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Birthday Tea With Honey and Lemon
It was a bright morning, the early spring sun filtering in through the windows.
Alice poked her head out of her bedroom door. She hadn’t seen anyone this morning, which was particularly strange. Clive usually woke her, if not Ivan—but today was her birthday. Hopefully that meant it would be a pleasant surprise and not an emergency abandonment, but she was still cautious yet.
She listened. No sound or movement in the living room, no unusual smells—
A loud sneeze came from the room beyond, followed by a stifled swear word. Clive was up and awake.
Alice hastened to the dining room and kitchen to say hello, where she found him tipping a raw runny egg from a frying pan into the sink.
“Morning,” she greeted him cheerily.
“Oh—mornin’, babe. Just a sec.” He put the pan down, quickly rinsing and drying his hands before turning around to give her a big hug. There was a subdued, stuffed-up quality to his voice, like someone had a hold on his nose. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”
Alice held him tight. “Thank you—are you okay? You don’t sound well.”
“I’ll be fine, uh…” He loosened his grip, looking back at the ingredients he’d just had to dispose of for sneezing on. “Make you breakfast if y’ gimmie ten more minutes.”
The hatch to the cellar door opened with a creak and a thunk, and Ivan climbed out. “Good morning,” he said with an uncommon brightness, “And happy birthday, Alice.”
“Thanks, Ivan.” Alice smiled at him, before returning her concerned attention to Clive. “You don’t have to make me breakfast if you’re sick.”
“It’s fine, I wanna! I been cold-sick twice now, n’ this hurts way less than the first,” he insisted, with an entirely unconvincing sniffle.
“Excuse me,” Ivan cut in, stepping forward into the kitchen. “But you are NOT cooking anything for Alice in that state. She won’t thank you for a runny nose as a present.”
Clive tried to protest further, but Ivan strongarmed his way into the cooking space without relenting. Despite being a smaller man, Ivan had a much more imposing presence of authority. “Eggs on toast, is it? I’ll make quick work of this. Sit down, you two.”
Alice pulled a reluctant Clive away into the dining area by his arm. “Have you had any medicine?”
“Nah, nah, I’ll be fine,” he continued to insist, though his voice was getting weaker. “It’s your birthday, babe, don’t worry ‘bout me—”
“Shh, nonsense. I can and I will. Let me get you a decongestant.”
“I can geddit—”
“No you can’t, stay there.” She pressed him into a dining chair, lightly kissing his forehead.
“But baybeeee…”
His pleading fell on deaf ears as Alice searched the medicine cabinet and Ivan flipped the eggs.
When breakfast was served, Clive was still valiantly trying to hide his helplessness, sitting as straight as he could while supping his hot cup of medicine.
Ivan sat between the couple, waiting for them to settle into breakfast before he clapped Alice on the shoulder. “I’ve got you a present,” he said with continued cheer.
“I got—” Clive coughed into his cup. “I got you somethin’ too…”
Alice smiled at him, which almost made him feel better, but Ivan was a lot more prepared. He took a parcel from within his wing and offered it over.
Alice put her toast down to accept it and read the label. “Let’s see… To Alice, Happy Birthday, From Ivan.” She moved her plate aside to unwrap it. It was a fuzzy plush pink duck with a blue bow. “Oh, how cute!! I’ll have to add it to my ever-growing collection. Thank you.”
Ivan puffed up proudly.
“Cute,” Clive commented with genuine interest, though snuffled and wiped his nose as it continued to run. “Ugh—my gift, uh. I gotta go geddit.”
“I hope you make sure to wash your hands on the way,” Ivan chided – it seemed the warmth he’d shown was reserved for his relative.
“I’ll get you a tissue,” Alice offered softly. “Are you sure you don’t want to go back to bed while we—”
“No!” Clive was on his way out, but pointed back at them to emphasise his point. “I wouldn’t miss your party if I was dyin’, babe!!” As he slunk away to locate his gift, he quietly added, “Might be…”
Alice turned to Ivan. “What should I do with him?”
“Dump him back on the street corner where you found him.”
“No!! I mean, should I make him stay at home? I don’t want him to overexert himself.”
“Well he doesn’t want to. I say let him find out firsthand what sickness without rest is like.”
“Hmm.” Alice wasn’t so sure. She frowned. “Do me a favour at least, will you?”
“What’s that?”
“Be nice to him,” she stated firmly. “I don’t appreciate you being snippy with my boyfriend, especially while he’s unwell, so the least you could do is tolerate whatever you don’t like about him on my birthday.”
Ivan was briefly lost for words, left blinking. “…right. Of course, Alice.”
She nodded rightly, but packed her concerns aside to show Clive some love as he re-entered the room. He was carrying a small, wrapped box, and came to kneel at Alice’s side as he brought it to her. Instinctively, she leant over to kiss his cheek, which helped him smile. She did also give him a tissue—taken from her dressing gown pocket, though he had no issue accepting it.
He pressed his own gift for her to take in return. “Look, Doll, it’s uh… It ain’t much, but I went and got it for ya.”
As requested, Ivan held his tongue for any scorn at the nickname.
“Thank you,” Alice took the gift from Clive's hands. It didn’t have a label, so she opened the wrapping, and the cardboard jewellery box from within. “Oh! This is…”
It was a simple, pink pendant necklace with a frilly accent and a gold chain—though it was a little more than that.
“It’s the one from uh … y’know, from before.” Clive sniffed, trying to stay not-gross as he explained his gift. “When we went back to get it ‘cause you’d changed your mind, but the store was closed—”
He had to pause as Alice pulled him against her in a hug, though he wasn’t complaining. He only looked more pleased as she lavished him with praise.
“That’s so sweet of you! You would’ve had to go all that way back on the train—oh, you didn’t have to, you’re so thoughtful, I love you—!”
Even Ivan raised his eyebrows at this reaction. “From Valentine's? When did you take a train back to Neerbay?” He asked with genuine curiosity. “You never asked me to take you.”
“Not long after we came back—I wanted to keep it secret-like,” Clive explained. His breath was snuffly, but he rested his head against Alice’s side with contentment. “Worth it if you ask me. I know yous said … ‘we don’t always get what we want’, but I knew y’wanted it, so it ain’t no trouble for me.”
“It’s wonderful.” She kissed him again. “You’re wonderful.”
“I know it ain’t nothin’ compared to what yous got me, but—”
“Of course it is. I’ll wear it today.”
-
The necklace was the perfect accent to the frilly pink tea-dress she’d planned to wear that day, and her housemates said as much. Clive still begged and insisted on coming to her party at noon, though he needed some help getting into his formalwear faster, with which Alice was more than happy to assist.
In the end, Clive looked quite tidy, if still a little droopy and snotty. Alice ensured he had a steady supply of tissues in his jacket pocket.
“Are you sure you’re well enough to—”
“Babe, please…” He grasped her hand sweetly. “I already dressed up nice, n’ the only thing that’ll make me better is seein’ your pretty face.”
“I don’t know about that. I think some rest would do you good.” She sighed heavily, releasing her hand to try and tidy his unruly hair a little more. “Not that I don’t want you to be there … I’m just concerned. You can come, but you’d better get into bed as soon as we’re home.”
“Oho, that was already the plan, babes.”
She scolded him with a light clap on the cheek. “There’ll be none of that, either. You need sleep.”
-
They made it to the afternoon-tea parlour without incident. Alice had only invited a small group of friends, though they all wished her a happy birthday, and complimented her necklace, and had presents to give. She thanked them shyly.
Clive did his best to be gentlemanly, opening doors and pulling out chairs, though his sniffling and suffering didn’t go unnoticed.
“Hey,” Pansy began to suggest, adjusting a dress she was not particularly used to wearing, “why don’t you turn back into a shadow-man? I figure golems don’t get the snuffles.”
“You’d be right.” He nodded slowly. “But I tried it n’ uh… turns out magic of that calibre ain’t so easy to maintain while I'm like this.”
“Damn, figures…” She folded her arms. “I can’t make many sparks when I’m sick. You drink lotsa hot tea, Clive, you’ll feel better.”
“’Course I will—but enough ‘bout me. Give more attention to the lady of the hour, eh?” He nudged Alice forward, who blushed and covered her face with her hands.
It was a quiet but pleasant party, with gentle chatter and lots of little cakes and sandwiches. Towards the end of the event, one of Alice’s friends gave her a nudge, directing her to look beside her.
Clive had taken her advice to heart, it seemed. He was slumped down on the tablecloth, head laid flat next to his teacup. A strained snore escaped him.
Alice lightly ruffled his hair, but otherwise left him be. At least he was finally resting.
He mumbled in his sleep. “Haap…ppyyy birthd’y…”
So I'm very ill right now and am finding it difficult to concentrate.
However,
last night in my delirium I decided I was going to make a reference for human Clive. and then I did not do that. and did a load of expressions practice instead. It's something?
These are sketches, but I know I'm not going to have the patience or stamina to tidy them up, so you can have them as they are!
"Nice new look Clive! Sorry for questioning your ear off the other day, Phoebe said I should try to cook something in apology, so I whipped out the oven for the first time in a long time and made you.. Tada, "Shadow Bread"! Made with lots of chocolate." -Kid
"Thanks! Aw, it ain't no problem, Kid. I like questions, and I like talkin'. …Unless that means you's keepin' that Shadow Bread---in which case, I'm real offended, hand it over."
"Heh, it's not too bad. I like chocolate. Don't know anyone that doesn't. Awfully considerate of ... er, Phoebe, if we're bein' honest."
(Why was my first instinct wantin' to smash this guy's lights in? Raises some questions about myself I'd rather not answer...)
My Dearest Darkest Heart
[Feat. Duckie and Collin from my friend @duckiefishpond !]
Darker than dark.
Patches of the dungeon were blacker than night, and Alice had to feel along the wall for direction. These were supernatural shadows – if she walked far enough, the way became clear again. The flicker of lamplight was somewhere beyond; she just had to get through the blind spots.
Alice was afraid of the dark.
It wasn’t so much the darkness itself as it was the fear of things unseen. Flickering shadows played tricks on the mind, and total darkness let her eyes invent any horrors they pleased.
A fog lifted. The darkness remained dusky, but she could see herself, see the brickwork, see an alcove in the wall. The creaking of a skeleton guard made her hasten to duck into the hidey hole, stilling her breath, patting and clutching her clothes for comfort.
Years seemed to pass as she waited. Even when the sentry’s dusty footsteps had died away, she couldn’t bring herself to move. Something was wrong, she didn’t feel safe, but she had to …
“It’s fine, it’s fine,” she muttered to herself. “If I keep going, I’ll find—I’ll find a way out, and … then I’ll just re-evaluate the directions.”
She could always call for Ivan…?
The thought alone steeled her resolve. She wasn’t doing that. Who cared if she was a bit lost? She was doing just fine, she was still alive, she’d come this far without anyone’s help. Without a weapon. She was smart enough to spot mimics, had disabled a few traps, and kicked a kobold down a chasm. She took a deep breath in and out before proceeding down the passage.
Light came into view. There, a torch - but also a dead end. The orange glow cast large shadows on the wall. As Alice turned, she realised the shadow was not her own. There was someone there. But no one was there, and the shadow was advancing on its own. A mirror of a man, shaped but devoid of detail, the silhouette had large claws, a wicked wide grin - it meant to do her harm, there was nowhere to run, she covered her eyes and tried to scream for help but could only squeak the slightest sound—!
Come Out Sei
Pansy wasn't ready to give up yet. She kept rapping her knuckles on the door, pausing every few moments when it started to hurt. Tadashi the Shaba Inu barked feverishly from within, becoming increasingly excited. Pansy knew Seiichi was home - the light had quickly shut off upstairs when she started knocking.
"Agh, come on...!"
She tried one last time, rapping on the door with rhythm. Rat-tatta-tat-tat…
Tadashi stopped barking, and there was movement from somewhere behind the door.
…tat-tat, came the response.
"C'mon, Sei, are you going to open the door?!"
The door unlocked, opening ever-so-slightly on the latch. A wet little nose poked out of the gap.
"Hello, doggie. Is your uncle there somewhere?"
"Here…" The tall human pressed his head closer to the opening. "Isn't it a bit late in the day for visits, Pansy?" He suddenly looked fearful, doubling back, "N-not that I don't like seeing you, but—"
Tadashi snuffled, licking his chops and whimpering until Pansy gave him a pat on the snout.
"I had a lot on – but that doesn't matter! I came here to offer a walk. You haven't left the house for days, Alice hasn't been to visit 'cause she won't leave the house but for work, so she's not visiting you and your brother's in the city and I'm taking initiative."
"O-oh. Well , I wouldn't want to leave Tadashi home alone you see, and—"
"Take the dog with you! I bet he's dying for a walk, poor thing."
"Well you see, I've hired a dogwalker and I wouldn't want to exhaust—"
"Dangit Sei, he looks like he’s full of energy to me! But if you're not coming out, then let me in!! Surely you wanna talk about whatever’s going on with Taylor??”
Seiichi thought about it for a moment. Whimpering and whining came from below him. To Pansy’s surprise, he shut the door.
“Wh—Sei!!”
A moment later, and she heard the door unlatch properly. It swung open.
“Okay,” said Seiichi, dog lead in-hand and a bouncy Tadashi at his side, “Let’s do that. The walk idea.”
They went toward the ruins. Pansy knew Sei would want to avoid the park, with so many other people and their own dogs, and the ruins road was less travelled.
“Feel like I went down here the other week,” she mused, looking over at the mossy hill and tree that was claiming the stone structure. “Can’t remember why, though. Couldn’t have been that important.”
“Hm.” Sei glanced over at it. It looked like someone, or something, had broken through the blocked-up door. He didn’t feel like getting lost today, so he tugged on Tadashi’s lead to keep him on the path.
“So, like I was sayin’ earlier … Alice hasn’t left her house since she went to that party last month. Work aside. Did Taylor say much of anything about it?”
“He doesn’t say much of anything at all, these days.” Sei stopped for his dog as he sniffed the ground. “Very unlike him. But I did get a text yesterday.”
“Really? What’d it say?”
“That he’s coming back.”
Pansy waited for him to say more, and he didn’t. “Er, that’s great, but like – did he say anythin’ else? Like a reason?”
“Well, er…” Sei passed Tadashi’s lead into his other hand as he fished around in his pockets for his phone. “See, he usually just sends me a message saying, ‘morning, doing filming on X today’. And I send one back, saying ‘good luck’. And he sends a smiley face.”
Pansy peered over his arm as he mashed the up button, showing her. The same messages, every day, like clockwork. “Er … least you’re talking?”
“Odd, but it never seemed extremely out of the ordinary. He knows to give me space, and I know that he's busy. Although ... when he’s here in person, he’s always trying to start conversations. So, um, perhaps it is rather unusual.” He held the button down instead, to get to the more recent texts. “I should’ve asked him…”
“You can uh, ask him when he gets back though, right?” Pansy gave him what she hoped was a reassuring thump on the back.
“Guess so.” Sei looked more uncertain than anything. “There, that’s the newest one. He just said it was great news; they’re building a TV studio here and he can come home. And … jokingly asked if it was alright to move back in. I, um, didn’t hear anything about the party he’d had, or him meeting up with Alice and Queenie. I heard that elsewhere. Which was, um, the real unusual part.”
“Right, I see.” Pansy rubbed her chin. They’d stopped walking, but now that she’d had an eyeful of Sei’s phone she began to move ahead. “It’s prolly ‘cause he bungled that one real hard. That’s what I heard, anyways. Was hopin’ he’d talked to you about it.”
“No, sorry…” Sei trudged after his dog following Pansy, head hanging lower as he began to worry. “I should really ask him about that one.”
“I get you’re his brother an’ all, but I’m told he was brushin’ off any and all attempts to ask how he was. Doing the ‘nah I’m fine’, over and over.” Pansy stopped as they wandered toward a grassy incline overlooking the nearby pasture. “Maybe you can get through to him? I dunn—hey, is that Evian?”
Seiichi snapped his head back up to search for the third party. The blue angel was propped against a tree further ahead, staring wistfully out into the fields.
Realising she was under observation, she turned her head and gave them a smile. “Oh, hey guys…! Nice to see you out and about, Sei.”
Sei shrunk back, like he was debating never coming outside ever again. Tadashi barked eagerly.
“Heya!” Pansy waved, though noted that something was off. Evian was always bright and cheery to the hundred percent, but right now she had her arms folded and was avoiding the other’s eyes. “Everythin’ alright?”
“Ummm, well…” Evian undid her arm fold to clasp her hands, looking to the heavens. “I kinda sorta maybe did something that might not have been the right thing.”
Pansy blinked. “Could’ja be more specific?”
“Ummm, so Alice came to see me today. She said she wanted to be … independent. And go on an adventure by herself.” Evian tried to smile, but she grit her teeth. “Now, please don’t be mad. I thought it sounded like a good idea. She was so determined, and I’ve never seen her like that...”
“By herself?” Horror dawned on Pansy’s face. “Y’mean without Ivan?”
“Ummyeah. I knew he wouldn’t have been okay … with that.”
Seiichi put his free palm to his forehead. “Ohh, they’ve both gone mad…”
“Hey, if she really needs it, she can call on us anytime! I’m sure she’ll be fine!” Evian flapped her arms desperately. “At least, that’s what I’ve been telling myself!!”
“Still, she’s never done anything like that…”
Tadashi barked again as Sei stopped him from pulling his way to Evian. “Should someone intervene, or is it better to trust that she’ll be okay?”
“I didn’t send her to some uncharted territory, I swear! It was that beachy place with the spaghetti people.”
“Oh.”
“…She’ll be okay.”
Seiichi scratched his nose. “Isn't that place full of zombies and ghosts and murderers, orrrr…?”
“AH. WAIT. DAMMIT—”
A Greatcliffe Disaster
Here's a story from the middle of June...
-
“I’ve not travelled first class before.” Alice was propped up on her arm, staring vacantly at the passing scenery. “As far as I remember, anyway.”
“You don’t sound too thrilled.” Queenie had a magazine on her lap, though it had lost her interest. “I know you typically have a monotone drawl, but I’ve seen you get excited about little tastes of luxury.”
Their compartment had plush patterned seating, and green curtains with a gold trim. It smelled like it had recently been vacuumed and spritzed with lavender.
“I’m just not feeling so good.”
“From my understanding, Webbe, you haven’t been feeling so good for about three years.” She folded the magazine closed. “Won’t you be happy to see Mr Shirasaki?”
“No. I mean, I don’t know.” She slumped further. “He was always busy, so I stopped calling him, and he stopped calling me, and then I get this invitation…”
“I’ll be honest, I’m not sure why he invited me either. You’re at least his friend. … Hello?” Queenie narrowed her eyes when the human didn’t respond. She didn’t want to get all sympathetic and cuddly, but she wanted to know more. “Any theories?”
“Mm, I dunno… If he’s having a fancy studio party, it’ll probably be for some TV thing…” Alice shrugged. “Maybe he asked you along so I don’t embarrass him by dressing wrong.”
“Well, I do have an impeccable style of dress.” She studied her magazine’s front cover. “If we see some trendier fashions in Greatcliffe than the ones in my suitcase, I’ll be getting you those.”
“Uh—thanks, but the party’s this afternoon—!”
“Being fashionably late is equally important.”
(he's doing fine in his new job, guys)
There's a girl with pink-dyed hair and black clothes wildly spray-painting on the side of the Grandville Television Studio. She seems enveloped in her craft.
HEY, VANDAL!!
WE JUST HAD THAT WALL REPAINTED! WE DON'T MAKE ENOUGH TO DO IT A SECOND TIME!!
"Just repainted, huh? You should get a refund! Whoever did the job sucked at it!!" The girl laughed. "You should be thanking me for providing my services for free, old man!"
"OLD MAN?
OLD MAN?!?
You'll be my age before you know it, kid, wondering where it all went wrong!!! I oughtta call security on your ass!!!!"
...
"...if I weren't an advocate for artistic licence, and curious about the finished product. It better not be some crappy tag, Bigboots."
There's a girl with pink-dyed hair and black clothes wildly spray-painting on the side of the Grandville Television Studio. She seems enveloped in her craft.
HEY, VANDAL!!
WE JUST HAD THAT WALL REPAINTED! WE DON'T MAKE ENOUGH TO DO IT A SECOND TIME!!
Updated Queenie's reference! I was unhappy with the old one.
Tumblr has squished the image up but it should hopefully be easy to click-to-view.
I've updated her tattoo, and shown off how the little flappies on her dress hide a gap with which she can grab for sheathed weapons.
The alternate outfit doesn't have this luxury - but she's a fan of hiding small blades behind fans, and still has magic. I would've shown off the magic and/or weapon sheath, but ran out of space...
'Any good apology recipes?' -Sergio
"Anything with alcohol in it is a worthwhile investment. ... But if you're going to cook, it should be something homely. Signor Marvello loved to eat - I had one of the maids cook him a kind of spicy stew that I passed off as my mother's recipe, and he always ate that up - figuratively, literally."
"Whether you make it yourself or 'make it' with someone's help, what's important is the presentation. You have to nail the..."
"I'm so sorry, can you ever forgive me?"
"When it comes down to it, what matters more is the gesture itself, so let it be a meal that means something to you. Or ''''''means something to you'''''. As a typical rule of thumb, though, most men like oily, gooey, meaty things. Oh, and try not to mention whatever you're apologising for..."
'How do you ask to share someone's ice cream without it being too weird...?' -Sammy
"Aw, you have to work up toward these things, sweetie! Some people might be uncomfortable if you ask to lick their cone, for hygiene's sake. But there's an easier way~!"
"You can ask them if they'd be ok with sharing in a cup with a spoon or two, but it's easier if you start out having one of the big sundaes. There's a lot more ice cream to share, and you can say you want to try one but need help eating it."
"...And, if you're together enough times, it won't be weird to ask any more. They might not even mind sharing the same cone."
'Lady Julia, any recommended elder vacation destinations? I felt like my wife could be getting tired of late night beach flights.' -Issac
"I must confess many of my later years were spent in more casinos than sightseeing destinations, but I'm still willing to offer suggestions. As you're the winged sort, I'd recommend viewing the mountains - it's a nice routine break from the beach, although it requires a bit of stamina."
"Rooftop dates in unfamiliar cities also sound sufficiently romantic. Particularly if it's at the top of a tower, or somewhere with a nice open view of the city lights - I know a few places with spectacular views, but I'm most familiar with Enigma Island and its view of Dragon's Point."
"If nothing else, I'd suggest going somewhere or doing something that reminds you of your youth. You might find it re-energises you, or at the very least makes you better appreciate those familiar beach nights."
are you a ghost? And if so what’s your tips on how to smooch a ghost
"Why, yes! I am a ghost! Thank you for asking."
"If you want to smooch a ghost, you'll have to go through the courting ritual expected by all living relationships. Once you're past that hurdle, there's a few things you'll need to know…"
"With this knowledge, stranger, you may kiss my glove~"
'Do you have any tips for uh.... 'long-distance' relationships? Like if you met someone on vacation?' -[extremely anonymous user wdym]
"Well, Anon, the beauty of a vacation's romance is that they're fleeting. But if you want to reconnect … I'd evaluate whether you're in love with them, or in love with the idea of them."
"Would things be different if they weren't your paradise in the sun? Are they your escape, or can you imagine bringing them home? ... While you're ruminating on this, cellular telephones seem to be a good, modern way of staying in contact. You must remind them you exist, and that you value your precious moments together, or it'll soon be a fond but distant memory for you both."
'Tips for soreness the morning after?' -Phil
'Phil who are you writing t-'
"Most standard tinctures, potions and salves can take care of aches and pains after nightly activities. I preferred the inventory at Adeline Apothecary, but these may be pricier than your budgeting range."
"There's always walk-in heal spells, but I can understand not wanting to explain to your local physician why you come in every morning for cureall. Learning a simple healing spell of your own might be worthwhile, depending on how much it's wearing on you."
"Oh, and tell your partner to stop taking impromptu naps to ignore his aunt."