thecdcredubancwski

[thecdcredubancwski]

"Yes, but they're all portable. On my belt or on my head," Theo pointed them out as he spoke, "You're right, it is about having fun. Still, I can't help but feel a little competitive," he admitted.

"Doesn't that outfit of yours come with some choice accessories if I recall correctly?" Lucie couldn't help but point out, if she remembered the movies right anyway. "How important are awards anyway? These nights are supposed to be about having fun. At least we can comfortably move in our outfits. I have definitely seen some that would make that more complicated."

[thecdcredubancwski]

"No, I made that connection, already. I'm not that dim. I guess I'm just surprised you don't have plans already," Theo admitted, "Of course, I want to. You know I don't say no to hanging out with you."

"Why would I invite you out if I had other plans. My time is all yours Theodore." Natalya playfully commented as she hooked her arm into his. "That is unless you don't want to?"

[thecdcredubancwski]

Theo shrugged off her apology, "I'm working on it," he replied, "I just hope I don't get too impatient about how slow I'm going."

"That's really rough, I'm sorry to hear that," Valeria replied sympathetically. "But honestly it's healthy that you can set your own boundaries like that. Take it as slow as you need to."

[thecdcredubancwski]

"There is a sign on my door," Theo said, pointing to the WARNING: DANGEROUS PLANTS INSIDE notice on the outside and inside of his office door, "They came with the office," he paused, "Yeah, I'm doing a section in my book on poisonous plants and their benefits."

"Probably not the best idea to keep it out in the open, even if it is in your office," Cyrus considered with a soft laugh. "But it's very cool. Are you enjoying working on this particular research?"

[thecdcredubancwski]

"No," Theo chuckled, "Because they aren't just one thing. They can be beautiful and dangerous, living but very still and unbreathing, towering and frail..." he gestured with his hands that the possibilities were endless, "I've done a rundown on famous plants around the world, a section on muggle plants that can be used for magical potions and remedies and a chapter on rare plants so far. They're quite extensive so I will have to do some editing... or make it multiple books."

"What because they can kill you?" She joked before following his line of sight with that curiosity she'd always shown for learning something new. "It hardly looks like it is doing anything at all but clearly that's not the case." Lucie mused, leaning in a little to get a good look at what Theo was showing her. "What chapters have you already worked through?"

[thecdcredubancwski]

"I definitely can't let you do that," Theo replied, furrowing his brow a little. He was very protective of his plants but that wasn't the only reason, "The ministry paid good money to have it transported here for my research. I need to account for every leaf before it's returned and they won't let me give it out for unauthorised potions. Besides, if I let you, everyone will come knocking. Seriously, please don't."

"I know what they are, I have protection on." He stated, giving a slight wave of a hand. "I don't need to explain to you the properties they hold. I was actually curious about trying a little of it in one of my potions. Admittedly, I was going to swipe a leaf." Raphael had no shame in admitting given he worked for the Ministry, though he knew permission was generally asked for first. "Couldn't help myself given I was passing in to see about some other bits and it was just sat there looking pretty." He added with a grin.

[thecdcredubancwski]

Theo shrugged, "Force of habit. The amount of people who come in here thinking they can touch anything would surprise you. This area is technically for authorised personnel only because of the type of plants are in here. People don't read signs and I don't like paperwork so..." he trailed off, the rest was obvious. Of course he warned people, "But I like you already solely for the fact that you aren't one of the people who walk in here like a child in a toy store."

"Don't worry, I wasn't intending to. Touching other peoples belongings isn't really my style." Briar stated, dropping off the paperwork. "I was heading this way." She said simply, moving back towards the door. "Honestly, I'm a little surprised you decided to warn me."

[thecdcredubancwski]

"Oh, no worries. You'll all good, I get it," Theo said, smiling, "I'm all good. No harm done. Your costume is great though, totally worth the temporary lack of peripheral vision."

"Oh I'm so sorry," Damien excused when he'd bumped into the other. "There's so many people here and my peripheral vision isn't great in this mask, I seem to keep running into everyone. You alright?"

@thecdcredubancwski

[thecdcredubancwski]

"Shocking is definitely too strong a word, just unexpected," Theo shrugged, "He does? I'm not sure I'm quite as confident as he is but I'll take it. I am probably one plant-related adventure away from being him, I suppose."

"Is it really all that shocking? I thought it was a good laugh," Elena replied with a smile. "You look great too, Theo. Indy suits you."

[thecdcredubancwski]

"Flattery, maybe, but also the truth," Theo replied, smiling warmly, "That's true. I try not to use too many props in my costumes but yours is definitely a smart choice," he agreed, "Thanks. I have a tendency to go for classics I guess. I won't be winning any Most Original awards any time soon but at least I look cool."

"You flatter me, Theo, but thank you." Lucie spoke with a soft, bashful laugh at his words. "We know what the weather is like at this time of the year; an umbrella seemed like the smart move." The blonde added as she reached out to give the man a hug. "I love yours too though. Indiana Jones is such a good classic."

[thecdcredubancwski]

"I did buy it without realising the shirt did not button up," Theo admitted, "Figured the only person that would give me a hard time was you and you would do it with the best of intentions," he continued, grinning, "I imagine you don't have any issues convincing Gabe of things. You're hard to say not to."

"You do know, it wasn't a requirement of your costume to have a bare chest Theo." Natalya pointed out as she took a sip from the drink she had in her hand. "But it is a costume that suits you." She added a second or so later. "Why thank you... you know me, I enjoy making the most of my assets." She playfully winked at her friend. "Next year maybe I'll go for Jessica Rabbit... that is if I can convince Gabe to dress up in fluffy white ears."

[thecdcredubancwski]

"Here you go," Theo said, handing his former colleague a drink, "Your costume looks great by the way. Not what I was expecting from you to be honest but I love it. Is there a Westley to go with it?"

@elenaflcres

[thecdcredubancwski]

"Is there a category for costume that most matches their personality? I think you would win that," Theo said, greeting Lucie with a smile, "The sunshine behind the clouds is very appropriate for you."

@luciewolffe

[thecdcredubancwski]

"Okay, get all your jokes about me showing my bare chest out of the way now so we can get on with the night," Theo said with a chuckle, "Your costume looks great by the way."

@natalyadolohova

[thecdcredubancwski]

Theodore Dubanowski + Halloween 2028

as Indiana Jones

[thecdcredubancwski]

"It's my bad too," Theo said, "I meant to put up a sign but I hadn't gotten around to it yet," he explained, "If you're interested, I have gloves you can wear to get a closer look, except that one at the end, it does the plant equivalent of spitting," he held out gloves and then pointed to the plant he was referring to.

That caused Noah to wrinkle his nose and he immediately took several steps back. "Probably not, I just saw all the plants and I was curious. It looks a bit like a jungle in here... if you could have a jungle inside anyway." He explained simply. "I mean... I probably shouldn't have walked in but I like nature."

[thecdcredubancwski]

"You don't wanna know what it took to get my hands on it and I've only got it on loan to write my book," Theo explained, "So yeah, I'm having loads of fun. I just keep forgetting to put up a sign to stop people from touching it when I'm not looking," he admitted with a laugh.

"I can't believe you have one of these," she admitted with fascination, keeping her hands to herself but still taking a step in its direction to admire it. "Research on poisonous plants though? That must be a fun project," Elena made conversation.