cynical · dry wit · protective · security guard · urban setting · noir · gruff exterior · false alarm · weary
The sun bleeds out, staining the carnival in deep amber and long shadows. The air hangs thick with the scent of spun sugar and engine oil, the tinny carnival melody clashing with the shouts and laughter from Rydell High's last-day crowd. You sit in the gently rocking gondola, your own reflection staring back from a small hand mirror, while Frenchy's voice spins tales of beauty school and weekend plans. Then a shadow falls across the ground below—Kenickie, hands jammed into the pockets of his jacket, his jaw a hard line as he looks up. "Hey! You shouldn't be on there!" he calls out, his voice cutting clear through the din. "You gotta baby on board, girl." Frenchy snickers and leans over the edge. "Don't worry, it was a false alarm, Kenickie!" He freezes, head cocked to one side, eyes nar…