( APRIL CATCH-ALL | MAYBE I NEED TO GET YOU OUT OF MY SYSTEM. )

[manipulative]

Who: Katherine + Stefan | Wanda + Amos.
What: April things plus event things!
When: April!
Where: Around the twist.

Content Warnings: Will update.

Comments

( LITTLE SCARLET RIDING HOOD. )

[explosion]

[ although wanda has spent time with amos over the years, this time it's different. it's intentional in a way it's never been before. she now knows how soft his beard is and how it itches her cheek when she decides to be a pest and annoys him by rubbing her face against his. (he's surprisingly patient for a grump.)

when they decide to visit the countryside, they follow an albino deer before it disappears. wanda does her best to try and track it, but it's gone. it's almost like it's ceased existing.

with the setting sun and the shadows extending within the cluster of trees, wanda remains close to amos. it's for his protection, of course. wanda's read the stories of hansel and gretel and little red riding hood, and while she's embellished them for pietro to keep the story fresh, she's never liked the sound of snarls in the dark. and they echo now, startling her. she clasps his forearm as she glances over her shoulder at the neverending darkness. ]

Did you hear that?

[ the snarls. the rush of water. the sound of her heart thumping wildly in her chest. take your pick. ]

[rocinantes]

I heard...something.

( he's used to sounds like that though, the silence of space making any new sound so loud. but this isn't space. they're in trench and when sounds happen here, it tends to mean something's coming.

he reaches for his side, touching the knife he has there. he'd prefer a gun but — beggars and all. )

[explosion]

It sounded like water, right?

[ she's not going insane, is she? wanda's heard many things over her lifetime, usually thoughts in voices she doesn't recognise. she can usually trust the sound of non-human beings, but… after the last time they were adventuring together, she has to be sure. ]

[rocinantes]

Is there a lake or something around here? A creek?

( he pauses, listening for the sound. )

A river?

[explosion]

[ wanda's quiet for a long moment as she listens intently. ]

We should go look.

[ she nods decisively before she looks at him. leaning against his arm, she peers up at him with a slight crinkle on her brows. ]

Shouldn't we?

[rocinantes]

I have a feeling that's gonna be a bad idea but —

( but why not? it might be fun. )

If I end up drowning in some water, you have to mourn me.

[explosion]

I will cry a single lonely tear.

[ she smiles at him as she drags her finger from the corner of her eye down her cheek and off her chin. ]

I promise it'll be fat and I'll be inconsolable for at least a day before I find someone else.

[rocinantes]

Wow, one whole day.

( how very dramatic of her. )

That's a lot. I would have thought one hour.

[explosion]

I was thinking a day and a half would be overkill, but I realise that I'm not doing anything tomorrow.

[ she shrugs before she chuckles and nudges him with her elbow. she'd have mourned him for an hour if she was very, very busy, but luckily for him and his memory, her day's wide open to cry and be hysterical over his alleged death. that's kindness. ]

( BURN CORRUPTED BABY BURN. )

[manipulative]

[ on the fifteenth of the month, katherine and stefan drag one another out to the festivities celebrating the big bad evil being sealed shut. it's nice to see stefan in social spirits, even if he might be playing it up for her benefit.

she's eaten a good few handfuls of food and has been grateful to know that nothing has been spiked with super duper feeling juice or nightmares. it's nice when the sleepers leave them alone to enjoy themselves for once. but there's one person katherine wishes to annoy.

with a drink in hand, she sidles up to him by a bonfire and bumps her shoulder gently into his. ]

So. [ she innocently stares at the bonfire while she focuses on him in her peripherals. ] This might be my first bonfire.

[prescind]

Really?

( he doesn't know why he finds that hard to believe. as old as she is, this is the first time she's been to a bonfire?

he can't believe it. )

No way.

[manipulative]

Yes, way.

[ she playfully rolls her eyes at him and looks back at the fire. it's warming her face; katherine hadn't realised how much she'd like that. ]

I've been to a few, but it wasn't like I was me. I went to one with Mason. [ poor, hot, stupid mason. ] But I was Kathy surrounded by smelly dogs.

[ and by her tone and the way she curls her lip up, she hadn't enjoyed that at all. ]

[prescind]

Kathy.

( he repeats it, unable to help himself, and chuckles. )

Love that name.

[manipulative]

No, you do not!

[ she smacks his arm hard, uncaring if she uses some of her additional strength. she's not putting up with that name! ]

[prescind]

What, it's a good name!

( he laughs even despite the sting of pain and rubs at his arm. )

Kat?

[manipulative]

That one is okay.

[ it's better than "kathy". it makes her sound like she's not hot at all! katherine considers not telling him that, but… he'll most likely get a chuckle out of it.

she makes a show of pouting. ]

At least I still sound like I'm hot if you called me that.

[prescind]

And what do you think Kathy makes you sound like?

( he wants to hear this. )

( THE WENDY AND STEVEN COOKING SHOW. )

[explosion]

[ when wanda messages stefan to remind him of their cooking deal, she's prepared. she's more than prepared. if this was my kitchen rules or masterchef, she'd slay his ass (respectfully) and be the ultimate cooking survivor. (she does tell him that. it's important to be honest.) she makes sure to remind him in her message that he doesn't have to go and buy anything when she can conjure it all up from an ingredients list.

the moment he arrives on her property, she's at the front door and trying her best to appear like she isn't eager at all. she fails immediately. she bounces on the balls of her feet and smiles as he walks up the stairs. ]

Quick, quick! We don't have all day, Stefan.

[ she laughs as she makes a show of playfully ushering him up the stairs. ]

[prescind]

What, why are we in such a rush? Is there a fire?

( but he does follow her, right at her heels, as they move up the stairs. )

Or are we on a time limit?

[explosion]

Well, if we don't hurry, it'll be dinner soon. I'm guessing what you want to cook might not be suitable for dinner?

[ wanda glances over her shoulder at him, cocking her brow playfully. she opens her front door and steps aside, sweeping with her hadn't for him to go in first. ]

The kitchen's down the hall.

[prescind]

I eat whenever I get hungry.

( time doesn't limit him. )

But I'm coming, I'm coming. Don't rush me.

( he does find his way down the hall though. )

[explosion]

[ and just for that, wanda makes a 'hurry, hurry' motion just to rush him.

her kitchen is perfectly neat, with the kitchen table all set with knives, forks, spoons, plates and bowls and other utensils in preparation for today. as for where they'll cook, the benches are empty and clean, leaving enough space for anything that he needs.

she steps around him and taps the counter. ]

You can place your things here. Everything is everywhere. [ she spins around and gestures with her hands. should she give a tour? she's never hosted anyone before, not like this. ]

[prescind]

Everything is everywhere.

( but it's ordered chaos. he laughs and puts his bag up on the counter, glancing at her. )

Have you already been cooking or just waiting for me?

[explosion]

[ wanda feigns a gasp, smacking her hand against her chest. ]

I have been waiting!

[ she'd never dare start cooking without him! how else will he learn how to cook one of her mother's favourite recipes if he's not here?

but sheepishly, she adds, ] And I conjured food for myself earlier. I was a little hungry.

[prescind]

Conjured food.

( that was just...strange to think about. )

Does it taste any different? When you conjure food?