Edgemont (S1) - PG 13

[Aly]

{name:Zi and Ting#|#picture:59}

Zi and Ethan literally had no power when it came to the girls. When they got their mind set on something, it happened, no matter what the guys thought. Really, he felt bad having to leave him behind, but it was either that or a duck robe and stripping naked in front of everyone, or getting decent clothes. And so, with only light from a candle and the little bit of the sun that was left, Zi made his way into Ethan’s apartment with the spare key he was given for emergencies and only left behind silent prayers for his friend.

Ethan’s apartment was typical of a med student. Periodically it would be spotless, but other times, like now, there were clothes on the floor and books stacked everywhere. Zi had no doubt that before the power went out his good friend intended to throw all his books in the overflowing bookshelf and toss the day’s outfit in the hamper, but, as he figured from the small trail of soapy carpet, he literally had no time to pause on his way to Fern’s.

In Fern’s apartment, the girls exchanged knowing smirks as Ethan covered himself as quickly as possible. Silently, Ting couldn’t help but curse in her mind that Fern didn’t have a decent bathroom window. A little slit at the top of the ceiling did absolutely nothing, especially when it was facing just another tall building next to it. It might as well had been midnight with how there was no light.

Maybe she should have felt bad for the way she objectified one of her closest friends, but those abs and that face… She was a natural appreciative person of human beauty, no exceptions. She doubted the reaction to his clothes-less body would be much different if he was female. Accents… Something about accents. Plus he had a killer, kind personality. He was a great person; it made admiring his vessel that much easier.

“I’m back!” Zi called from Fern’s front door. The girls cleared out of the tiny bathroom while Zi passed on the button-down, slacks and underwear through the door, and Ting nudged him in the arm when he returned to them in the living room.

“Didn’t have to be so quick about it,” she joked. “For all we know this girl could be a freak. She could try to sell him on the black market!”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Zi started before Ting shoved her hand over his mouth.

“Guys,” she interrupted in a whisper, looking to Julia and Fern, “what if she turns out to be a serial killer?”

“Mm-mmf-mm—” her brother started as he tried to pry her grip away.

“Shut up, Zi, I’m trying to save Ethan’s life.” And his abs. “We can’t very well let him go alone, can we?” Ting smirked to Julia, whose eyes seemed to light up with a plan.

“We certainly can’t,” Julia agreed.

[laura]

{name:Fern#|#picture:57}

A plan was quickly devised the moment Ethan left Ferns apartment. Julia and Ting were all too eager to follow behind him, fusing about what was the quickest way to get to Mo’s Jazz Grill, while Zi rolled his eyes and slouched out on the couch, his determination to stay out of the plans apparent. Fern watched Ethan saunter down the sidewalk from the front window, her fingers tips unconsciously running across the smooth glass of the crystal ball resting beside her. Was spying on him the right thing to do? Wouldn’t that be interfering with fate?

But then, what if it was fates plan for them to intervene? After all, Ethan had yet to tell them who it was he was meeting; for all they knew she was a psychopath, planning on murdering him with nothing but a spoon and the help of her pet cat, Doug.

Her fingers ceased their drumming. “We need disguises.” Fern spoke up, turning from the window. “Otherwise he’ll recognise us like that.” Her fingers snapped together, catching even Zi’s attention. “I have a feeling tonight isn’t going to go well for Ethan, and we have to be there to help!” And potentially save him from psychos. And their cats with aberrant, human names.

“Okay,” Ting said. “Got any ideas – “

Fern cut her off, clapping her hands excitedly. “I have Cosplay wigs! Jimmy gave me a bunch before we went to the comic book convention last summer.”

“Ah, yeah,” Julia nodded thoughtfully. “That pink one; I remember seeing you in it.”

“Yeah, I dressed as Lightning from Final Fantasy. It’s my favourite.”

Zi cleared his throat, “And you don’t think that Ethan is going to notice three, bright-haired women strolling into the restaurant?”

“They aren’t all bright,” Fern shrugged. “I have a brunette and an auburn one - and a short blond one for you.”

His head snapped toward her, the determination in his eyes hardening. “I’m not going.”

“Oh, Ziiiiii!” Fern groaned, dropping over the back of the sofa. “We can’t simply look the part, we have to act it too. Be my fake date, Zi-Zi? I’ll protect you from the madness that is Julia and Ting, I promise.”

[/blockquote]

[athena]

{name:Julia#|#picture:55}

Julia had always secretly scoffed at Fern’s collection of cosplay gear, but now, she was quite grateful that they were stashed away. After all, Fern did have a point; without costumes, Ethan would pick up on them almost immediately.

“Dibs on the auburn.”

Fern laughed as she skipped off into the darkness. A moment later she returned, dragging with her a massive storage bin and a few wigs.

“One for you and one for you,” Fern said passing out wigs. “Annddd one for you,” Fern finished, dumping the blonde wig into Zi’s lap. “Oh, and the box has some accessories and clothes to help with our disguises.”

Ting and Julia glanced at each other, mischievous grins plastered wide across their faces. Instantly they began to rummage through the tub, ohh –ing and ahh –ing at the variety and style of clothing in the box.

“Jul, can I pick out your outfit?” Ting asked.

Julia could feel her face scrunching up in distaste; Ting’s style was so different from her own. She just wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to, well, mimic Ting’s ‘unique’ style. Apparently, the look on Julia’s face was easily readable and Fern jumped in.

“Come on. If you pick something that you would usually wear, Ethan’s gonna know.”

It was irrefutable logic. “Fiinnnee,” Julia muttered. “Only if I get to pick Ting’s outfit though.”

Ting readily accepted the terms and a few moments later, a wad of clothes were shoved into Julia’s hands. Sighing, she shuffled back to the bathroom to attempt to change into whatever Ting had picked.

The dim bathroom lighting made it difficult, but Julia managed to jiggle her way into a pair of rather snug ripped jeans. The lace up top vest combo (or as Julia phrased it “Whatever the hell this thing is”) was a little trickier, but eventually she was able to figure that out too. She tucked her long hair under the auburn wig and smoothed out the fly away strands. A pair of horn rimmed glasses she found in her pants pocket topped off the look. A quick glance in the mirror confirmed that this was definitely not her style. A deal was a deal though.

Julia stalked back into the living room, waving off Ting’s squeals of delight. Immediately, Julia headed to the bin of clothes; she dug around, pulled out some items that looked acceptable and tossed them to Ting. As soon as she had puttered off into the darkness, Julia wheeled to face Fern and Zi. She could hear them softly talking. More precisely, she heard Zi refusing to join in.

Julia plopped down beside Zi on the couch.

“Zi-Zi,” she started, using Fern’s favorite nickname. “Please be Fern’s fake date. Please? I promise I’ll repay you. Perhaps with that new CD you’ve been wanting?”

That caught his interest. Almost imperceptibly, Zi nodded. Or at least it looked like a nod, and that was close enough for Julia and Fern.

“Right-o,” Julia said. “Let’s get hot stuff here ready for his ‘date’.”

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