exhaled slowly as he stepped out of his truck, the familiar streets of Red Edge stretching out before him like a memory he hadn’t quite unpacked yet. The city looked the same—same cracked sidewalks, same flickering streetlights—but something about being back made his chest feel heavier. He adjusted the collar of his jacket and crossed the lot toward the bench where his friend was already waiting.

He offered a crooked grin as he sat down, stretching his legs out in front of him. “Guess Red Edge didn’t burn down while I was gone, huh?” he joked, elbow resting on the back of the bench. “Kind of surprised, honestly.”

A beat passed before he glanced over, voice quieter. “How’ve you been? Feels like it’s been longer than just a few months.” @rededgerpstarterblog