[OPEN/CLOSED DEPENDING ON PROMPT] Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle All the Way!

[lonelysmiles]

Who: Alastor and you!
Which: Log, Open/Closed depending on the thread prompt
Where: Around Reverein in general for the open prompt, Alastor's home for the closed one
What: Christmas presents and a private Christmas party!
Warnings: Standard Alastor warning weirdly coupled with some potential sugar and wholesomeness.


Merry Christmas to all!

Comments

[lonelysmiles]

Alastor took the coat off her hands and sent it over to a coathook to hang with a toss and a bit of magic.

"I wouldn't say that! I just don't see a reason to go only halfway!"

He clapped his hands and ushered her farther into his home.

"Sit down, sit down! Can I get you anything to drink? I've hot cider both with and without alcohol given we've two more guests who are underage."

[songbird_slayer]

"I think a little extra warm would be just what the doctor ordered."

She needed it. By the gods, she really, truly needed it.

"Oh, but I've a few things that should stay cool. Do you mind if I sneak a few things into your icebox?"

[lonelysmiles]

"By all means, my dear!" Alastor gestured for her to follow him. "Quite a bit of real estate opened up recently. Best put it to good use one way or another!"

He refused to be depressed over the reason for the extra space being Angel and Fat Nuggets being gone. Having some noise in the house would help.

[songbird_slayer]

"Thank you! I'll be quick." She moved to do just that. Let's see, the aged cuts as a treat for the host, and the jar of goose fat. The fudge would join the other offerings for the party.

Noise in the house did help. That's why she went to someone else's.

[lonelysmiles]

The goose fat would be a welcome addition to Alastor's larder. He had a jar of fat drippings from cooking meat, but currently it was running a bit low. He used fat rather than butter whenever possible due to old habit: He'd grown up poor and had lived through most of the Great Depression. Butter was a commodity.

He strolled into the kitchen to start ladling her a mug of cider from one of two pots simmering on the stovetop. He held it out to her as she finished loading the icebox.

"I'm impressed you found room considering the amount of food in there! Ha ha!" Then his gaze softened. "I do hope you enjoy yourself, my dear."

It had to be hard for her right now.

[songbird_slayer]

"Well, when you're raised among nomads, you learn a thing or two about making space and packing things accordingly. I'm told I'd be good at some game called 'Tetris', but I couldn't even begin to know how to look into what that even is."

She accepted the cider and let it warm her hands.

The smile faltered briefly, then softened. She looked into her cup.

"...Yeah. I'll definitely try. I'm the obnoxious holiday spirit, right? I can't let a little emotional stubbed toe sully my year's end."

[lonelysmiles]

"Welcome to the club!" Alastor merrily chirped.

He reached out and placed his hand on top of her head.

"I'd say this is a bit more significant than a little emotional stubbed toe."

Especially considering what he'd said to her when she'd been under stress figuring out wedding cakes.

[songbird_slayer]

She laughed softly. "That's true, but..."

But what? 'It's no big deal'? That's a lie.

'I can't let myself be down'? Too late for that.

"...I don't wish to be a hypocrite to those I've comforted that have lost people they'd grown close to while they were here, by letting myself feel downtrodden. I have to press on."

[lonelysmiles]

"Darling, you're allowed to be upset. Anyone who'd call you a hypocrite in this instance would be someone already quite bitter and looking to enjoy another's misfortune. Misery so does love company."

He took a sip of his cider.

"And you're always welcome here. If nothing else, we can raise up each other's spirits when we're feeling low. That's what friends do, isn't it?"

[songbird_slayer]

They would, would they...? Perhaps she should let herself grieve just a little, if anything to temper her own expectations of how others would be. It still... hurt, though.

But she lifted her head. Yes, lifting each other would be lovely, and-

Maddie gaped a little.

"Y-"

She raised a finger. "...You said the f-word."

[lonelysmiles]

Poor Madhuri. She was letting others' expectations get to her again just like when she was planning her wedding.

...best not to bring that up.

He placed an appalled hand to his chest. "I'm certain I didn't reduce to myself to vulgarity in this case."

[songbird_slayer]

"You-"

She whirled the finger, tapped an inch from his chest.

"Said-"

A tap an inch from his nose.

"Friend."

[lonelysmiles]

He opened his mouth to retort before realizing that she was right.

He closed his mouth to look less like a stunned fish...though the blush creeping over his face said it all.

[songbird_slayer]

She brought a hand to her cheek, turned her head. Her body language was downright coquettish.

"...Darling, what would the neighbors think...?"

[lonelysmiles]

"That I have excellent taste in companions but yours is a bit lacking."

He winked even through his blush. Yeah, he was a bit embarrassed at showing such vulnerability, but he wasn't taking it back.

Progress?

[songbird_slayer]

The auri woman softly gasped, fanned herself. Oh, the scandal, oh the intrigue... surely the cause of this was- was...!

"Mr. Radio Demon, what's in this drink...??"

[lonelysmiles]

"Don't tell me you must go," Alastor chided. Then he teasingly sang, ♪♫ 'Cause, baby, it's cold outside... ♪♫

[songbird_slayer]

She broke character to double over giggling.

"I think I will ignore the neighbors and break curfew. Really, what a silly premise for a song! The moment I was big enough to hold my first battle axe, I would set out at night to camp or go hunting as often as I wished!"

[lonelysmiles]

"Different worlds, different rules." He gave a snort. "Though it really is ridiculous how modern audiences misinterpret the song. The protests are intended to be playful. The lady doesn't want to leave but she wants her paramour to pursue her, so he's playing along. If she'd truly wanted to leave, there's nothing to indicate she couldn't. Anyone who truly listens to the song would understand that."