The Overlook Formal

Father's Day.  Evening.  The Overlook, event venue at Witch's Cove, reopens after remodeling with a formal ball. 

Nakoma: Welcome to the Overlook, Ms Jones!  Who's your friend? 

Rallee: Nakoma, this is Susan Anthony.  She'll be taking over as principal of the High School.  Susan, this is Nakoma Smith, one of the owners of Witch's Cove.  

Nakoma: Nice to meet you, Ms Anthony.  I think you'll like it here, at least until my little brother reaches the ninth grade.  (to Rallee) I was stunned to hear Dean resigned.  Is it true he got a offer from some fancy private school out west? 

Rallee: East, actually.  I hate to lose him, but we get Ms Anthony, so its a win/win situation.  

Susan: It was fortunate that this event was the same day as my arrival in town.  Superintendent Jones insisted upon my coming, to meet most of the town's leaders.  

Pocahontas: Rose-Grace, how did you escape your husband looking like that?  (To Maren) I don't believe we've met.  I'm Pocahontas Smith and this is my sister Nakoma.  We own the Cove. 

Maren: Maren North.  I was hired to run the Barbieville Museum after Helena's death.  Terrible thing. 

Rose-Grace: Maren's young, but she's fully qualified and has excellent references. 

Maren (blushing): I'm something of a prodigy.  Graduated high school at 12 and dove right into college.  I'm quite driven. 

Susan: Do you have any family enrolled at the high school? 

Maren: Not yet.  That is, my younger sisters haven't been registered.  They'll be arriving later this week with my brother.  

Susan: I look forward to meeting them.

John: The mayor's got a whole brood.  (To Pocahontas) How many of them are in high school now?  Two? 

Pocahontas: I think just Taylor.  Maybe Nikki, too.  

John: We can ask Finnick if we can tear him away from Nakoma.  (To Susan) He's one of the brood in question.  

Susan: Don't bother the young couple.  

Nakoma: I can't believe Tanner and Whitney didn't come.  What's wrong with them, anyway? 

Finnick: He's right.  Even if he proposed to her all public like you suggested, Esperanza's still gonna think what she wants.  Want me to propose to you all public?  I'll do it. 

Nakoma: No, you idiot.  Get back to me when you finish trade school, though.  

The sisters spot more guests arriving and hurry to greet them.  

Pocahontas: Dean quit?  The Mellarks are moving?  What the hell, girl? 

Nakoma: I figured Midna told you, since she's lost her bookkeeper.  Peeta is moving in with the Carsons, but both the girls are going with Dean and Violet. One of the Rhee boys did bookkeeping for their parents' restaurant, so he'll be taking Violet's job. 

Pocahontas: She did mention Violet had given her two-weeks notice, but Violet's such a crabby thing, I figured she just got fed up with Midna.  Didn't know the whole family was skipping town.  (To the new arrivals)  Welcome to The Overlook!

Finnick: Why are you looking so sour?  

Albus: I hate all this fancy stuff.  Tried to bail, but the girls said I had to be here as head of Rides and Maintenance. 

Finnick: Relax, man.  Enjoy the scenery.  Nakoma is looking hot as hell. 

Albus: Nakoma's practically my kid, you sicko.  But you're right.  Lots of eye candy walking around here tonight.  You're looking pretty good, come to think of it. 

Finnick: Stay in your lane, old man.  I'm straight and spoken for.  

John: Finally I get you on the dance floor.  

Pocahontas: This is a work thing for me, you know.  I really shouldn't be taking time to enjoy my handsome husband.  Even if he does look much better since he quit going to Albus's barber.  

John: Albus has a barber?  (both laugh) I was due, though.  The long hair was easier, but I look safer to the parents that trust me with their kids.  And I can tell you like it short.  (whispers in her ear) 

Pocahontas: Later, I promise. 

 

Success!

Morning, on Muneca Lake Beach.   

Zenobia: Because the village of Barbieville stopped hosting Pride Events, it's been unfairly labeled.  Mayor Rose-Grace Pike has been accused of homophobia and transphobia, but nothing could be farther from the truth.  (laughs) The 1810 village charter contains the following:  "Private acts by adults, inflicting no harm upon others, shall not be governed by law.  If such is sin, each of us will answer a higher authority."  The simple fact of the matter is this: Behavior of celebrants at past events brought private acts into the streets.  Celebrants who chose to be more discrete were openly mocked.  (pause for effect) This event is being hosted by me, Zenobia Malfoy, as a private citizen.  It's not fancy because almost everyone participating has volunteered.  Love is love, the details don't matter, so let's not focus on them. 

Crowd cheers.  

Zenobia: We've got no parade, but a nice little festival.  Including live music by my band Sarcastic Fringehead, which starts as soon as I pass this microphone to the lovely Whitney Darling. 

*****

Later, down by the floodwall. 

Ken: Hey, your band is good!  

Tanner: Yeah, we do all right as long as some jackass isn't yelling "Free Bird" from the crowd. (To Peeta) What the hell is that? 

Peeta: We won these for Tommy at the arcade.  Cost us a good bit, but it was totally worth it. And by the way, that was his mom yelling Free Bird.  She laughed so hard when the entire band "freed their birds" at us I thought she was gonna hurt herself. 

Tanner (shrugs): We're gonna do another set later, but Whitney had to go to work, so it'll be when she gets back.   You guys more comfortable here?  No one telling you to act more gay?

Ken: Our matching outfits and holding hands doesn't seem to be upsetting anyone on either side of the fence.  I really wish people'd stop thinking all gay men are flamers.  

Tommy: Your dad looks more like people think a gay dude should than my brother does, and he's walking around with a pretty woman! Is that your mom?  Did she rainbow her hair just for today? 

Casey: You know Dad.  He ain't gonna let being straight keep him from looking fabulous.  And no, Mom's hair is always like that.  (to Stacie) If Angus is here, who is pulling the carriage?  

Stacie: Our new mare, Ka-Gae.  She's kinda scary looking, almost totally white and she's got the blackest eyes!  Really sweet, though.  Angus will get his turn later, when Ka-Gae is tired. 

Tommy: Hey, Mommy, did you meet Casey's mom and dad?  They're so cool. 

Doreen: Yes, I met Iris and Coby at teacher conferences.  Coby is one of Ken's college instructors, too. 

Coby: You kids can ride the carriage together, if it's okay with Doreen. (laughs when Tommy and Casey get excited)  I thought you'd like that, but y'all better behave for Mr. Windu. 

Speaking of the carriage rides, The Hernandez family is returning from a pleasant jaunt around town.  

Esperanza: This is the worst Pride Festival ever.  I keep waiting for the hog-calling contest. 

Daisy: It is a little dull, but I don't mind.  (To Bertie) How did we raise a city slicker? Small town life is so much nicer. 

Bertie: Probably because we were living in a city for most of her life.  Of course, she is a grown woman and could go back if she chose, but I don't see her packing.  

Tate: I'm thinking, now that I've got the house in some kind of order, of getting a job here.  Do the rest of it at my own pace, you know?  It's not like I've got anything to go back for. 

Albus: Witch's Cove is always hiring, but it's mostly summer.  What kind of work are you looking for? 

Tate: Well, I've worked lots of janitor type jobs.  Some construction. 

Albus: Joe Montez is a contractor.  I don't know the number, but you can google him.  

Leia: Who is that fine looking slice of man? 

Boudica: Which one? 

*****

The evening winds down.  

Luna Jones relaxes at her face-painting station on the beach, listening to Sarcastic Fringehead perform requests.  One of twins is singing a duet with Whitney, some ancient love song.  Luna hopes Mom or Aunt Gwen picks her up soon - it's gotten chilly since the sun went down. 

 

 

Arrest and Arrangements

 

Bertie: News on the Deadly Driver, who has killed two local women and injured another.  Paris Malfoy, husband of one of the victims, was arrested this morning at his home in The Tor.  Malfoy is head of the history department at Doll County Community College.  We take you live to Rebecca Weasley, live at Barbieville City Hall Complex. 

Becky:  I'm here with Barbieville Police Chief Becky Lynch, who made the arrest.  Chief Lynch, what led to this arrest?  What evidence to you have that Professor Malfoy committed the crimes in question? 

Lynch:  The third victim, who survived the attack, was wearing a portable sports camera.  She shared video footage with us that contained compelling information.   We obtained warrants not only for his arrest but for certain technology from the Malfoy home and office, from which we hope to determine a motive.  

Bertie: All reports are that the Malfoy family is cooperating with the investigation.  In other news, two events upcoming this summer promise better times.  A civilian committee is planning a Pride Event for later this month and The Grand Re-Opening of Witch's Cove, which will include a formal ball for some of the guests, is planned for Father's Day.  

****

Speaking of that civilian committee... 

Peeta: Hey, we're wearing the same shirt! 

Albus (chuckles): Great minds think alike. 

Ken: I can't believe nobody wanted to help you with this, Zenobia.  Peeta and I were just talking the other day about how so many get ridiculous for Pride events and all of us look bad.  I mean, that's why the town stopped sponsoring anything. 

Albus: Flaunting the differences only alienates the people we're trying to convince.  If we want to be seen as just like them, we need to behave with the same discretion they do.  

Candy (coming up behind Ken): It's not always about convincing anyone.  Sometimes it's just about embracing who you are.  Love is love, sure, but other people are just promiscuous.  Seriously, Albus, neither you or Zenobia has any intention of ever marrying.

Zenobia: She's got us there, Albus.  Pride's about way more than marriage rights and everyone here knows it.  A lot of the folks who go overboard for Pride aren't asking for acceptance, they're showing that they don't need or want acceptance.  (To Candy) And I told you that your help here might be a problem.  Conflict of interest or something.

Candy: Well, you can just claim my son was coming to tell you Windu Acres is planning to do carriage rides and a horse-baby petting zoo.  I tagged along because I'm getting cabin fever. 

Finnick:  All I know is that if I'm making out with Nakoma and Peeta's holding hands with Ken, people are gonna get offended at them and not us.  It's stupid.  And I did not know you told Mom that, Zenobia, or I wouldn't have brought her.  

Zenobia: Well, if there's a problem, we'll deal with it.  I've got too much stress in my life to create more by worrying.  You and your trouble-making mom are welcome to stay. 

Frozen 2 Doll Set

I've had my eye on the Frozen 2 Forest Expedition Set for a while now.  It's been on the clearance shelf at my Walmart, and I waited until the price fell to the "less than ten bucks a doll" point because I knew the dolls have only five points of articulation.  Ten dollars is my limit on these dolls because I know I'm just gonna bring em home and body-swap them.

WARNING! NUDE DOLLS AHEAD! ALSO HEADLESS NUDE DOLLS! 

 

The packaging shows the sisters with Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf.  No dolls of those three, though!  Instead, we get new characters Ryder and Honeymaren.  I've not seen the movie, so I know very little about these two, but their faces are charming. Honestly, if they'd been available single, I woulda bought them that way.  Anna and Elsa I can take or leave.  Disney dolls tend toward Vapid Face. 

In this set, though, the sisters have a little smile.  They don't look particularly smart but at least there's a bit of personality.  Ryder looks like a lovable goof and Honeymaren has a smirk.  They're gonna be fun and I already have a plan in mind for them.  My plan for Elsa fell through, but more on that later.

Anna's boots are black with vaguely Germanic detailing.  Elsa's are white with (of course) an ice motif.

Ryder and Honeymaren's boots are rustic looking.  Detailing on hers makes them look so warm and fuzzy!  I think his are meant to be leather.  I love the tassels.

Ryder and Honeymaren have belts.  Nice molded details and more tassels.

I was worried their hats might be molded to their heads, but they are not.  Ryder's hair is molded, but it actually looks like hair, so I'm okay with that.  Honeymaren's is rooted and way longer than I expected.  For some reason, I thought it was barely past her shoulders.  

Since these are Hasbro dolls and most of my donor bodies are Mattel, matching skin tones proved to be a challenge.  Honeymaren (who I'll probably just end up calling Honey or Maren) gets a Liv body. Which is neither Mattel or Hasbro.

Ryder's face is a shade darker than his new body (Disney Descendants), but he can be one of them silly people who never puts sunscreen on his face.  He lost a good bit of bulk, but he's okay with that. Now he can change his pants and move more than five joints.  

Elsa is almost a perfect match for the Comfy Disney Princess.  Probably because they're both Hasbro.  I was gonna run with the whole Ice Queen thing and make her the prosecuting attorney for Doll County, but now she's, like, fourteen.  

Poor Anna.  Her closest matches, a Disney Descendants and a 90's Barbie, were too far off.  Her face is too dark for one and too light for the other.  So for now she's stuck on her original body.

The packaging had this scene in it.  You know you'll see it again.  If nothing else, it'll become a mural in the hospital waiting room.  

My Froggy Stuff has a video for making storefronts out of the big boxes - so far I've got this one and the Barbie Grocery. Grocery came with a good background, too, but it got damaged when I was removing the goodies.  Might be within my skill set to repair.  It's been on my to-do list since, like, Valentine's Day or something.

Back in their original outfits.  Elsa and Ryder are swimming in theirs and Honeymaren can't close the velcro on hers.  That's okay, though.  All my dolls share wardrobe and these pieces will fit somebody!