[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

[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."