murder mysteries make very good stories {matt}

[wendy]

With all of her moving around, Addison hadn’t tried to become absolute best friends with people and so she’d never really been invited out anywhere. It was why she hadn’t been to many school events, save for a few in Texas when she actually had close friends, and why she was going to the one Baum was holding tonight. This was a much more creative idea than any events her old schools had had. It was Spring Fling mixed with Murder Mystery. How could she not go when there was a murder (albeit fake) to solve? Besides, she got to wear a very pretty dress that she’d bought while shopping with Charity (who would probably show up as well, or at least Addison hoped so, no matter their differences). Of course, she couldn’t go alone! It had taken quite a lot of convincing and insisting on her part.

Oh, but I read you so many stories.
I do ditch class for you, you know.
It’s a good thing I was there to nurse you back to health.

And finally, her guilt-tripping had worked because Matthew was going with her to this Spring Fling Murder Mystery dance. She’d never seen him dressed up before so she was rather curious to see him in… well, in whatever he decided was ‘dressed up.’ She’d gone with the safe bet, wearing flats instead of heels. Her mother had curled her hair (while just positively squealing over the fact that her daughter had a date to this dance to which Addison continuously reminded her that Matthew was not her date, they were just going as friends). Addison had insisted on no make-up but her mother ignored that, of course, giving her just a little touch of some natural colors or something. It made her a little uncomfortable but she didn’t completely mind. All she really wanted to focus on was solving this Murder Mystery, for it would make quite a story if she just added a few details and imagined it all to be real instead of fake.

Addison was waiting just inside the crowded gym, not sure where else she would meet Matthew. It would’ve been terribly awkward to meet at her house for her mother would definitely insist on a cup of tea before they went and her father would give Matthew most scrutinizing glares which could not happen. So, she instead waited on the outskirts of the dance floor and the booths which would give them clues, fluffing her hair a little, until Matthew arrived.

outfit; the dress and i'm too lazy to find shoes or whatever :3

[MATTHEW PETERSON]

Matt hated dances. He hated the shoes and he hated the shirts and he hated the ties and he hated the dancing. In truth, Matt had never actually been to a dance before, but he found himself dead set on the fact that they were the worst things ever to befall the earth. Maybe it was because Addison was making him go. Then again, Addison was the only thing that was going to make this all bearable, so he was actually quite conflicted on the matter. And it had been quite unfair, the way she'd swindled him into going to this wretched thing. Who used guilt trips anymore, anyway? besides him It was just downright cruel. Really, what was he supposed to say to her? "Oh no, sorry Addie, I'm actually planning on going to the park that day, so I can't. Have fun dancing, ya loser"? No, that wouldn't have gone over well at all. Not only would she not like being called that in the slightest, but chances were she knew full well after their years of friendship that Matt never "planned" to do anything, including go to the park. He just did.

Still, he'd agreed to join her eventually. Not out of guilt, of course, for Matt knew almost nothing of the word, but of pity. It just would've been such a shame if Addie'd had to go on her own, was what he told himself as he'd put on the dreaded shirt (a dark, forest green) and that stupid, good-for-nothing tie (originally blue, but changed to black at his roommate's sudden decleration to change the locks on the doors if he went out in public like that). Honestly, what was the point of calling something a tie when it was so difficult to even do that properly? He hadn't done it properly, of course, and the thing looked rather lopsided; but Addison was probably good at that sort of thing. She had all sorts of bizarre, useless talents.

Noticibly moody as he entered the gym--or, as moody as Matt could be, for there was still a smile on his face--he was searching for Addison for what seemed like ages before he spotted her. And it was a good thing they were standing right across from each other too, or he would never have recognized her. Her hair was curled neatly, and she was wearing a very blue dress he could've sworn he'd seen somewhere before, a very long time ago. He wouldn't tell her that, though, in case the place was a bad one. She looked nice. Matt walked up to her a bit less smoothly than usual (he had the stupid shoes to thank for that), still smiling despite his obvious desire to be anywhere but here. "I was gonna sneak up behind you," he said truthfully, shrugging. "But then I saw you over here, and...boo!" it was a rather half-hearted attempt to make up for his plan gone awry, but at least he could say he'd tried. "So who died?" he asked, suddenly remembering that this wasn't just a normal dance, thank God. So at least there was something interesting about the place.


ooc: Here's your promised post! I'm sorry it's so awkward/dumb...>.<

[wendy]

She hated waited much longer. It felt like a very long time because she’d had to watch quite a few people cheer over getting their clues. She’d been asked to dance once which she politely turned down (she hadn’t even known the boy, for one). Once or twice she took a step forward to join the party before remembering she was waiting for Matthew. It’d brought her four steps closer to the activity when he suddenly arrived. At his comment, she gave a surprised start, an almost scared expression disappearing as soon as it had arrived. She wasn’t the best at acting unless it was during a story so he scared reaction wasn’t what it could have been. Nonetheless, she smiled and said “was that alright?” As he’d said nothing concerning her dressing up, she said nothing concerning his. Instead, she stepped closer and fixed his tie. When mother wasn’t home, she sometimes had to do this for her father. It was just one talent she had now that was mostly useless, probably something that would be more important once she was older. Once she’d finished, Addison stepped back and looked around. “I haven’t started investigating yet,” she told him. “I’ve been waiting for you.” You took long enough didn’t make it passed the word filter, thank goodness.

Addison linked arms with him, finding the contact only a tiny bit awkward, but she was sure she’d lose him otherwise. “Come on,” she said, leading the way to the nearest booth. She hoped there wasn’t an order or any place to really start. Addison wouldn’t mind too terribly if they had to go to a starter booth but she had a feeling Matthew would. He didn’t care for order nearly as much as she did. Unfortunately, the college student at the first booth directed them towards a starter booth. This particular student seemed rather grumpy; she hoped not all of them would be so rude. “Thank you for coming.” She said, maneuvering carefully through the crowd. Addison could see some had opted out of the Murder Mystery, instead going for dancing. How boring.

notes; sikhegal i'm sorry for this wretched post
i've just been writing it all day so my muse slowly died and it just got worse as i went >.<

[MATTHEW PETERSON]

Well, at least she'd acted surprised. He had to give her credit for pretending, didn't he? Matt smiled and shrugged a bit, offering a moderately pleased "I 'spose so..." at her surprised face. It would've been much better if he'd managed to actually scare her, of course, but it seemed this was the best he was going to get.

He grumbled something unintelligable as she reached over to adjust his tie, although it bordered somewhere along the lines of "Itwasperfectlyfinehowitwasthankyouverymuch." Not able to help himself, Matt loosened the thing ever-so-slightly once Addison stepped away. Still, he grinned. "Knew you couldn't solve it without me, didn't ya?" he asked, hardly needing an answer. Of course she wouldn't be able to solve this without him; Addison was quite hopeless without him around, in Matt's not-so-humble opinion. The fact that he was more than fashionably late didn't occur to him once as an issue.

Matt couldn't help but jump a bit as Addison's arm slid to link with his. It wasn't that he disliked it, of course, the action was just...unexpected. So unexpected, in fact, that he hardly had time to question what they were doing before Addison began dragging him this way and that towards one of the booths scattered around the edge of the dance floor. He couldn't help but glare at the stupid college kid ordering them about. The idiot ought to be ashamed of himself, directing them towards a "starting booth," or whatever the heck he'd called it. "Do we have to start here?" grumbled Matt into Addison's ear, once he'd collected himself from a slight stumble (in retrospect, perhaps staring down the grumpy guy at the booth hadn't been such a clever idea with the gym so crowded). "Can't we just skip this one?" he asked suddenly, coming to a halt about five feet from the designated starting position. Pulling out the big guns, Matt threw her his best puppy dog eyes, knowing full well she would know exactly what he was doing even in the dim light of the gymnasium. "C'mon, Addie...let's start over there--" he pointed to an empty sort of booth a few stations down. "I mean, it's the least you could do, after I came here and all..."

[wendy]

Addison shook her head, deciding she might as well humor him. She was quite sure she’d easily be able to solve it without him. “I’d be simply lost if it weren’t for you, of course.” Perhaps she was just saying so as a way to keep him here. Addison wouldn’t have been surprised if he got bored enough to leave halfway through. It was probably best to compliment him as best she could. However, had there not been a starting booth, she probably would’ve been a tad lost as to what to do. It would’ve bothered her to have to pick one booth over the other. She’d be simply indecisive. Matt came to a sudden halt and she nearly tripped over her own feet. She shot him an annoyed look.

“Matthew…” She muttered uncertainly, glancing to the starter booth which was so very close. If she could just get him to keep moving, then they’d be able to start the Murder Mystery as they were supposed to. If they skipped the starter booth, who knows what they’d miss and… Addison should not have looked back at Matt. The last thing she’d expected was for him to go so far as the puppy eyes. Sometimes, she could resist these. Sometimes. This was not one of those times. Then again, he was giving her the best puppy eyes she’d ever seen him give. Addison nibbled on her lower lip, conflicted.

If she’d had time to put her foot down and say ‘no, we’re starting where we’re supposed to!’ she would have had the certainty to speak up. Unfortunately, Matt used the only way she could get him here. Guilt tripping wasn’t any fun when it was being used on you. “I…” she paused and finally gave a resigned sigh. “I suppose.”

[MATTHEW PETERSON]

"Don't worry. I know," Matt replied simply with a smile and nod. The glare shot his way went, as usual, completely unnoticed, even as he looked Addison dead in the eyes. Her uncertainty went right over his head as well, perhaps even more so than the glare; there was never really any telling with him, as it could very well just have been flat out ignored.

Good. They were working; as if he'd had any doubts. Matt couldn't help but let the corners of his lips twitch upwards in the beginnings of a triumphant smile. These eyes always worked on Addison, even when he didn't mean to use them. It was quite amazing, really, as he found most things about himself to be.

"Yes!" he exclaimed under his breath, beaming far brighter than the dim lights scattered around the room. The big, round eyes and quivering to his voice were gone instantly, replaced only by innocent excitement. "Promise it'll be worth it," Matt said in the most reassuring manner he had ever really been able to muster. Tugging Addison along behind him, he approached the booth with all the determination of a small child, halting again as they reached the counter of the thing. "You talk," he hissed to Addison from the corner of his mouth. "I picked. You get to talk," nevermind the fact that he had absolutely no idea what came after the proper booth was picked.

[wendy]

He hardly ever noticed when she was glaring at him. It wasn’t a big deal, really. Addison hardly expected him to notice such things. He seemed immune to glares. She rolled her eyes and said nothing further regarding her apparent inability to solve a murder mystery without Matthew. Never mind that she won every game of Clue the family ever played. That hardly mattered. … Okay, it probably didn’t. She was quite sure this wouldn’t be much like Clue. Then again, this wasn’t a board game. Addison couldn’t help but to grin. Of course it would be worth it. The confusion would be worth defying the rules. Did that make sense? “I’m sure it will be,” she said just as he began to tug her along to the booth.

She gave him a startled look before she composed herself. Giving the college student a sweet smile, she stepped a bit closer, exuding all the confidence she had. Of course Matthew would make her talk. “Have you been to the starter booth?” The girl asked (her name tag said Miranda). “Of course,” Addison replied, sounding almost as if she were saying what, do you think all high school students are rule breakers? For a moment, Miranda looked skeptical. She eventually shrugged and slid a paper towards Addison. “Solve this riddle for your clue.” Addison took the paper and stepped back to Matthew.

At night they come without being fetched,
and by day they are lost without being stolen

A riddle. Lovely. Addison began to mull it over so when she asked Matthew: “What do you think?” She only sounded a bit curious and quite distracted.

[MATTHEW PETERSON]

Matt nodded in appreciation of her agreement, although he hardly needed it. If he knew it was going to be grand fun, then it would. And he certainly did know it was going to be exciting; breaking the rules was always infinately better than following them.

Watching from his position a few feet behind Addison, Matt watched with great pride as she lied her way through to the clue wonderfully. Of course, he could've done it much better. But it was more fair to give her a chance every once in a while, wasn't it? And besides, he didn't like the look of that college student. The name written on her name tag made his queasy and angry at the same time, and he didn't like it one bit, not that he was planning on telling Addison that sort of thing.

"Good job," he whispered in rare congratulations as Addison made her way back to where he was standing. "Now lemme see," waving his hand about in a rather childish way to ask for a clue, Matt watched impatiently as she showed him the words. A riddle. Wonderful.

"Oh, don't worry, I'm really good at these," he insisted suddenly. Of course, Matt had never been the riddle-solving sort of fellow, having found sitting still for long enough to answer one quite tedious work. Still, he would give it a shot now. Heck, he'd probably even get it right. "Aww, this is easy. It's dreams," he said the first thing that came to mind, completely unaware of the possibilty of being wrong, and quite easily ignoring the sudden flash of an island that found its way to the front of his mind as he spoke. "They leave when you wake up, and you can never remember 'em. But they're not stolen, cause then the come back the next night....Well, this was a piece of cake." he spoke definitively, in a manner that half warranted a quick dusting of the hands. As it was, however, he merely pitched in one last thought. "I hope it's not this simple all night, you know. Then we'd have it solved in no time."

[wendy]

Addison looked from the riddle to Matthew, momentarily confused. Had he just told her ‘good job?’ It wasn’t often that he praised her for anything she did. Then again, he always did better at things that mattered (to him), so she hardly should expect congratulations from him on a regular basis. If only he found grades to be important, then perhaps she would get a few more comments on her test scores. Again, Addison was perplexed. Matthew was good at riddles? He was surprising her in all sorts of ways tonight. “Are you?” she asked, teasing. “I had no idea.”

She thought herself to be rather good at riddles as well. A few possible answers game to her eventually, one of them being dreams. Addison gave Matthew an amused grin, “are you reading my mind? I had the same thought.” Well, it wasn’t exactly the same thought. It could’ve been dreams… But dreams were different each night. What if this riddle was referring to something that was the same each night? Addison shook her head, rereading the riddle again. “No…” she paused. “I… I don’t think it’s dreams.” Addison still smiled, wondering just how he’d react to being wrong.

“I was thinking stars,” she answered after a few more minutes of thinking. Addison looked up at him, absent-mindedly folding the paper until she no longer could. “That makes sense, right?”

[MATTHEW PETERSON]

Matt quirked an eyebrow at her, clearly confused. "Well, yeah," he spoke as if his prowess as a solver of riddles had been a well-known fact since the dawn of time. He shrugged. "I'm good at everything," The "Didn't you know?" was more than implied.

A bit annoyed by the fact that Addison had thought the same thing as he, Matt couldn't help but scowl slightly at her question, even if she was just kidding. "Yeah, I guess so..." he grumbled, mood momentarily ornery as he silently consouled hismelf. Hearing her disprove his theory (which he thought had been quite good, thankyouverymuch), Matt instantly snapped to the defensive. "Whattaya mean it's not dreams? Why, dreams are the only thing that makes even a little bit of--oh," Matt's lips stayed that way--in a perfect circle-- for a good ten seconds straight after Addison stated her guess.

"Well, not as much sense as dreams, but..." he grumbled and shrugged, jerking his head in the direction of the booth so as to silently tell her to hand the answer in. He refused to be present in the event that she was right.

[wendy]

Addison grinned. Of course he was good at everything. How could she have forgotten? Shaking her head, Addison focused on the riddle. She was quite sure it was stars. Then again, though, did it matter if they were wrong? Would they get another guess or would they have to go to a different booth? Either way, it probably wouldn’t have been a huge deal if they got this one wrong. It would just make her that more determined to get the rest of them right. “How could I forget something like that?” She asked rhetorically, sounding almost disappointed.

His expression was priceless. She couldn’t help but to laugh; she tried to be subtle but it wasn’t easy. She partially turned away to snicker into her hand. Proving Matthew wrong, though rare, was well worth it. Composing herself quickly enough, Addison looked back at him, a sympathetic smile on her lips. “Dreams makes sense, too. If I’m wrong, you… hmm… you get bragging rights for the remainder of the evening.” It wasn’t the best of deals but it was all she could think to offer right now. Approaching the booth, Addison returned the paper to the girl. “It’s stars,” she answered with confidence.

For a moment, the college student was quiet. After a moment, she nodded and retrieved a card from a box next to her. “You’re one step closer to solving the mystery. The next booth will be the one closest to the refreshments table.”Addison nodded and thanked the girl before joining Matthew. She took hold of his wrist and pulled him away a little before speaking, not wanting to give themselves away. “I don’t suppose you want to start going in order now?” She asked, raising her eyebrows, already knowing the answer.

[MATTHEW PETERSON]

Matt shrugged, just as surprised at Addison’s forgetfulness as apparently she herself was. “Donno. Usually only dumb people do,” the comment was matter-of-fact, and as usual, something about the way he said it made it more of a fact of life than an insult.

He narrowed his eyes at her snickering, but said nothing; it would all prove itself when he turned out right, anyhow. Then he’d show her for real, because he always won stuff like this, and he was the best riddle-solver in the history of solving riddles, and anybody who said otherwise was just plain stupid and blind and ugly and fat and old. It was a bit ridiculous, just how worked up he could get over little things like this. Still, her offer cheered him up a bit. He perked up, trying as hard as he could not to smile, and nodded. “Alright, deal,” his right hand extended for her to pinky-swear. After all, those sorts of vows were unbreakable.

Still, Matt hung back as Addison approached the booth, his arms crossed grumpily over his chest as he flat-out refused to ask for the answer. Even when she came back to him, Matt did nothing more than work his mouth back and forth, as if trying to decide whether or not to tell her she’d done a good job. Naturally, he didn’t. The thought was abandoned the minute she asked for his thoughts, however, and Matt grinned impishly. “C’mon, you know me,” he chuckled, already headed to the booth farthest away from the refreshment table.

[wendy]

Addison almost said something along the lines of ‘says the one who got the riddle wrong’ but she kept her mouth shut. That probably wouldn’t go over well. Addison linked her pinky with his and made her own silent vow to let him have bragging rights if he got any of the riddles (or whatever else may come their way) right. Not that she’d tell him this. If he brought it up, however, she’d let him know. Unfolding the paper with their clue on it, she was a little annoyed and also intrigued to see it was a rhyme. Addison kept up with Matthew well enough for reading at the same time. It was something you got good at when reading and acting out the story at the same time. “I don’t understand this at all,” she finally said, looking positively confused. She thrust it into Matthew’s hands, frustrated.

While he (hopefully) looked the rhyme over, Addison continued leading the way to the next booth. The farthest one from the refreshment table, of course. She’d been completely right in assuming that Matthew wouldn’t want to start following the rules now. Oh, but why couldn’t he? Just for once! Not being able to figure out the rhyme had frustrated her and now it seemed everything was getting on her nerves. Addison told herself to stop being so morose; she was having a lovely time. There was no reason to over-react. “Can you figure it out?” She asked Matt, slowing to peer at the paper again. She almost thought it was just part of the rhyme, but that would have been stupid. Having arrived at the next booth, Addison looked at Matthew expectantly.

“It’s your turn,” she said, gesturing to the booth.

[MATTHEW PETERSON]

Well, this had to be just about the easiest riddle ever invented. Matt was practically beaming as he looked over the words, skimming them so fast it was a wonder he was reaching anything near basic comprehension—and perhaps he wasn’t. It didn’t really matter, as the supposed answer was already firmly cemented into the forefront of his mind.

“That’s just cause you donno where to look,” he informed Addison rather haughtily, turning so as to shield the paper and his precious knowledge from her unworthy eyes. Girls didn’t know anything about rhyming. It was a very well known fact, just as boys knew nothing about hair brushing and nail painting and stupid, useless things like that. At least rhyming was a useful skill. Usefull-er than…chiming, anyway. Rhymes always made sense.

After a solid three seconds of supposed deep though, Matt un-furrowed his brow and straightened up, chest puffing out slightly. He was smarter than Addie! Of course, he’d always known so. She’d just never believed him, as most stupid people didn’t. Not that he’d ever call her stupid. He’d just be sure to let her know he was smarter, that was all. It was the right thing to do.

“Course I can figure it out!” he snapped, wheeling about again to hide the paper from her. “I had it worked out ages ago! Now stop peeking!”

Matt made sure to stick his tongue out in Addison’s direction as he turned to walk towards the next booth. Unfortunately, he forgot to put the thing back in his mouth once he turned around again, and the result was a rather nasty stare from the student working behind the counter, which didn’t stop even when Matt intensified his own face upon realization that they were wrinkling their nose at him. Stupid college man. He was probably just grumpy because his days of growing young were behind him, and he was going to have to sit in a stupid old desk soon. Served him right. He smelled like science.

“The answer’s turnips.”
Matt held his head high even as the smelly old lard face laughed at him.

“Not quite, buddy. Good try, though. You’ve gotta find the second half of the riddle first…Come back when you get the answer to that one.”

For a few seconds, Matt simply blinked at the man-boy-oaf. A two-part rhyme? That was just ridiculous. “I’m not your buddy,” he made sure to grumble as rebelliously as he could while sulking back to where Addison was standing, thrusting the paper back into her hand. “Stupid butt says we need the other half,” he grumbled almost unintelligibly, relying solely on the sheer length of their friendship transferring over into translation-of-grumpiness-mode in order for Addie to understand a word he was saying. “I got the first part right, though. If it was on its own. They’re trying to cheat us, Addie. Stupid adults. Told ya we shouldn’t ‘a come…”

[wendy]

Well, he seemed prouder than usual. Had he really figured it out? Maybe rhymes just weren’t her forte. … But she doubted they could really be Matthew’s either. Oh, but it wasn’t polite of her to think so! It was like innocent until proven guilty. Instead, it was just brilliant until proven… not brilliant. However, if he could figure out rhymes without going to English class, what did that say about her? She’d been every day of every school year! Though, she had always rather disliked the teaching lessons on poetry… Addison rolled her eyes. “Oh, and you do?” She hadn’t mean to sound so sarcastic! It was just that she was a bit frustrated.

Matthew continued keeping the paper from her view and she sighed. So much for trying to work it out. He seemed to have figured out the answer and—well, he was saying so himself. In fact, he’d gotten it ages ago. Addison’s eyebrows rose just slightly, wondering just how he’d done it. Oh well. Maybe she’d just look later and try then. Addison couldn’t help but to scoff when he told her to stop peeking. Well! See if she try to solve any more of these now. Addison folded her arms over her chest and waited as he approached the college student.

Since Matthew wasn’t facing her, she only barely heard him say turnips. … What? She also missed the college students’ reply. It seemed obvious enough, though, once Matthew had turned back around. He must’ve been wrong or something… “Well?” He was mumbling. Addison had never cared for mumbling. Her parents had had this strange way to deal with mumbling and she’d hated it. That had been the end of that. Still, Addison had known him so long she’d begun to understand him. “Hah!” She exclaimed, unable to help it. Two parts! She’d been right! Suddenly feeling successful, Addison linked arms with him and began to lead the way to the booth closest to the refreshment table.

Addison skimmed the rhyme again as they went, figuring the next part of the rhyme must be from there. That was where the college girl had said they were supposed to go next after all. “Oh, please.” Addison said, glancing to Matthew, grinning. “You’re just mad because you were only part right.” She figured it was something to be pleased about. “We’ll go to the booth Miranda told us to go to, alright?” Addison slowed down, shrugging one shoulder. “Unless you don’t want to bother solving the mystery.”