(no subject)

[gottaknockhard]

Who: Spike (gottaknockhard), Lucrezia (heloise), Joshua (ofhope), Brock (samson), and Molotov (molotov)
What: Unfortunate results of cosplay
When: July 7th
Where: Brock's cabin -> Joshua's mansion
Rating: PG

The whole thing had been a pretty funny joke, if Spike stood back and looked at it. The obvious, harmless kind that the castle always takes one step too far.

When he went to the party, he hadn't actually planned on being invested in any of the festivities. His purpose for stopping by had involved curiosity over someone who he really had no right to be checking on, and maybe getting a bite to eat. Somehow that led him to wearing a costume of one of his best friends, right down to the toy knife at his side and a yellow wig that kept him scratching at his neck as it brushed against it. That was awkward enough, but the fact that Lucrezia took his lead and dressed as Brock's wife, just added a few layers.

Regardless, he hadn't needed much convincing when Lucrezia asked him to take her home.

Comments

Cabin

[gottaknockhard]

Fortunately, it wasn't a long walk to the cabin, so the whole escorting thing was easier for Spike to keep from focusing on. He didn't have a choice anyway. It came up every now and then; times when he has the urge to alleviate someone's suffering. By driving a scantily-clad woman to a possibly evil mansion... but at least it was away from the crowd.

He'd considered stashing the car somewhere else after the theft, but so far he hadn't gotten around to it. (Or had any particularly bright ideas of an alternative, but that was besides the point.) It was probably low on gas by now, but if Lucrezia was insisting on going to the mansion, he wasn't about to walk there. More out of consideration for the stares Lucrezia would get than anything -- which had, unfortunately, included Spike; who had to keep acting like he was checking the route to keep himself distracted from something that seemed wrong on a moral level that he never thought he'd been aware of. It was an entirely different feeling when he saw Molotov wearing it than it was seeing the daughter of a pope in something that put Faye's hot pants to shame.

No, it was better for everyone if he didn't think about what Lucrezia was wearing. As they finally approached their destination, he reminded himself to stick to the plan. Sneak around, grab the car, and get this night over with.

[heloise]

Lucrezia could have asked him to walk her to the stables instead to fetch her horse, if not for the thought of how uncomfortable this outfit would feel on horseback. And Spike might not even know how to ride one. Strange that so many men here don't but they do have those horseless carriages.

She is trying not to be particularly clingy either, for her standard, holding his arm loosely and surreptitiously covering her face with her red wig. If she can't hide her cleavage(s), she can at least hide her identity.

"Brock's cabin?"

[gottaknockhard]

"Yeah. He put in a garage to keep it in." The garage that looks like a beacon of light right now. He's really had his fill of couple's costumes. Not as much as Lucrezia does though, from the way she urged him on.

When they're close enough, he goes to open it. Sort of hoping Brock hasn't put in any new security features in the last few days. He does tend to get a little too proactive when he's in the right mood.

[heloise]

She lets go of Spike and goes to wander about the area while letting him do most, no who are we kidding, all the work. There is even a small patch of land for a vegetable garden, something she would never guess of a man like Brock. She crouches by it to play with the carrot leaves just sprouting out of the earth.

"Will he be angry to find you thus?"

[gottaknockhard]

"I don't know. Confused, probably." He keeps his voice down, just in case anyone is still in there. Paranoia is a big thing with him apparently. "I'd be careful with that, he may have some kind of alarm buried around it."

[heloise]

Lucrezia looks toward the cabin then proceeds to move closer to a window so she can try to peek inside. Who cares about alarms?

"We should say hello and good evening."

[gottaknockhard]

That gets a pretty big frown out of him. What's worse, is he's almost positive she's doing that just to be a tease. He doesn't grab her, but he pauses in his efforts to get the car to make sure she hears him.

"--No, we shouldn't."

[heloise]

"Why not?"

For once she really isn't being a tease. At least, she is only curious as to how Brock and Molotov would respond, knowing that they would never harm or upset her even if they were none too happy to see the castle's sense of humor.

[gottaknockhard]

Because he gets enough strange looks from Brock as it is. This would be different if he were drunk, then it would be funny.

He shrugs, slightly depressed at the thought.

"I don't know. They could be busy."

[heloise]

Lucrezia grins, taking that as an excuse because it surely is after midnight. Not that she knows what spies are up to in such hours, or that Brock and Molotov would be one. So she stands on tiptoes to reach the glass... and knock!

[samson]

What are spies up to at such hours? Well, mostly sleeping. Usually. Brock typically didn't sleep out in the cabin unless Molotov was pissed at him, so they're actually pretty lucky (unlucky?) that he happens to be out there right now.

The castle knows better than to screw with his hair, apparently, so he still has his beautiful blond coif. But when he swings open the door (somewhat violently; people have been screwing around his cabin lately and he is just not going to to take it anymore) to glare at whatever rude person is tapping on his window in the dead of night, he certainly is dressed in a stupid blue suit with stupid blue shoes.

"Who the hell is out there? Go home."

[gottaknockhard]

See, that's exactly why Spike was telling her to leave the cabin alone. Of course this is the day Brock is inside -- which he figured was a possibility once the party started getting loud.

He doesn't quite see him from where he stands, but he stops what he's doing to walk over for backup.

...

[heloise]

Lucrezia regrets the knocking as soon as the door swings open to reveal a big and angry spy. Holy crap. Her first instinct of course is to scamper away from the window and back to Spike to hide behind him, finally keeping quiet. The men can work this out, right?

Mansion

[gottaknockhard]

Eventually they arrived at the mansion. Before sunrise, at least. Spike was hoping that Joshua and the other maids would be asleep, so he could simply drop her off and start finding creative ways to pull his hair out.

He pulled up far enough away to keep the engine from startling anyone, and silently waited there to see if she'd feel safe walking herself to the door.

[heloise]

As much as she enjoys speed when riding, this carriage moves much faster than that. Not wanting to betray her fear however, she has kept quiet throughout, gripping the edge of her seat until her knuckles have turned white. Even once he has stopped... Well, she isn't sure if he's going to make the carriage race anymore, so she doesn't let go of her grip until some while.

"Here?" Lucrezia clears her throat before she speaks again, trying to sound calmer, nonchalant. "Will you stay the night?"

[gottaknockhard]

Spike had been afraid that may come up, and he's quick to shake his head. Staying the night when Joshua was out is one thing, sneaking around in matching costumes is another.

The gas tank is nearly dry at this point though, so getting back may be a problem. He needs to remember to ask Brock if he's been joyriding once it's less awkward to talk to him.

"I think you could make a better case on your own.

[heloise]

Lucrezia drums her hand against the door in thought, and not only because she isn't sure how to open it from the inside. She thinks Joshua is probably still hiding himself in the cellar even though she hopes he isn't. She hopes he's out and about, playing with the kittens, even napping. Happy.

"Walk me to the door," asking is silly when she knows what she wants.

[gottaknockhard]

He leans back in his chair, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel for the next several seconds. 'Walk her to the door' she says. Tempting fate is usually his bread and butter, but there's some things he just isn't in the mood for dealing with.

Unfortunately, he can't come up with a good reason why he shouldn't that wouldn't make his discomfort more obvious. So he nods, and opens his door, silently walking around to let her out.

Whatever, it's not like they've done that well with hiding it this far.

[heloise]

She watches him to gauge whether he wants to, if he is afraid or something else entirely. Not that it would have her withdraw her request. She wouldn't want to walk all the way there alone dressed like this. Like any proper lady, she gives him her hand to take so he can help her step out of the car.

"I can make a good case for both of us."

[gottaknockhard]

By now, he's had enough practice to know what she's expecting, and he gives his hand to lift her out of the seat. Who knows why he's indulging her, but maybe it's to make up for how he's treated women in general lately.

"Did you think of a story on the way over?"

[heloise]

She takes his hand and steps out gladly. He's getting better day by day! He should start considering a career as a courtier.

"Must I think of another aside from the truth?"

[gottaknockhard]

There may be someone around to protest that. But he's come to understand more about women from her era, so he can manage this much.

"If you think that he'll buy that it's a coincidence."

[heloise]

Lucrezia walks on ahead, feeling more comfortable now that they are away from the crowd and the lights. The darkness is like a cloak.

"Why would he not?" She smiles at him to be reassuring, somewhat. "Is that not the truth, Spike?"

[gottaknockhard]

"Yeah." He's not going to press it, even if he does consider everything the castle has done to be a personal jab at him. Just that self-centered ego of his acting up again.

[heloise]

She reaches out a hand, for him. He doesn't think she is about to let him linger behind and surreptitiously disappear, does he?

"What is the matter?"