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hornedwyvern · 6 years

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Dew Drops in March ❈ Chapter 4

Hey there! Final Chapter of ‘Dew Drops in March’. It’s sequel “Promise of Spring Roses” will soon follow which will be Chise and Elias’ wedding as well some other surprises and dabbles I can picture these two getting into. I’m glad you guys like this and make sure to check out my other work as well on Ao3. Enjoy ~

Word Count: 5,202

Chapter 1 ❈

Chapter 2 ❈

Chapter 3 ❈

A budding Spring morning rolled over the lush hill sides of Britain. A cock welcomed the entrance of the sun, cawing it’s irritating cries to all around them. Soon the world began to emerge from the long night; sun peeking into the windows of Elias and Chise’s tranquil home. Beams of dim light crept into their shared room and among the bed both bodies slept upon, Ruth at the end with his doggish body curled into a croissant shape. Chise laid to the right and Elias to the left, on his back of course.

The intrusion of light made Chise’s eyes flutter open, Silky’s footsteps already active along the corridors beside their room. She considered herself as a early riser, especially to the other whom shared the bed next to her, his breaths low but just loud enough to hear. But in the mornings like this she would fade in and out of waking up, gazing around the bland boards of the ceiling; it was the perfect time to get lost into her own thoughts. Usually about the future or things that bothered her. Today she really couldn’t remember what she thought about. It wasn’t very important.

Chise laid on her back with eyes wide open, her hair spread like veins on top of the downy white pillow beneath her. Elias was close enough to feel the radiating heat from his broad body. The mage really enjoyed sleeping out of most things, he was always bothersome to wake up or rise early. Chise flipped her body onto her side, grasping the fabric of his blue and white striped sleeping shirt. He was warm, his breath making the shoulders of his back lazily bob up and down. This didn’t even cause a stir, he was like a rock.

‘Good Morning, Chise.’ A voice echoed in her head, it was Ruth. He didn’t want to wake Elias up. Their bodies were sync and both awoke at the same time. But the fae laid without a motion, as if he was still asleep.

She was able to see Ruth’s onyx furred hips from where she laid, he favored her side of the bed because he’d be met with Elias’ feet if he sprawled out too much when they slept.

“Good Morning, Ruth.” She replied.

Chise held her hand around where Elias’ arm met his shoulder. Cuddling was bit a difficult when your partner couldn’t lie on their back; they just had to make due. Her body laid close to his side, nuzzling the clothed skin of his underarm. His scent never changed, still reminding her of black tea and sandalwood. Elias didn’t falter aside the more larger inhale of breath, it was just too early for Chise just yet, she laid there for another good twenty minutes or so until the arm she held onto dearly swooped her in.

Weight laid on her chest, hands wrapped around her side and a coolness of bone pressed aside the nakedness of her neck and collar. She’d been half way asleep when it happened, tired eyes faded in and out to examine what happened; Chise saw the rusty brown color of Elias’ spiral horns above her, his face laid beside her’s. His arms protected her sweetly, warmth mingling between them.

“Morning..” Chise’s tired voice whispered. “How long have you been up?”

The mage just grumbled, a vibration reverberating from his throat and chest. Chise could feel it on her sternum. At least he was awake but might take another hour to get him up and dressed. Spring had shown it’s face and there was lots of work to be done around here, customers would be flooding in now with all the change of the season and allergies. She wasn’t looking forward to it but that was just the fact of the Spring months.

Delicate and gentle hands traced the figure of Elias’ skull. Curving around his eyes, cheek bones and where his head and horns met. She found this brought him a lot of comfort when they laid like this most mornings. Petting him lovingly, his thumbs and fingers stroking the small of her back. It usually sent him soon back to sleep and her ending up with a dead weight on her chest. The sounds of his sleep soaked voice started to arise again. A amused sigh fled from the Sleigh Beggy’s lungs.

It took about twenty more minutes to get him off of her, he protested claiming that she was warm and having the nicest dream but they were wasting day light, Chise hazed him for being such a sleep-in. Elias was half awake as he watched Chise pull pieces of clothing from their closet. In the time span of a year she’d moved in fully to his bed room.

Bleak before with nothing more than a few pieces of furniture a few months ago was now transformed into almost a garden. Plants among different herbs littered the window sill and they gained another bedside table for her side. The blankets were even changed so there was a few more as well with soft mis matching pillows. Traces of Chise found their way in here, Elias was utmost happy to have it – as long she kept her messes to a minimum.

Elias had fallen back asleep until he felt a strong nudge to his shoulder, almost pushing him onto his side.

“Up. Now.” Her very familiar voice chiding him. The fresh lavender smell of her washed body was very captivating.

Fine it was time any way. Mentions of breakfast piqued him to quickly get dressed any way.

Chise had grabbed a few provisions to bring down stairs from her old bedroom which was now a spare bedroom/office for her to keep the things she wanted to keep separated from Elias. Elias’ tall figure emerged from the hall where they met up in the middle.

“Good Morning.” Chise said relieved he was awake, pecking the place on his muzzle where his lips would be, stretching on her tippy-toes

“Good morning.” He parroted, a dim rapturous expression flickering the red of his eyes. He met her kiss so she didn’t have to strain. This had become normal morning procedure, one they both took much joy in. The last few weeks they’d really been acting like something new, like a couple almost. Even Simon mentioned it when he’d stopped by a few days ago. They were caught with their hands on top of each other as they sat side by side.

Ruth beckoned from the base of the stairs in his true form, the stern look on his face would have been as usual if his tail wasn’t wagging. Silky had finished breakfast and he wanted to start soon as possible.

Breakfast went per as usual. Silky’s cooking was always top notch and everyone felt full and ready for the day. They talked of what they do for the day, ideas for the future and just idle chatter in general. Chise plotted to begin seeding some of the herbs in small pots then follow by checking the garden for any weeds or mistakes they had made a week prior. Elias stated he’d be checking out some old scrolls and up in his study. It was simple but they thoroughly enjoyed their life of peace. The quiet was all Chise had been wanting the last few years, everything had felt so loud and in her face. Her heart felt steady here with Elias.

Chise had dawned a apron and gloves for tending to their garden, she sought the soil for potting plants and sprinkling seeds in the deep rich earth she’d borrowed from the garden after they had prepared it from the spring growth. There was plenty to do; the lavender plants, rosemary, thyme, basil, ginseng, milk thistle. Chise make sure to take tender care of each one, checking for other plants in the green house and their growth as well.

Ruth was always close. The scent of fresh dug earth was a distasteful scent to his nose but he watched with unwavering eyes beside Chise. Lovingly planting the seeds and sealing it with a gracious amount of water; just enough so not to drown it. Even in Spring months the Greenhouse became warm, as she wiped a bead of sweat from her brow, a streak of dirt went along with it. Along with the herbs she'd managed to plant a collection of flowers. They were always a welcome sight around the house and garden. Poppies were a must, along with Dog's Mercury and Snowdrops. As she embedded the last of the seeds when the screen door of the Green House opened up by it's self. Chise's Aerial and company zipped through.

“Robinn-- ~” Their esoteric voices chimed. Ruth sat up, sitting close next to Chise.

“What are you doing?” The most familiar out of the three with hair like a wind blown willows and deep crimson eyes perched herself on top of Chise’s head. The ginger fibers twiddling between her childlike fingers, grasping them tight as she moved; she took in a deep inhale of her honey-like scent. Their precious robin and all her wonders. She was absolutely intoxicating.

“Little gardening. Are you planning to help?” The question was rhetorical, she continued to work even as the others caused mischief among the potted plants and tools. One scowered the grown leaves of a vine plant that coated the wall the other sought for her like a game of hide and seek. Ruth kept a wary eye, wild fae -- like aerials could still not be fully trusted in his book. Even after knowing these ones in particularly for so long, Chise paid no mine.

“Yeah right! I just wanted to come talk to you.” The fae spoke with artful intent.

“Oh? About what?” By now Chise started to move to the outside garden, she’d finished up watering the last of the potted plants and stepped outside. The other fae including Ruth followed her through the screen door.

Their garden was fresh, newly plotted with plants to have for the spring. Soon there would be many delectable fruits and vegetables that would last them all the way until late summer. She’d spent the whole time with Elias, magic never could beat old-fashion hard labor. It helped in some cases but they spent until dawn til dusk getting it ready. Even if she suffered from blistered hands and a sun burns, it was actually a pretty fun day. Chise began to douse the budding seedlings with freshly pumped water from the spout behind the green house.

“About how that prickly old thorn is acting funny. Do you know why?” They prodded at the spaces between Chise’s bangs.

“Acting funny?” She stopped what she was doing, looking at the Aerial above her, the cold watering pail between her gloved hands.

“You out of all people should know. You’re in love with him.” They snickered, gliding down from her head and floating beside her. A impish grin along their beryl tinted skin and rosy pink cheeks. Their was something that intimidated Chise about their usual playful expressions. Maybe it was just that fae were always unexpecting, you never knew if they were genuinely happy, angry or sad. She stared straight back at the aerial, unwavering.

“That is true. He does seem a bit off but he does this from time to time.” Chise shrugged her shoulders, attempting to go back to working. “Getting him to open up is not the easiest task. I usually let him come to me if it is not effecting us immediately.”

“Maybe it’s because he’s seeing someone else other than you or wants you to leave?” The words stopped Chise, she almost wanted to laugh viciously but just turned with a simplistic amused look. Like that would ever happen. It was possible but she had a feeling she’d know if so.

“You and I both know that isn’t true. How long did it take him to even bring me here? As well I’ve already been back here for a year. Your words are so harsh.” Chise’s entertained response resulted in another laugh from the merry neighbor. “If he wanted to be with someone else, then I would let him do that. It is as long as he is happy. Everyone deserves to be happy.”

“You're right. Thorn only cares for one person. How interesting some young children can be now a day.” Their wings fluttered in the cool March air, an breeze blowing through their windy hair. Soon they found their home again at Chise’s shoulder.

“Would you be sad if he wanted to be with someone else?” Their eyes fixated on Chise.

“I would be.. “ The sleigh beggy had to think for a moment. About a life with Elias and his affections for another. They had started on the second row when she finally opened her mouth. “I would be upset. It would hurt but nobody deserves to be held down in order to not hurt another’s feelings. Time heals all wounds.”

The fae hummed a wondering sound.

“Well! What if he’s maybe he is planning to marry you instead.” Saying it directly into her ear, the water beneath them dampening the tilled earth. Some of the plants were already starting to peek their heads out.

“He’s been planning that for the last 19 years.” Chise’s words were bleak but it was true to her knowledge.

“No! I mean for real this time!” The aerial started to get close to Chise’s ear, cupping her hands beside her mouth. “I saw --”

“Chise.” A profound drew her attention. The neighbor at her side peeking from behind her cheek.

“Ah! Thorn Mage!” They gasped, a wide smile on their face. Elias stood at the edge of the farmed plot, his cloak like cursive amidst the spring zephyr. How long had he been eavesdropping in the shadows? Chise stepped over the mounds towards him in her smokey grey knee high galoshes. He looked over her unclean presence with a paternal stare.

“It’s tea time.” Elias stated, pulling out a handkerchief from the side of his coat. Graciously, Chise cleaned her face of the dirt and sweat with the pearl and golden sewn cloth that had initialed ‘E. A.’ into the bottom corner of it. It was a shame to taint it. “You’re filthy, why don’t you wash up and we’ll have it out side. It’s a lovely day.”

“That’s a good idea.” Chise had dotted the sweat of her fore head, her bangs a mess above her knuckles.

Ruth; whom had been the victim of the other aerials’ interest found small pieces of flower petals and nice leaves in the bulk of his crown’s fur. Lovingly they sat upon him, doting with honeysuckle words and compliments. It was when Chise found herself back into the house that the trio of Fae decided to take their leave. The most familiar finding her chance to whisper into Chise’s ear before fluttering off back into the forest.

“Mage.” Ruth brought to Elias’ attention, meeting him at the set of white raw-iron chairs and matching glass table. He did his best to brush away any debris that had fallen on it in the past evening. The striding long body of the black dog sitting himself by the chair Chise would sit at. “How long will you wait? Chise is starting to get suspicious.”

It had been since January since he’d purchased the ring. The time had never been right since then.

“I have taken notice to that.” This answer didn’t really please Ruth, his expression went dull. “I will tell her soon.”

“At least have it planned out when you do. You failed last time.” The canine fae let out a wide yawn of frustration.

Silky had brought out a tower of delights per as usual; raspberry and mint scones, sour lemon tarts, dainty finger sandwiches of cucumber and minced roasted garlic chicken. All accompanied by a gentle scent of Jasmine tea with bits of rose and candied apricot in it. Setting beside it a few cups, not long after Chise came back relieved after she’d washed up her face, changing her sweater as well.

“Looks good.” She was spoiled when came to their food, she gave Silky a warm thank you before the House Sprite returned inside.

“It does.” Elias had already been sipping at his drink, the taste was sweet even without aid of sugar. Chise copied, filling her china cup with tea and cream. It turned a alluring shade of dim milky orange. The contents being mixed with a tiny metallic spoon, quick sounds of porcelain clicking from side to side.

Their home lied on a edge of a forest. Pine trees danced in the wind, blowing, swaying back and forth. The sheet that sat behind Elias’ neck rocked along it as well the sleeves and edges of his cloak. He focused on a book he’d brought along to tea time, Chise only admired him from across the table with her warm cup in both of her hands. Her red hair messed up from today’s labor.

“What are you reading?” She questioned, staring at his gloved hands.

“The book Ruth had gotten you when we visited London back a month or two ago. The poetry in it is invigorating.” Elias turned a page among his words, his eyes fixated on it’s words.

“Will you read me one?”

The Thorn mage sat quiet, he elongated a stare into Chise’s cozy figure. How could he say no to the face that loved him so dearly. Quickly he searched for a poem he had particularly liked. It was her book, she had likely already read it but he still indulged in her request with zero protest.

“I want you to know one thing. You know how this is: if I look at the crystal moon, at the red branch of the slow autumn at my window, if I touch near the fire the impalpable ash or the wrinkled body of the log, everything carries me to you, as if everything that exists, aromas, light, metals, were little boats that sail toward those isles of yours that wait for me. Well, now, if little by little you stop loving me I shall stop loving you little by little. If suddenly you forget me do not look for me, for I shall already have forgotten you. If you think it long and mad, the wind of banners that passes through my life, and you decide to leave me at the shore of the heart where I have roots, remember that on that day, at that hour, I shall lift my arms and my roots will set off to seek another land. But if each day, each hour, you feel that you are destined for me with implacable sweetness, if each day a flower climbs up to your lips to seek me, ah my love, ah my own, in me all that fire is repeated, in me nothing is extinguished or forgotten, my love feeds on your love, beloved, and as long as you live it will be in your arms without leaving mine.”

- Pablo Neruda

Elias breathed a sigh, it stayed quiet between the two of them for a moment. The book laid open against his chest. Chise mingled the words behind her tongue like she’d tasted them. Thinking deeply about what she’d heard.

“Chise.” Words breaking the silence among the natural sounds of nature.

“Hm?”

“We’ve known each other for such a long time.” With his tender words, their book found it’s place on the glass surface of the table. Ruth inhaled another yawn and sauntered to a comfortable patch of grass on the other side of the table. Truly such a lazy dog at times.

“You say it like it might be a bad thing.” Chise hummed a quiet laughter.

“It’s not. I was just admiring how long we have been together. What we have all been through alot. It is really outstanding how much you have affected my life. I can say that it has been the most exciting I ever recall.” His snout breathed in the air, cherishing the clouds as they went by.

“I’m glad I can do that for you. I can tell I’m my happiest with you and living in England.” Chise smiled as she watched along with him. “Being with you has made my life surely interesting.”

“I’ve lived for so long, I was hoping that it would never end.” There was something different about his voice today, it was more thoughtful. Green, verdant eyes drifted to the skulled figure infront of her. His posture and expression wistful.

“I’m not planning on going any where soon, Elias.” By now his obsidian and crimson eyes caught her staring at him, scooting so he faced her bit better.

“Then maybe you’d be willing to stay by my side?” His formal words made Chise face fade blank. Setting down the scone she’d lifted from the tea tower onto her plate.

“Am I not already doing that? I want to be with you, with you here and any where else you want to be.” The Sleigh Beggy’s words came out so smooth but her calm demeanor was broken when he stood up quickly.

More than a blink’s time, just like how it had been in the study, Elias was now infront of her.

“E-Elias!” She questioned with a perplex voice. He was kneeling infront of her.

“I’ve been ball up this emotion. No -- these emotions. Ones you have taught me to learn, love and accept. I wouldn’t know any of these things if it wasn’t for you. All my life I have been feeling like I have been asleep and I woke up when I met you. Like I haven’t been living-- It is very confusing and new, yet when I look at you it makes sense. I find myself drawn to you and wanting to accept these feelings any more.”

They both had to break to take a breath. Ruth was no where to be found around them. Like they were magnets, Chise and Elias’ hands clasped each other.

“Chise, you give my life meaning. The time you were gone felt like a night with no moon. I felt a hollowness I had never felt, even before we met. Each day I wake with the intent to do something great. Something you can be proud of. To wake up beside you and know that it will be a good day.” His words fell on her like weights yet her heart was beating and lifting into the sky. A glossy layer began to coat Chise’s eyes.

“Uh- .. Uh-- I fe-feel the same!” She managed to sputter out.

“I know .. That some times It takes time for me to say things, I just want to make sure that they sound right and I tell you the correct things before so. This is why it has taken me so long to ask you.”

“Ask me what?” She prepared for the impact of the words she knew were to come.

“Chise, I want you to be the moon and the sun in my life. I was hoping you could do me the honor of being my wife and companion until the world will end around us. I want to learn everything there is to know about the world with you. To share and hold it, to love and experience it. The father of your children and the mother of mine. There is no one I would ever like to do that with but you. The one person whom I can say..”

He hesitated, Chise held his hands tight as a single droplet fell down the length of her blossoming cheeks.

“I love you. The feeling is alien but I felt it deep in my heart when I see you every morning, every night .. when I see you.”

A waterfall of tears streaked down Chise’s face. She tried to summon the words to retaliate his open feelings but instead Elias just wiped the wetness away with his thumbs; cupping her hot face gently. They were tears of utter joy, these had been the words that they had been left unsaid, silent but so loud. Words that they said to each other every time they saw each other, words that had brought her back to him. To hear him finally say it made her emotions trickle down, the waterworks happening naturally. With a unbounded end, Chise loved Elias.

“Chise Hatori. Please do me the honor of marrying me?”

Her lips trembled, biting them so she didn’t unleash a unrelenting sob. the Sleigh Beggy only nodded in agreement. This made the red of Elias’ eyes hype up three more shades.

“You will!?” Questioning it again, Chise had to assure him with another wet faced nod.”T-That’s .. That’s great! I wish to give you this then.”

The mage pulled from his deep coat pocket a modest cobalt velvet box, it’s insides the ring he’d purchased in London with Ruth. She didn’t make a single sound but only tightly covered her mouth with the palm of her hand. She shot Elias a ‘Is this really for me?’ expression. A nervous chortle escaped through his jaws, her hand was offered to him willingly.

It slipped on her finger like it was meant to be. Like a rose wrapping it’s vines around it’s perch, the shimmering rouge red extraordinary beside her smooth fair skin. It was utterly perfect, Chise thought. She adored it and the promise that accompanied it. This was their symbol of love and what she shared with Elias. He too adored the trinket on her long digit; feeling the length of her palm on-top of his.

“I love it.. “ Her words came out as a murmur. “I love it, I -- I love you, Elias.”

Their eyes met, Elias’ mouth agaped as he stared up at her.

“I love you, Elias. I always have. You saved me when I was lost and taught me to live again. I could never thank you more.” Her tears started to dry up but her cheeks puffed and rosy.

“For you, anything. I think I have always loved you too.” Agreeing quietly, remembering fondly on the day they had met in the auction house. Chise’s young, depressed figure a image burnt in his mind. Now he gazed upon a healthy, older version of that girl who’d transpired into a beautiful woman. One who agreed to marry him 19 years later after he’d asked for her hand in marriage.

“And I will never stop supporting and caring for you, I can promise you that. I’ll make you as happy as you can be.”

Chise held her hands out to Elias’ head, he took the advantage to sweep her up. His words echoed like sweet hymns in her ears, it was contagious to smile down at her now husband to be; her hands knit around the contours of his cheek bones.

“I-- I’m going to do the best I can to make you the happiest husband!” She felt the world spinning around her, Elias’ face the only thing she could possibly focus on.

“You already have.”

The simplest turn in fate is so gracious. When you hit all time low there is no where but to go up. Each year beside Elias has brought her a bit more forward; she was at the grip of death and he out of all people pulled her away. He who was deemed half-baked, abomination and a beast. She believed for so long she was a cursed, wretched being, when really it was nothing but perfectly blessed and so was he. She couldn't imagine what her life would ever be like with out him, her sun and moon. Even if he was a monster, even if he was stubborn and obliviously rude at some time, the utmost pure love bloomed between them. Chise pulled Elias’ vest towards her.

They kissed and nuzzled each other in the afternoon air, sealing their promise together; Chise’s ring scintillating among the rainbow of wild flowers.

“I love you, Elias.” She repeated again, staring genuinely.

“And I love you.” To her his words were benevolent, he said them so gracefully.

“Perhaps we should go tell Ruth and Silky.” It was a suggestion even though both fae had been eavesdropping.

“A pleasant idea.. Though I think they know.” Elias turned his body with Chise wrapped in his arms to show her that they had been peeking through a window. Silky’s lavender eyes completely drenched and watering the potted plants beneath her. Ruth fretted to calm her down but continued to make muted wails of joy.

“Ah-- Silky!” Chise began to nimble her way out of his grasp, frantic to help her sobbing house fairy. Silky rushed outside of the greenhouse and with open embrace to her mistress.

Arms wrapped her tightly, the frilled sleeves of her eggshell and plum dress engulfing her. There was no protest in hugging her back as much as she could. The wetness of her tears were prominent on Chise’s shoulders. It was the happiest she’d ever seen Silky, it was such a becoming emotion on her usual nonchalant self.

“You lied to me.” Ruth grilled Elias. Still in his original form, he stared up at him with a leer.

“No lies. I told you I would do it soon.” A glint of playfulness sparked in Elias’ eyes. This made Ruth breath a sigh.

“Chise is very happy. Her energy is spiking. She’s going to tire out soon.” They both watched Silky pulling back her tears, there was alot to be done and to prepare for.

Once she’d recovered from her outburst after showing off the ring, the house fairy began to tug at Chise’s sleeves. Knowing her she probably had lots of magazines and books on ideas for a wedding. She could already begin to picture the sleigh beggy in a dress made of ivory, embroidery and dried flowers. It almost started her eyes to shed tears again.

“I - I think it’s time to go inside.” Chise hesitantly called the boys, Elias had complimented about helping him find the ring. They spoke of her happiness along with Elias.

“This was the right time.” he quietly agreed with Ruth.

“Really --” She beckoned a second time.

“We’re coming.” Elias stated, helping the group clean up. Silky made quick, speedy work so they could start preparing.

“We have a wedding to start planning.” The idea gave both of them a blush across their faces but they found themselves excited. It would surely be a event they would never forget.

Elias walked Chise inside with his hand at the small of her back. She admired the ring, their most special promise lying on her finger. She drifted her attention to Elias. Her sun, her moon and future husband to be. This had become from a simple today to the best day she could possibly imagine. She was in love and that love had been returned to her. It had been there all along.

#im tired #the ancient magus' bride #the ancient magus bride #amb #robinthorn #elias x chise #chise x elias #elias ainsworth #chise hatori #ruth #silky

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ecotone99 · 5 years

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[SF] The Gulf | Ep. 1: Masquerade

Paradisia sucks. But the whole island sails there on Monday.

Well, the island doesn’t really sail. It’s called Gulf Sails, but there are no sails. Some of the windmills sort of look like sails. So does a lot of the architecture on the central platform. The architects did that for aesthetics, obviously.

I’m putting on my costume for Halloween tonight. I’ll be meeting up with friends in two hours at Cask of Amontillado.

I know, it sounds like a boring place where old guys sip whiskey. But that’s just the basement. The main floor is a club with a gothic vibe, mainly because the building is an old cathedral. They fully exploit that for Halloween.

That’s why it’s anarchy on Halloween night. The place to be, or at least the best place to start.

I’m dressing as a masquerader, and so are a couple of my friends.

It’s always bittersweet. Of the four months each year Gulf Sails is anchored here, it’s the craziest party night in Barracuda. But it also marks the end of the best four months of the year.

Barracuda is absolutely epic. And on Monday we sail to Paradisia. And as I’ve mentioned, Paradisia sucks.

For starters, the drinking age in Paradisia is 21. Gulf Sails leaves Paradisia next year on March first. I turn 21 on March second. So I can say goodbye to my nightlife for the next four months.

Because another reason why Paradisia is so shitey, is that it is strict. It’s basically the polar opposite of Barracuda. It’s a cruel joke.

My parents say Paradisia is meant to be a detox for the residents of Gulf Sails after going crazy for four months. Paradisia leadership is all about yoga and cleanses.

There’s more juiced alfalfa sprouts than vodka in Paradisia. And I’m more of a vodka guy.

I’ve been telling my parents for years that they should just detach from Gulf Sails and dock their platform permanently at Barracuda. But they say they would never get enough work done living in Barracuda full time. It’s for summer slacking, they say. Then it’s crunch time. And Paradisia is the perfect environment to get the mind and body in order.

I disagree. Paradisia makes me feel like I am trapped. It’s half spa, half cult. I want to smack the smug looks off every one of those shysters’ self righteous faces.

The permanent residents of Paradisia walk around in white flowy clothes, always smiling and bowing to each other with hands clasped or pressed together. They’re creepy as all hell.

It’s the type of place that is so sanitized on the surface I feel like there must be some kind of underground sex trafficking dungeon. Nobody’s that perfect.

I could move onto mainland Barracuda myself. But I don’t make nearly enough money to pay for decent accommodations. And to be honest, it would be a tough downgrade slumming it after living my whole life on my parents’ platform.

It’s nice. They do well for themselves.

I put my final touch on the costume: a mask that goes over my eyes and nose. It’s gold and black, with red and black feathers protruding back over my ears from the sharp edges of the mask. I put some eyeliner on so that my eyes are rimmed especially dark behind the oval slits in the mask. People will hardly notice the eyeliner though. My eyes are pretty dark anyway.

I stick a gold dollar sign on one of my cheeks. On the other, a black interlocking Mars and Venus sign. You know, the circles; one has a cross coming from the bottom for female, and the other an arrow from the top right for male.

I find that when I give obvious signals like this, it cuts down on the number of guys that flirt with me. It’s not that it bothers me, but why waste either of our time?

And for some reason, I’m like a gay magnet. They love me, I can’t figure it out.

I’m wearing a matching button down vest, like from an old three piece suit. The back is all gold, and the front is a black base pinstriped with gold. The pocket has red and black feathers poking out. The pants match the front of the vest. And my shoes are gold.

I look good. The ladies are going to love it.

Downstairs, my parents and younger brother are eating in front of the big screen and my mom gushes over how “adorable” I look before telling me to get myself some dinner from the kitchen. It’s all laid out on the counter buffet style. But she still describes it all, and suggests:

“First, you’ll want to lay down the rice, then put the stew on top. There’s some shredded carrots that go on top of that. And then sprinkle on the parmesan and seasoning mixture. Oh and I laid out parsley sprigs for a garnish. There’s fresh bread too, so you can mop up all the extra juice when you’re done!”

I look at my dad’s plate. It has three distinct sections. The rice, stew, and cabbage do not touch each other. He ate his bread first.

When I sit down, he talks to me without moving his eyes from the screen.

“Are you going to stay out all night again?”

“Probably,” I say, a little indignantly. “It’s the last chance to have fun for the next four months.”

“Maybe you should give Paradisia a chance and do the cleanse with your mother and me this year,” he says, and turns to me with a raised eyebrow.

I take a deep breath and widen my eyes, “Maybe,” I say sarcastically.

He rolls his eyes.

My little brother Raji chimes in, “I’m sure the guys are gonna love your costume, Dege.”

“They probably will. Luckily I’m not a homophobic little twat like you.”

“True, you’ll take any attention you can get,” he says, and my dad chuckles, then tries to play it off like he was just clearing his throat.

My mom glares at them.

I finish my dinner, put my plate away, order a drone, and yell “Bye!” from the hallway, but my mom runs out of the living room because she has to get a picture of me in my costume before I go.

The drone is waiting on the landing pad.

I swipe my bracelet and get in.

Lift. Altitude. Acceleration.

I catch a good sunset on my way into town.

Purple and orange lights mark all the public landing pads for Halloween.

Barracuda gets into any holiday you could think of, and some you definitely have never thought of. I’m pretty sure they’ve made a few up along the way so that basically every weekend during the four months that Gulf Sails is docked is some kind of festival.

On Monday the city’s population will halve as Gulf Sails floats to Paradisia.

I meet up with Dean and Craig at Cask of Amontillado. It’s just getting started. The stone archways and cast iron chandeliers are perfect. We couldn’t have chosen better costumes. Somehow the DJ infuses chilling organ scales into his beat.

I know that might sound weird, but holy shit: it works.

She walks in to a beat. She flicks her hair to the side at the perfect time to match, not just the music, but the lasers too.

It all happens in slow motion. (Not really, but you get it.)

She looks at her friend and they both start laughing, realizing she accidentally mimicked the music with her mannerisms.

She has a black mask tied around her face.

Her costume is a short, form-fitting dress: black with long sleeves. There are red ties around the waist and arms.

And the part I like the most is the slit that runs all the way up her left thigh.

She isn’t just a ninja. She is a sexy ninja.

Her jet black hair is tied back with another striking red complement to the rest of the outfit.

She is surrounded by friends but I walk straight up anyway. I’ve learned that I have the best success when I walk up to a girl straight away.

Don’t even think, just do it. That way you don’t have time to get nervous, and girls think you’re super confident. Also, you get the drop on other guys.

“Hi I’m Rodigio,” I say over the music, stepping in between two of her friends and extending my hand.

The two friends I stepped between throw shade my way.

“Hi!” She says with pep, “I’m in the middle of a conversation!”

“Ouch. Just karate chop my heart why don’t you?” I say.

“How about I judo kick you out of my vicinity?” She says, and her friends agree.

“I…” I have nothing. I turn around and walk away.

“Have fun haunting the opera!” she calls after me.

“Masquerade,” I mutter.

“Seems like it went well,” Dean says.

“I decided she wasn’t hot enough for me. Hey, have you guys stocked up on contraband for Paradisia?”

Craig and Dean look at each other.

“What?” I say.

“Dege,” Dean says, “We aren’t going to Paradisia. We got an apartment here in Barracuda.”

Wow. I feel sucker-punched. This is the only thing that could make spending four months in Paradisia worse.

“And you didn’t include me!?”

“Come on, you know we wanted to. But the place we are getting is $2,000 a month for each of us, and, well…” Dean trails off.

Dean sold an app he created this year. He got a big payout and will be raking in royalties for years. Craig has been programming robots for two years and makes plenty.

I just fix bugs for a website hosting company–the glitches the automatic crawlers can’t repair. It’s easy and I can do it on my own time. I log in when I feel like it, and get paid per repair.

“But-” I’m looking back and forth at them in disbelief.

I just see stony masks staring back. I feel betrayed. I know Dean isn’t trying to be a dick. But what he is really saying is that he doesn’t want me mooching off him.

“Guy, don’t be dramatic,” Craig says trying to downplay how bad I should feel, “You’ll be back for New Year’s! TURN-OF-THE-CENTURY!” He booms it like an announcer and slaps my back.

“Yeah man come back for a whole month if you want,” Dean says. “You can stay with us the whole time. It will make the trip even cheaper than it was going to be.”

“Can you guys believe it!” Craig (a little too enthusiastically) throws in, “We have been talking about New Years 2100 for YEARS! And now it’s only TWO. MONTHS. AWAY.”

“I plan on non-stop anarchy from Christmas Eve, to maybe January 4th or 5th,” Dean says. “Depends on how much momentum I can build up.”

I’m glad I have this mask on. I wouldn’t be able to hide my emotions otherwise. I feel suddenly like the third wheel. Like they both have something in common that I don’t. I’ll be a visitor in their world. I can have a taste of the high life, but not the real thing.

The music gets louder and the beat turns up. We take shots. We head to the dance floor.

A blond with black streaks and vampire teeth growls at me in a red strobe light. A werewolf busts a break-dance. Three witches hop in unison.

More shots. Dance. Shots. Dance.

I’m forcing it. My game is off.

I stumble off the dance floor, and bust open the double doors to the outside deck, overlooking the water. It’s a cool night for the Caribbean, and steam comes off my skin.

Mist wafts ghostly over the water. Distant seagulls sound like crows. The salty air smells of extra decay. The tide must be out.

There aren’t many people out on the deck.

A few old guys from downstairs in the corner smoking cigars and having a spirited old-guy discussion.

A few couples or threesomes of friends interspersed around the high tables. And four guys around 30 leaning against the wooden pillars that hold up the thick black chain railing by the bay.

I walk over to look out on the choppy water. The open ocean is out to the right, and closer–but still distant–sits Gulf Sails, in the entrance to the bay. There’s plenty of berth on either side for passing boats, freighters, and cruise ships.

Way off to the left the bay gets narrower until it becomes a tidal river. Looking straight across I wouldn’t know there was land in the distance except for the sparse lights of remote homes.

I have to think for a minute to decide if the deck is decorated for Halloween, or if it always has these 19th century London street lamps. The real flames are the only source of light, casting shadows across the weathered–but solid–wooden planks.

The moon isn’t quite full. It was full a couple nights ago. But it is a vibrant presence. Clouds block about a quarter of the moon at any given time, but quickly pass by. The moon’s usual fractal glint off the water flickers from the clouds, matching the gas street lamps.

I glance at the three men to my left.

Holy shit that’s Elijah Braze!

He’s one of the youngest Gulf of Mexico real estate moguls. He owns a tenth of Gulf Sails. And most of his platforms are downtown, hosting businesses and high-end apartments.

He’s popular because he is well-spoken, good looking, trendy, muscular, personable… he’s really a gift to us mortals sent from the heavens.

He uses all this in his marketing. He speaks for conferences, classes, and camps. He appears on advertisements, in entertainment, and at events. He teaches courses, writes books, and runs businesses.

And he just caught me staring at him. And now he’s walking over with his three-man entourage trailing.

Elijah and his friends are dressed as Alex and his droogs. He uses the cane as if it is a natural part of his everyday ensemble. In truth it makes me think of Jack the Ripper.

But the rest of his outfit is straight up the height of fashion.

He’s got the oversized vibrant eyelash on one eye, combat boots, and a bowler hat. He’s wearing black tights.

And I, unfortunately, cannot help but notice that the bulge around his crotch is in the shape of a spider–true to the book.

Their “waisty jackets” have no lapels, but quite the shoulder pads. This makes Elijah’s shoulders even broader than usual. His ruffled white cravat forces him to hold his chin especially high… or does he always look like that?

As he walks up with a sly smile I try to play it cool, and keep character, so I say, “I hope you’re not on the prowl for any ultra-violence, brothers.”

“Ah no, perhaps just a bit of the old in and out,” Elijah says, winks at me, and his friends laugh.

Oh shit. Here we go.

“I’m flattered, but–er–wrong demographic,” I say, pointing to the interlocking male and female signs on my cheek.

“Oh I noticed that,” Elijah says confidently. “But I also noticed the dollar sign on the other cheek.”

A friend chortles. I blush.

Still, I try to just smile and brush it off.

Elijah takes a step closer, and extends his right hand, leaning on his cane with the left.

“What’s your name?” he asks, and I shake his hand to be polite.

“I’m Rodigio,” I say, but when I try to end the shake, he raises my hand to his lips and kisses the back.

I know he feels me resist, but he is much stronger. I pull my hand away and try to ignore his heavy gaze. I take a deep breath and look back out over the ocean.

“Well aren’t you going to ask my name?” he says, with fake incredulity.

I chuckle and turn back to face him. “I know who you are.”

“Well the polite thing is to acknowledge that.”

“Didn’t really seem like we were doing the polite thing here…” I volly.

Elijah’s only chubby friend breaks in sounding bored and annoyed, “Can we go back in? It smells like low tide out here and this kid is boring me.” He puts his hand on Elijah’s arm.

Elijah’s eyes flash deep aggravation, compared to the intense challenge they had been imparting to me. He slowly turns his face not to look at his friend, but to stare at the friend’s hand on his bicep.

His friend pulls his hand away and takes a deep breath like he is brushing it off. He acts like he is over this tedious situation, and yet he stays right there. Though now his eyes look up towards the club’s tall stone walls.

When Elijah turns back to me, he is back to friendly and jovial. It’s too much. He is letting his costume infect his demeanor. Or maybe he’s really like this?

“So do you live on the island or the mainland?” He asks.

“Island.”

“Me too! Oh, maybe you already knew that too…”

I almost roll my eyes but manage a polite smirk. “I knew you had a platform there… wasn’t sure how much time you spend on it though.”

“I travel a lot, but that’s where I stay when we are docked at Paradisia,” he says.

“Why?” I blurt out, “Paradisia sucks. If I were you I’d go to Europe or Asia or at least stay in Barracuda.”

He gives me a tsk-tsk look, and wags his cane like he is scolding me. “You don’t like my friend Francesco’s little society?”

Wow. He would be friends with Francesco, the cult leader of Paradisia.

My opinion on Elijah Braze has done a complete 180 in the last three minutes. In videos and writing he gives off fastidious success. Now I am just getting creepy overconfidence.

“I just find it a little restrictive,” I say.

“Just come to a party on my platform. We can loosen whatever restrictions you have…”

The chubby friend gives a sort of amused mm-hmm snort and chuckle. This time Elijah actually closes his eyes and I can see his jaw grinding for a moment. He takes a deep breath and resumes his smile.

I turn back to face the water, but he steps up behind me and puts his hands on the chain railing on either side of me. He is now pressed against my backside.

“Maybe it’s that mask that’s getting me going so bad,” he says into my left ear.

I can’t move one way or the other without pushing past an arm. I choose the way furthest from his face. So I jerk right and actually have to put some muscle into breaking his arm free from the chain to let me out of his reach.

Unphased he watches me and his smile twists, “Feisty. I think I want to leave the mask for last when I’m undressing you.”

“Look, since you’re clearly not taking the hint,” I say, raising my voice, “Let me make it clear: I don’t care how famous or rich you are! I wouldn’t get with you if we were the last two people on earth!”

Like a shark toying with his prey, Elija’s smile doesn’t change.

He leans in close, and I recoil my head but don’t back away, not wanting to appear weak.

He whispers loud enough for his friends to hear, “If we were the last two people on earth, sweetie… who the fuck would stop me?”

A chill goes down my spine as he walks away, his droogs trailing, laughing and swinging their canes.

“See you in Paradisia,” a lanky effeminate friend says to me sarcastically over his shoulder.

I am actually shaking. I hear the rise of the bass as the chubby friend holds the door. The bass fades as the doors swing closed. I sigh and lean most of my weight on the chain railing. This is not how I pictured my last party night in Barracuda.

“Prospero!”

“Shit!” I am startled. “Where did you come from?

“Well I am a ninja,” she says, melting me with her mascara lined eyes. I manage a burst of air that substitutes for a laugh.

“Prospero?” I ask.

“It looked like your night was going about as well as his.”

I am still confused, wracking my brain. She notices and lets out a disappointed chuckle and looks to the side.

“Anyway…” she says, sort of condescendingly, “I just wanted to apologize. I felt like I might have been a little harsh earlier.” She gives a forced smile. “I hope I didn’t kill your mood.” She starts walking away.

Prospero… I’m dressed for a masquerade… Poe!

“Lenore!” I blurt out just before she reaches the door.

She stops. Turns slowly. She has a smirk on her face now.

She walks back to me and I can’t tell if she moves like that to stay in character, or if it is natural graceful stealth. She leans on the railing next to me, looking out over the water. She turns to face me.

“Majorie.”

“Rodigio.”

“Right, you told me. I’m usually the one with the stupidest name.”

I laugh, “My friends usually call me Dege. I like that: Majorie. Sounds mystical almost like…”

“A mermaid?”

“Yeah!”

“I’m pretty sure my parents just looked up mermaid names. They were obsessed with Gulf Sails but couldn’t afford a platform until I was 18. I didn’t want to get left behind-”

“In Asia?” I ask reflexively. Godammit.

After a did-he-really-just-say-that chuckle she responds, “I’m gonna let that one go on account of the fact that I can smell enough alcohol on you to make me concerned about your proximity to these gas lamps. I’m from Florida. Well at least that was the last stop before Gulf Sails. What’s your story?”

“Grew up on the platforms. I think my parents made up my name… never met another one at least.”

“Sounds Spanish. Are you…” she stops abruptly and looks away. Is she blushing?

“Am I what,” I laugh, finally feeling like I got the upper hand, “Latino? Mexican?”

She just looks at me recovering her confident smirk as if to acknowledge my first score in a match.

“I don’t know what I am. A true mutt. A perfect balance if you ask me…”

“I didn’t,” she winks.

“Okay so you read Poe, and you don’t like your name. I’m getting nihilist vibes… What else?”

“It’s not so much that I don’t like my name,” She says, taking mock offense at my nihilist jab, “It’s just… well for one thing, everyone who reads it first calls me MARJ-orie! So every new interaction has to start off with me correcting someone and making them feel like a dumbass.”

“Ah, that’s why you’re so good at that,” I say.

She laughs.

Silence except for the light splash of waves on the dock, and the distant toll of a buoy bell.

“So you still live with your parents on the island?” I immediately regret asking. This will clearly just bring attention to the fact that I still live with my parents on their platform.

“Yep.” She sighs, “Next stop Paradisia.”

My heart does a weird little flutter.

“Right, I guess I’m not the only one who thinks Paradisia sucks.”

Another silence. But now I get the feeling that she’s thinking what I’m thinking… Maybe it’s not going to suck so much after all, given the new company.

The club doors bust open and a burst of loud bumping floods out with Dean and Craig. The lasers slash through the escaping mist.

“Deegie-cakes!” Craig calls, arms in the air as an aftershock to his thrusting of the doors, “Oh hello,” he says eyeing Majorie lecherously.

She gives a bored eyebrow raise as acknowledgment.

“Oh God, Dege, are you tricking this poor girl,” Craig says, “You haven’t seen under the mask yet, have you?”

“Actually…” Majorie laughs, realizing she hasn’t.

“Hey, I haven’t seen behind your mask either!” I protest.

“Let’s dance!” Dean shouts, letting out a thick cloud of vape smoke.

“Is that THC?” Majorie asks.

Dean holds out the vape. She takes it, breathes deep, and lets out an even bigger cloud. She grabs my arm, and leads me back to the dance floor.

Dance. Grind. Shots. Dance.

Breather.

Food. Public drunken shenanigans. New club. Turn up. Shots. Dance.

She turns around and drops low with the beat. My hand is on her hand on her thigh–the one not covered by her God-damn-so-sexy dress. She turns back around. Her hands are on my chest. My heart’s beating out of my chest. Did she just notice?

She lifts my mask. I lift hers.

Kiss.

“See you in Paradisia,” she winks, hopping into her drone with the remainder of her friends as the sun rises over the Atlantic.

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biofunmy · 5 years

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Here’s What Being a Witch Really Means

You could say I was primed to be a witch from an early age.

My grandma Trudy used to tell us that she had “healing hands.” According to family lore, she once saved the life of a dying horse that, after she pressed her palms to its flank, stood up and trotted happily away. While I can’t vouch for the veracity of that tale, I do know that a touch on the forehead from her would always make my headaches vanish.

Trudy was a librarian at a library in central New Jersey, where I spent many a childhood afternoon pawing through the low end of the Dewey Decimal System, where books on the paranormal and other oddities are kept. I’d thrill as I read about the alleged mystical energy of the Egyptian pyramids and swoon over the entries on witchcraft in “Man, Myth, and Magic,” a 24-volume “Encyclopedia of the Supernatural.”

My favorite novel was “Wise Child” by Monica Furlong, a story about an orphan girl who gets taken in by a kind witch named Juniper, who teaches her magic and loves her like a mother might. The villagers come to them in secret whenever they need healing, but in public, Juniper and Wise Child are shunned.

Witches, I learned from the book, are complicated creatures: sources of great comfort and great terror.

As I approached my teen years, I was beginning to feel like a complicated creature myself. I’d developed an affinity for poetry and purple eye shadow — my own special brand of popularity repellent.

But my interest in magic remained a largely private, solitary pursuit. I wasn’t ashamed of it, exactly. My discretion arose from an urge to protect one of the few things that was mine alone. When you’re a weird kid, you learn to put guardrails around the things you love.

Still I followed the trail of literary bread crumbs further into the witch’s wood. It led me to a place where magic was something that could be done, not just read about.

I would often coax my parents to drive me to towns many miles away, where there were shops with names like Red Bank’s Magical Rocks or Mystickal Tymes. This was where I could find precious artifacts like old “Sandman” comics and bootleg CDs of my musical holy trinity, Tori Amos, Björk, and PJ Harvey — artists who wove references to goddesses and Pagan rites throughout howling hymns to female sexuality.

I scored my first set of tarot cards there, called the Sacred Rose deck, which contained mysterious symbols that were drawn to look like medieval stained glass.

Most of my early spells were focused on boys I had crushes on, desperately hoping to make them love me back. (These spells usually called for ingredients like rose petals or fresh cinnamon, but I’d often improvise with whatever I found around the house, such as Sweet’N Low.)

I eventually started doing occasional castings (that’s witch shorthand for casting a spell) for a few trusted friends who were pining for people who may or may not have been pining for them too.

There was the spell I did for Rebecca, my older sister’s friend, who was hiding in my room during a house party, lusting after some guy who was downstairs. I lit some candles and did some incantations: “Oh kindle the fire of his heart!” I chanted, while trying not to kindle the fire of my suburban bedroom.

Then I sprinkled her with some “love powder” that I’d bought at a New Age shop and sent her on her way. They made out an hour later.

There was the time that my best friend Molly was going to be hanging out alone with a boy she liked. She was pretty nervous, and I was nervous for her. She and Tom were both on the shy side, so it was anyone’s guess who would make the first move, if it happened at all. She was going to need magical intervention.

I did a spell.

I started by trying to telepathically send Molly a message of bravery and held an image in my mind of them kissing. I paced the upstairs hallway of my house, back and forth, back and forth, chanting, gathering energy, feeling a sort of furry electricity running up and down my arms and threw my hands, until — astonishingly — there was a shudder of lightning and a loud crack of thunder.

I couldn’t believe it. Was it a coincidence? Or had I somehow summoned it? I still don’t know.

A phone call from Molly later that night confirmed what I thought must be true: yes, they had kissed. We compared notes on the times, and they lined up. The spell had worked.

As I got older, my witchcraft became less about trying to cause specific outcomes and more focused on helping me become a more purposeful and compassionate person. And while I still do rituals of the more traditional sort, my magic has become something I carry with me in all facets of my life.

I was doing magic at the day job I had for 14 years, where I got to oversee photography projects, and placed a figure of Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon and female independence, in my cubicle.

On my altar at home, I keep a copy of the United States Constitution next to my candles and talismans, as a way of asking Spirit to protect our country from nefarious forces.

I’m doing magic when I march in the streets for causes I believe in. (The proliferation of “HEX THE PATRIARCHY” placards fills me with particularly witchly glee).

“Witch” is one of the words I now use to describe myself, but its meaning varies depending on context. At any given time, it can signify that I am a feminist; someone who celebrates freedom for all and who will fight against injustice; a person who values intuition and self-expression; or a kindred spirit with other people who favor the unconventional, the underground and the uncanny.

I use the word “witch” to signify both my Pagan spiritual beliefs — that nature is holy, thus the planet we live on and the bodies we live in are all sacred — and my role as a complex woman who speaks her mind, behavior that is still often met by society with judgment or disdain.

I’m a witch when I’m celebrating the change of the seasons with my coven sisters, as well as when I stand against the destruction of the environment. I’m a witch when I’m giving thanks to the sun, moon and stars, and when I’m working to subvert the corrosive narrative of sexism, racism, queer-phobia and xenophobia.

Like many such epithets, the word “witch” is loaded and coded. I’m thoughtful about how I use it because it is a word that carries weight, even as it liberates. Whether we’re speaking of literal witch hunts or metaphorical smears (just Google any female politician’s name alongside the word “witch” and you’ll see what I mean), it is a word that has been linked to centuries of misogyny and oppression.

In occult-speak, there is a term for a type of magic that I love: apotropaic. It describes workings or magical items that are administered to ward off evil. Sometimes specific jewelry is worn, like a piece of obsidian or other black stone; other times, reflective objects like mirrors are hung in home windows to reflect bad energies back out and away.

More often than not, the protective devices use aspects of the very terrors they are averting as part of their design, which is why gargoyles are often on the facades of buildings and Halloween masks are worn to scare off spooky spirits.

By embodying the things we think will hurt us, somehow we feel safer: a creepy costume, a scary statue, intentionally dreadful décor. Sometimes all it takes is an utterance, like addressing yourself with a monstrous name.

I may not be able to lay my hands on every suffering being and take away their pain the way my grandma Trudy seemed to. But by calling myself and my heroes witches, I’m shape-shifting a fearsome word into one that signifies strength, stewardship and a fierce, open heart.

And that is a love spell in itself.

Pam Grossman is the host of “The Witch Wave” podcast and the author of “Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power,” from which this essay is adapted.

Rites of Passage is a weekly-ish column from Styles and The Times Gender Initiative. For information on how to submit an essay, click here. To read past essays, check out this page.

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appletable80-blog · 5 years

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March 14 Is 𝜋 Day, So Here Are 21 Pie Recipes, Because Math

[Photographs: Vicky Wasik, Daniel Gritzer]

Happy π Day! If you are a sweet and gentle and sensitive person, with an obsessive nature and a deep fascination for numbers and a complete infatuation with the calculation of π, March 14 is the day for you! And what better way to celebrate than by baking a transcendent(al) pie? Before you decide on a recipe, though, it wouldn't be irrational to think long and hard about the dough you'll use. Maybe you're most interested in a pie dough that's superfast and forgiving, or maybe you want a buttery, flaky crust that doesn't require a food processor. (See here for a little deeper discussion of the merits of Stella's recipe versus Kenji's.) Going gluten-free? We've got you covered there, too. Want whole wheat? Ditto.

Beginning pie-makers should check out our advice on the best pie pans and how to blind-bake a crust (and even more experienced bakers may want to consult Kenji's foray into pie myth-busting). If you've got the basic knowledge you need and are just looking for an Instagram-worthy way to dress up your creation, we've got step-by-step guides for making a pretty lattice top or an extra-fancy herringbone pattern. Finally, if you're carting your pie over to a friend's house for a π Day celebration (or, you know, any old special occasion), don't forget to pick up a carton of food-grade Epsom salt: When placed inside your carrying container, it'll help keep your crust from getting soggy in transit.

(I suppose some people—you know who you are—will insist on celebrating the day with a different sort of pie, and all I can say to you folks is that I think that's merely a figure of speech, but here, have some recipes.)

Now, onto the recipes. Not three, not 14, but 21 recipes for both savory and sweet pies, including chocolate cream and classic cherry, pie variations like cobbler and crisp, and more hot pies for all your π Day needs.

Sweet 𝜋

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

We're here to tell you lemon meringue pie is old hat, so why don't you give a lime meringue pie a try? The filling is all tart and creamy, sort of like a Creamsicle without the -sicle, and its zippiness is tempered by the graham-y whole wheat crust. Don't forget to save the zested and juiced limes to make a lime variation of fresh lemon syrup, which you can put to use in drinks or on top of pancakes.

Fresh and Creamy Lime 𝜋 Recipe »

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[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

It isn't often that you can describe a sweet pie as "herbaceous," but that's exactly what this pie is, thanks to a splash of Fernet-Branca in the rich and creamy peppermint filling. Of course, you don't have to go with homemade Oreos for the blitzed cookie crust—store-bought works just fine—but do not skip the cocoa nib fudge topping.

Grasshopper Ice Cream 𝜋 Recipe »

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[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

Normally I associate pumpkin pie with my relatives' terrible political opinions and dry roast turkey, but the first thing that pops into my head when I look at this recipe is "magic." It isn't because of the butternut squash bit, even though, yes, subbing in butternut squash for the usual canned pumpkin purée is brilliant. It's because of the homemade condensed milk. If you haven't yet made the sweetened condensed milk, go give it a whirl: There's a moment when the mixture starts to foam up and the liquid in the pot transforms that's a beautiful example of cooking alchemy, and it makes the whole process worthwhile. (A bit of advice: I strongly suggest using a scale to measure the milk's reduction.)

BraveTart's Butternut Pumpkin 𝜋 Recipe »

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[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

Good old, old-fashioned pie; there isn't really anything like it. This one is a little different from others (and the one below) in that the apples don't get cooked before assembling the pie. Since it's relatively low-key, you can spend the time you save figuring out how to do one of those lattice-type thingies (or not, you do you). For whatever reason it just seems to me that if one were to try to make a lattice top, it would definitely be for an old-fashioned apple pie on the day of π.

BraveTart's Easy, Old-Fashioned Apple 𝜋 Recipe »

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[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

This is the chocolate pie to end all chocolate pie, using a combination of Dutch cocoa and dark chocolate to create a filling that's rich and intense. Though the pie does involve a number of steps, the filling's not all that complicated to make, and it won't weep on you. A lovely layer of swirled Swiss meringue on top gets a nice toasty color from the oven, while remaining fluffy on the inside.

Double-Chocolate Cream 𝜋 Recipe »

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[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

No need for canned condensed milk here; instead, you'll make your own version as you simmer sweet potatoes in a mixture of milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. The process results in a sweet potato filling that's fresher- and lighter-tasting, with an almost vegetal flavor, thanks to a generous dose of nutmeg. Don't forget to save the vanilla seeds to make a topping of Brown Sugar Whipped Cream, an elegant touch when dolloped onto the pie.

Silky Sweet Potato 𝜋 Recipe »

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[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

A variety of fruits, both sweet and tart, form a colorful filling for this summery pie—but don't worry, you can totally use frozen fruit in the wintertime. This is another great opportunity for you fancy bakers out there who want to try out a lattice design to top your pie, but if you don't feel up for it, you can certainly just use a solid sheet of dough, cut to span the πr2 of the base. Do read the label on the tapioca starch you buy: Only starch made from real cassava will gel properly.

Late-Summer Mixed-Fruit 𝜋 Recipe »

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[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

A galette, or freeform pie, is the perfect vehicle for fruit like peaches, which won't survive the long bake at high heat that's needed for a traditional pie made in a pie dish. It's also perfect for when you don't want to bother with careful shaping and fluting of that crust, since all you've got to do is pile the filling in the middle and fold the dough over, section by section. You can substitute other stone fruit for the peaches, or swap out some of it for berries.

Freeform Peach 𝜋 (Galette) Recipe »

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[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

Nothing beats a classic like blueberry pie, and no blueberry pie beats this version. Using our handy ratio of fruit and sugar, you'll be rewarded with a filling that cooks up nice and thick—no more fears of getting blueberry soup—with a complexity of blueberry flavor from a mix of both cultivated and wild berries.

The Best Blueberry 𝜋 Recipe »

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[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]

An improvement on another old standard. Here, the apple slices are cooked to 160°F (71°C), which helps them hold their shape even as they turn tender during baking. Cornstarch and sugar thicken the filling into a nice, gooey syrup, while a bit of lemon zest brightens up the flavor.

Gooey Apple 𝜋 Recipe »

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[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

All right, I can hear you saying it: "This isn't π!" Not quite, perhaps, but it has the crucial elements, and it's a beautiful dessert to boot. Think of it as 1/π, an inverted π, if you will: a sweet, bright interior of peach slices in a rich syrup, with a moist and tender biscuit blanket.

Classic Biscuit-Topped Peach Cobbler Recipe »

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[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

This may be one of the prettiest pies on the list, but it's also one of the tastiest. Pitted fresh cherries (you can use frozen ones, too) are lightly bound in a clear syrup that doesn't detract from the fruit's naturally sweet and tart flavors. With the right ratio of fruit to sugar, you won't have to sacrifice a crisp crust to get a nicely thickened filling. Hold on to the cherry pits to make a subtly cherry-flavored whipped cream to serve alongside.

Cherry 𝜋 Recipe »

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[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

Who says pumpkin pie is only for Thanksgiving? It might even be extra appealing out of season, when you're not suffering from the pumpkin-spice fatigue of fall. Blending cream cheese with canned fresh pumpkin purée gives the filling a smoother, silkier consistency and keeps it less wet than typical versions, reducing your risk of a soggy crust.

Extra-Smooth Pumpkin 𝜋 Recipe »

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[Photograph: Yvonne Ruperti]

Here's another galette for those who just want a delicious pie, without all the fussy presentation. Sweet apples and tangy cranberries are a familiar fall combination, and they get a boost in flavor from a sprinkling of cinnamon; added richness from butter helps to balance out their tartness.

Rustic Apple-Cranberry 𝜋 Recipe »

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[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

On this one, you got me: It isn't even close to being π. But it's so good, we couldn't leave it off the list—and it's easy. The crisp topping, chock-full of toasty pecans and scented with nutmeg, comes together quickly in a food processor, and the fruit base is nothing more than chopped apples tossed with cornstarch, sugar, salt, and a little whiskey.

The Best Apple Crisp Recipe »

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[Photograph: Aki Kamozawa]

This might be the dessert equivalent of Euler's identity, since it combines cheesecake and π in a way that is, quite simply, mathematically beautiful. It's more complicated than many of the other recipes here, but the result is a juicy filling of sweet-tart blueberries, covered in a light cheesecake topping and a delicately floral-scented streusel.

Gluten-Free Blueberry Cheesecake 𝜋 With Lavender Streusel Recipe »

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[Photograph: Ideas in Food]

What kind of pie roundup would this be without at least two ice cream pies? And this is ice cream pie to the nth degree, with caramelized condensed milk ice cream in a chocolate crust, topped off with a chocolate-caramel sauce and a chocolate–peanut butter ganache.

The Ultimate Snickers 𝜋 Recipe »

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Meat 𝜋

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

One of my favorite stories ever written features a relatively lengthy consideration of the pot pie, and it contains the accusation, perhaps unfounded, that commercial pot pie makers will gradually reduce the amount of meat in their pot pies as they gain in popularity. Of course, the only way to be absolutely sure that your pot pie has an ample amount of meat is to make it yourself, and here we have a fine recipe that will help you do just that; tender chunks of delicately poached chicken floating in a flavorful and thick sauce underneath a buttermilk drop biscuit top. There isn't much not to love about this recipe, but if you prefer individual pot pies, here's a variation that uses a flaky whole wheat pie crust that'll crisp up just as well on the top as it will on the bottom.

Chicken Pot 𝜋 With Buttermilk Biscuit Topping Recipe »

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[Photograph: Daniel Gritzer]

As good as tamales are, making them at home is a headache. Much easier is packing the flavors of a tamale into pie form. This tamal de cazuela features a filling made with chicken stock, black beans, and lard and flavored with smoky ancho chilies. Alternatively, consider this meatier version, filled with slow-cooked skirt steak, or this vegetarian pie.

Mexican Tamale 𝜋 (Tamal de Cazuela) Recipe »

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[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

There may be no pie, whether savory or sweet, that's as satisfying as a shepherd's pie—buttery mashed potatoes with browned peaks, crowning a mix of vegetables and minced meat. I love lamb (and it is called shepherd's pie for a reason), but this recipe will work just as well with less-traditional ground beef or a mixture of the two.

Classic, Savory Shepherd's 𝜋 (With Beef and/or Lamb) Recipe »

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[Photograph: Emily and Matt Clifton]

This is just like shepherd's pie, except the shepherd is a Brit and happens to herd fish. Firm, white-fleshed fish gets mixed with dry-brined shrimp and hot-smoked salmon in a very leek-y and creamy sauce flavored with herbs and anchovies, and all of it gets topped with mashed potatoes before getting baked in a hot oven. While you can simply buy hot smoked salmon at the store, smoking it yourself is relatively simple and can really cut down on the cost.

British Fish 𝜋 With Smoked Salmon, Shrimp, and Mashed Potatoes Recipe »

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Source: https://www.seriouseats.com/roundups/pi-day-pie-recipes

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notesfromthepen · 6 years

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Gardens, Gangstas, And Freedom

This prison is different than the other joints I've been to.

Last year they started a garden club here. For ten dollars, you get a 10x10 foot plot of land, a bag full of seeds, and something productive to do in an otherwise meaningless existence. In order to be eligible for this club, you have to be a year ticket free (no disciplinary infractions), and that's about it. Well, other than a willingness to get dirty and do some work. Oh, and you have to donate ten pounds of your harvest to a local food pantry at the end of the season. Win-Win.

When I got here last year, I was still heavily affiliated, (if you know what I mean) and though I had been looking for my way out for sometime, I still had one foot in and one foot in the lotus position. Basically I was too busy being affiliated for extracurricular activities. A year ago my concerns were slightly heavier than watering plants and pulling weeds.

Well a lot has changed in the last year. None more important than finally cutting all ties of affiliation with any organization in here, well other than the notorious Garden Boyz!, that is. (No, but seriously; I have to watch what, I say. Everything is monitored) With my decision for complete independence secured, I was now free to do anything I wanted.

So, I signed up for the garden club.

I paid my ten dollars, and was assigned a 9x8 foot patch of dirt. My dirt. Sure I got shorted on the square footage, but this is prison: you rarely get what what's owed to you.

Most of the women in my life have dabbled in gardening, whether it was growing corn and squash on an empty plot of land in the neighborhood, or a couple of potted tomatoes plants on an apartment balcony. I however, have never grown anything, with the exception of a massive weed plant behind my parents house, and a laundry list of bad habits. So, since marijuana seeds and cigarettes weren't included in the brown paper bag, I had to begin my gardening career knowing next to nothing about growing these plants.

What they did give us in the paper bag was stuff like: head lettuce, white and red onion bulbs, pearl onions, carrots, cabbage, spinach, straight cucumbers, green peppers, banana peppers, beets, radishes, egg plant, zucchini, squash, beef steak and cherry tomatoes.

It was up to us to choose what we wanted to plant in our limited space; a twinge of freedom. But as all you Green Thumbs know, there's plenty to do before the seeds actually go into the ground.

Before we were allowed to enter the garden area, located in the center of the compound, we had to wait for the words: "Garden Club," to appear on our daily itinerary. I don't know what took them so long, but for weeks after signing up, and after being issued our plots, we were forced to sit, idly by, while the growable days of the season slipped past. The only people allowed in that fertile patch of land in the center of the prison were a handful of 'Yard Crew porters,' whose job it is to help manage all the gardening related duties. The Green Thumb Mafia.

Some of grizzled Garden Vets, from the previous year, told us rookies that before we could plant anything we still had things to do. We had to 'turn over' our plots, go on a search and destroy mission for grubs, root out the insurgent weeds, carpet bomb our soil with 'milky spore' to kill the locals, and finally we had to section off our plots with tiny wooden steaks and yarn.

With so much left to do before getting to the actual business of planting veggies, and with valuable time ticking away while we were held back by the rules of engagement, a few of us decided, in line with prison etiquette/corruption, to pay the bribe, proposed by one of the garden porters to start prepping our plots for us.

The going rate for the deluxe treatment was three dollars, which included all the preparations mentioned by the Garden Vets, plus some extra compost, and access to plants not included in our starter bags. All in all it cost me a bag of instant rice and two Ramen soups. Which left me a dollar short, but I assured our corrupt/opportunistic garden porter that I'd get him the other dollar at some point in the not so distant future. I figured 'two bucks' in food to get a jump on planting season was well worth it.

This was Pay to Play prison gardening.

Finally, we all got our Garden Club itineraries. The next day, armed with my MP3 player and a brown paper bag of bulbs and seeds, I marched out to war. But first, you have to stand in line at a tiny, sweltering, shack to get your uniform. Some poor garden porter slowly roasts to death while handing out the fluorescent vests we're forced to wear in the garden area, and any garden tools we might need.

Make it to the shack early enough and you'll get a decent vest. The best ones are made of a silky orange mesh, like a basketball or football jersey. They're light, loose, and comfortable. Show up too late and you'll be forced to wear one of the bright pink pull-over vests. These wiry torture devices are made of some sort of rubbery plastic, starched into a rigid square shape. It makes you look like some sort of cheaply dressed, flamboyantly gay, Halloween robot. Or you could just let your plants wither and die from dehydration. It's a hell of a choice, and I've often found myself lowering that abrasive pink contraption over my head for the sake of my garden.

I got my vest, (one of the good ones) and with the crumpled brown paper bag in hand, I headed to my garden; plot 72. Inside the bag were fifty white onion bulbs and the assortment of seeds that I would use to bring my garden to life. And in case I'd forgot that I was in prison, all of the seeds were tucked inside pieces of paper, origamied in the exact same way that heroin dealers fold up their dope. I doubt the tomatoes seeds at Home Depot look like packs of heroin, but what do I know?

With Bob Marley wailing his songs of redemption through my prison issued headphones, I got down in the dirt, and with a little help from my veteran friends, I started mapping out the plot, and planting the future.

I got the soil wet and pressed my thumb into the earth, every four inches, in four of the ‘straight-ish' lines I could muster. It was still too early in the season for the tomato and pepper plants, so I filled each thumb hole with a little white onion bulb. I drew two shallow lines with my index finger and sprinkled in the spinach seeds. I used the same technique to make a little rectangle of pearl onions and two rows of carrots. I planted a stash of beets in one of the corners to donate. I transplanted twenty pea plants along the border of my garden and I dropped four newly sprouted garlic cloves, that I scored as part of the bribe, next to the spinach. Before I left, I built a little lattice of yarn for the peas to climb and I watered the freshly planted seeds.

Crouched down, over my uneven patch of dirt, with music in my ears and mud under my nails, I breathed it all in before heading back to the shack to return my vest.

Walking back to my unit, as the sun was falling towards the horizon, I felt like I was floating. I mean, I literally felt like I was drifting away. My feet were coasting over the asphalt, and my head was up in the clouds. It took me a minute to realize what had rendered me immune to the effects of gravity: It was the first time in five years that I felt Freedom. I mean real Freedom.

In the middle of the prison, in my little patch of dirt, with no C.O.s hovering over my shoulder, or telling me what to do, without the sound of cell doors slamming shut and whipping open, without the cacophony of overcompensating voices, disgruntled and aggressive men, yelling at everything and nothing at all.

In this calm amongst the chaos.

I felt it.

Surrounded by garden plots, without a fence, a steel bar, or a single spiral of razor wire in sight, for the briefest of moments.

I felt it.

Just listening to music and playing in the dirt, after five years of confinement, I managed to touch the tail of Freedom. It had been so long, that I hardly recognized the feeling. A feeling so foreign and elusive it felt like a distant dream. A type of deja-vu.

But I felt it.

So every time I head back out, to a garden that grows taller and more colorful with each passing day, I'm searching for that feeling. In my little patch of dirt, where I use alchemy to bring sunlight and water to life, I'm chasing down deja-vu, I'm looking to float away, and I'm grasping at the tail of Freedom. Just listening to music and playing in the dirt.

___________________________________________________________________

OK, this isn't part of the piece, I just wanted to tell you what I've got growing in my plot now. It isn't enough for me to annoy my friends in here, with my gardening nerd-outs, I will now bore you all. Feel free to ignore this, unless you're interested in gardening, or bored out of you mind, or you get off on wasting your own time.

This is what I've got:

3x cherry tomatoes plants (about a foot tall)

2x beef steak tomatoes plants (1+ft tall) looking good and hearty! (What have I become?)

3x sugar plum tomatoes. They're babies, I just transplanted them a few days ago.

10x cucumbers. Four of them are getting close to flowering. The rest I just planted. I wanted to wait so I could plan on where to run the vines through.

8x banana pepper plants (small)

8x Bell pepper plants (small)

2x rows of spinach. I already grew and ate 2 rows, I pulled em out once they started flowering and replanted.

1x row of cilantro (had to pull strings to get these. I really wanted fresh cilantro)

1x row of mint.

50x white onions (I was over watering them for awhile)

40x red onions

3x red cabbage (large dinner plate size. gonna make stuffed cabbage!)

3x green cabbage (same)

15x Peas. They're only about a foot tall (everyone else's is 2-3 times the size.) I have 'Pea-size' envy?! but mine are already flowering and I've been eating pods)

2x rows of carrots (the stalks are about six inches)

4x Head lettuce (Can't wait to make lettuce wraps.)

3x garlic plants. (one didn't survive the transplant and the other three aren't really doing much. I think I was watering them too much originally. Most people's (those who have them) garlic are doing the same. I was hoping that they would do better, I was looking forward to fresh garlic.

5x eggplants

1x squash

A bunch of beets.

This will be the first time in five years that I'll be able to eat fresh vegetables. The lack of healthy food in here is one of the worst aspects of prison life. Being restricted to fifty dollars a month makes it impossible to buy healthy food on the commissary. I can't wait to be able to eat fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and cheese when I get out....oh god I miss real cheese!

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dcmissionaries · 6 years

Text

A Ghost Among Us

With relative ease, a small strike team recovered both priests and high-ranking Angels from Demon clutches. Everybody rejoiced as they returned to the Abbey, many emotional and relieved to see loved ones unscathed. Some showed a little too much love, but can you blame them? That day, the Abbey residents called for a celebratory dinner party. As the night progressed, Father Handcuffs broke off from the crowd for some privacy. He sat on a bench just outside the mess hall, taking out a picture depicting two young girls that looked no older than ten. As the priest looked at the picture with a sense of longing, a surprise guest appeared. It appeared to be an old acquaintance who, under a mask, looked at the priest quizzically. "I thought you'd be up for a few drinks rather than having a brooding session," she said as she reclined on a nearby pillar, crossing her arms, "Or perhaps...you're afraid to get everybody else sick? That's understandable." Handcuffs stared at the woman with disbelief, sighing heavily in resignation. Seems like she caught on way too fast, "It's that obvious, huh?" "They're not good at hiding their handiwork," she began, "And you know it. But it looks like it was willingly... Why did you let them?" Staring at the floor, the priest sighed, choking up as he tried to explain, "They bargained with me. Decided to give myself up in order to keep the others safe. Especially for the young lad. Unlike me, that priest has much more to live for." That was an unsatisfactory response. The woman broke her stare and looked ahead of her. She appeared to be in deep thought or blankly staring. It was difficult to tell with that mask of her's. She broke an awkward silence with a soft sigh.

With the conversation being left at that, everything pretty much returned to normal for the next week or so. Angels were scrapping by for Heavens while Strappon focused on his work. While attending some important duties regarding the fate of Janice after her boyfriend Richard dumped her in the week's new soap episode- I mean, guiding the Angels, he received an invitation from Father Handcuffs. He was inviting the young Templar for some sport that involved hunting small ghosts which was a pass time of Handcuffs at the peak of the Templar order. Their outing was riveting to say the least. They spent a good chunk of the morning and early afternoon repenting ghosts and arguing which Angel should get a bonus of Heavens with what they collected, but something was starting to feel off.

A GHOST AMONG US The Angels are celebrating the return of their leaders with much-needed relaxation and food! Strap had gone off with Father Handcuffs for some sport. The aftermath of their previous strife ways heavy on his companion's heart, but what else could go wrong

The Abbey today was filled with more life than it had been for weeks. There were decorations and all sorts of refreshments and baked good, there was loud music plaring through the boomboxes situated in a couple corners of the mess hall and the rec room. There was just a lot of loud and over-the-top celebration for the return of their higher-ranked fellows. It was probably because there wasn't a lot of partying in the Abbey, usually.

With everyone strewn about in the Rec Room, many of the Angels were having fun partying and chatting about what had happened while the leaders were gone.

BRIT: Jacket and Overshirt finished setting up the tables with the snacks (Ovy making damn sure Jacket didn't eat most of the sweets on the way over to the table), the latter offering a smile to the rest of the Angels. He hoped Strappon would return to the Abbey soon so he could break out the cake and stuff some in his face.

Jacket adjusted some of the breads and stole a loaf before looking over the rest of them. Boy, today was great.

DJDEVIL: Helmet stared at one of the boomboxes. The sight of it awed him. There were no instruments, no musicians, nothing. Just sounds. He placed one hand on the box and felt the vibrations coming from it. "What strange magics allow sound to pour from this box? Are there tiny men inside?" He asked curiously.

KRO: Both Shades and Sukafu burst into the room with their own platters of food. It was over the top, to an extent. This looks like its fit for a party banquet. At least a high-end one. They set their plates down for Ovy to organize and told him that he can help himself right away if he wished to.

Hot Pants walked in shortly behind them. He didn't look the type to bring something himself, but he ended up making an old recipe his mum taught him. It smelled great, to say the least, but he was nervous as it's been a long time since he's taken the time to actually cook it. After setting it up on the table, he kinda stuck himself next to Shades and Sukafu for the sake of just being around someone. Man, he hasn't seen the place this as lively as it is. Then again, he doesn't visit the Abbey often.

CRACKEMWALNUTS: Knittens had come from hockey practice earlier, as evident by the fresh bruises and helmet hair. He was staying clear of the desserts. He was sick of sugar after his cousin's baking episode in order to make someone a gift or something. He could barely breathe after he tried the 10th flavor of filling for cream puffs. But Knittens was delighted to see that there was a party instead of the regular church stuff. He'll pray to the Lord and ask for a sign if his father is in heaven later. He looked around for anyone that he knew enough to talk with. Headphone was twirling a strand of hair, still in his fuzzy pajamas. It was a lazy Sunday, he wasn't getting out of his pjs. He was laying on the floor towards the corner, oblivious to everything because his eyes were glued to his phone as well as wearing noise-canceling headphones. He was watching the season finale of... Something. It was a carrot and tomato with faces battling pandas, you figure it out.

EMI: Dermal stood at a distance from the crowd as they set up, Veil having not left his side since he got back, gushing over him. He sucked off his long drag, needing it from witnessing the mess that was Hell Corp. That Absolute was still sitting in his mind. There was something about him that didn't sit quite right. He hated him. He also was starting to hate how much Veil was dotting over him.

Tee commanded his rag-tag gang to do various things around the Abbey, mostly just telling them not the fuck up or drop shit and often sending a bullet reeling in the direction of the poor Fallen that didn't follow such "simple instructions".

GAMER-GODDESS: Still dressed in her work uniform, Thigh High nearly burst into the room "Sorry I'm late, work has been a nightmare" she said, head bouncing lightly as she bobbed it to the music. Smiling she looked around the room at the large display in front of her.

"But on the plus side I brought _croissants_" she announced with a poor French accent while she set her platter with the rest of the spread.

OSCARK9: Gloves was standing at the baked good section and picking out some of the delicious goodies at the party. Looking all the decorations, music playing, and seeing all of the Angels and Heavenbents having a good time. For him, he's going to have a great feast on his plate, especially sweets. "Look at all this sweets," He said to himself, "I'm going to have a good time." He said while he pick out the pink doughnut with sprinkles and biting out of it. "Mmmmmm. Doughnut."

BUMBLER BEE: Dirndl hummed to herself as she carried a piping hot dish. It was wonderful to see everyone back again together! Her green skirt swayed, and she entered the room with her ceramic dish that smelled of potatoes and beef. With the odd wave to others such as Shades, Jacket, and even young Knittens before finding the buffet to set her own dish down. Oh dear, she thought with a short pout. Did she make enough?

KOTORI: Angels and all the such had been gathering in the abbey for quite some time now. As it was his home, Cloak of course made his way to where everybody was gathering, a dark aura sort of just… coming from him, but nobody ever really commented on this as he was usually a pretty nice person. The awkward ghost fanatic shuffled his way in, it never looked like he was walking, he looked more like he simply, snaked around, like he was just sliding forward, who knows what was under that thing. Cloaks general appearance was a dark one, he wore a yellow contact in his right eye that he called his “all seeing eye” and his cloak had a few decorative occult type decorations on it that honestly could mean anything. There were plenty of stray strings and threads coming off of his cloak as well, connecting parts of it to other parts of it that probably don't need to be, and some of them were simply floating in the air aimlessly, which was weird considering the lack of wind but he never thought of it that way. Entering the Abbey Cloak looked around aimlessly, his tired eyes scanning those around the room and he gave a smile before shifting off into a corner somewhere before squatting down and opening up a book that had been hidden in his Cloak, it was black, even the pages were black, and was written in white ink of some sort… weirdo… also edgy.

On the other hand, the complete opposite really, was Munjayeol, Jayeol as always was his stupid self, and quite enjoyed get togethers like the one that was going on right now. Marching into the Abbey proudly Jayeol let out a general hello to all in the form of “Arrival!”, mostly just to announce his presence, before skipping to some off place in the room to simply probably eat dirt or something… who knows what that boy did.

SAIYAN: Undershirt arrived in the rec room and noticed the large crowd around. He didn't really expect this big of a turn out from the Abbeys residents. It was nice to see really. It made him feel like the people actually gave a shit about him. He looked around the room and managed to spot Shades. The two of them hadn't talked much since they got freed. Which was reasonable considering they had been in such close quarters for so long. He'd also finally gotten the bejeweled song out of his head. Thank god for that. He pushed himself through the crowd and waved to Shades.

"Hey man! How have you been since we got settled back into the Abbey?" he asked him.

Wristband, Mesh Top and T.J. arrived not too long after. It was nice that a sense of normalcy had returned to the Abbey after the missing angels had returned safe and sound. The three of them looked around and noticed the huge crowd as well. It was weird to see this place so lively. Normally this place is pretty quiet, but today it was alive.

Mesh took a look over at the food table. Everything looked so good to her. She'd have to make her way over there.

Wristband and T.J. scanned the crowd to see if there was any familiar faces in the crowd but it was hard considering the sheer amount of people.

KRO: Gogo boots walked out of the shadows with rather baggy clothes on. They looked sleep deprived, maybe stayed up all night working on their latest album. The smell of food was both great but disgusting at the same time. Their metabolism must still be asleep if that was the case. As they scanned the room, they noticed Dermal brooding in the corner with his girlfriend. They approached Dermal, completely ignoring Veil, as they wrapped their arms around Dermal's neck.

"Hey," they started, "No smoking zone. There are people eating and you're gonna make them lose their appetite." They yanked the drag off his hand, but didn't throw it. He didn't want to actually get killed and they were inside a room. It'd be rude.

Shades smiled at Undershirt, waving a bit, "Hey dude! Nothing much really, just kinda turned 33 in the last few days and got engaged, so yeah." That sounds like stuff that kinda matters, Shades.

"How have you been, though?" He asks in response.

SAIYAN: Undershirt smiled back at Shades. He looked pretty good for 33 he had to admit. He went up and patted him on the back.

"Congrats on the engagement bud! Never knew you had it in you!" he laughed.

"I've been good though. Finally got that damned bejeweled song out of my head, but I'm still trying to get rid of seeing the orange gem every time I close my eyes. But other than that things are going smoothly, especially with Caplet" he finished.

Meanwhile Mesh was busy perusing the choices of food.

OWLIE: Monocle just arrived with Polo at the gates of the Abbey, they heard the other angels were having some sort of celebration, so the went there. Monocle looked around, slightly grumpy, he just got up. Polo on the other hand, bounced around like he drank a litter of coffee, eager to socialize

DJDEVIL: Helmet placed another hand on the boombox and began to shake it. "What is your secret, box?! I demand to know how your are able to produce music without human hands! If you do not, I shall smite you with the wrath of a thousand crusaders!" He shouted.

KRO: Sukafu held on to Shades' arm, getting in on the conversation between the two, "I didn't think he had it in him either! But he's pretty decent, didn't pop his jaw off."

He snickered, thinking he was being all clever, but Shades raised a brow.

"Honey, I know it hurts to tell you the truth but your penis doesn't function." Sukafu fell dead silent and looked down at the floor, analyzing all his life choices up until now.

"You didn't have to snatch my wig like that..." Sukafu said. Shades erupted in laughter and went back to pay attention to Undershirt.

"But hey, that's great, dude. Glad that's a thing for you. Aaaand, your bejeweled issue as well."

BUMBLER BEE: Sister Rosary would smile as she entered the room. In her habit. With a clipboard. Keep things professional, she told herself, something comforting for Strappon when he returned. She had carefully applied her sultry makeup and red lips as always, and smiled at the room. Food on the table and not wolfed down, wonderful. Everyone seeming content, great! Rosary looked up as Polo and Monocle came in, nodding her head. "Welcome boys, welcome! So glad to see everyone together!" she spoke in a warm way, though not overly chipper. After, she checked off a box on her list, chuckling happily.

SAIYAN: She took a little of everything, she wanted to try it all.

Meanwhile Wristband managed to spot Dirndl in the crowd. Quickly ditching Tuxedo Jacket, Wristband made her way over to her.

"Hey Dirndl! Wow that smells amazing! Did you make it yourself?" Wristband asked her after she noticed the dish she brought.

"Well shit, THANKS FOR LEAVING ME!" Tuxedo yelled at Wristband as she walked away.

The only thing he could do now was see if he could find someone he knew.

Meanwhile Undershirt laughed before his face grew red at the penis joke.

"HEY! IT'S FULLY FUNCTIONAL I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW!" He yelled, maybe a bit too loud.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Mary James walks into the Abby quietly, they made sugar cookies in the shapes of halos for everyone. He walks around , through the legs of many tall adults to go find a place to put them. He didn't really know anyone too well so he hoped the cookies would be a good introduction and a tiny little pick-me-up for himself.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: James-))

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Ohmygod))

EMI: Dermal's eye twitched slightly. "Thanks for the warm 'welcome back'." He said in a falsely sweet tone. "It's either this or a stiff drink to erase the sin I witnessed. Pick your poison."

Veil huffed at Gogo. "Let the man have some liberty, he's been through soooo much." She hummed, leaning up against him, blushing and fluttering her eyelashes. Dermal's mouth twitched. "On second thought, I think a drink is better. Would you?"

And Veil was off, running to fetch some good quality alcohol. She ran so fast in those heels and nearly ran over another lady who was entering the Abbey.

Obi readjusted her top and entered the Abbey with a smile. It'd been so damn long since she's been there, but it seems nothing had changed. At all.

OWLIE: Monocle noticed a woman greeting them, he and Polo headed towards the woman. "Thank you, Sister Rosary, Me and Pol--" He turned but Polo is gone, he is there on the buffet table with Dirndl, "Hey Dirndl," Polo said,

BRIT: Overshirt smiled and waved at Dirndl and approached her with one of those weird lil jogs. "Hey! How's everything going?" He asked her, helping her set up her dish, "You look a little distressed." He put his hands on his hips and tilted his head in question.

"Yep, we got cross-ants! And all sorts of sweets and bagels and stuff." Jacket called to Thigh-High. He stopped waving and directed his attention for a few moments to Helmet, staring at him. "Uh, also I guess we're also hosting the nuthouse. That or it's live entertainment."

Duster tailed close behind Hot Pants, ready to dig in to the dish he had prepared. He loved his cooking, and he'd be a gluttony fall if he had met Hot Pants before he fell. Well, probably. He crossed his arms at the comments about Sukafu's non-existent dick and just gave him the "father-son-holy spirit" action. Pray for the man's dignity.

CRACKEMWALNUTS: Knittens was sitting on top of Headphone's back both of them casually talking. Snippets can be heard above the music, "Yeah so like I'm saying, 5. He could fit 5 pool balls." "Seriously? Isn't that a health issue?" "For him, I think existence is a health issue." "Oooo buuuurn. Someone's growing up." "But yeah, I think he swallowed one..." Headphones jerked up, looking at Knittens shocked. His mouth agape and worried as he exclaims, "When was a party going on?! I'm in my pjs..." Knittens slowly face palmed in disappointment, who was the child here? 'Cause he really didn't think it was him right now.

KRO: Gogo grabbed an ashtray literally out of the ether and put out the drag, making sure not to dent it. How polite of them. "I think you losing your dinner through alcohol is better than exposing everybody to second-hand smoking."

Gee, what were they, Dermal's mom? Well, only to annoy him.

Hot Pants covered his mouth at Duster's gesture, nudging him a little. "I can't believe your future brother-in-law got murdered in front of you."

Hearing that comment, Sukafu scoffed, "I'll say. So much for all this LOVE and AFFECTION."

KOTORI: Cloak simply sat idly in the corner, still nothing to do, he really wasn't a fan of big get togethers but something so close to home for him was something he figured hed attend, after all it was all he really could do at the moment. Standing himself up he snaked his way through the crowd in hopes to find something to do however because simply reading was not very entertaining. Standing himself at the food table however he eyed everything he could probably snack on, mouth probably watering, clearly interested in what was available. However he wasn't exactly sure what he could even eat, he didn’t want to over do it cause he would just get a stomach ache if he did, but it all looked quite nice.

Meanwhile Jayeol was simply wandering around eyeing people down, who knows what he was doing.

OMEGAPSYCHO: Boxing comes into the rec room in a rush. he was late to the party because his alarm clock was broken. "I'm Late-" He was cut off when he was actually trip and started to roll. "Ah!" Boxer scream as he was rolling right into the wall then BAM! The Fallen Wrath hit the wall, he cartoon like swirly eye and birds circling his head. "I see pretty birdies" Boxer said all confuse.

SAIYAN: Undershirt calmed down a bit and regained his composure.

"Sorry about that. But thanks Shadey. I'm hoping by the end of the week I'll be totally back to normal" he finished.

GAMER-GODDESS: Looking up from her platter at Jacket with slight concern, "Y'know I would've brought more if I knew how many people would show up" She sighed as she brushed off her apron "Well I actually I would've brought more if I had more hands, I didn't plan on it just being myself today"

BUMBLER BEE: Dirndl would look up with a smile as Wristband first came up. “Ah, miss Wristband! I made a cottage pie…” responded the Fraulein, taking lid to reveal browned mashed potatoes that smelled faintly like black pepper and mostly pure butter. It was then she noticed Polo, those fair cheeks turning a pink like a pig’s belly. “Ah, Hallo… Herr Polo.” always the polite kräutchen. It was then even Overshirt came by, and she giggled. Her dish was quite large at 2.5 quarts. “Herr Wristband! Danke schön, but I am alright… even if I fear I did not make enough.” those flushed cheeks grew darker-- a sight Wristband was quite well accustomed to from the greenclad angel.

Rosary stood off to the side of the door with Monocle, laughing. “It’s alright. Dear… I know someone with hotpants when I see them.” though she more joked about that, bosoms shaking with self induced mirth.

DJDEVIL: After a few seconds of shaking of the boombox, Helmet stopped. "You will not speak? Very well!" He exclaimed then taking a few step back and pulling out Lucinius. "Prepare to be smited! DEUS VULT!" He shouted before he began whacking the boombox with righteous crusader fury.

OWLIE: Monocle rolled his eyes when he saw Polo on the other side of the room. He thanked Sister Rosary and walked away. Then saw someone rushed in the rec room and hit the wall, and that person turned out to be Boxer. He rushed over to give him a hand. "Hey there, Box," He greeted his friend

EMI: A bullet came out of left field and smashed into the back of Helmet's helm to halt his crusades. "HEY! Leave those tunes alone, freak!" Tee shouted. Yeah, he wasn't part of his crew, but no one else seemed to be stopping him...

OMEGAPSYCHO: Boxer shaked his head and look at person. "Mono!" Boxer shouted as got quickly and gave Mono a big huge. "I miss you buddy" He said as he hug Mono very tightly. "How are you?" Boxer said as he let go of him. "I been doing great, training to defeat God and other cool stuff" He said with a smile.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Mary Janes saw Boxing bust his ass and he proceeded to rush over, laughing a little bit. He places the cookies on a nearby table and he holds out his hand for the other. "Are you okay mister? You look like you fell pretty hard there!" Mary don't pet the birds. Mary do- and he's petting the birdies. Someone help this child.

OSCARK9: While Gloves finish off his pink sprinkle doughnut, he heard smashing sounds in the room, it spook him a little. He turn his head to see who it is and it was somebody that he never meet. He got up from his seat and run over to Helment. "Dude. Why are you smashing the boombox?" He question him.

OWLIE: "Yeahhhh"Monocle squeeked. He is a small guy and he's being crushed by a giant. When Boxer let go, he took a deep breath and smiled at his friend, it has been a while since they got in touch,."You know, starting riots and fights, and hey! I got a job now."

SAIYAN: Wristband took in the aroma. It definitely looked and smelled great. She turned back to her in approval.

"Wow Drindl, I never didn't know you could bake!" Wristband praised her. She couldn't wait to try it.

Wristband then noticed the blush that creeped up on Drindl's cheeks at Polo's arrival. How cute!

KOTORI: Cloak had eventually procured himself a small plate of snacks that he began eating as soon as he got it, honestly he didn't even eat most of it, a lot of it was just stashed away in his clothes for later… who knows what he has under there. Best not ask. Regardless he was now quite bored, everybody was simply socializing around him and doing whatever it is that they do but truthfully Cloak didn't know anybody and really didn’t want to approach a random stranger (and their mun is too scared to approach people too), so he simply stood in the middle of the room and pulled out his book again, simply reading the pages he had read 500 times over now. Truthfully the book was simply about ghosts and ghost hunting, but really he had no real interest in anything in it, he just liked the occasional picture. However if questioned hed prob say it was some weird ancient scripture or something. Really he was not the easiest person to talk to.

OMEGAPSYCHO: "Great to hear man!" Boxer smiled a Mono proud of him getting a job. But when he heard Mary Janes, he turn to her and look at her. "I'm fine Miss, I'm Boxer the Champion of Daten City!" He said with a smile and filling himself with pride. He then turns back to Mono and ask "So what it is your Job?". Boxer was little curious.

DJDEVIL: When the bullet hit Helmet's helm, it vibrated like a bell. Helmet grabbed his helm to stop it then turned to Tee. "You dare interrupt my righteous crusading?! You insolent cur!" He shouted, completely ignoring Gloves. "And who are you calling 'freak'?! I am a servant of the Lord himself!" He continued.

OWLIE: "Hey Dirndl, are you okay? Your face is red," Polo said, concerned.

Meanwhile, Monocle replied to boxer: "Well, I got a job at the nearest school from our home as a high school teacher. I have to admit it's kinda boring, but at least it pays,"

CRACKEMWALNUTS: Knittens pats Headphone's head as he ditches him promptly, as is normal of their relationship. Sliding over to Cloak he waves, and greets, "Ayyy, you're a new face. What's your name?" Headphones decided to get up, stretch and mingle. Well, if he could. He was in purple fuzzy pajamas, and it didn't cover much. But it looks like he's alone for now.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Mary's cheeks turn bright red, oh no he didn't. " I HAVE A DICK OKAY!" Flustered, he waffles off to go find someone else. It's the eighth time in one day someone thought he was a girl. He proceeds to look at the snacks at the snack table. His small tummy rumbles but he's too damn shy. (I feel ya bro) Meet people and get foodie? Or hide under the table? The answer should be obvious. He can count the gum under the table to kill time.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Waddles-))

EMI: "You're literally at a God Convention, buddy." Tee said, with a deadpan. "Like everyone here is a servant of the Lord. You fit right it. Congrats." He pointed at the kitchen. "Hoe about making yourself less useless and getting more paperwear and plasticwear?"

Obi placed a try down on the table. There weren't a lot of familiar faces around, but so many good looking men. Goodness. She at least noticed Overshirt and Tee.

BRIT: Duster gave a snort as he was nudged, barely concealing his mischevious smirk. "Well, Shades chose to marry him, Sukafu's choice to propose." He chuckled, nudging Hot Pants back.

"I guess it's fine!" Jacket laughed, "First come, first serve!" He adjusted his jacket and tilted his head to look around at everyone else again. There was a lot going on! So many people! Where was the boss? And by Boss he meant not Tee, but Strappon.

KOTORI: Cloak raised an eyebrow at the boy who had just approached him before crouching down to his height before sliding his book he had away into his cloak, along with where he keeps probably a bunch of other unknown things.

“Greetings child… you are… small.”

What an excelent way to point out the obvious, he than stood up before the boy and smiled down on him, though he still somehow looked horribly tired like, jesus boy what are those eyebags, please tell me that aint eyeliner (it is).

“I am Cloak... the… dar-... no… um… the uh…hmm.. Shit this is harder than I thought hold on.”

He proceeded to turn around and thought for a moment… like a long moment, like way too long totally killing the mood of the conversation before turning back.

“I am Cloak, the Shadowwalker…. No shit that sounds so lame im sorry... uh… yeah im Claok uh… fuck.. Sorry.”

OSCARK9: Gloves look over the broken Boom Box that the men created and it was a mess. "Rest in peace, you Boom Box." He said quietly so no one can hear him. He look over to the dude that smash the boom box. "I gotta say, I'm impress that you got good strength, but why the Boom box!?" He question him with a sad look on his face.

OMEGAPSYCHO: Boxeer look at Mono and blinked. "Highschool Teacher?" Boxer said kind of surprise because he thought Mono would get a cool job, maybe Mono will be the cool teacher boxer thought. Then when he heard out "I HAVE A DICK",he turn around and look at her. "Sorry, i didn't know Miss- i mean man" He said with a Nervous smile to Mary Jane. Boxer then turn back to Mono. "Well, i .proud of you Mono and i will get us some Victory Punch!" Boxer said with a smile as he walk over to Punch Bowl and got two punch drinks for Mono and Boxer.

EMI: Veil returned with a couple bottles of fine alcohol, shoving Cloak around to get a bottle and poured one for Dermal. She was a woman on a mission.

Dermal watched in vague amusement. "There's worse things that are a hazard Angels can die from." He said, flipping his hair. "Like themselves."

KRO: As if Gogo entering the scene in their pajamas wasn't bad enough, another Abbey resident had to dress himself all nice to go downstairs from his dorm to yell at people to lower the speaker's volume. It's only noon thirty, people are trying to sleep.

As he entered the rec room, he held up a finger, ready to shout into the crowd until he saw a particularly stunning sight. It was Obi and he could feel his face flush. Should he make a move, should he not. He didn't want to come off as some creep, that'd be terrible. He decided to kinda recede into the crowd and calculate his moves. Boy, he's overthinking this.

"I was referring more to the humans present, Angels are kinda hopeless either way." But you're an Angel too, Gogo.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Mary was on a mission, a mission to be as low key as possible. Would he succeed? Probably not. I mean a tiny hand poking out from under a table to get a snack is totally normal. He was just gonna play pretend till someone joined him. Or found him at least.

CRACKEMWALNUTS: Knittens was immediately on the defensive, "You calling me short? I'll have you know, I'm taller than my uncle and some of my cousins!" He doesn't like being called a small, ever. Tilting his head a bit, is expression turn to worry as he saw the poor state the other was in. Hopefully he won't fall asleep on him. As Cloak stumbled around thinking, his mind began to wander. Like, if he was ever gonna see his mom this year at all. Honestly he wasn't sure if she was still alive. The letters stopped. Then he saw small hands poking around the table and he crouched down. He knew there was gnomes in here from the day he moved to Daten, and he'll find them. He motioned for Cloak, missing his name as he whispers, "I think there are gnomes under here."

KRO: Sukafu shoots Duster a small glare. He's right there, asshole. Hot Pants notices this and waves at Sukafu with a cheeky smile.

"Alright, let's stop the teasing. But hey, I'm glad you can make it guys." Shades said.

Strappon was running for his life. It was getting very, very dark already and he had been running for god knows how long.

DJDEVIL: "I do not take orders from you, cur." Helmet said, walking towards Tee. "Nor would I. I mean, seriously, look at yourself! You look more ridiculous than a warthog in a tuxedo!" he continued, pointing at Tee's clothes.

KOTORI: Did somebody just fucking… shove him, wow rood, though he really didint know what to do about that, or how to utilize this as an opportunity to speak to somebody considering their mun is bad at that and doesnt wanna bother anybody. He simply let it go before turning back to the small child he butchered his introduction to.

After being shoved Cloak was quite… offended really, like what the fuck RICHARD, he was a fucking queen how dare you. Not like he would ever actually say that though, he was on the ground honestly like, she hit him not that hard but, he was small and fragile. Getting up he gave Veil a glare before speaking up.

“You dare ignore my presence… such ignorance will be punished if you are not careful.” Cloak please why do you talk like that

However, something does catch his attention, the word gnomes. If anybody knew anything about Cloak, it was his interest in the occult, and sure gnomes weren't really occult but they were close enough that he squatted down and looked under the table with Knittens

“Gnomes you say… tricky creatures, if one has arrived here it will surely mean all of our demise… soon enough.”

(( OOC: pls just ingore that first paragraph ))

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Two very blue eyes stared back at them, glowing much like a cats would. Why was that dude that looked like that ink demon from that one game staring at him? Wait it got better now his crush is. That's goodish? Why are they talking about gnomes? Mary Janes had not a clue.

BRIT: Duster tilted a cheeky smirk in Sukafu's direction. You're part of his family now, and if Shades is correct, then he can give you shit for everything. Good luck and godspeed, Sukafu. He has no filter.

Jacket walked up silently next to Tee, looking between him and Helmet. The fuck is going on?

BUMBLER BEE: Dirndl glanced over to Wristband, a sense of panic flooding her for the briefest of moments: that knowing little smile. She squeaked under her breath, but smiled all the same. "Ah yes, I love to cook and bake! Cottage pie is, how you say... shephard's pie with beef!" Responded the young woman, fixing her hair idly. "Oh yes, I am fine!" she then spoke, putting a comfort hand on Polo's bicep for only the briefest of times. "Maybe I am too warm, hm?"

EMI: "Fine! BE useless! Just do it out of the gotdamn way!" Tee shouted, throwing his arms up. "Oh, and look at you, Mr. Buckethead. Using Ad Hominem to make yourself sound so fucking fancy."

Veil totally ignored the inky black boy next to her and rushed over to Dermal, who took the glass and grave it a swig before spitting it out onto Gogo.

SAIYAN: Wristband quickly changed the subject. She'd had enough fun messing with Drindl like that.

"Ohh, that sounds delicious! You have to teach me how to cook sometime. I'm terrible at anything in the kitchen and it would be nice to know those skills" she said to Drindl.

KUMA: Pasties arrived to the party fashionably late. The truth is that she had gotten pretty caught up in an event in one of her mobile games and attending had slipped her mind. She'd never admit it though. Interestingly enough Pasties decided to wear a shirt for this party. However, it was a joke t-shirt reading "Honk if you ❤️ Boobs" that she probably just threw on once she remembered the party was happening. She stood around casually, not thinking of approaching anyone just yet.

OSCARK9: Getting no answers from the guy that he just met, he walk away from him and getting back to his seat to finish off his snacks. When he got there, his delicious snacks was gone. "Aw man. They must've mistaken that it was garbage." He said, feeling down. "Ah well, gotta get more." He walk over to the snacks booth to get some more. "Next time, I'll leave a sticky note."

Where was he, now? He must have been running for hours. He was constantly looking over his shoulder, staring at the mortar and bricks behind him. He passed through so much flora and fauna he literally had no idea where he was.

CRACKEMWALNUTS: "You sure about that? Like you sure you're sure?" Knittens glanced at him confused, after all he's pretty sure some people in here were already dead so unless there's a super heaven, he isn't sure where they go. Looking back under the table his eyes widen in surprise to find Mary Janes. So ofcourse the first question, "Dude, what're you doing under the table? By the way, nice seeing you again." Headphones strolled around, not looking where he was going and knocked into Pasties. He apologized, "Sorry about that, I'm a bit airheaded. Oh, nice shirt. I would honk but I like dick."

KUMA: Pasties wasn't that bothered by being bumped into. She raised her hand in acknowledgement. "Its fine don't worry about it," she said. Pasties then gave a bit of a wink when her shirt got referenced. "Thank you. Its understandable. Everyone has different taste."

KRO: Gogo was ready to strangle Dermal, but showed restraint. Instead they grabbed some of Dermal's hair and wiped off whatever vile liquid was on their beautiful visage.

"I don't know how many times I have to tell you, but your spit doesn't count towards being a moisturizing face mask, dear."

Sukafu squinted, he's keeping an eye on you Duster. Better have quips ready.

Hot Pants served himself some of his own food, poking it at a little before looking up at the group, "So...anybody seen the priest? My boss came in earlier to ask for him but he was kinda gone."

Archer finally gathered the courage to talk to the pretty lady, inhaling sharply as he approached Obi. "Good evening, ma'am. I'm sorta new here and I'm confused as to what's happening. I thought you may know, but I'm probably assuming that you've been here before."

KOTORI: How dare this feind ignore him, he would have none of it, after being walked past once more Cloak muttered some words that were probably ment to curse her but truthfully there was no sure way that would work, perhaps luck would come into play and she would stub her toe or something like that.

Pulling out his cellphone he returned his attention to the gremlin child under the table that he soon found out that was not a gnome… shame

“Ah… it's just a kid.” Where did the edge talk go… he probably got bored

He than began rapidly tapping away at his phone, though nobody would really know what exactly he was doing it looked kind of like twitter... his phone case unlike all of his other things was pink and had a few cute charms hanging from it, why… who knows. After putting it away he spoke up again, this time much nicer now that he had two literal babies around him.

“Why are you under the table child… it is not safe, what if it were to fall, or if an evil ghost were hiding under the table with you, I would rather you remain alive young one. —unlike some people—.” He glared at Veil, he did not wish death upon her, but he did wish a stubbed toe

OWLIE: "Oh... Okay," then he flashed Dirndl a smile. Then he turned to see Monocle chatting with his friend Boxer. Polo smiled. The two is so different yet so alike.

He smiled at Dirndl once more and said, "I gotta go see what Mono's up to, so... See you later Dirndl, Wristband," Then he walked towards Monocle and Boxer.

"Hey there Boxer, Monocle, what's up?"

Monocle didn't reply, he rolled his eyes and ignored him.

"Hey, did I say something wrong?" Polo asked Monocle, still no answer.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Mary shrugs. " I didnt really have anyone to talk to and I don't really know anyone. I was kinda just looking for my moms..Nice seeing you too though. Hi there Mister ink. I um... I made cookies if that's okay.." He looks up at Cloak. " I can probably fight it. If not it can eat me, I don't mind too much." He nibbled a halo cookie he made.

OMEGAPSYCHO: "Hey Polo, me and Mono are just talking about jobs" Boxer said as he hug Mono in a way that would make Polo jealous. "You great guy Mono, you'll be a great Highschool Teacher" He said with smile aas he was drinking his punch. "So Polo, how are you?" Boxer ask as he was drink his punch.

BRIT: Following after Hot Pants, Duster had his own plate stacked generously with food. He had been eating the whole time, but it was noted that he had literally a pile of food. He munched at it some, nodding with Hot Pants. "I haven't seen him, yet." He pointed. It was a little concerning, "I thought he went hunting with Father Hiccup."

Jacket barely dodged Tee's hands flying outward. That woulda conked him good with all the rings he wore. "It does look like a bucket..." He mused.

CRACKEMWALNUTS: Knittens silently judged Cloak for his phone, not because it was girly but really because it didn't have a gudetama charm on it. For shame. He scooted under the table with Mary Janes, whispering gently, "Do have you seen any gnomes? They took my sandwich a week ago and I'm looking for blood." Headphones chuckled as he pulled out from somewhere a screen play. It was the thickness of an encyclopedia as he sighs, "Tell me about it, I wrote a play exactly on it. I was thinking of calling it, 'Seven minutes in Heaven'. I needa get in touch with people to produce it" He put the screen play on the table, the stack of papers landing on the table caused a loud bang to resound from it. But the more important question: where and when did he write this thing?

DJDEVIL: Tee was getting on Helmet's nerves. Interrupting his righteous crusade against that foul box, calling him useless and his glorious helm a bucket. Insult upon insult. "You believe yourself better than me, do you knave? Well, I'll have you know that I served in the Crusades to liberate the holy hand from the foul Saracens. I bled for the Pope and for the Lord and would do so again and again AND AGAIN! What have YOU done for the Lord, cur?!" Helmet shouted, pressing his face onto Tee's.

OWLIE: "Yeah, Monocle's so smart he got hired as a teacher. ANd he's only 19," Polo said,"And yeah, I'm great, my Job's still the same," He put his hand on Monocle's shoulder, but Monocle slapped it off.

Monocle glared at Polo, somehow he actually felt angry. Though it's a different kind of angry, he was jealous

KUMA: Em arrived to the party pretty dressed up. Even though he showed up to the zombie fight before, he might be unrecognizable to most. He didn't talk to many people there

EMI: Obi whipped around to see the visage of the glorious person before her. It was another Fallen who's face she didn't recognize.

"Well, then, welcome!" She chirped. "My name is Obi! I own the little teahouse a walk away from here." She gave a little bow, trying to not let her chest fall out of her kimono this time. She really needed to fix that somehow...

"Wow, slow down, Grandpa." Tee held up his hands in mock defense. "I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition here!"

No one expect the Spanish Inquisition, Tee.

KUMA: He was also currently dressed as Emmy, wig, dress, and all. While he wasn't the biggest fan of social gatherings, Emmy felt more confident while dressed up. He was hoping he could talk to someone though before the party ended.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Keep it together Mary you can do this. "Gnomes? Sammiches? That's a declaration of war! And n-no I haven't..we can look for em if you'd like? Or we can just chill under here?" He messes with a strand of his lavender hair. Mary looks up at Cloak. "Knittend who is Mister ink?"

OMEGAPSYCHO: Boxer looked at Mono and got close to him. "Hey Mono, you okay?" he ask a little curious about whats happening."It's just because you acting weird around Polo like your anger at him" He whisper to him. "Did Polo do something wrong? Also, you want some more punch?" Boxer ask as he look at Mono.

Finally approaching the green of the garden ahead of him, he could hear the music coming from the inside of the Rec Room. Busting down the doors, Strappon shoved himself through the doors with a loud slam. He stood there, his clothes were torn apart and his hair disheveled, some cuts, scrapes, bruises and a bloody nose. "Angels!" He managed to shout, clearly distressed.

KOTORI: “The blood of a gnome is a powerful thing young child… I respect your goal.”

He gave the two boys a smile before introducing himself to Jane, a creepy smile on his face that was probably intended to be kind looking, wiht his peircing eyes looking at the two of them seemingly at once.

“As I said earlier, I am Cloak, I study ghosts… I didn’t say that last part.”

However, his smile darkened when Strappon came through the door hurt, he had no idea what was going on but he knew strapon well enough, but did not expect something like this. He stood up and simply looked at the bloodied man with tired eyes.

“Please knock before entering.”

KRO: Oh sweet Jesus, she's talking to him. Today is truly a blessed day. "Obi, what a lovely name. My name's Archer Gloves but that's a mouthful, so just call me Archer." He bowed in return, a rather dignified bow no less.

"But a small teahouse, you say? I should drop by sometime soon, get acquainted with the city and all-"

Before he can continue he jumped out of surprise from Strappon's abrupt entry, practically into Obi's arms. Good first impression.

OSCARK9: While Gloves restock his sweets on his plate ones more (2 Choco. Cookies, 2 Brownies, and 2 Reeses. With a cup of Fruit Punch.) He walk all the way back to the table that he was sitting at. Before he took a bite out of his Choco. Cookie, he was spooked once again by a loud shout. He turn his head to see who it is and it was Strappon. With a shock look on his face, he had one question to say. "My god! What happen to you?!" He said in his shocking tone.

SAIYAN: Undershirt, T.J., Wristband and Mesh all stopped what they were doing and turned to look at a very distressed looking Strappon. It was quite the shock to see him in this condition. Normally he comes screaming in all the time but never when he looked like he was just attacked by a bear.

"Wow, what the fuck happened to you?" Undershirt asked as he folded his arms.

The other three didn't need to say much, Undershirt pretty much said what was on their collective minds.

CRACKEMWALNUTS: Knittens began to introduce Mary to Cloak, "Mary Janes this is... This is..." He blushed, embarassed that he didn't catch it before but relieved when he said it himself. Before he could begin the gnome hunt, he saw the pink haired priest barge in looking quite messed up. He nudged Mary Janes forawrd, curious about waht's going on. "Ohhhhh shit..." Headphones mumbled as he appraoched Strappon. Guy was either turning into a werewolf or got into a gang fight. Either one very likely in this neighborhood. He waved to Em, who was looking dastardly cute he must say. Damn, he should've worn his sexy nurse outfit. He feels under dressed now.

OWLIE: Before he could reply to Boxer, he was interrupted by the sudden appearance of the human Strappon, and boy did he look so beat up. He was curious to know what happened. Meanwhile, Polo is a bit dumfounded and confused to why Monocle is giving him the cold shoulder.

OMEGAPSYCHO: "Yo Strappon" Boxer said as he gave him some punch."Here you go, it looks like you need it more than me" He said with smile. Then he walk back to Mono like nothing happen. "This is a fun Party" He said to himself.

DJDEVIL: Helmet quickly turned to Strappon when he slammed the door and saw his injuries. "Brother Strappon!" He exclaimed and ran to him. "What foul creature did this to you? I shall smite it with righteous fury!" He said holding Lucinius high in the air.

KRO: Hot Pants nearly choked on his his food as Strappon entered with Shades and Sukafu getting on high alert. Jesus, the guy looked like he's been mauled. Shades broke off from the group and approached Strappon, grabbing him and glaring at Boxer.

"Dude, can't you see he's gotten mauled by something? Anyways, are you okay man?"

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Mary waves up to Cloak, not at all phased by his weirdoness. Kinda found it pleasantly different. Cloak = Cool duder. He looks out of the table to where Knittens nudged him. "Oh dear lord above.." He clutched his small pastel punk butterfly knife. His now that mom can't exactly wield it. "What the heck do you think happened to him?" He turns to Knittens.

KUMA: Pasties glanced over clearly not too bothered by Strappon's current appearance. Sometimes parties got crazy. She thought it'd be lame if the party got interrupted so soon after she arrived. Em waved pretty shyly once he noticed Headphones. He felt immediate relief to see someone that he recognized from before. Trying to ignore any potential danger he slowly walked over to Headphones. Bow Barrettes had been keeping to herself with some food, but was immediately concerned when Strappon busted in. "Oh no, what happened?"

CRACKEMWALNUTS: Knittens shrugged and whispered back, "Fasci might have gotten into a car accident again..." Headphones smiled excited, they weren't running immediately! That's a new achievement. He whistled and chuckled, "Well aren't you looking absolutely adorable tonight." He jokingly winked, not actually hitting on Em. Aftera all, they were friends. He doens't want to make them feel too uncomfrotable. But was this really the time for small talk?

BRIT: Overshirt had rushed to his side as well, shoving Boxer out of the way. Fuck your punch, the guy's bleeding. "Strap! What happened?" He asked, helping Shades hold him up.

Strappon was shaking, sobbing very quietly and thanking God he was home. He was coughing a little, definitely wheezing. Get him a damn inhaler, he's becoming asthmatic. "Ahh. Bloody... Father Handcuffs. He and I went hunting ghosts. Then he... He's..."

EMI: "Stone cold by now. 6 Feet under, pushing daisies, and worm food." Said a voice, calling from behind Strappon. A pale-haired lady halted her steps at the door. "He'd probably be in better shape if you had been half the Templar you claim to be, Pinky~"

BRIT: Strappon's head whipped around from his position in their arms, incredibly alert at the woman's presence. "Who the bloody hell are you!?" He growled, "Did you follow--"

EMI: Torsolette held her finger to his lips.

"Shhhhhh... I'm watching the telly. You should too. Seams pretty darn interesting today." She held a wicked smirk on those dark-painted lips.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Mary shakes his head, "It looks like whatever ghost attacked him was really really strong..if he was running like that we might be in trouble." He moved a little bit infront of the other, knife out just in case.

BRIT: The television had been playing some sort of drama that Overshirt had been watching with a couple of Tee's gang members when it cut to breaking News.

"This just in! People in Daten City are being attacked at a rapid rate by large... Dog monsters!" The newscaster screamed in the least-professional manner possible.

In the background, there were lots and lots of screaming people being attacked by some large werewolf-type monsters.

Jacket gasped. "SUPER WEREWOLVES?! FUCK THIS ECLIPSE."

OMEGAPSYCHO: Boxer drops his punch.

OWLIE: "What the hell?!" Monocle said, alarmed.

EMI: Obi looked between everyone and the beautiful man in her arms. She was actually surprised she could hold him, like he had bird bones or something. But it seemed like things were heating up and she didn't like the looks of it.

Dermal, who had somehow teleported himself to the bathroom to spit out whatever terrible alcohol that chick had given him, came back at the wrong time. Oh, damn. He missed the punch line.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: "Doggies..?" He watched the television a little. Huh. Zombies..werewolves..vampires? Maybe he'll watch twilight later. "Why are they...why is no one...huh.." He had to admit they were pretty when they weren't being terrifying. They were just pretty terrifying right now though.

KOTORI: “A ghost you say? Colour me intrigued, wha-” He was about to ask about it but lucky for him the news filled him in just fine. It was like life itself had fueled Cloaks dead heart, and he had a huge smile on his face “AH! What a lovely ghost! Truly unique and so powerful, it is a shame that they are evil creatures, they could be quite entertaining to study up close if not for the fact that they would kill me.”

He took a moment to pause, take out his book, and doodle a little picture of the ghost and jotting down some notes that he could gather about it before putting it away again.

“A wonderfully horrible creature, It fills me with excitement just thinking of all the valuable information this creature poses… hhhaaah im burning up wiht excitement… this is a wonderful opportunity.”

OSCARK9: Hearing what the news had to say gives him the chills down his spine. "JESUS!" He said, shockingly.

CRACKEMWALNUTS: Knittens gulped as he grabbed his hockey stick, sweating a bit. The thing was near the hospital, and his guardian had to back for an operation. He stuck out a hand to hold Mary Janes back, just in case something would happen. Knittens galnced at Cloak concerned, were these the people that he shouldn't go near as his mother said? Headphones sweated at the news channel. Fuck, it was were wolves. He ran out of silver bullets yeaterday, and he wasn't going to costco until next week. He cries. Headphones took of his name sake, but didn't summon his weapon. He tried to be nonchalant but he was obviously worried. Well, now they had to deal with that...

BRIT: Strappon stared like a man who had been through a small civil war at the television, dumbfounded, before turning back to the woman.

"Who are you?" Duster asked, stepping forward and struggling his coat off his shoulders. He was about to stab this lady into the fucking Ancient Realm. He wasn't very fond of the color pink that her soul threads were, either.

DJDEVIL: "We must make haste and smite these foul beasts, lest ravage the city! DEUS VULT!!!!" Helmet shouted.

KRO: "What is this, fucking Bloodborne?" Shades muttered. He loved the game and all, but he wasn't ready for a Lovecraftian horror to come to life.

Sukafu looked on in horror before disappearing off somewhere else in the Abbey. He was expecting something to happen and he needed to be appropriately dressed for the occasion. He came out of whatever hole he went into in full Sentai armor. He's ready.

SAIYAN: "WHAT IN THE GOD DAMN" Undershirt yelled as he watched the news story continue.

Damn just when he was getting used to back at home, some stupid shit happens.

The rest of the group were stunned as well. This woman just appeared after Strappon came in all bloody, and now the city was under attack from some sort of dog monster things This whole night just went from 0 to 100 really fucking fast.

"Jesus, I was not expecting that! And here I was thinking that I would have a boring night inside. Looks like my luck has changed!" he said with that confident smirk he usually wore. And why wouldn't he be confident? He was the most capable person here.

OMEGAPSYCHO: "It's Punching Time!" Boxer shouted as he summon his weapon. "Also, need to do one more thing" He said as he grab his list of Punching Stuff. "Punching a Werewolf, Check" Boxer said as he check it and put it back into his pocket. "Alright, Where-wolf is this Monster?" Boxer said ready to punch the werewolf in the snout.

KUMA: Em wasn't really able to give a proper response due to the news coming on. Talk about bad timing. He watched Headphones draw his weapon with a bit of awe. Em returned the weapon he got during the zombie hunt so he was pretty much unarmed. Internally, Pasties sighed. She had a confident expression though. "Well since I'm here we'll probably be able to finish these monsters off no sweat!" She reached into her shirt and got her knives. It probably was a good thing that she was wearing one today.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: "I swear to god if there's love triangles today it might as well be twilight gone worse." Mary said as he held his knife tighter. "Knittens you ready to kick some wolf booty if we gotta?"

BRIT: There was a flash of lightning and thunder struck the ground in front of Strappon. Through the roof. Thanks, God. The Templar reached town and picked up the paper warily before reading it aloud. "...Dog?" He worded out slowly.

"Dogs? Isn't that something we've already witnessed?" Duster asked, annoyance apparent in his tone.

OWLIE: "Gee, this night just got more interesting," Monocle said, holding his namesake in his hand, but he didn't summon it yet. It would be hard and awkward if one tries to tote a double-bladed axe somewhere.

"Hey, Mono, notice me," Polo said out of the blue. "Whatever I did... I'm sorry,"

Monocle said nothing, his eyes were onxed onto the TV, watching the dog monsters.

KOTORI: Cloak figured fithing was not a good option for him, but he would do it anyways if he must, seeing as a few people were pulling out their weapons he figured hed do the same. Although he was not an angel and could not summon a weapon, he kept his under his cloak just like everything else he owned really. Out of his cloak he pulled out a sythe, which at first was folded up in some way shape or form, but after swining it at nothing quickly it opened up into a rather large sythe that was bigger than him, in fact it was huge, and above it was a halo like ring that looked like it was floating above the top of the weapon, though something else was probably casuing that. The whole thing was coverd in a black ink, and was dripping itself onto the floor of the abbey, who knows how to clean that up?

Standing with his weapon to his side as ink dripped over his hand he looked sort of flustered and excited

“I-If you do not mind, I would like to go ahead of the others to see thisl.. Ghost.. I am… so intrigued in seeing it wreak havoc before the angels smite it, I am just… this is a once in the life tim opportunity, seeing a ghost this powerful, hhhaahh, I will… meet everybody there, I have ink to… protect myself If I so desire…. I cannot… wait.”

He looked like he was drooling, in fact he was, he had to wipe away drool like every two seconds. After speaking he slithered his way past people, trying not to get some of them covered in ink, hoping he would be allowed to go but he didn't see why he wouldn't be able to.

CRACKEMWALNUTS: Knittens nods as he gets out from under the table, offering a hand to Mary Janes to help up. He smiled, "Like always, ready!" He was hiding the fear under a smile. Seriously that thing looked like some hell incarnate straight from the occult book at home. But he needed to do whatever he can to help. He nods to Clock, sure that he'll be okay. After all, he sort of looked like a ghost, especially with all the ink talk. Knittens encouraged, "Yeah, you can help look for it! Right?" Headphones asked Em, "You gonna be okay?" He pursed his lips, worried about the other one. He'll be okay after all the worst that happened was amnesia and honestly. Not bad.

DJDEVIL: "Prehaps a ghost in the form of a household dog caused this. Or maybe God meant Hot Dogs and i forgot the word 'Hot' in the paper. Either way, it's time to launch a crusade against these foul creatures! DEUS VULT!!!" Helmet roared before running out of the Rec Room, with Lucinius in hand.

KRO: "Dogs?" Shades gets up immediately, even leaving Strappon without second thought.

"I'm having no part of this at all, if anybody needs me, I'm going to have a panic attack." That sounded concerning, but he was insistent on not being followed and went somewhere non-descriptive.

EMI: Torsolette tapped at her chin. "Dogs... Dogs..." She thought for a moment. "Oh!!"

Her heels clicked as she walked away from the door. "Like this one??"

Behind Torsolette there stood a massive, emaciated man-dog-beast-ghost that smelled of death and hot garbage. It looked as if she had risen the corpse of a dog and stuffed some other stuff into it. It's tentacles writhed from it's chest as it sniffed the air.

It howled and lunged violently at the doorframe, but just as it snapped inches away from Strappon's face, it was held in place by a Soul-Thread tether held by the Hellbent behind it.

"I figured you missed your friend, so I brought him along with me. He was such a good boy for me, too. It could have been you..."

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Mary takes Knittens hand and he gets out from under the table. He returns a smile, he wasn't scared this time. He was actually excited! "Hell yeah!" To Mary they just looked like dogs that needed baths and some Lord in their lives. Just a dash though. He lets go of Knittens hand and he hops up. "Can we go check it out?"

KUMA: Em tried to reassure Headphones with a smile, but it was still pretty nervous. "I think I'll probably be fine... I just won't get involved in the fighting. Unless there's like... an extra weapon around like last time."

OMEGAPSYCHO: Boxer goes and follows Shades thinking that something was up with him. "Oi Shades, you alright?" He ask him. "You look kind of scared man" Boxer said as he was following him wondering what Shades was concern about.

BRIT: Strappon and Overshirt had jumped backward a little, Ovy steadying his cousin. Duster officially summoned his blade and went into his stance. "Father Hamcaps..." Strappon said weakly. There was a look of regret over his face.

"I won't ask again. Who the fuck are you?" Duster hissed, his pupils dilating. Why the fuck did they do that, anyway?

OWLIE: 'What the.,.." Monocle summoned his weapon. Polo did the same, both are equally disturbed.

KOTORI: Cloak did not need to look far clearly before the dog ghost was standing there before them, he had just barley made it to the door when it lunged in but as soon as he saw it so close up he was filled with excitement and dropped his weapon, got on his knees, and began kissing the floor.

“Oh thank you lord god above for blessing me with such a wonderful specimen, it will truly be worth studying, aaah it's so wonderful I feel as though I might puke!”

He got back up, weapon in hand before getting probably uncomfortably close to the ghost that he should in fact, stay probably twenty or so feet away from. A gross smile on his face he looked at the hellbenmt who was speaking.

“Is this creature yours? I am… so impressed by your handywork if you have created it, unless you are simply… controlling it, than you are not important… but this ghost… it is so important, look at it's jaws, and the tentacles… OHhhh it is just… sO…. WONDerful… I… I need a momMent toT compose myself…. I Am… This creature is magnificant!”

He looked red and was breathing heavily, before he calmed himself, took out his book, and began writing notes, as many as he could, his weapon resting against the wall beside him.

SAIYAN: "Ah shit, here we go" Undershirt said as he got into a fighting stance, the glow on his body glowing at a little more intensity.

The rest of the gang assembled at Undershirt's side, even Mesh Top, who had to drag herself off of the chair. Wristband glanced over at Strap before looking back at the dog. That poor man, Wristband thought to herself.

"Scary pooch you got there." Tuxedo Jacket said sarcastically. "Does he know any tricks other than speak?"

EMI: The manbeast gave the loudest, angriest shriek-roar, spitting everything in it's throat on the man in front of him.

"I'll let you two tie up your loose ends..." The woman simply cut the Soul Thread with a pair of scissors and let him loose.

"Consider it a gift from I, Torsolette, Leader of the Compact Powders!" She flipped her hair and ran off. "See you in hell, Fuckers!"

SAIYAN: "Actually we go to heaven" Tuxedo Jacket said with an eye roll.

CRACKEMWALNUTS: Headphones backed the fuck up. Sure, he liked tentacles but he wasn't ready. Not for this. Lord, if this is his punishment for his sin please forgive him. He grabbed Em by the shoulder with an iron grip and whisper-yelled, "If we get to a fancy restaurant right now we can savalge this night 'cause I'm gonna be seeing that in my nightmares." Knittens nudged Mary Janes away from Cloak, but kept his eyes on the hell beast. He was trembling a bit but he kept his eyes confident. Although he did gag at the roar, god it was like hot garbage rotting under the sun. Welp here we go again.

OSCARK9: Gloves was still shock to see all those dog monsters attacking people and creating havoc in Daten. It took him a few seconds to get his sense back together. When he did that, he summons his holy weapons from his gloves into gauntlets. With his anger look on his face, he's ready to teach this dog a lesson. "Dog, prepare to meet Gloves." He said as he punches his gauntlets together.

KOTORI: Cloak was disapointed to not get any straight answers about the ghost asside from it being a “gift” but that did not bother him much. After he created a mroe detailed sketch and took a bunch of notes he grabbed his weapon again and stood up tall, drooling more than before.

“LOooK at it MOOove…. It is so… so… SO Lovley…. Please kill it quickly… BUt I would appreaciate… iF you could let me see it do some things… I WOuld like… some notes…. Aaahah this …. Is so wonderful.”

It's hard to believe really that a heaven bent would like ghosts so much but truthfully he understood the creatures as evil and foul, he was more so interested in them because of that, he loved explaining things that were… well not really explainable, he wasn't a scientist of any sort though, and all of his notes would probably make no sense to most.

EMI: "Oh, balls." Obi whispered as she carried her new friend and ran as fast as her geta would take her away from the raging wolfman ghost.

Tee stared at the death in front of him and would have probably shit himself if he hadn't prepared ahead of time. How, we'll never know, but this thing smelled RANK.

"LET'S MOSEY!" He shouted to his fallen comrades. I mean. FALLEN comrades.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Mary stood tall and he held his pocket knife. He groans and covers his nose. "Doggie breathhhhh..mama ever told ya to invest in some mint treats!?Jeez! " He gets an idea! Running out he grabs a big stick, he waves it. "C'mere puppo!! Mary's got a toy! It's wooden and its got your name and bad breath all over it!" This kid was something else.

DJDEVIL: All of a sudden, Helmet busted through one of the windows. "My Crusaders Senses told me to return, so i have. Plus i saw the pink-haired lady running off with an evil smile, so i thought something wa- __Oh sweet Jesus!__ Helmet screamed when he saw Father Handcuffs.

FATHER HANDCUFFS: As soon as the Thread was severed, it ran past the people that was closest to the door. That was odd, considering there were a lot of folks just near it. It stopped dead in its tracks in front of Hot Pants, standing up on two legs and towering over the small man. He was frozen with fear and did nothing as the ghost yanked him off the ground and drove its tongue inside his head.

The ghost suddenly stopped as it retreated its tongue, setting Hot Pants down gently. Somehow, Hot Pants' wounds healed as if nothing happened. He saw his entire life flash before his eyes.

Snapping its head in another direction, the ghost grabbed another human, doing the same as it did with Hot Pants. Except this time the human began shriveling up as if their life essense was being drained. Retreating the tongue, there were Soul Threads wrapped around the tongue which it ingested. It dropped the human on the ground, who got up, transforming into a ghost. Well that's certainly new. Blinking, the ghost looked around and simply hid in the shadows. Nope, they weren't going to get involved in this fiasco. Goodbye, off to enjoy the afterlife.

KRO: Shades stopped, turning to Boxer with a glare, "I said that I didn't want anybody to follow me."

He kept moving through the Abbey, hoping to crash in a friend's dorm for the night.

Archer hopped off from Obi's arms, picking her up and running with twice as much gusto.

"I do not want that thing ruining my hair, let's bail."

BRIT: Overshirt yanked Strappon out of the way of the rampaging beast but was helpless to stop it from attacking other people. He felt really fucking sick.

Strappon's resolve seemed to harden significantly.

Duster was awstruck the ghost had rushed past him and even moreso that it... Seemingly failed to harm Hot Pants. He saw his future life with Hot Pants flashed before his eyes, had it finally happened? No, thank fuck. he still had another time to murder his boyfriend. Readying Blood Covered, he took the lead.

"Don't just stand around, we need to stop him before he harms anyone else!" Strappon yelled, "Go!"

SAIYAN: "Well...that was more than I thought he could do. I thought he was all show!" T.J. said as he watched a man get sucked dry like a Capri Sun. He shuddered at the thought of what that must feel like.

"I just saw a man die" Mesh Top said with out the slightest care in the world. Oh the poetry she'd write after that.

Undershirt and Wristband continued to watch the dog ghost's movements.

(( OOC: Fighting RP go! http://dcmissionaries.boards.net/thread/174/ghost-father-handcuffs Reference Thread: http://dcmissionaries.boards.net/thread/100/combat-system-works ))

KOTORI: The noise that escaped Cloaks mouth when it saw a ghost turn a human into a ghost was probably really high pitched, and may have sounded a little lewd, but that was the way he was. Holding his hands over his chest he was actually crying, like legitimately crying, no not because somebody died, but because now there was two ghosts in the room for him to study and learn about, and one of them was created by a ghost.

“HOly shit this is even better… Im… I think im in love... “

He got quite close to both ghosts while still trying to keep low to avoid being seen while sketching up something of the second ghost that had appeared and taking a note or two on them both he put the book away and found another angel to look at the dog ghost from, really not caring at all for his own personal saftey but putting all his trust in the angels around him.

“What lovley creature… It will be tragic to see you perish.. You are truley… the love of my life… perhaps not but you are still quite wonderful.”

OMEGAPSYCHO: Boxer heard the roar of Father Handcuffs and looked at Shades. "I'll talk to you later, Shades!" He shouted as he charge into battle to fight the Werewolf Ghost that is Father Handcuffs.

OWLIE: "Oh good god," Polo said. What the fuck? He's never seen anything like this. While he stood there like a dumbass. Monocle already readied himself to attack. Sure, what could go wrong. Actually, so many things, but still, a fight's a fight.

KUMA: Em was also pretty shocked at the dog beast's appearance. He knew the angels fought ghosts and other things, but even his previous experience hadn't fully prepared for this. He nodded at Headphones' offer though. A dinner after all this would have been great. Also one that wasn't part of his job was even better.

BRIT: Duster was first to rush the ghost, rushing at it with sword drawn. The ghost had dodged his attacks and he scoffed, landing hard on a table.

Jacket rushed past Duster at the opening he'd left, bumrushing Father Handcuffs from where he was and jamming his blade into his sides. "Gotcha!" He laughed before jumping back to avoid attacks. His body was thin, and he'd rather not get fucking slurped.

DJDEVIL: Helmet charged at Father Handcuffs, but ended up slipping on some spilled punch and fell on his back. Lord's beard, that's embarrassing.

CRACKEMWALNUTS: Knittens felt a cold sweat on his forehead as he watched that whole scene, it was mortifying. He held a hand over his mouth to avoid vomitting. Gulping it down, he focused on the ghost and whacked it with his hockey stick. Looks like he did a little something. Headphones shoos Em towards the back corner for defense, and he summoned his weapon. Grabbing the hook, Headphones prayed nothing gross would shoot out as he stabs it with the pointed end.Please don't touch him, these are his everyday sleepwear.

OSCARK9: **"AAAAHHHHH!!!"** Gloves roars. In his battle stance, he charges at Father Handcuffs, jump in the air, clinches his right fist hard, and give it his strongest punch from his right arm at Father Handcuffs forehead.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Knittens tried to throw the stick but he slips and lands face first into the ground. God damn dog drool. He growls and he stands up. "Hmph..maybe it'll be easy to sneak around it if I smell like it? Still gross..."

OMEGAPSYCHO: Boxer charges at Father Handcuff roaring his battle cry. "Hey Wolf! Eat this!" He shouted as he wind-up his right fist. "Shoryu...." He said as he got closer to the beast. "KEN!!!" Boxer shouted as he executed the move by jumping and uppercut in which Boxer spins upwards with some horizontal movement as well, knocking Handcuff to the ground and inflicting little bit of damage.

OWLIE: Monocle was struck down by the ghost, he crashed face-first into the floor. Polo charged and sliced his sword across the ghost's belly, but it only seemed to scratch him.

SAIYAN: Undershirt prepped his mace. He built up momentum and ran at him.

"Normally I'm against animal cruelty, but I can make an exception in this case!!" he yelled as he struck the ghost with his mace.

T.J. spun his pick ax in his hands before he charged at the ghost. He raised it over his heads and struck down hard.

Mesh and Wristband tried to attack... but it failed.

KUMA: Bow Barrettes made an attempt at attacking the beast. Her weapon allowed her to keep herself at range. Her magic bubbles missed though, but she was still safe. Pasties on the other hand tried to make her own attack with the knives. She failed her attack and managed getting counter attacked in the process. The wind was mostly knocked out of her and she was badly scratched up. "I hope...this shirt doesn't get ruined," she thought out loud. Em followed Headphones' shoo and hid.

(( OOC: OhmygodMaryJanesnotknittens)) ))

FATHER HANDCUFFS: The ghost looked at Duster, beaming with pride that it dodged the attack of this hot-headed young man. Too bad about the food from that table, though. What he wasn't expecting was the sudden hockey stick, its tongue went stiff as a response to pain with Headphone's attack not doing it any favors. Turning around, he was ready to attack the but stumbled from the punch to the forehead.

As Boxer attacked, it tried to wrap its tongue around his arm, but the force was too much for it to keep a grip. Hitting the ground, he quickly got up on all fours looking a little high strung from all the damage so far. Polo's attack was more like a tickle, but managed to slice off a few tips of the tentacles in its chest. It did however set its sights for Monocle, dragging him from the legs close to his face to start Soul Thread extraction. Monocole was instead launched from his hands as Undershirt and Tuxedo Jacket whacked it. Before any other attacker could get a hit it, it flailed an arm, striking Mesh Top away.

Suddenly there was. Something floating near its nose. That was weird. It was irritating at best, but it did burn up its nose a bit. That was bad. Shaking its head, it went after Pasties. Goodbye child, we knew ye well.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Mary tries again with no luck. Today's just not his day is it?

DJDEVIL: Helmet quickly got up from the floor and into his combat stance. "Have at thy, file wolf-man!" He shouts and charged at Father Handcuffs once more, but this time tripped on his untied shoe laces and landed face first on the floor again. Helmet groaned in annoyance

OMEGAPSYCHO: Boxer then grabs a large speaker. "Fetch!" He shouted as threw the speaker at Father Handcuffs. "Now taste the Music!" He shouted with a smirk on his face.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Mary watched the angels do their thing in awe, he really wanted to get like them. For himself and for his mothers. Did the ghost actually go down?

BRIT: Gritting his teeth at the near-hit he had taken from Father Handcuffs, Duster turned completely, entered stance, and rushed him. He pounded bricks as he ran and skewered the ghost, twisting his blade and tossing him off to another comrade.

Jacket, following after him, attempted to make another strike but missed completely as the dog pretty much tripped him. He corrected himself and prepared for the hit he would take.

OSCARK9: Gloves charges at Father Handcuffs again and goes in for another punch in the forehead...but he missed it.

SAIYAN: "Alright pooch! You've met your match!" Undershirt yelled as his glow around his body grew to blinding intensity.

He flew up to the ceiling and dove back down swinging his mace at high speed.

"IT'S OVER!!" He screamed as he crashed into the ghost with his full power, striking him in the face, imploding his nose.

He stood back up not even looking back and waited for the classic boom. Because cool guys don't look at explosions.

BRIT: Having ducked behind one of the sofas and calming himself, Strappon managed to get himself out to peer in at the battle. It was horrible to see his friend turned into this... Werewolf. Thing. He went through an entire inner monologue about the respect he had for the man that had been turned into this monster that no one would care to listen to. It was pretty dramatic, but it was really fucking long-winded.

He pulled himself up and kept himself out of the way, but he wanted to be there to see this whole thing through.

OWLIE: Monocle growled as he got back to his feet. He barely touched Father Handcuffs and yet he got his ass kicked. He charged towards the ghost once more.he lifted his axe and begane to hack away. But it seemed to annoy the ghost more than it did real damage.

The sounds of a very, VERY frustrated Monocle can be heard as he smashed his weapon agains the ghost's hide, barely hurt the ghost at all.

Polo used Monocle's attack as a distraction. Without the ghost noticing, Polo ran and punched the Ghost in the face. Then he used his gladius to stab the ghost in the gut.

FATHER HANDCUFFS: From all of that, along with the last blow Polo pulled, The ghost simply backed away a few steps. It began raising its arms skyward as it fell to its knees, looking almost statuate. Despite not having a lower jaw, it managed to speak tangibly, uttering:

"I'm sorry."

It fell over, but never hit the ground as its body began unraveling like yarn. That's new too.

BRIT: Strappon stood in stunned silence, his face was blank and expressionless as he watched Father Handcuffs unravel. His eyes moved to watch the strands whisp away toward Torsolette's enormous spool, but his expression remind blank. He looked up at Torsolette.

"Why?" His voice was steady, but there was a small hint of sadness in his tone. His mouth had twitched only slightly, and his expression had morphed to a more stern and angry one. His eyes glinted dangerously.

EMI: Torsolette held up what looked like a gigantic glowing spool and wrapped the thread that emitted from the ended foe around it like cotton candy.

"Ahh, well that was very refreshing. I'll be taking this. I'm sure he won't be missing it." She chuckled, the clicking of her heels on the hard floors echoing through the stunned silence. A man just unraveled before them. It wasn't long before they, too, unraveled.

"Meanwhile, you can get rid of the updog in here."

BRIT: Duster's eyes adjusted angrily. What was this lady on about? "What's updog?"

OMEGAPSYCHO: "Did you do this to Fatheer Handcuff!" Boxer shouted at Torsolette with anger.

EMI: "Whyy, I'm glad you asked!" Torsolette piped up with a smile. "Unfortunately, you'll have to wait for the third act. We've simply just passed the prologue. Much more prepwork to be done, you see."

She swivelled on her heels and walked toward the door.

OMEGAPSYCHO: "Not before i end your second act!" Boxer roared at her as he started to charge at her. "This is for Father Handcuff!" He shouted as wind-up for punch.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: "Pardon my French lady, but you're a real.." He thinks of a pun for a second. "Bitch. And no i'm not calling you beautiful because dogs pee on trees and trees come from nature and nature is beautiful. You're just a meany bitch." He blinks and wipes spit off him.

DJDEVIL: Helmet looked up from the ground and saw Torsolette making her way to the door. "I think not, wench!" He quickly got up and charged at Toroslette.

BRIT: Jacket managed to let out a small, sort of distant laugh. It was a little genuine though. "That was... Good. What the fuck?" He said, clearing his throat and trying to get serious.

"Wait! You could at _LEAST_ tell us something! Why are you doing this?" Strappon called after her. His voice was a little more pleading, "You're _one of us_ aren't you? What do you want with all these threads? That's what you're doing, right? Why?"

SAIYAN: "Well that was anti climactic" Undershirt said as he turned around to not even a scorch mark on the ground.

That certainly had never happened before. T.J. and Mesh were on the ground while Wristband was attending to them.

Undershirt heard Torsolette's voice and looked over to her.

"She's still here? I thought she would have ran away by now" Undershirt said out loud

CRACKEMWALNUTS: Headphones snorted, giggling to himself at the joke. It was inappropriate but c'mon, it was a little funny. Turning back to Em's hiding spot and asking, "You up for thai food?" Dinner plans are being made. Knittens turns to Mary jane, gasping at his language. Such volume. Yes, he lives with a demon hybrid who curses like a sailor but seriously. That was a bit much. Watching the stranger walk away and he sighs, exhausted. He purses his lips, "Well, atleast it's over..."

EMI: Torsolette moved gently to the side and stuck out her heel for the crazed youth, watching him slide and drop onto his face. She swiftly turned again and spun Helmet's helm around and kicked him in he back of the head.

"I'm far beyond what you are now. And there will be more. Just you wait, deary..."

She spun back around and headed out the door, a solumn sound of a bell tolling following her out.

BRIT: Duster didn't understand. What the fuck was an up-dog...? He frowned and lowered his weapon, not intending to "sheath" it just yet with Torsolette around.

"Do you not intend to answer any of my bloody questions?" Strappon growled, stepping forward a little more.

OMEGAPSYCHO: Boxer get up and gets more angry. "Fight me, you witch! FIGHT ME!!!!" he roared again the kick injured him but he still had the determination and revenge to keep him fight. "Father Handcuff was good man, you had no right to do that to him" Boxer said as he started to walk towards her, he can't charge because he was hurt.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Mary gasps and covers his mouth. "I-it was in the bible!" He felt like such a baby kid. If his moms were around he'd definitely be nommin that soap. After a good laugh of course. He stretches. "I guess it is?"

KRO: Before Torsolette could be on her merry way she was stopped by Mascara, the ghost hunting acquaintance of the deceased priest. She tapped her her mask where her mouth would be and pointed to the spool.

"I don't appreciate that /thing/ you're lugging around. Not because it has my dear friend in it, but I gather you and your idiots are gonna make something dumb. Don't think you and your Compact Powders are smart..."

Stepping off to the side, she let Torsolette leave, approaching Strappon.

BRIT: Duster's hand shot out and grabbed Boxer by the rim of his, well... Boxers. "Punching her face in isn't going to get us answers." He said solemnly.

BRIT: Strappon sighed heavily, listening to the gong of the sad, sad bell in the distance. "Who are you?" He asked the masked lady, adjusting his cape over his injured shoulder.

OWLIE: Polo stood there, shocked. Everything was... Shocking? He went over to Monocle's side and held his hand. The eerie sound of the bell sending chills down their spines.

"Hey, you okay?" Polo asked Monocle.

Monocle just nodded and watched the other angels.

CRACKEMWALNUTS: Knittens sighs and pats Mary Jane's back, "Yeah, there were a lot of violent non PG-13 stuff in the bible." He looks over himself, relieved he didn't have serious damage. Good, he wasn't bleeding like last time. He had to get a few stitches, and they just healed. He asked, "You okay Mary?"

DJDEVIL: Helmet held the back of his head where he was kicked. "Ow! That wench! I swear i'll-wait, I cannot see! *THE WENCH HAS BLINDED ME!"* Helmet screamed then began walking around the room with his hands reaching out. "Holy father in heaven, i beg of thy! Restore my sight!"

OMEGAPSYCHO: "But...." Boxer said as he look down at his hands then made fist. "We can't let her leave Duster! We need Justice!" He said angrily at Duster. "She had no right to do that and your just going to let get away with it" Boxer said more angrily. Duster could tell that Boxer couldn't see reason because his wrath was blinding him. "All i feel is rage!" He shouted.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Mary smiled a little bit and he nodded. "A couple cuts and scrapes but nothing too too bad. Thank you." He looks over the other, thankfully that doggo didnt hurt him too too much. If he did chances are Mary would be pretty upset. "Are you okay Knittens?" He looked up at him a little bit.

KRO: "Well, I'm definitely not your mother if I'm approaching you willingly." Ouch, she felt that was a bit too much. She doesn't even know the kid on a personal level to prod at abandonment issues.

"I'm a dear friend of Handcuffs. Or was. I just came here for a small request. I'm sure you're familiar with a certain Heretic that lives in Daten. If not, find a human named Duster. He's a bit jittery. See, Handcuffs left behind two children, their mother died long ago. I want you to find that Heretic and tell him to take custody of the children. He's a good man, he'll care for them dearly. He was the lover of the old man, after all."

BRIT: Strappon's eyes had wandered away from the woman at her statement and he sighed before looking back at her mask. "Okay. I'll do that. It's the least I can do." He said softly. He was holding a lot of emotion in that tiny body of his.

"Rage is understandable, and it's not misplaced. However, what's done is done. We may have won this battle, but we lost someone as well. This was a draw." Duster said, letting go of Boxer, "This is a lesson for us, is it not? If we went rushing at her, what then? What would it accomplish? It wouldn't bring Father Handcuffs back, or the people that died against him." He looked over the other Angels.

CRACKEMWALNUTS: Knittens nods, brushing off the dirt on his clothes. He sighed as he looked around, a real mess. Everyone was having their dramatic moments, and oh boy the mood was heavy. Well except for Headphones. He was okay. Knittens mumbled, "I just hope that the damage around the city isn't too bad." He scratched his head worried, checking his pocket for his phone. Dang, he left it at home. Knittens looked to the heavens and hoped for the best.

OMEGAPSYCHO: "But...." Boxer said as he look down. He starts to tear up and the tears were going down his cheeks. "Why did good people have to die!" he shouted with anger and sadness."It's not fair, all we do is watch this happen and do nothing! and we do something more people die! it's not Fair!" Boxer shouted at Duster with tears coming down his eyes. "IT'S NOT FAIR! IT'S NOT FAIR! IT'S NOT FAIR!!!" He repeated over and over again. all the angels could see and hear Boxer.

KRO: "Thank you," She began, "That puts my soul at ease. Truly, I am sorry for this loss. But remember that he did it out of love and adoration for you. It was his choice."

She sighed, taking off her mask. She was an older woman, her hair a mess from her hood and mask. A few cool scars across her face.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I need a drink."

She got past Strappon and diverted her path to meet with Duster, pinching his cheeks.

"Tell your papi I said hi and that I can't play uno with him on the weekend." And she left without giving him a chance to react.

OWLIE: Monocle let go of Polo's hand and patted Boxer's shoulder, which took extra effort since Boxer was tall as fuck. "Calm down, Boxer, it's over,"

BRIT: Duster watched Boxer throw his fit and sighed, closing his eyes for a few moments before grabbing Boxer's shoulders and giving him a few good smacks across his face. Backhand and all. "Will you quit acting like a child? You're putting us Wrath falls to shame, here." He snorted, his tone stern. He sounded like Combat Boots... "Stop. Life's not fair all the time. You can't be a hero all the time and you can't save everyone. It's one of the first things you learn in war."

He crossed his arms after he dropped the other man, then was surprised by a pinch to his cheek, his cheeks turning pink immediately. "I... Okay." He said, a little dumbfounded. Great, another friend of his father's.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Mary noticed the other looked worried. "Knittens..you worried about your parents..? I'll go with you to see if they're okay..?" He felt the tension in the air. Wasnt a nice feeling.

DJDEVIL: Helmet suddenly appeared between Duster and Boxer, his helmet still facing backwards. "Indeed, the demons know this and use this fact against us. They lie, trick, deceive, and do all other dastardly things to achieve their vile ambitions! We shall avenge Father Handcuffs one day, but sadly, that day is not today." Helmet said.

OMEGAPSYCHO: As Boxer was slap across the face, he stop cry and stand there frozen. What Duster did made him stop crying but his heart was only filled with Wrath and all of this was making pure wrath right now. He wanted to yell, shout, scream, roar, or something but he couldn't all he did was look down.

BRIT: Duster adjusted Helmet's helmet and nodded with certainty.

Jacket walked up to Boxer and pet his shoulder as well. "Pipe up, bud! He's in Heaven, now!" He chimed, offering him a wide grin.

CRACKEMWALNUTS: "What? No! My dad is missing and my mom is in Floraida. They're fine. I'm worried for my guardian." Knittens puffed his cheeks as he regained his hope, he was sort of like a Nokia. No matter what, he's still alive. Seriously, he does more damage to the car than it does to his body. Everything was gonna be okay. Knittens grins, "He's probably out of surgery feeling better! Well.. Not better but definitely drugged. But it looks like everyone else is really upset about something..." He tilted his head confused, unsure of waht was happening. They defeated the ghost, so what was wrong? Something felt off.

KRO: Meanwhile, Hot Pants was done going through his crisis of having his brain almost sucked out. Admittedly, that was kinda hot but he wasn't going to say that aloud. He would be kinkshamed.

"Well, this was...A Day."

After the gong went off, Sukafu (still in Sentai attire) came in with a Shades holding on to his arms. He appeared calmer than before, let's hope so at least. He didn't really go off to interact with everybody just yet. Keeping to Sukafu until he saw Mascara left the room.

"So...did she destroy your cheek?" Shades asked Duster, "That's a thing aunts usually do. Older ones at least." But it looks like Duster had his face intact. Good on him.

Sukafu took off his helmet as he heard the conversation Duster was having with Boxer and Helmet, "That's naiive talk. Either way, Shades and I agreed that higher ranks and a select other few should meet within the week. An acquaintance managed to get some information and I'd love for her to go over the details with everybody."

DJDEVIL: Helmet saw that he could see again and cheered. "My sight has been restored! HUZZAH!" He shouted with joy.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: " Oh! Cool cool... Hey if they can raise a tough guy like you I think they're gonna be okay. Hope he feels better soon.." He smiled but it soon faded, Knittens felt it just like he did. "Maybe..that ghost was someone they knew? I mean it was able to turn someone else so..maybe they got turned first?"

OMEGAPSYCHO: "But...." Boxer said as he look at Jacket. "All i feel right now is Rage, Hatred, and other things that have to do with Wrath" he said making a fist but not yelling instead just talking. "Why do good people have to suffer, Jacket?" Boxer ask him. "It's not fair for what happen to my Father, he was good man and yet..." He said as he look down. "I just want to release it all" Boxer said as he look at him but something was up with his eyes.

CRACKEMWALNUTS: Knittens nods, and tries his best to keep high spirits. Doesn't help frowning. He replies, "But I'm sure God received another angel." His mother would be proud. he blushed at the tough comment, pursing his lips and huffing gently. Damn right his parents are tough. He started to pick up rubble, helping to clean up the ruined party scene.

BRIT: Jacket reached up and put both hands firmly on Boxer's shoulders, looking him dead in the eyes with a stern expression. This was probably the most serious he'd every been. "Good peope suffer because they feel strongly for others. Men cry not for themselves, but for their comrades." He said, affirming his statement with a nod. "There's other ways to relieve your stress and anger. You put it into your passion, into your punches, your resolve. That's what makes us good people. If we didn't suffer, we wouldn't have hearts. We'd be like those guys."

He took his hands off Boxer's shoulders and stood there for a good moment before he clapped them onto either side of his face, squishing his cheeks and giving him a huge, bright, genuine smile.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Mary offers a small smile, " I'm sure he did. " He helps him pick up the rubble and he notices him blush. Ohmygodwhywasthatsocute. If his anime watching with his moms taught him anything, that was the most tsundere thing to do. "Hey Knittens? Would you wanna train a little bit some time? I feel like I can learn a thing or two from you.." He quietly asked.

KRO: Shades stared at Jacket in awe. Damn, that was deep. Where did that come from.

BRIT: Duster stared at Jacket for a long time. "He stole those lines from Combat Boots." He sighed, patting Shades' shoulder, "If we're going to have a meeting, we better clean up this mess first. Before Sir Strappon has more of a meltdown." He looked wistfully at the pink-haired Templar who had just been absently cleaning things without much thought.

DJDEVIL: As Duster finished speaking, Helmet turned to the window that he busted through. "Brother Duster, how much does a stained glass window cost?" He asked quietly.

OMEGAPSYCHO: Boxer final realize it ALL! He smiles at Jacket now understanding everything but still having a little bit of wrath in his heart. "You know. Now you think about Jacket, you made me have another Goal" Boxer said with a smirk. "Before i defeat God, I'm going to be Seraph! With that power i'm going to revenge all those who have fallen!" He said with bigger smile on his face. "SO LOOK OUT GOD AND SHROUD!HE COMES BOXER READY FOR ANYTHING!" He shouts with no Anger but joy. Now knowing that Father Handcuffs is in good hands with god and watching everyone in Heaven.

CRACKEMWALNUTS: Knittensshakes his head, "Nah man, I'm not a trained fighter. I just play hockey. Maybe I can teach you how to roller skate so we can play street hockey!" He carefulyl steaps around the shrads of glass and started to straighten out the knocked over tables. Knittens looked over to Strappon a bit worried, it looked like this dude lost his soul or something. He tugged on his clothes, "Are you alright sir?"

OWLIE: Monocle was glad that Boxer finally calmed down, "Anddd... Boxer's back!" He grinned, clapping Boxer in the back.

KRO: "Let me feel like I can appreciate the kid, at least," Shades said, nudging Duster a bit before starting to clean up a little.

"Alright folks!" Shades cupped his mouth with his hands to amplify his voice, "Party's over, let's clean up this mess and get on with our days." God knows how exhausted, mentally, everybody must be from this.

After having a delightful conversation with his new lady friend, Archer came in laughing at Boxer's statement. "A Seraph? Oh no, honey. That's not how that works. You need to be born or appointed by a council for that to work. /You/ don't qualify for that."

There was a cheeky smirk on his face, feeling that he just delivered a sick burn.

BRIT: "Several grand, I take." Duster stated, "The cost to repair one is still somewhere about $1000-$3000 a panel."

Jacket's smile twitched a little. "Uh, aim for the sky, buddy!" He laughed, albiet a little nervously, swinging his arm weakly and enthusiasm.

Duster pushed Shades and picked himself up a broom and dustpan, approaching Hot Pants. "You... Gonna be okay?" He asked, handing him the pan.

(( OOC: The RP will be ending shortly! Make your final posts, or continue RPing, but the plot is over with for this one! ))

DJDEVIL: Helmet took out his wallet and opened it. There was no money inside. Helmet slowly closed the wallet and turned his head towards Strappon. 'I mean, it was just a window, how mad could he get?' he thought to himself.

KRO: Hot Pants blinked some, shaking his head and looked back up to Duster. "Uh. I think. Not sure. I'll....be going to my doctors tomorrow." He was worried about waking up as a ghost, that's for sure, but he felt perfectly fine.

OMEGAPSYCHO: Boxer then fell down to ground doing that funny anime drop when someone proves something right. "I did not know that...." He said with nervous smile. "But anyways, i become stronger than any Angel and defeat God, Dude!" Boxer shouted with determination to Archer. ever he was fool or just had a lot determination but for one thing, he was acting like a Shonen Jump Anime Hero.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Mary gasps, " Oh that's so cool! I'd love that." He continues to clean things up, being careful as he handled the glass around him. He finds a broom and he starts sweeping a bit, it really was a mess in there. Mary squeaks as Boxer falls to the ground. "Mister theres glass! Be careful please!"

KRO: Archer held up the back of his hand close to his mouth, doing that classic oujo-sama laugh. "Kids sure are funny nowadays! Good luck with that, deary." And he was off to go back to bed, goodnight.

CRACKEMWALNUTS: Knittens noticed the time on his watch, he waved Mary Jane good bye. He chirps, "See you later, Mary! It's getting late. We can hang out next weekend!" He looks back worried but heads out in the city, heading towards the hospital. Hopefully, he can get up early enough.

OWLIE: "All righty," Polo said, "I think its time we head out, bye guys!" He and Monocle went out of the Abbey and headed home themselves. Tonight was an interesting night, even if it turned out great.

Monocle sqeueezed Polo's hand. He chuckled to himself, it was silly of him to feel jealous. He smiled to himself as he and Polo went home.

OFFICERCOFFINCAT: Mary waves good bye,"See ya Knittens! Heheh awesome! I'll see ya next weekend!" He swoon as he leaves and he cleans up some more before heading home.

#DCMissionaries #angel rp #ghost rp

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hornedwyvern · 6 years

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Dew Drops in March ❈ Chapter 3

Im really happy that everyone is enjoying this. With all the good feedback of the previous chapter on here and Ao3 Ive decided I will write a wedding scene once I complete this fiction. I will probably knock out a few chapters of my other fan-fiction of FFXV (Which is here!) before doing that. I actually have full head canons and story plots for children I can see these lovelies having. I have no idea if I will write a fiction about them but their names are; Evangeline, Barnaby and Scarlet. Two look similar to Chise; having human like forms then one resembling more like Elias. Shoot me a ask if you’re interested in learning more. Anyway! Enjoy this chapter!

Word Count: 4,291

Chapter 1 ❈

Chapter 2 ❈

Cooking and baking became a calming past time in this screwball of a world. It was a easy science that Chise understood, balancing her ingredients like she would with making medicine but in most cases this ended up tasting a lot better. Only a pinch of cocoa powder here, a sprinkle of salt there. Maybe even some cherry extract to add flavor. When she’d lived on her own in America she’d once had a studio apartment for a brief time -- it was extremely cramp especially when Ruth manifested into any form. It was a incredibly depressing time for both parties. Though in those small, few months she learned quickly how to fend for her self; preparing most of her meals at work. The office kitchen wasn’t always stocked with the most fresh food or coffee.

Guess it was a trait that just stuck.

There sat a mixing bowl on the long counter’s of Silky’s kitchen. Everything was arranged nicely and stored perfectly. It really looked like a kitchen you’d see in those magazines at the doctor’s office or in department stores. The intelligent house sprite would never allow clutter or mess in her most favorite room of the house. If Elias was even caught misplacing something she’d surely tan his hide for it. Whom was master of whom? Chise smirked thinking about it as she blended a group of ingredients in the clear cylinder bowl, folding it with a spatula. All coming together as one, the scent of chocolate in the air.

Chise drew her finger over the edge of the bowl, scooping a dollop of the dark, confection batter that she licked clean off. It was rich, a twinge of mild fruitiness there too. The sweet, chocolaty taste riveting her tongue. These were probably going to be the best brownies she’d made in a long time. Simon told her to add cherry extract for a bold flavor and she surely did not regret that decisions. The thick batter found it’s way into a oiled pan that was ancient looking, how long has Silky had this? The House Sprite was a mysterious being indeed.

One of the kitchen windows was opened ajared, it was just enough to let in a chilling breeze. It hugged the back of Chise’s neck; making her reddish neck hair stand on end. Even with the glowing flame of the oven and her toil of blending the ingredients did it freeze her from top to bottom. She quickly fed the tray of uncooked brownie batter into the oven’s mouth, closing it quick. Her face was now warm but the rest frigid. Quickly the red-headed woman trotted to the open window, latching it close. The frost growing like mandalas of the flatness of the clear glass, Chise drew a heart in the fog.

Snow had fell that night before and now the hills were masked in a blanket of fluffy, powdery snow that crumbled through your hands like cold grains of rice. It was the perfect weather for building a snow man, Chise thought. Maybe Ruth might enjoy that later? Her reflection looking back at her as she gazed at the ever green pines and pillowing winter clouds above them. At least the sun was out, dismal but awake and exulting joyful rays of endearing warmth.

Looking at the viridian pine trees that stood tall, like a wall into the forest beyond their hillside home; Chise thought about the Yule time and how the house smelled of cinnamon and cedar. Her green eyes closed, breathing in the winter air that had escaped in side. This Yule was very refreshing, it brought back old memories as well building new. Chise’s face started to grow a roseate shade from ear to ear. Thinking about a certain moment during the twelve day period, her fingers reached to her parted lips. It was the first time she’d kissed Elias -- directly.

It seemed like a regular day aside the the wicked cold. They’d both gone to collect some items from in town. There wasn’t abundance growing in the garden aside a few seasonal vegetables and fruit but they were no where close to harvest. The couple had their reserves but there was plenty delights stored in town as well giving them a reason to get out of the house and do a smige of socializing. Elias held Chise’s hand the whole walk home. The gentle grasp was enough to keep her gloved hands more than warm enough.

In the crook of Elias’ free arm sat some supplies and Chise held a burlap bag full of books and wrapping supplies along with a few articles of clothing; gifts for friends back in America and Japan. She wanted to send them right away so they would arrive in time for Christmas. The idea of gift giving was very new to Elias,Chise and Angie was the only ones he’d given stuff too but listening to Chise speak about her friends and what she was planning to give was amusing to the old mage. His cloaked face fixated on her for a good chunk of the walk home.

Their home -- a wonder of faint, flickering lemon colored lights from the several windows. Years ago this had been Elias’ home, hers as well but now it felt like she had imprinted on it. Like as if it was a living thing; It’s soul and walls grasped her presence and welcomed it any time she proceeded through it’s doors. There was no better place ever than here and she realized that soon after returning. The overhead porch light like a beacon, Chise gave Elias a tug forwards.

The door opened with a crack, frost breaking off it’s frame.

“Silky!” Chise alerted the fae. “We’re home!”

She was likely upstairs, her foot steps creaked above them. Elias lifted his cloak.

“She must be busy.” Elias said, having dropped his supplies off on the side table, closing the door behind them. He examined the lot but then realized a piece had been missing. Maybe it dropped the way here or when they were pushing to escape the cold? Elias had already shed his winter cloak, opened the door to the outside. He pulled at his over jacket and spotted the missing item -- a collection of sage for a cleansing spell he had planned for the new family living to the south.

“Elias? What’s wrong?” Chise stood in the door way with a printed shawl around her shoulders.

“I dropped this.” He responded after rapidly nabbing the collection of herb, it’s scent of cedar breaking into the air around them. The mix of saffron light from the porch lantern and carpeted snow was a sight for Chise, Elias looked very handsome in this evening. The shadows of his face gave a certain intensity aside the puffs of white smoke he breathed. In the States she’d dated a boy or two -- even found the company of other woman nice too. None of them seemed the same to the depth she felt for him. His crimson eyes traced her blocking figure in the doorway.

A long time ago when he’d found the time to visit her, she was some what involved with another gentlemen and Elias found that out. She’d never seen him act so strangely, like a piece of what they were had broken off. Their letters to each other became non existent-- well from Elias at least, he never replied more than once every two months. Chise truly believed he he was mourning the lose of what their connection was as Student and Pupil as well the thought of her loving him.

But this was a different chapter for them though. They had no idea what they were to each now -- Chise really liked that for some reason.

“Chise? Are you going to let me in?” She’d zoned out. He was clearly trying his best to not shiver.

“S-Sorry!” Like a door she turned to let him in. His broad body coming in and closing the door behind them. The sage found it’s home next to the other purchased herbs. It smelled glorious in the hall now. Chise still stood beside Elias, turning to her with a questioning eye. Her ungloved hands twiddling together, unknowingly asking something of him.

“What’s wrong?” His voice intrigued. She was looking at him with love struck.

Chise’s emerald eyes took evasive action, spotting the Mistletoe above them.

“The mistletoe.” Mumbling it, Elias asked her again. “The Mistletoe!”

Both gazed up at the collection of lush green leaves and carmine berries twisted with lace above their front door way. A tradition that was required every year in the twelve days of Yule. It was a blessing to the Winter Goddess whom would favor any house decorated by it. Being that herself and her companions have encountered such a being, to be in her graces was a necessity. Along with her and Elias would kiss underneath it as well. They did it in the many years as student and master? Why not now.

“Ah, yes.” Elias turned back to Chise, leaning down to her. “Do you want to kiss me?”

He said it so nonchalantly, breaking away from him and living with people her generation; it really showed how much he didn’t know of human nature or expression. Chise couldn’t help to break into a blush when he said that, she wanted to give him a knock on the head but instead just nodded. The mage realizing she was reddening, his wide palm cupping the side of her face.

“Like we do every year.” Chise tried not to stutter, their bodies close.

“Do you want me to crouch down this time?-- Or.. “ His voice broke, her hands clutching his coat.

“Or?” One of her thin eyebrows raising. Elias’ view looked to be some where else than her. What was he getting at?

“Might we try something different?”

“Different?”

“Yes. I was thinking that I might try this year to kiss you like a normal man would?” Elias’ thumb grazing over her febrile cheek. For some reason she was feeling very nervous but expecting the rest of what he might say “But I have been hesitant to ask you.”

“What do you mean?” Chise pulled at his question, the mage’s eyes glued to her dreamy face.

“By using my glamour. It resembles the human body like yours. It may not be the real thing but I was hoping to know what it felt like to kiss you with it. If you consent to it.” It was something Chise already knew he was getting at but how could she deny him with a face like that longing at her so. His voice said the words crystal clear, it was a very perplex situation.

Chise nodded, a otherworldly blackness absorbing Elias, shifting his form into that of a man with silvery blond hair and turquoise eyes. She knew it was him, underneath this shell and still smelled like him, like patchouli and fresh-cut flowers. Would it really feel the same kissing him like this? Now at least she could read his expressions and tell some what better what he was thinking -- and right now it seemed more like a piqued experiment than a kiss to him. Chise inhaled a hitch of breath.

Their bodies got closer, she could wrap her hands around his biceps a bit easier than before. She’d kissed people before but a frightened nervousness boiled in her gut. Chise did her best to meet Elias in the middle; their lips touching at last. Of course his lips were soft, he never wore this form out other than to be around humans, yet he lingered a certain taste. That of black tea, faint hint of dark chocolate and his own essence. Her hands naturally looped around his neck, rolling their lips gently against each other.

Whatever they had left behind, they could never go back to the way they were. Their kiss only made sense. Like two flames that had slowly been inching towards each other; igniting into a bigger and more beautiful blaze. It was only that of a few seconds in that Chise felt her back held against the hardness of the door behind her, Elias’ body weighing against her. They were both inflamed in the moment with each other, their lips longing to be together deeper. Elias’ racing for more, both of his hands had her cheeks cup; she wouldn’t be able to escape even if she wanted to.

Though as time passed, their passion grew. It became more lip pulling, graze of the tongue and heated breaths. It was only when Chise made a lascivious sob that Elias pulled away quicker than a whip. His face nonplus, staring at Chise just as red as her. Truthfully it look like someone had slapped him, not the face she expected after inducting into such a ardent kiss as that. Chise breathed for the air she had missed.

There was a long awkward pause, Elias dumbstruck. His form shifted back into the original mold.

“I--..” He began, stopping. His sleight beggy bracing herself against the door.

‘Chise? You okay?’ Ruth questioned her in their mind. She couldn’t think at all, all she could focus was the towering mage just a few feet infront of her.

‘Yeah.. Im fine..’ She was, this was just entirely new perspective of Elias.

“My apologies if I became a bit brash!.” Elias suddenly sputtered out, remembering. He rushed to console Chise, petting her like a cat. “I suddenly started to feel.. something new--! And it wanted you. Closer. My heart was beating like a drum, Chise!”

She understood the emotion he was feeling and tried not to overthink about it, Chise lifted her hand over his arm. Giving the fretting mage a soothing smile.

“It’s okay. I felt it too.”

“What was that feeling? Never once have a felt it!”

Would it be smart to lie? He would eventually find out, he always find out. Maybe if she worded it right? They found their way into the heat of the living room, joining each other on the couch. A thick woven woolybug blanket like a cocoon, hugging their sides. Chise didn’t realize how cold she was until after Elias had let go of her.

“That was just a different form of love.” Her eyes flickering a reflection of the dance of the fire ahead of them, salamanders resting between the burning logs.

“There is different forms?” Elias always questioned with the innocence of a child, Chise felt his jaw move above her; she was practically sitting in his lap.

“Yeah. There is types like a mother to her child. A brother to a sister, a friend to another and a one shared between lovers. Love is complex yet beautiful.”

This made Elias think for awhile, a comfortable silence lingering while the fire crackled and the sound of his breathing. The salamanders would hum at each other but usually go back to resting in their warm hearth.

“And.. What did it feel to you? With me.” The mage’s words dripped out slowly like he was afraid to ask them. The hold he had of Chise becoming tighter.

“I-..” She didn’t want to force things out. She wasn’t ready to answer this question. “I felt something very good.. I can’t put my finger on it but..-”

A small hand clasped the larger’s under their blanket’s safety. They didn’t entwine but just laid together, just making sure that the acknowledged touch was there.

“It was good, like something woke up. I will admit. I see you a bit different now.” The words shook Elias, He leaned snout by Chise’s shoulder to get a good look at her face.

“Is that a bad thing? Do you think of me poorly?” He questioned so sincerely, yet the tone of his voice still echoed the nervousness from earlier. Chise reverberated a calm chuckle.

“No. Like I’m no longer looking at the Elias I knew as a child. Im seeing you through a different lenses. It’s like Im relearning all of you and what you mean to me.”

This made Elias go silent again, the cogs working through that large bonehead of his. It took Chise by surprise when he dropped his chin on her shoulder. Like as if he was sulking and she was his oversize human teddy-bear. Even ten years later this old man acted like a child in the oddest of ways, Chise pet the length of his cold muzzle, the now tepid air making her a bit hot for this chunky blanket with Elias inside of it.

“I feel..similar.” He mumbled into her collar bone.”You are very important to me, Chise. I have lived hundred of years but while you were gone it felt like time stopped, I became an abyss and it didn’t go away until you came home.”

A few more followed but she couldn’t understand him without a prompt ‘Huh?’ Elias gave her another squeeze, hesitant to ask the words especially after what happened less than 15 minutes ago.

“Will you sleep with me in my bed together? I’m feeling very strange and it’s making me feel .. unbalanced, conflicted. I would appreciate if I had you near me for the rest of the evening.” Chise tried not to laugh, only sealing her lips with enthusiastic smile. She gave his hand a pat and nodded.

With a unearthly muster of strength and swoop, Chise found herself in the Magus's arms. Holding her like a bride, the blanket laid around his shoulders. It was like a band-aid had been ripped off her whole body as well enduring the shock of being lifted so quickly. Chise shot Elias’ a painful leer.

“Just no funny business!” She exclaimed, kicking her legs, almost losing a slipper.

“Funny Business?” He parroted obliviously, no idea what she was even talking about.

“Never mind! We still have to put our stuff away so put me down!” Even as Chise complained, Elias found a chance to give her a nuzzle at the top point of her cardinal red hair, he breathed a content sigh as he relished in his most favorite person’s presence. Even if she demanded to be let go..

❈

The timer broke Chise from her book about medicinal herbs found in India. It was a key piece of literature to helping her complete a remedy she’d been wanting to make for on of the townsfolk. It range with the utmost annoyance but at least the kitchen and lower half of the house smelled like fresh baked brownies. It drew Silky in like a predator to prey, initially peeking her head in to see Chise’s figure.

With decorative floral oven mitts, a piping hot tray of chocolate delights emerged. Chise could already taste the flavor in her mouth. Silky inched closer to see what she had baked, it certainly look good to her for a odd reason. Perhaps it was made with cream? Even Ruth manifested from the shadows to watch the even unfold, his ghostly tail wagging behind him.

“Silky could you start some hot water as I get these ready for afternoon tea? Im sure Elias would appreciate something fruity to go along with these.” She said setting the hot tray on the stove. Powder sugar would go perfect on these once they had cooled down. "I'll promise to leave you a cup of cream on the mantle~"

The hermit mage was locked in his study most of the morning, working on who knows what. The church had asked him for a few favors earlier that week but he still couldn’t be working on them? He’d been acting very odd the last two weeks since he’d returned from London. Watching her, sometimes avoiding, asking random irrelevant questions at the oddest of times.

Which he was preparing, Elias was looking for the perfect time to ask Chise to marry him. Today he’d been gifted with inspiration to write something heart felt to her but understanding the few emotions that he didn’t quite know still wracked his brain. Notes of mindless scribbles laid out before him on piece of blanched paper, some like hymn and others like poems. Maybe he should ask her bluntly, getting answers out of her was always easiest when he did that. How could he describe the right words to express to her? He’d never said ‘I love you’ but clearly had shown it. Was that valid enough?

The door opened with a creak, It was Silky and whom followed was Chise with a large silver platter in hand.

“Is it that time already?” Elias said looking at the time on his watch. Before Chise got too close he cleaned the desk of papers, shoving them all into a filing cabinet by his ankles. Good thing too, she would been able to see everything where she had placed the platter at. What sat upon it’s silver throne was a grey tea pot decorated with pink flowers and matching cups as well a small pitcher of thick cream and a plate of lemons. Beside them was the platter of Chise’s brownies dusted with powder sugar and lavender petals. The aroma of the summer lemon and raspberry tea gave a festive ambiance to the study.

“What refreshing change of pace for this time of year. I wonder what you had been up to earlier.” Elias complimented their work, enjoying the scent as Silky poured both cups. Chise has found a seat from across his desk.

This had been the room Elias taught most of their lesson at, the amount of frustration and toil she spent between these four walls. But it was Elias’ teaching that helped he obtain such a good job when she lived in the states, thank goodness for his stubbornness, she admired him from across the way as he took his saucer and tea cup.

“I thought we could brighten it up.” Accepting her own cup as Silky offered it, “Ive been a bit bored with the robust teas lately.”

They idled over chatter for some time, fading in and out of conversations. It was when the tea started to run dry and half of the platter had been emptied .. primarily due to Ruth, had Elias stopped the conversation. His glowing rose colored eyes viewing Chise as she took a bite of her brownie. Powder sugar dusting the pinkness of her lips. She might have thought it ungraceful but Elias found it endearing.

“Chise, Ive been meaning to ask you something lately. It's been on my mind the last few weeks.” His words left without thinking, Chise chewed, watching him with a wondering eye. He’d been storing the ring in one of the compacts of the radiant desk he found himself working at every day. Chise never pried in the drawers, it was a secluded spot that was just his, when he’d been acting like he’d been pulling put a pen to note something down Chise said, he slipped the velvet box into his coat pocket.

“Efh-hmh?” She mumbled with her mouthful. There was still a shred of child someone where in her.

“Ive been over thinking about it and it would ..--” He stopped, relaying what he was saying. Chise had swallowed by now but Elias rising from his seat made it hard to go down, he was standing in front of her less than a moment later. The sleigh beggy’s body began to shake, she knew what was coming and had to hold her weak heart in from bursting out of her chest.

“It would be the most blessed honor if you could..” A doubt started to shake his heart and rib cage. How he got to crouching beside Chise in her chair was even a mystery as well he’d taken her hands too. It was having extremely fast, with each second he remained dumbstruck infront of her; Chise’s expression got more red and frantic. She was stuttering in her chair beside him.

“If you could--” He wasn’t able to say it nor did Chise seem like she was ready. It wasn’t the right time or place. It was too cramped. “If you could teach me how to bake like you? Your delights are always superb.”

“What?” Her voice fell flat, hands clasps around Elias’ like wrenches. “You.. want to learn how to.. bake?”

Was he serious? Her heart had fled away as she stared flummox at the gentlemen before her sitting figure.

“Umm! Yes--.. I do, so then I can bake you something nice one of these mornings.” He played off the potential proposal the best he could. “Like plum and apricot scones or the carrot cake during the Spring months that you like.”

“I mean if Silky allows you to work in her kitchen I do not see why not? Would you like to try tonight? Im sure Ruth would like some pecan pie or pumpkin pie.” The second Chise mentioned it the large black dog who had been lying on the floor behind her chair perked up his low hanging ears, his tail batting the floor like hummingbird wings.

“Pie? I like pie.” Ruth said with the most eagerness in his deep voice, the rose color of his eyes glimmering up at his beloved soul sibling. This both concluded a laugh from Elias and Chise, their hands still clutched together.

“See? We have your first taste tester.” Chise indulged in gentle smile to Elias, he looked a little flustered but so was she. In their silence they under stood it wasn’t time but in the mean time Chise could kiss the knuckles of Elias’ gloved finger tips. He felt a special warmth under the touch of her hued lips, parting from the silk fabric. Even if they had both tripped there a few moments ago, the right time would come soon. It would happen naturally like anything good.

“You’ll need to take these off and put a apron on, you know? Unless you want to be covered in flour and batter.” Her voice meekish, Elias nodded in agreement.

“That is fine with me, I have one of the best teachers!” Elias found him to his feet, helping Chise to hers. With cups assembled, making sharp porcelain noises and plates scattered with crumbs and sugar adjourned, they carried out the wide platter away. Chise sharing the last brownie with Ruth who gobbled it up. That pup sure did love his sweets, was chocolate even healthy for fae?

“Prehaps we can even make a pot pie for dinner?” Elias mentioned, that was one of his favorite dishes. Chise liked the idea of that, they had a abundance of vegetables that could go to good use.

“Maybe.~” Together, both mages exiting the dim lit study with Ruth in suite. They would start by baking something easy, something that might actually taste good if it was a little burnt.

#amb #the ancient magus bride #elias ainsworth #chise x elias #elias x chise #elias #chise hatori #chise #ruth #silky #Im sor tired #fanfic

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