[closed] by all calculations, we're pretty sure...

[pocketspa]

Who: The residents of Horny House (imported house 5-1) and their esteemed invited guests (The Drakes, Alphys, Gren, Ephemera, and Cecily)
What: It's Candlenights! And considering how much the rest of the month has sucked, it's fuckin time.
Where: Horny House (imported house 5-1)
When: Backdated to December 25th
Warnings: Should be clean, other than some drinking and cursing.

The thing about Candlenights is that nobody actually knows what day it is. The nature of Candlenights is it's appearance- its not Candlenights, and then suddenly it just is. There's calculations you could do, sure, but that sounds like a lot of work, and the twins about figure that it's been roughly a year since they last did this. Plus, this month has sucked in an incredible way for them both, so you know what?

It's Candlenights now. Boom, just like that. Fuck you, Gods. It's Candlenights.

So when the guests arrive, the house is as decked as they're able to get it, under the circumstances. The front hall has shiny beads and a line of floating candles to and up the stairs, which guests can climb to find the party on the top floor. The living room has the familiar warm ambiance of the house itself; more candles floating around the room but giving off no heat. If someone takes the time to brush them, they might realize they're illusions, capable of producing at least light. Thankfully, a fire pit in the center of the room burns bright and strong, hitting some sort of invisible wall if it tries to flick outside the boundaries but providing warmth to the room at large. The kitchen holds plates of food, a large stew on the stove with meat from one of those large beasts simmering to taste. Additional hors d'oeuvre, mostly breads and fruits, lay in dishes for guests to partake. And for later, a large cake dusted in powdered sugar sits atop the mantle, waiting to be cut. A few bottles of wine, obviously hoarded since better times, sit on top of the bar to be distributed as one sees fit, as well as a large punch bowl filled with... something. It's alcoholic, but uh, maybe take it slow. Or don't, and get drunker than you've ever been. It's Barry Bluejeans' Ultra Punch (what if Punch...... but More) and it should be imbued with caution.

And finally, the thing Taako is most proud of, is a real bush sits in the corner surrounded by gifts. If one were to look closely or think about it critically, they might realize only Carlisle's gardens have bushes, and this one looks very similar to one of those. Don't think about it too hard! Just marvel at the bush! It's also been covered in illusory candles, so it isn't a fire hazard, but they're not above putting real candles on it. What do you think they are, safe? Please.

But for once, among the gloom from the last planet to this one, and the darkness in their lives, Candlenights brings warmth and good tidings for the year ahead. Time to get through the winter, folks, and maybe quite literally forget your problems for a while.

This is a mingle log! Post top levels, give gifts, get incredibly drunk on magic punch- anything goes. Happy Candlenights, everyone!

Comments

[restinglichface]

[Or until Angus goes through another ridiculous growth spurt, at least. Lup has a feeling this squirt is gonna get real tall, real fast.]

Made 'em ourselves! Whatcha think?

[And sure, they aren't exactly kid-appropriate, but after a year and some change living with the twins, he most absolutely has seen them in worse states of undress, so Lup gives a little twirl, just to let the glittery skirt of her dress swish around her legs.]

Found some shitty jumpsuits in the shops an' fashioned 'em into pure gold. Y'know, kiddo, if you ever want a flashier outfit, we do requests.

[hellosirs]

[ He gives her a big thumbs up and a cheesy grin, although it's worth noting that he is being even more diligent about making eye contact than usual, because while he has definitely seen the twins hanging around in their skivvies, it is very rude to stare at a lady's chest! Even if it's out in the open! ]

That's very kind of you to offer, but I think sparkles suit you two better than me! Taako's been enlarging my clothes for me already, and I'm really not sure what else I'd go for in terms of clothes, anyway.

... Unless, um, you can make neon less... neon. [ He grimaces. ] A lot of flashy neon t-shirts show up here for some reason.

[restinglichface]

[oh my god angus you can't just look at your aunt's boobs like that]

I dunno, Ango. If you're gonna keep workin' under Taako as his magical apprentice, you might have to start reppin' the Taaco brand of bright, neon shades an' glitter all over. It's kind of our thing.

[Maybe they should add some rhinestones to his frames, really bling them out.]

For sure, hun. You know Taako an' I would throw down a few spell slots to fix stuff up for you. No question.

[hellosirs]

[ hE'S TRYING NOT TO!! ]

Bright colours and sparkles are certainly your thing, but they don't work very well with subtle investigations and detective work, which is sort of my thing. Thank you, though! I really appreciate the help.

[ And with that, he pulls a small wrapped box out from under his sweater. ]

Happy Candlenights, Lup!

[restinglichface]

[Alright, she playfully sticks her tongue out at him for that - how dare this kid continually loop round the twins with his dang logic - but then Lup's laughing, delighted and just a hint tipsy, already swiping the box from him.]

Yeah, yeah. We'll drag you to the dark side one day, kid. Just wait.

[The studies her gift just for a moment, shaking the box twice before she's just tearing into the wrapping.]

Let's see what my fav nephew whipped up this year.

[hellosirs]

[ SURPRISE, YOU ALSO GET A GUN!

At some point, between that stormy day when he struck a bargain with Taako in order to avoid the dreaded puberty talk, and Candlenights, Angus managed to sneak into the twins' room and dug through their stuff until he could find Lup's gun from the paintball match several months ago. If Taako gets a gun for Candlenights, then Lup should get one too, it's only fair! (The bullets, however, have been removed and hidden, for the sake of literally everyone else in Hadriel.)

In the spirit of Candlenights, Angus has also managed to get hold of a bedazzler from one of the previous arrival days, and has covered the gun in rhinestones. Her name is carefully spelled out on the handle in yellow glitter! ]

I'm afraid there isn't any ammo!

[restinglichface]

[The best part is that Lup's basically being given her own stuff back, but she doesn't even realize it, the gun so lost to the horrors of the twin's room that she completely forgot it existed.

So Angus?? Pulling out a gun??? Fucking sick.]

Whoa! Check this shit out! [You bet she's gonna throw an arm up and wave it around threateningly.] Where the heck did you find this baby, huh? And this custom lettering? Geez, kid, you kinda crushed it this year.

[hellosirs]

Thank you! I’m afraid that’s classified information, though.

[ IE Angus has self preservation instincts and isn’t gonna let on that he went snooping through their room! ]

The sparkles came from one of those bedazzlers that was left over from an arrival day!

[restinglichface]

[Better self preservation instincts than the whole house combined, honestly.]

Friggin' nailed it, boyo. [Even without bullets, this is her new favorite thing. She's going to work out how to turn it into a fashion accessory, just you wait.]

So, you ready for your gift yet, Ango? I'm not sure if you're hyped enough for this.

[hellosirs]

[ It's like flicking a lightswitch. Angus goes from composed to starry-eyed in an instant!]

I'm very hyped! I just didn't know that you got me one, which was very nice of you!

[restinglichface]

[It's one of those rare moments when the kid actually looks like a kid, absolutely and totally psyched by his surprise gift.

Seeing that expression on Angus always leaves the woman feeling warm and fond, her hand flopping onto the top of his head before Lup's turning and gesturing for him to follow.]

Keep up, kiddo.

[She leads him right over to the front door before pulling it open and stepping outside. In this ridiculous getup, she'd absolutely freeze to death if she wasn't already dead, but for a reaper, the chill means nothing, so Lup barely reacts to the frozen ground under her bare feet. Grab a jacket and join her, Angus!]

[hellosirs]

[ It takes Angus a few horrified moments to remember that oh yeah, Lup's a reaper, freezing cold temperatures aren't a big deal, and oh boy that is definitely not the case for him. Two seconds standing in front of an open door, and he already feels like a frozen ice cube. ]

L-Lup!

[ He pulls on a coat, shuffles into some boots, and goes chasing after her while casting a quick Produce Flame to warm his hands. ]

Where're you going?

[restinglichface]

Voilà!

[Just outside of their little upside down home, there's a new makeshift structure, what at first looks to be a doghouse but upon closer inspection is more of a mini clubhouse. It's mismatching pieces are painted over with a deep, vibrant blue and there's a little blank sign next to the door for it to be named in the future.]

A space of your own! Y'know, when the adults are extra annoying. [Or, maybe more importantly, when events hit that make them all want to split apart. At least Angus can have his own personal space outside of the house without wandering further into the city. Every time that happens, she frets.]

Heated so you don't freeze your tush off an' we can set it up with a little protective magic to keep other folks out of it.

[hellosirs]

... Oh! Ohmygosh!

[ Angus is, for once, at a complete loss for words. He stares at the little mishmashed structure, taking in the sign, the paint job, and dimly registering what Lup is saying...

... and then the mention of 'protective magic' makes him think of the way Lup frowns whenever he comes back from a self-imposed 'camping trip' during dangerous events, and he realizes what the little shed really is: it's basically a cross between one of their blanket forts, and a safehouse.

He darts forward, and throws his arms around her waist in a big hug. ]

Lup, this is so cool, thank you! How did you build it out here without me noticing?

[restinglichface]

[Lup's ready for that hug, a hand already falling affectionately on top of Angus' head, fingers curling slightly into his hair. It's a good thing he's pressed so close to her or he may have caught a glimpse of the fond smile that tugs at her mouth at that and no one needs to see that!]

Didn't build it out here, natch. That wouldn't be much of a surprise. Had some help from a friend getting the whole thing fixed up and then I just dropped it in via portal. Easy as pie.

[There's a little more that went into the construction than just that - the bartering, the putting it all together, the magic - but she's just gonna shrug it all off as easy.]

Pretty damn cool, huh.

[hellosirs]

[ Lup's secret is safe... for now! ]

Extremely cool! Who was the friend? I should thank them, too!

[restinglichface]

[For now.]

Nuh-uh. That's my secret. Don't you worry about it though, I'll make sure they know it's got the Ango seal of approval.