It's all too sweet to last

[lucre]

Who: Cass, Joshua, Lucrezia and Spike
What: the aftermath of a slumber party
When: Nov. 5
Where: The creepy mansion
Rating: PG for now

It was all a labor of love done in relative secrecy.

The earthquake narrowed down their options considerably, with nearly half the mansion in rubbles and leaving only a few rooms untouched. At least two of these, neighboring ones, have excellent views of the town, though knowing their guests' strange sleeping schedules (and perhaps their own), Joshua and Lucrezia have put up blackout curtains to shut out the rest of the world when the need arises. Not that it makes them the most considerate hosts when there is also a large grandfather clock installed at each room with an obnoxious cuckoo popping out every hour. Be grateful, if you can still hear its cooing then the host must still like you.

The rest of the rooms are finely but differently decorated. Cassandra's is mostly in shades of purple, with a glittering knight's armor standing in one corner complete with a wooden lance. If anyone can lift that thing, it's probably her. Her bed is tall and big enough for two or three or four, because there will be occasion for her to share the space (most likely with the hostess). There is also a chess table by the window (this one to share with the host). Lucrezia may have snuck a few dresses and shoes similar to her own into the closet, which is otherwise empty for her to fill as she pleases.

Spike's has been done up in darker shades, nearly monochromatic if not for the occasional brown and gold, also with a bed big enough for an entire family. You never know. The rest of the space has been left relatively empty, because he strikes her as rather spartan in taste except for when it comes to steak. There is one decoration though, set aside to a corner like a side table if one knows no better: a plush coffin for when he feels the urge. Whether it was just a gag or something darker is a mystery.

The mansion might feel unnervingly quiet throughout the night, more so than the sentient castle and its intelligible whispers, but the morning might prove to be otherwise. The sun is already high in the sky, though the curtains might make it hard to tell, and there is the sound of cutlery on plates rising from the dining room just below the guest rooms, accompanied with the occasional laughter. Anyone stepping into the room will find Lucrezia in a particularly chirpy mood, dressed in a light purple robe over her white chemise and seated on Joshua's lap at the end of the table. She has a spoonful of practically crunchy pancake in hand, daring him to test her cooking mettle this good morning.

"It tastes decent with the honey!"

Cass and Spike are probably set to suffer the same fate, but the maids are cooking the bacon as they speak.

 

Comments

[ofhope]

It is, but Joshua's there moments later. Whatever Cassandra and Lucrezia have gone off to, Joshua never went with them, and he never went anywhere else. Following Spike is just as easy as it is to find the girl, no matter how aware he is. This is the apostle's territory, and he can be far while still being near. Spike's behavior was so plainly off key at breakfast, and knowing the reason why only encourages more stalking.

Beside him as he tries to jiggle at the knob, Joshua holds out a small key. A skeleton key, not that he needs to know that.

"So predictable. Did you want a Coca-Cola, hm?"

[gottaknockhard]

Of course, Joshua may have been there the entire time, and probably was. Just a few seconds shy of being convenient. Spike's hand falls away from the doorknob, but he doesn't turn to face him. Caught in the act like this, there's not a lot of things he can do to cover up his intentions.

He glances at the key.

"You're awfully protective of them."

[ofhope]

Joshua chuckles as he steps over, shoulder bumping against Spike's to get him out of the way while he unlocks the door for him. Whatever silly curiosity drew him here, let him follow it.

"The ice box in the kitchen has plenty. You snoop in the wrong places."

[gottaknockhard]

His desire to go down there begins to subside with Joshua obliging so easily. There either is nothing more than the machine left, or he's planning on showing his hand once they're there. All he can do is shrug to the snooping allegations. The mansion practically demands it, even if Spike isn't usually the one who enjoys solving mysteries.

"It was getting crowded."

[ofhope]

"That's my line."

The key is slipped back into his pocket, and he folds his arms across his chest while leaning back against the wall.

"And that's what you have a room for. Or do you miss this one that much? We can have everything moved over, and the coffin moved back." He cracks a grin. "That is Lucrezia's touch, not mine."

For all who think he is the most morbid.

[gottaknockhard]

"The room or the coffin?" Of all the running jokes, they've really settled on a favorite. The best he can do is pretend that it doesn't bother him. Maybe if he mentions it a few more times.

"I didn't think subletting was your idea."

[ofhope]

"The coffin. The rooms were my idea."

Is that so surprising?

[gottaknockhard]

Apparently, from the way Spike's eyebrows knot together. He'd ask why, if he wanted to know the answer, which he doesn't exactly.

"I'm flattered."

[ofhope]

"It's not for your sake."

When will Spike learn that Joshua and Lucrezia are selfish people? Although it is still a form of compliment, to say that Spike and Cassandra are enjoyable enough to cause such action. Although Joshua had brought it up, perhaps having had enough silence for awhile, the company is most beneficial to Lucrezia. She thrives on attention, and though Joshua is pleased to lavish her in all, she does want to be the bell of the ball, which usually involves more than one person.

"Makes it easier when you come by... Better than setting up a new room reach time."

[gottaknockhard]

Each time. He'd like to detest that, but bad habits are what he's best known for. That's how they knew that he'd agree to come by after the castle kicked him out. It was all timed so well.

"Same with your other friend?" She seemed a lot more accepting than someone who has been around them for too long.

[ofhope]

"Other...? Cassandra?"

Joshua shrugs.

"Lucrezia's friend...who doesn't seem to worry about judging, so she calls herself my friend, too. Her friends, on the other hand, won't even step foot near. She has a home with them, but she visits enough."

[gottaknockhard]

Spike couldn't blame them; he'd kept his own distance for a good long time before that incident changed things. Because it must have been that.

"I guess I always miss her." No point in hiding it now that he's sure Joshua noticed how frequently he comes by. It's impossible to be sly around the mansion.

[ofhope]

Joshua's quiet for a stretch after that, though his body language and expression are unhelpful in suggesting whether it's for respect, day dreaming, or just to make up uncomfortable. Finally, he shrugs, walking away and in the direction of the front of the mansion.

"She's never been in this building or anywhere near it as far as I know. That's all you get."

The hair pin plucked from rubble. He should be flattered Joshua went through the effort.

[gottaknockhard]

Even something that small manages to throw Spike off of whatever prodding he'd been in the middle of. Joshua anticipated this, as much as he could have with everything he's been manipulated into. He doesn't have to put the effort he did into swaying him, as risky as that could have been, but maybe he was feeling Spike's debts getting low. Something like that. Then again, maybe he's still hoping to spark a meltdown. It has to get boring for him on occasion, and what better entertainment?

He stares back at the door, unblinking, as he walks away.

"I'm not sure she would have been happy, here." It doesn't matter if Joshua hears him, and it's probably better if he doesn't. For all his obsession, most of what he knows are assumptions, easily proven wrong by someone who had more conversations with her. Lost opportunities.

[ofhope]

"She didn't seem to mind the solace of the other manor, and it was in terrible condition. You think I'm such poor company for a proper lady?"

Joshua shrugs, then waves a hand in a dismissive manner.

"Who here is happy, anyway..."

[gottaknockhard]

He may not have meant that in quite the way Joshua took it, but he doesn't clarify. There's no point in wondering if she would have stayed. Of what would have changed.

Too much thinking again. It may have been a good thing to get around people more, even under the circumstances, before he turns into one of those. Still, when Joshua is the one making sense, it's time to leave.

It's surprising how much effort it takes to pull himself away from that door. Once he does, though, his hands are replaced in his pocket and he resolutely starts off towards the exit. Behind Joshua enough not to seem like he's tailing him, and if he changes directions he won't follow. They know well enough that he'll be back.

[ofhope]

It had been what Joshua was originally talking about, anyway, so it isn't his fault of Spike mused off-track. Joshua's levels of distractions are intermittent, and this is a more lucid hour.

He's even being proper and leading Spike to the door. Not like he's psychic or anything...

"I can still get you that ash tray for your new room, if you want."

[gottaknockhard]

Just when he thought he was escaping. Spike looks at his back, confused, but in all their winding talks he doesn't want to overlook something important. Whatever else is in 'his new room' makes him curious enough.

"Which one?"

[ofhope]

He chuckles. "It's too early for you to play so coy."

[gottaknockhard]

He frowns, suddenly noticing how dry his mouth is, but nods regardless. Not that Joshua can see. "If you could, then."

[ofhope]

With a seemingly friendly grin, he slows enough for Spike to catch up, stopping if need be, so he can clap the man on the back.

"We'll call it your Christmas present, then."

[gottaknockhard]

He should be grateful, smile a little, but he just stares when Joshua pats him on the back. Didn't he start this?

"Yeah. We can."

[ofhope]

"What are you getting me?"

That's asked the way a kid would ask, despite his tight grip on Spike's shoulder. He's as impatient as any 11-year-old boy might be, the type that opens presents early and then re-tapes them closed after...

Those types are always such dangerous types.

[gottaknockhard]

Either it's a coincidence, or Joshua somehow found out about a recent knife-to-the-shoulder injury that isn't totally healed. Something Spike is immediately reminded of when he clamps right over it.

Regardless, it's regrettable that he has to grit his teeth to keep from groaning in pain and he can only turn his head to hide his expression.

"I haven't decided." -- If it wasn't obvious already, his voice gives it away. Damn everything.

[ofhope]

Joshua knows, because he knows injuries. Maybe it's more fun to rub salt in the wound for those who feel so much like they deserve it. Maybe he's just hurt Spike never asked to be healed.

Either way, the grimace makes him smirk, even if Spike can't see while looking away. "Other things going on, huh? You keep too many good stories from me."