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]

At Spike's reluctant surrender, Joshua relaxes back into nonchalance while returning to his coffee. He may have some fancy tea-wear and teas, for nostalgia's sake as much as Lucrezia's, but he definitely prefers his drinkers stronger. The way he likes his friends; could they put up with his eccentricities otherwise?

The speed with which he becomes distracted is as dangerous as his threats.

"She wanted everything, I'm sure. There can't be any leftovers, or the animals will get to it. Not everyone's as tame as the tiger."