|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 12:30 pm
"Oh. Well...Um. Okay!" She scratched her chin with the knuckle of her hand, watching Grimhold secure her measly little bag. Hearing Calder say her name made her start, staring at the Kelpie until she realized he wasn't actually talking to her.
She had no idea that Christof didn't mean to come, nor was she even remotely aware that being invited had more than one purpose. Ignorance was bliss, but in this instance it likely wouldn't have mattered; a trip away was good for everyone, especially Christof. The conversation about doom buggy and chopper was heard and while she was concerned, especially about Chopper, she was also distracted from commenting. Christof had returned for her...and she couldn't help the little smile.
"I'm glad you're coming too!" She said to him, albeit a little quietly. It was easy to assume he was; why else would he have come here? Sure he looked miserable, but they all did in some way, she was sure of it. Her hand slipped easily into his, momentarily looking down at her heels. With the Igor's help she got into the carriage, finding a seat and wiggling a little; ooh, this was so cool!
"...Chopper's missing?" The concern in her voice was clear, even if Chopper did throw them that one time.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 12:50 pm
Calder waited while Christof rose to help Handsome, Barth, and then Amrita. The hand holding was adorable, but instead of being distracted, Calder moved behind the Igor. Turning his rump out to help nudge the Igor fully in the carriage and not allowing him room to squeeze out, he shut the door and leaned against it, looking exhausted in order to block the door. "I'm glad Christof is coming along to." Calder smiled at the Igor before hitting the door for Grimhold to hear that they were ready.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 1:44 pm
Christof gave a surprised grunt as the door was slammed shut behind him, glancing around the now crowded cabin with a look of terror. Well. He supposed that settled that. Glancing over his hunch at Calder and the window, his hands were shaking as he signed, "Don't-want-get-in-the-way..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 4:05 pm
Calder smiled at the signing of his friend, and went over to pat his shoulder. "Then all you need to do is sit down and you won't be in anyone's way. How aboooouuuutttt.....right here." He ushered Christof to sit down - right next to Amrita. Calder slowly eased himself to sit next to Barth.
Now this was cozy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:21 pm
"Nonsense," Barth replied to Christof's signing.
Grimhold finished with the bags, and soon enough, the carriage shook itself and began to lope forward.
The ride was long, and Barth chatted some, and drifted in and out of sleep other times, leaning on Calder's shoulder. Grimhold answered questions put to him with stern reservation.
The estate itself was part of a vast property. The landscape was green instead of tortured, with thick woods and ripe, busy fields, but the closer they got, the more apparent it became that this part of Halloween had not been untouched by the recent Christmas invasion. Grimhold had to guide the carriage around several obstacles on the littered the road. The lands seemed to go on forever, and Barth slept again before the main house came into view. Snow littered the grounds, and creatures in workclothes were cleaning up toppled trees and statues. The once-lush and terrifying hedge monsters were a mess.
As Grimhold steered down the drive, Barth seemed to become more aware, and said "Hold, Grimhold. ...A moment, please."
The carriage slowed, and stilled. Barth sat up. "Sorry. Before we go into the house. You should know some things. Some err, ground rules, if you would. It's nothing to be alarmed about, as long as you keep to them. First, I have many stepothers and siblings. While you're on the grounds, don't shake hands with anyone. Even to be friendly. Second, you won't want for anything in my Father's house, but avoid my father. He is a demon of appetites. And when he gets in his head that he wants something... not to say he is an unpleasant demon. He is magnanimous, and has two mouths to smile with. But the three of you should remember he has more teeth than he has mouths." He considered. "It would almost be better, if..." He looked distant, and thoughtful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:38 pm
Calder could hardly contain his excitement. While Barth dozed in and out, Calder was up against a window, looking out at the different scenery and watching passing vehichles of very shape and design. He rarely got to go on a ride, and hadn't been to many new places in his life. When he did travel, it was in the woods or through rivers, which meant you missed out on seeing other people or towns - which was the point of his clan's purpose for his way of travel. He's also never seen a mansion, and it was a sharp contrast to Christof's home. Where Dr. Fell had a castle perched on a jagged cliff above sharp woods and a field of graves, Barth's mansion was down a long walk of trees and stretched out on either side, looking judgmental but luxurious.
When Barth gave them a briefing, Calder only smiled up at him. He got to meet Barths' siblings! He really was interested in how a demon home was run, and the idea of many family members only made him giddy. However, he was sure to respond back that he understood. "No hand shaking, and be careful around your dad. Got it. Can we go now?" He looked out the carriage door window and back up at Barth.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 2:24 pm
Christof gave a wary grunt, but nodded all the same. He wasn't sure how he felt abut this sudden trip, but had spent most of the ride in awkward, but usual silence. Only now and then he had glanced at Amrita, as though wondering just why she had been invited. Not that she was not welcome! Not at all! It was just... odd. And the looks Calder kept giving the both of them were putting him on edge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 7:24 pm
"Christof. You already have my mark. It might be...safer if you all- I mean, you don't have to. Just a small Contract. Something self-contained, like, as long as you're on the grounds.... and somewhere noticeable. On the back of the hand, maybe," Barth said.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 9:27 pm
Amrita, still thinking nothing of her being invited, shuffled to the side when Christof was pushed in and shoved into the seat beside her. It wasn't that she was afraid of the igor or that she didn't want to be near him (still quite the opposite, much to her surprise), but more like she didn't want to be crushed by him. Her body had gone through enough for now!
Like Calder, Amrita was glued to the sights once they started rolling. Without realizing it she had heaved a soft, dreamy sigh; the woods, the fields, the outdoors! Oh how she loved this sort of sight; tortured was beautiful, but there was something exotic in the amount of green everywhere; it really was a lovely colour. Every now and then she would tug on Christof's sleeve and point eagerly to something out the window, though she was too excited (and no doubt nervous) to remember to use her words. She wasn't sure how long it lasted, but it seemed too soon for the carriage to stop and for Barth to start his instructions.
"I promise I will!" She said eagerly, holding up her right hand - well, the back of it, due to her limbs - in a solemn swear. "Uhh---Keep to the rules--" A minor ammendment, but still somewhat important. The ghoul looked between Calder and Barth, practically wiggling in her seat. "Yes!" She agreed with Calder whole heartedly. "Please?"
...Wait. Marks? The excitement fizzled from Amrita's expression; Marks...as in Demon Marks? But Lizzy told her never to agree to one...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:38 pm
Calder wasn't for the mark either, even if it was his boilfriend. It seemed unnecessary, and he didn't see any reason for it. "Barth, stop fussing! We'll be fffiiinnnneeee." He insisted, already standing up and popping the carriage door open. Being in a carriage, while nice, was something the kelpie couldn't be in for long. He wanted to stretch his legs and get out already.
Before Barth could continue, Calder had already stepped out of the carriage.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:51 pm
"Oh, well, I mean, as I said, I only thought- it err, it might," Barth continued ineffectually as Calder climbed from the carriage. He was fussing. But while Contracts made on School grounds were minor, temporary things that at worst acted like a bad rash when ignored, this was off the grounds.
"Just- just tell them you're with me, if anyone- err, ...if they ask," Barth finished lamely.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:40 pm
"Will-watch. No-more-masters," Christof signed numbly before offering to help Barth out of the carriage as well. He glanced to Amrita with a more concerned look. "Not-dangerous-here-is-it?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:45 pm
Calder eased himself onto the driveway, stretching out before wincing as his muscled pulled. His hands pressed on his stomach were he knew a fresh set of bandages had been wrapped that morning, and where his stitches were still tender. Turning, he offered to help anyone out of the carriage.
"Okie-Dokie, Barth." He smiled and offered his hand up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:50 pm
"Your master is a scavenger," Barth said at last, "Although Calder already seems to have forgotten," his tone was pointed, "You won't be in danger of that. We don't take. We tempt."
It was about as blunt as he got.
"...I'm glad I have you on guard, any way. Just...watch after Amrita," he said, wearily, accepting Christof and Calder's help out of the carriage.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:55 pm
She tried really hard to not be completely obvious with her sigh of relief. Thank Jack for Calder! She had considered climbing over Christof to get out, but he was already moving and helping Barth out, so she simply waited her turn. Once she was able she hopped out herself, careful to not catch her bare toes on any step. She heard the conversation and couldn't help the little frown. Tempt? How? It wasn't like she had a want for many things...and what she did want, she didn't imagine a demon could give.
Then again, there was one thing she wanted, and she did need Barth's help with that...
"Lizzy told me...never enter into a contract if I can help it~" Amrita sounded rather matter-of-factly, wiggling her finger like she was being scolded which...happened often, really. "I'll be careful!" Plus she planned on sticking to any of these boils for the entire trip, so she would probably have someone to hide behind if she needed to. For starters, she edged closer to Christof. You know, because he was supposed to be watching after her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
