Happy Halloween (Partially Open)

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Who: Reaper (no_reload), White Alice (wishforaneye) + anyone of the household that wants to join them
What: Halloween in December
When: Beginning of December
Where: Spare room at the Break residence in Darcmouth

Content Warnings: To be added. Alice is probably going to need them...


[It was probably a shame that Alice was so convincing. Reaper hadn't intended to be visible much in December, but her invitation had been tempting enough that he had given in without too much prompting. Honestly, he wasn't having a great time trying to sleep on rooftops now and again, especially with the gentle press of paranoia clinging to him when he was out trying to rest.

She had set them up in a spare room in the house that she was living in with a bunch of people from her world. There was a fireplace crackling merrily and warming the room. It was sparsely set up, which left it open for Reaper walking in and deciding right then and there that he was going to teach Alice how to build a proper blanket fort. It had been decades since he had made one for fun, which helped to liven up his mood once they grabbed supplies and got started on it. It helped that Alice was so gamely to try just about anything.

After that, he had let her set up the Omni with whatever movies that she had decided upon and he had brought up snacks and food that she was going to try. He had made classic churros like his madre made, sopapillas, conchas with dipping chocolate, dulche de leche and some American desserts as well such as shortbread, chocolates and other easily handled candy. He honestly was doing his best to see if Alice could become hyperactive from sugar; that would be entertaining.

After all the preparations were made, Reaper even went so far as to remove his armour and set it aside. Then he settled into their little fort and reclined with one knee resting over the other.]

What did you decide on watching tonight? Hopefully nothing too campy.

Comments

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[Jealousy would explain some of the behaviour, but he had a low tolerance of children acting like little monsters as well. Some mental illness couldn't be prevented, but it could be dealt with. From his point of view, it was a lack of parental influence that was the start of the problem, but once a child escalated to the point of what Alice was insinuating... well, that was that in his books.

He used the blanket edge to wipe away Alice's tears until they had seemingly dried out. Then he lifted her chin with the side of his hand so that she looked at him.] And if they come here, they will pay for such a transgression as children or adults. However they come, they will know regret.

[He didn't pretend to know what the gift of the eye was, but he assumed it had something to do with Alice and her connection to the Abyss.] Perhaps he will make his way here to be with you again. Until then, you have these little strange cats.

[One of the bat cats was scrambling up his leg and crawling over to find a spot in Alice's lap, offering a little mew of greeting.]

You're allowed to know happiness in this place, no matter the trials and tribulations it might put us through.

[wishforaneye]

[That certainly did brighten her smile from where it had been waning at the start of tears, a warmth there that it could be so easy to think it wasn't the threat that created it. Alice was a strange girl however, it was perfectly normal for her- and this was, well... A kindness, as far as she was concerned. One she appreciated and took to heart.

For better or worse.] Thank you.

[Aggressive, yet simple. An arm did move so that Alice could hug Reaper in her position, not breaking at eye contact as her head tilted in to that side of his hand at her chin. She meant it, that gratitude, with all of her heart.]

I would love to see him again, and let him just be a happy cat- and you're right. These little ones can't replace him, but they are very good company themselves.

[And affectionate, clearly. The one that made it in to her lap was getting scritches once comfortable, fingers moving through that soft black fur. Alice was the kinder between her and her sister to animals, despite how dangerous she could be, the gentler one between them; funny, in a way.]

So far I've been managing that, and you are a part of it, Reaper. I'm glad to have met you, and that you're here. All the more reason I want you to have even this little bit of Halloween to enjoy. [She was very glad to have him as a part of her life here, even only knowing him for a little while.] Even with this, I hope you are having some fun.

[no_reload]

[Now that she had calmed and her tears had seemingly gone dry for the time being, Reaper dropped the edge of the blanket back down and eased his arm from being around her too tightly. It might get awkward, but his grip switched to support only given that she was leaning on him.

He nodded his head, and he decided that it might be worth looking into how things could come from the sea. Could she arrange for Cheshire to come here? They would have to find a way and maybe make offerings, but what would the cost be?]

It's not about replacing, Alice. These cats present new opportunities, and it's up to you to make the most of it.

[He tucked his arm under her legs again, and then he gently moved her back to sitting next to him where she could watch the movie that had been playing in the background since the grief had come up. Thankfully the bat cat stayed where it was and he leaned back against the cushion wall behind them more. He tucked an arm behind his head, letting two of the bat cats scramble up into his lap too.]

This is our Halloween. If it weren't for you, I'd have just missed it and carried on. Let's try to enjoy it, shall we?

[wishforaneye]

New little friends who could use a home of their own, given that Nightray boy picked them up from outside.

[Elliot, a friend to cats. That at least had given him a rather high point in her eyes.

The cats were most certainly happy, given how the few that followed her about were so very affectionate, letting herself get comfortable again when set back in to place. That little golden bell jingled softly with every stroke over fur and bat wings. Just like that the moment had passed, and far quicker; no having to sob it all out until it tired her out or she simply forgot.

At the very least they hadn't missed too much-]

Yes, let's. Better to celebrate it a bit late than not at all, I think.

[no_reload]

Exactly. New little friends. I assume that we all know that we need those, hmm?

[Even if it was just a bunch of stray cats. That was fine too, as long as she managed to find happiness after she had been sequestered away for most of her life. The Abyss seemed like a lonely place to grow up.

But she was in Trench now and seemed to be making the most of it. No more tears for now, and that was good. This had not been an expected turn of the night, and as uncomfortable as he was to try to soothe a teenager, she hadn't taken his head off so obviously something had gone right.

He sat back and allowed two little bat cats to find his lap and nestle in with some purring.]

Halloween can be done any time of the year apparently.

[wishforaneye]

They're sweet little things, after all.

[Who enjoyed acting the part of gargoyles at times, and she has seen some out on the streets latch on to people's faces for so much as throwing a rock at them. All the more reason she was happy to keep them around-]

It's easy to get the blood they desire, too. [-... Yeah. She was more than happy to feed them their desired meal.

Alice hummed in agreement, one of those treats made for this -a concha- floated up and dipped itself in chocolate. All the better for her to take a bite from it once it was free-floating near her head. No need to stop petting the batcat curled in her lap just to eat, or worry about getting fur in it when going so hands free.]

It can! I think, if you would like, we can always hold a second Halloween in December. [Or any other month as far as she was concerned.] I like it very much, and the spirit of it is what matters most.

[no_reload]

As long as they don't start to suck out souls, yes.

[He could still recall the Authority, and he was hoping that these little creatures wouldn't eventually become future iterations of them. Though, he would be fun and entertaining to avoid them again. He did so enjoy causing trouble now and again.]

And just whom are you stealing blood from to feed them, hmm?

[He was not at all put off by the idea. If that's what her little friends needed, then who was he to judge?]

We will have to see what the year ahead brings us, don't you think? [He might consider returning the Halloween favour to her.] You should, at some point, also be certain to celebrate Christmas. Most enjoy the gift giving and receiving part.

[wishforaneye]

I don't think they've tried to.

[Alice lifted her hand from petting briefly, and in turn got the little bat cat in her lap looking up at her quizzically. Only for paws to wrap around her wrist with a demand for pettings to continue.

Nope, seemed fine to her. Going back to petting, fingertips scritching carefully here and there.]

Mostly whatever beasts I happen across. Some of them hunt on their own and come back here. [Easy enough to get.

She perked a bit.] I think we should yes- and I don't think I've ever celebrated Christmas before, either. Never celebrated much of anything, really. All of this has been a first- and it's been quite wonderful.

[no_reload]

For the best. The experience is unpleasant.

[That was his first death in Deerington, and while it had been a worthwhile experiment, he wasn't looking for a repeat performance. The bat cats seemed to be quite different, felt different and they were currently much smaller than the Authority. Maybe they would shed their wings and grow into those assholes at some point. Not now, but in future.

He scritched the cheek and behind the ear on one of the cats in his lap, earning himself a purr and a bat as the little creature clearly wanted to play.]

They are cats, so I expect they can fend for themselves well. What sort of vessel to do you use to bring blood back?

[It seemed to him that there had been a distinct lack of celebration when it came to Alice. That was fine, since now she was free to celebrate whatever and however she wanted. There were no limits, right?]

Some favour the holiday much more than I do. You would do well to ask them their traditions. Most who celebrate enjoy talking about it.

[wishforaneye]

I mostly know of being in an undying state against one's will.

[Alice didn't answer the question right away, instead she was observing what they had- ah ha. Tea was of course amongst the snacks as something to drink, and she watched the tea pot lift up, moving a hand as the tea inside was pulled out, remaining together in liquid blobs. Moving fingers as if drawing in the air, the tea following suit in to the little shapes drawn.

Yes, good.]

Usually I do this. Rather not stain any of our cups with blood, you know. I haven't found a suitable container yet, and so I've been making do like this until I can get it in to their bowls- some even like to chase after the blood like this. [They were having fun, keeping their instincts for hunting sharp- somewhat.

One made do with that they could and all that.]

Mm, I could. There's also the fun of making other traditions, taking an initial concept and making it more fun- or more tailored to your liking and those you like to spend time with. Right? [Given she was happy throwing Halloween in December, traditionalism wasn't something held on high outside of making something new to carry on it seemed.] Some traditions can be kept, while others may be better off broken and made new.

I do know this one is about giving and receiving gifts, at least. Christmas.