#& 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 : PHYLLIS GEIST

[wildcstwinter]

closed starter: @626bxtch !!

the movie was . . . fine. it was interesting enough. yet, phyllis couldn't ignore the buzz of her stomach, the warmth that was swirling like water around a drain hole just beneath her naval, the way his fingers lazily stroking her bicep felt more like a tempting invitation than an innocent gesture of comfort.

he was so good with her; so patient, so kind, so protective. and yet . . . there was a buzzing, palpable tension that radiated between them; like an itch she couldn't scratch. " stitch , " she spoke softly from where she sat between his legs, leaning her weight further back into his chest, tilting her head up enough so she could peer at him through thick, fluttering lashes. " do you . . . do you ever think about the day i first . . . CHANGED ?? about . . . about when we were able to touch for the first time ?? "

[wildcstwinter]

this was the moment she had always dreamed of, and in turn, the moment she had always feared. phyllis knew it was one thing to long for something you had never had, it was another to miss it when it was gone. phyllis knew the effects of what andy had done wouldn't last forever, but she would put herself through the painful and overwhelming transformation every time just to be like this, right here, with stitch. living beside him, breathing in the smell of his cologne, feeling the pulse of his heart ( or hearts. his organs were still a mystery to her ) pumping beneath his skin which was hot to the touch. to love someone, and to be loved in return, it was a feeling that had her mind swirling and the language she had spoken her entire life feeling foreign besides those three little words. leaning into his touch, phyllis pulled him closer, unable to get enough of touching him — of finally getting to feel him. to be felt by him.

the sensation of his mouth on her throat had her lashes fluttering, the sensation unlike anything she had ever experience, making parts of her flutter in ways she never knew could happen. a soft sigh sounded from her, a noise she didn't recognize as his teeth grazed a particularly sensitive spot, peppering her skin with goose bumps as she tilted her head to grant him easier access. it was so much . . .and not enough simultaneously, and phyllis was greedy — she couldn't ever imagine herself growing tired of how he made her feel. both in her heart and, now, in her bones. as his touch wandered, and his lips returned to hers, phyllis breathed a sigh as she basked in the feeling of kissing him once more, the sound wanton and eager. ❛ i'm feeling . . . oh, gosh, i'm feeling so much . . . ❜ phyllis sighed, but the sound was almost pleading — desperate, needy. ❛ so much but it's . . . it's like i can't get enough. i can't get enough of you, stitch.❜ words were spoken against his lips, nails dragging along his scalp, running down the back of his neck, grazing his shoulder blades as she pulled him closer. her knees felt like jell-o, mind spinning, but all phyllis could focus on was stitch and how he was making her feel. ❛ then don't stop touching me, ❜ phyllis pleaded as she pulled back, eyes meeting his, pupils blown out and cheeks flushed— lips beginning to swell. ❛ i want you to, stitch. i . . . i really want you to. i trust you. ❜

it was admittedly harder than he thought to keep himself in check with phyllis so close to him, smelling so good, and their confession pumping through his veins. if he wasn't a reformed creature he would have lost his mind. at the same time...he wanted nothing more than to be gentle with the woman trembling in his embrace. he should probably take a second to process all of this. it was overwhelming being loved and being able to hold the person he was in love with for the first time all at once but he was a little scared that if he let her go he wouldn't be able to hold her this close again. if he couldn't hold her again after this, he would be okay, he would still love her like he did right now, even more so probably at the rate this was going, but he wanted to be able to show her that he did. he wanted to give her everything she deserved and then some.

he was gently biting her throat and planting kisses in the same spot after so she knew it was affectionate. his hands honestly couldn't figure out where they wanted to be. her soft hair, her arms, her back; he wanted to memorize how it felt to touch her. seeking her lips again, he kissed her so tenderly that he was shocked he could be so soft and so controlled around someone who made him want to go absolutely wild. "how are you feeling?" he asked, his voice rougher than he intended. his hands were now trailing lower, cupping her ass lightly as he looked at her with his lips hovering by hers. "i want to know everything. i want to give you whatever you need." another soft press to her lips and his grip tightened for a second before moving back to her arms again, slowly rubbing them up and down so he could make sure she was good, that he wasn't doing too much. "i don't want to stop touching you....i'm sorry i....it feels so good i'm trying to be a gentleman and only being half good at it."

[wildcstwinter]

𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 : @626bxtch !! 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: outside the library

" stitch ?? hi . uh. . . what are — what are you doing here ?? i told you i was working late today . please don't tell me you've been waiting outside this whole time . "

[wildcstwinter]

closed starter: @xndxd !!

" andy !! andy andy andy !! " the ghoul greeted, happening upon the other just as he was leaving the gym, so enthused by the encounter she was just about floating off of the ground.

" whatever you're doing — it keeps working !! i . . . i've started being able to shift on my own !! it . . . it isn't nearly as painful, i think i'm gettin' the hang of it. are you busy ?? i gotta show you. i gotta !! "

[wildcstwinter]

open starter: @evermorehqsstart !! location: the library

❛ you said you were looking to... return this ?? ❜ phyllis inquired, glancing down at the book they had just put through the book return, waving her hand to will the cover to open and the pages to turn as she flipped through them. ❛ i don't see a pin stamp in here, or any stickers or markings that indicate this book belongs to us. are you sure you got it from here ?? i can double check the system but, it might take me a minute. we're very old school so... all the filing is done by hand. ❜ 

[wildcstwinter]

taking her own drink, phyllis appreciated the cool of the glass against her achingly warm palms, suddenly clammy — either from nerves or excitement, she wasn't sure. looking around the bar, following the other's gaze, phyllis returned her eyes to tootie's as she gestured to her figure, smiling in understanding. ❛ you do look good, ❜ she complimented, tilting her head, glancing down at her own outfit. stolen right from sibella's closet given as phyllis didn't really have any clothes of her own to wear — and now she could dress up without worrying about whether or not the clothes would stay on her body. following blindly, phyllis bobbed her head in a nod, traipsing after the other with a pep to her step. ❛ does it always smell like that in here?? ❜ phyllis found herself inquiring as a pungent scent wafted past her nostrils and made her nose wrinkle, her sense of smell heightened now that she was actually in the world she'd spent all of her two hundred and twenty three years in and actually LIVING.

"They better." Tootie answered without having to think about it. As someone who adored being the spotlight, right in center stage, there was nothing she liked more than having people watch her. Whether in awe or jealousy or anything in between, she would take it because at least that meant people noticed she was there. "What's the point in coming out to the bar, dressed up and looking like this," she motioned to herself as if just looking at her was answer enough, "if no one is going to stare?" Holding her drink tightly, Tootie motioned towards some of the tables, beckoning Phyllis to follow. "Come on, we need to get the best spots to see and be seen and you'll get how good it is here in no time."

[wildcstwinter]

closed starter: @lightthematches !!

❛ ugh, maddox, wwwwwhhhhaaaaattttttttt ?? ❜ phyllis groaned, pressing her hand against her forehead, sprawled out on her & winnie's couch. she could feel maddox staring at her, probably judging her, but all phyllis could focus on was the pulsing ache in her skull. ❛ god, i didn't know you living things felt so much pain. all i know right now is pain.❜ maybe drinking with tootie had been a bad idea but... phyllis only had limited time in this form and she wanted to do everything there was to do. even if she suffered consequences for it afterwards.

[wildcstwinter]

𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 : @fricndlyghost !! 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: phyllis's bedroom

" i'm sorry i didn't tell you sooner . even though i'm sure you had figured it out , , , " phyllis confessed apologetically , grimacing as she folded her arms around her torso , leaning against one of the walls of her room as she kept her gaze downturned . away from casper's eyes . " we had just , , , i dunno . made this connection , being ghosts and all - i felt like i had betrayed you . "

[wildcstwinter]

closed starter: @jeepersdcph !!

❛ daph !! daph !! ❜ phyllis called out, practically barreling towards the brunette, grinning widely. ❛ hey!! oh my ghoul, you humans move fast. have you seen coach anywhere ?? i think i have the perfect song for him and velma — and it isn't funeral music this time, i swear.❜

[wildcstwinter]

frowning through the distress she had thought she was masking well , phyllis let out a stubborn and infuriated huff as she briefly cut her blurry stare in maddox's direction ; " i'm FINE !! " yet , the ghoul wasn't ; any sign there was to be read in regards to phyllis's well being might as well have been strung from the sky in bright , neon lights . " i don't seem myself because my sense of self makes as much sense to me as boys do . you freaks don't make any sense !! "

her arms flew out by her sides ; " nothing you do makes sense !! and then - and then i'm made to feel like I'M the one not making sense when i know i'm making total sense but - what if i'm not ?? what if i'm not the one making sense and i don't know it !? " phyllis babbled , words trampling over one another as they flowed thoughtlessly from her lips like wild fire catching dry foliage . finally , phyllis found the couch , collapsing onto it like a distressed damsel with a weighted thud . " i'm just stupid . i'm stupid and i'm dumb and - " she frowned deeper , muttering under hands she plastered to her sour expression . " sometimes i wish andy never figured out that stupid spell for me . "

Closed starter for: @wildcstwinter Location: Maddox's apartment

Maddox knew something was wrong with Phyllis before he had made her come to his apartment. Call it some type of ghoulish sibling dynamic but he had a feeling something was wrong. Her mannerisms as he watched her pace in his living room gave it away, but mostly how heavy the air felt. Something was dragging her down and Maddox was going to find out what. "Alright, are you going to tell me what's wrong or not?" he asked. Maddox looked over at her and made eye contact. "I know something is going on. I don't know what, but..." His nose scrunched up. "I'm just saying you're scaring me in the not ghostly way. You don't seem okay and...you don't seem yourself."

[wildcstwinter]

closed starter: @ghovlpire !!

❛ look — i don't really understand it either, ❜ phyllis spoke through squashed lips, her best friend apparently seeming unable to stop touching and pinching her face now that she could. the blonde was sure this whole thing was... shocking for the vampire, it was still something she was accepting. for as long as she has known sibella, she imagined it was odd for the ghoul to see phyllis so... full of life. ❛ it's only temporary but — ouch !! sib, that hurt !! ❜

[wildcstwinter]

phyllis smiled in empathetic agreement, loosly nodding her head; ❛ they really do . . . ❜ she murmured in an almost solemn agreement. ❛ — i'd give up immortality to live one life time the way they do. ❜ the confession felt like it weighed a million pounds but, it was the truth. just the few, measly days she had gotten to experience ALIVE weren't enough to cure her of the insatiable desire to live. phantomhood was so lonely. . . even with another ghost. it was hard to not mourn the short time she had been given and envy those that took feeling the sun on their skin, the warmth of another's touch, and the beating of a heart — their own heart — for granted. a palm went to phyllis's chest, now empty and void of purpose, and she frowned. so distracted by her own thoughts, she hadn't even heard casper at first, lifting her head just to catch the tail end of their words as a sad smile loomed on her features. ❛ still there, cas, ❜ phyllis informed them after some time had passed. ❛ you sure your heads entirely empty ?? ❜

"They only have so much time, and they waste so much of it," Casper stated, though they, of course, didn't understand the full picture. Was it really that hard to just stay awake for a few days in a row? That's what caffeine was for, wasn't it? "Oh, wow. You think so?" They supposed Phyllis had a point. There was nothing really... physical about their existence. It was all spiritual. "There's only one way to find out." Focused now, Casper, sat up straight, began to stare off into space, trying to force every single thought from their head. "Let me know if I disappear."

[wildcstwinter]

setting down the entirety of their vampiric collection — ranging from cryptic studies to gothic romance — phyllis heaved a sigh as she unloaded the weight of the literature onto the table her ghoulfriend was sitting at. " well, you have been at it since three o'clock this afternoon, and the library has already been closed for two hours now, sib . . . it's nearly dark out, " giggled the phantom, giving sibella a playful look as sat atop the table and pressed her palms into it's warped surface on either side of her legs. a bashful glow arrived atop phyllis's cheeks at the comment, the very humanity sibella spoke of ripening her face as she shook her head. the flush only deepened at the joke about stitch, lifting her palms to shield her face as a shrill of ghoulish laughter tumbled from grin-split lips. " oh my ghoul, stop it !! you're not funny , " phyllis whined, but she was beaming despite herself.

what had happened with stitch — what they had done together . . . it still gave her ghoul-bumps. her blood ran hot just having it mentioned, and she shook her head, trying to rid her head of the memory to spare sibella having to watch her practically melt into the carpet. lowering her hands, big eyes blinked in her best friend's direction, her cheeks aching; " am i ?? " she inquired, touching the apple of her warmed cheek with her fingertips. " all my life, sib . . . i've never thought about what it would be like. being alive. okay , maybe i've thought about it a few times but . . . i never realized how separated from the world i was. i mean — no wonder humans always talk about things that once seemed so . . . i dunno. unimportant, i guess. "

location: the library , afterhours ♡ @wildcstwinter

❛ i swear all of these tiny letters are starting to blur for me right now . can't even distinguish ' carpathian ' from ' carpenter ' , ❜ and considering sibella had way - above - average eyesight , the fact that she could barely stand to continue reading probably meant it really was time for a break . a well needed one , too . green eyes wandered over to her ghoulfriend , watching as phyllis so graciously brought over what sibella assumed were the last of the library's books on vampiric studies over the centuries , from ancient times to now . she needed answers , desperately so , and what better way to get those than by paying a visit to her favorite little phantom ? ❛ it never gets old , seeing you actually holding things . ❜ a giggle escapes as the vampire sets her latest read down , definitely giving up for the time being . it was that watching phyllis indulge in humanity was the only thing that could bring sibella a pure smile these days . ❛ what's left in your bucket list , anything i can help with ? or does the whole thing require a more alien approach to it , hmm ? ❜ she wiggled her brows lightly , then smiled . ❛ you're glowing , you know , and not in a preternatural way ! ❜

[wildcstwinter]

phyllis had noticed him when he walked in, but her usual glee was misplaced amongst the spines of worn books and forgotten stories — lost in the mundane buzzing of her scanner as she checked books back in, in the somber rhythm of her fingers as they grazed paper. usually she'd be basking in the fact she could touch the words, not just read them, but . . . being human, it made feelings that much bigger. they were powerful, all consuming; they hurt everywhere, more than just an echo in the chamber of her thoughts . . . but possessing everything from the tips of her toes to each strand of hair that curled over hunched shoulders. phyllis couldn't bring herself to approach him — knowing she'd be of no use in the department of cheering him up.

yet, when the library was about to close . . . approach was inevitable. moving towards the table, fists buried in her sweater, phyllis moved to sit atop the table he was camped at — his stare hollow, distant . . . distressed. it was so unlike coach to be so empty, like he were nothing more than a husk with no spirit inhabiting it. a zombie. " don't tell me you found someone else to play the organ for you . . . " the ghoul replied, a flicker of a sad smile curling her lips upwards but, only for a moment. phyllis couldn't hold his gaze for long, dropping it back to her lap, fingers threading through the knitting of her sweater as she scrunched her brows. " she can't be far . . . " she thought aloud, shaking her head. " no one can leave this town. something . . . something had to have happened. you and the gang — " looking up, eyes glossy like wet stones. " you solve mysteries , don't you ?? "

LOCATION: the library FOR: @ghostgirlgeist

Shaggy was beside himself. He didn't know what to do. He always thought that if he had Velma, he'd be fine. If. He had found himself at the library, hoping that if Velma were to reappear, or if she happened to be hiding out somewhere and it was all a misunderstanding and she didn't belong on the list of missing residents after all... she would probably be cozied up in a nook in the library, lost in a good book or studying. Maybe even trying to figure out where everyone else had gone, maybe she'd gotten wrapped up in the mystery because that's who she was, and she'd forgotten to tell Shaggy she would be gone all day, was all. Maybe her phone died, or she had it on silent and lost track of time. That bubble was quickly burst, of course, but now he was sat in one of the seats, just waiting for her to walk through the doors. He would wait there until close if he had to. But he knew, deep down, he knew. She wasn't coming. Hearing a rustling, he looked up, eyes meeting Phyllis', and he meant to joke, humor the only coping mechanism he knew, but it fell flat. There was nothing but utter dread in his tone. "Like, I hope you didn't have your heart set on playing at the wedding."

[wildcstwinter]

seeing casper practically gave phyllis's phantom heart a start , sending the ghost of the organ spazzing as it twitched and writhed in her chest. casper . . . that just brought on a new wave of guilt , only realizing now she had never disclosed to the other what she had been doing being their back. what she had been keeping from them — the very fact that she had willingly given up the one thing that had made the two similar. different.

" c-casper , " phyllis greeted, words strained, a pang of ache resonating in her chest. putting a hand to her sternum, the ghoul turned her face away, finding a crack in the sidewalk and locking in on it. " he uh . . . yes , he's my friend ," phyllis replied, seemingly winded. " i was just — i need to ask him a question. i'm not — i'm not sure the last time i saw him , though . . . "

They hadn't even noticed her, for once, distracted by a poster tacked to a light pole, some dark haired smiling girl that Casper imagined many people missed. They could not help but wonder if anyone would notice at all, if they were the one whose face was plastered around town. Beau had seemed to wonder about their whereabouts... but they didn't particularly have many friends. It was sad to think that even now, their life so intertwined with other humans, they were still an outlier.

"Phyllis!" Casper's face lit up momentarily before falling again, realizing that she was not quite as optimistic. "I... don't think I know an Andy." Still, they tried to think back, tried to place any customer whose name they may have caught and forgotten by now, but no face came to mind. "Why? Is he your friend? He is your missing friend?"

[wildcstwinter]

there it was ; the stinger of a hornet embedding itself into flesh and depositing enough poison to make the spot itch . her skin burned , like stitch's words had come with a spray of acid accompanying their syllables , and the ghoul tightened her hold on his hand instinctively . in apology , in acknowledgement , in a means of grounding herself . " right , " she replied quietly . " i'm sorry , , , "

lilo . phyllis had seen her name on the list , knew it was likely that stitch was losing his mind over the absence of his other half , but phyllis had been too selfishly obsessed with finding andy . a relationship - friendship - she only noticed now she had never really talked to stitch about . phyllis could only learn so much from the books she read about how to be a proper girlfriend , but even still ; fiction was far more pliable than reality . more forgiving . " that's okay , " the phantom shrugged . " i could have been better about checking on you , too . i know - " a hideous , green oil suddenly pooled beneath her tongue . sour and sharp . " i know how much lilo means to you . i saw her name on the list and - " i was too distracted by my own unexplainable lost i didn't think to comfort you . " i dunno . i guess , , , i guess i didn't know what to say to make you feel better . to help . "

he wanted to talk to her more than anything. stitch wanted to confess all of his feelings no matter how ugly and maybe even get a little ugly if it meant she understood all of the shit that was festering in his head. he couldn't stand thinking that he was going to lose no matter what situation he ended up in. he had never been more than his energetic, well-intended self with her and now that he couldn't even try to mask it all he worried it really would just be the thing she decided to leave him behind for. the fact that he even felt like there was reason for her to break his heart made him feel sick.

she almost made him jump when he felt her hand in his. electricity trying to jolt him back to himself. a grounding he wished he could cling to. her question echoed in his head for a moment before he strained an awkward smile her way. "i'm fine," he said, voice neutral. so much for hoping he could talk it out. "i am tired...i didn't really sleep at all while i was looking for lilo.....i didn't see you at all around that time either....i hope no one you cared about went....i feel like an ass for not checking on you more...." guilt gnawed at his mind. she had never reached out to him for help during those days but he should have been checking in anyways. he felt like he was losing his entire mind and only saw anger and fear and he gave into it when he knew better. "but yeah...i've just been...tired." how have you been?