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]

"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."

[gottaknockhard]

It was funny at first, but concentration on a witty reply gets harder when the throbbing in his shoulder forces him to being a hand to Joshua's wrist to relieve some pressure. When he meets his eyes again, there's a spark of something more than pain.

"There's nothing to tell."

[ofhope]

Wow, Spike sure looks like he wants to punch Joshua. And Joshua sure looks like he knows that and doesn't care. Maybe because he could stop him easily. But maybe he would even let him, since everyone needs to let off a little steam.

"Why didn't you ask for my help? I am feeling very neglected lately. You need to put some thought into my Christmas present."

[gottaknockhard]

He just might if he squeezes any more. He still needs that arm.

"I didn't think of it at the time." But now he's breathing harder through his nose, and it's difficult to tell if that's due to his extreme desire to let that story die, or a combination of factors that include fighting to stay upright. He always tends to make things complicated.

[ofhope]

Now it's just becoming too easy. Just when it seems like he could stick a foot out and Spike would be all over the floor, Joshua lets go, and offers another sharp slap to the older man's back that could easily send him several feet forward, but hopefully still on his feet.

"Too bad we already agreed on your Christmas present, although we both know it's hard to trump the hair pin."

And the entrance, or rather exit, is right there (look at how time flies when you're in agony) both maids standing beside the open double doors and dipped in a curtsy.

"See you, Spike. Come back soon; they have to dust more the less you're here."

[gottaknockhard]

The slap causes a stumble, not a fall, although it's not enough to save face. There's time for him to turn around and take a swing, but with the maids looking on, he keeps the show to a minimum. Something that has nothing to do with the fact that he has to concentrate to keep his arm from convulsing; worse now than when it happened.

He levels his gaze back at Joshua, still brewing with something. A few more seconds, and he starts towards to door.

Not even a 'bye'. He's hopeless.

[ofhope]

It's beyond rude, and after the gifts he's already given and now continued to offer the hopeless, hopeless Spike.

As usual, Joshua lets him get away with far too much, and waves to his receding back regardless. He remembers his manners while nearly maiming someone, and really, that was gentle. Nothing but a tap; a warning.

It's the man's own fault for forgetting priorities yet again.