[ open ] can't make it all alone

[contactsports]

WHO: Zelda Spellman & you
WHERE: Maurtia Falls #001, Heropa
WHEN: Near the Solstice
WHAT: Zelda prepares for the holiday
WARNINGS: Jokes about Vinegar Tom might make appearances in the house thread. Head over here for content warnings and permissions.

MAURTIA FALLS #001 [ closed to occupants or vistors ]

As the Solstice approaches, Zelda is getting into the holiday spirit. Granted, what that spirit looks like is relative. While she's done nothing to encroach on any decor or celebration the other inhabitants of the house may partake in, she has her own way of doing things, too. This is why it won't be unusual to find a few festive inverted pentagrams here and there and Zelda spending her evenings relaxed on the couch, a burning cigarette in hand, drinking a glass of gin and paging through a haunted holiday classic.

Come the night before the Solistice, she places a Yule log into the fireplace and lights it, keeping a close eye on it as the flames lick around it. She's eager to inform everyone of its importance; "The lit Yule log protects this house, and bars all manner of evil and mischevious spirits. It is of the utmost importance that it stays lit through the Solistice when the veil is at its thinnest -- especially with all the strange occurrences as of late."

HEROPA

Zelda isn't blind to what's been going on around the country the last couple of weeks, but since it hadn't seemed to directly affect her she hadn't seemed to particularly care. This means business as usual - although, for today, that business is in the sunny city of Heropa, Zelda's least favorite place. She pursuing an outdoor shopping mall, wearing a large-brimmed, black hat (it's no wonder why those once had been so fashionable among witches) and dark sunglasses, examing the stalls and shops for the things she needs. While it might be unbelievable, she's Christmas shopping. Although she would never admit it, Sabrina is enamored with the ridiculous holiday and a gift would make her happy. And if Zelda gets Sabrina a gift, it's rude to not get everyone a gift, right?

And maybe even a few little things for herself. The sales are good this time of year, after all.

She's in a good enough mood up until she encounters a man dressed up as Santa--complete with a beard and mistletoe patterned board shorts in honor of the sunny weather--who has probably nipped at the eggnog a bit too much. He starts to follow her around which is at first a novelty and then becomes incredibly annoying, to the point where she finally speeds into the nearest store, turning around to wave her hand at the door before she can be further followed.

"Vobis non transeat." Although unassuming shoppers won't have an issue coming in and out, drunk board-short Santa will find himself left out in the cold - so to speak. Zelda takes a minute to get her bearings, finally looking around in the store which has turned out to be a very obnoxious Christmas decoration store. Every surface is covered with baubles and grinning snowmen and colorful nativities, and Zelda's likely to be there for a long, long while yet.

She lets out an ever-suffering sigh. "Well, this certainly limits my options."

Comments

[devilishly_handsome]

"Is that...supposed to be an elf?"

Anton had simply been exploring the stores, curious about the holiday, when he encountered this store, with it's gaudy decorations, and he decided to step in out of sheer curiosity when he saw...that. A short little elf doll.

"I feel like the elves where I'm from would be so offended."

[contactsports]

Zelda is more than happy to be distracted from the Santa outside when she overhears the shocked response to the doll. She turns her head, sizing up the strange person in front of her before moving her gaze to the elf.

"There aren't any elves in my world, but if there were, having to look at that thing is offense enough for any of them." It's not the tackiest thing in there, but it's high on the list.

[devilishly_handsome]

It would be, although I have to admit. It would be funny to see an elf's reaction to this. They tend to be a bit haughty and self absorbed.

[Not all of them, but...well, this is far enough from what he was used to with elves that it is kind of funny.]

[contactsports]

I suppose I can empathize. Those witches that are so popular at Halloween with the big noses and warts are hardly reflective of our true forms. [ She sniffs. ] Well, most of us.

[devilishly_handsome]

Oh, your a witch, then? I have a brother who's a spellcaster, but I never had much of a talent for it myself, aside from creating a more shadowy ambience here and there.

MF #001

[continuousgroaning]

As the weather gets colder and it gets closer to Christmas, Tina sometimes finds herself getting sleepy at inconvenient times and in inconvenient places, as growing teenagers often do. When she comes home from the stable one day, Tina's happy to find a fire built up, not really considering that it might have a purpose. Zelda will find a tired teenager curled up in front of it with the household's resident dogs, fast asleep- though she does stir at the sound of her voice.

"Mmm? Evil spirits?"

[contactsports]

One of the dogs in front of the fireplace is definitely Vinegar Tom, although what Tina might feel about Zelda's incredibly strange, taxidermied familiar is up for interpretation. Zelda thinks he looks adorable, though.

"Indeed. All sorts of evil, troublesome spirits." She settles into the couch nearest to the fire, a glass of scotch in hand. "They slip through easily if one does not remain vigilant, and can cause great deals of trouble when left unconfronted."

[continuousgroaning]

Tina doesn't bat an eye at Tom, having gotten used to the many strange shapes animals could come in with the various Pokemon that have come and gone; she sits up, stretches, and once she's fully awake, offers her hand for Tom to sniff instead. Magnus' dogs don't seem unduly bothered, either. Uncle Jesse gives an offended boof at Tina changing positions and, once she's turned to face Zelda and sat cross-legged, Jesse rests his snout on one ankle and closes his eyes again. Alf the chihuahua doesn't even stir, content to keep warming herself.

"I've never heard of that happening, but that doesn't mean it's not true," Tina replies thoughtfully. "And after what just happened, I'll take all the protection we can get. Is there anything I can do to help?"

[contactsports]

Although Zelda is never particularly affectionate with the animals in the house, she does happen to enjoy them. It's no different from living with familiars, on the surface at least, and besides, the dogs and Salem were a step up from Hilda's spiders and Ambrose's mouse.

"No, as a mortal you are regretfully useless." It manages to sound affectionate and like an insult simultaneously. "Sabrina and I will have to do all the heavy lifting, I'm afraid. But if you do see the flame falter or see anything strange occur around the house, you have to tell me immediately."

[sathan]

( aside from any coven gatherings lilith had given zelda some breathing room. having the bombshell dropped on her that sabrina's teacher was not only the first witch but that they'd lied to her was-- well, lilith understood her feelings even if she didn't feel guilty.

it wasn't the reason why she was stood outside their door with a little bundle in hand but it would serve as a conversation starter. she'd brought cookies to impart some solstice cheer, hand baked. she also wasn't here to see sabrina.

not knowing how receptive the witch will be to her-- there's a gentle knock on the door, adjusting the bundle in her hands slightly )

[contactsports]

[ Zelda has been relaxing for the evening, chain-smoking in the living room in her dressing gown and enjoying the season. The knock at the door comes as a bit of a surprise but she gets up to answer, her forehead wrinkling when she swings the door open. ]

... Lilith. [ She eyes the bundle in her hand before lifting her gaze back to the other woman. ] I'm afraid Sabrina isn't home.

[sathan]

I'm not actually here to see Sabrina.

( she offers a polite smile )

Though I did bring some cookies that she may enjoy.

[contactsports]

I'll put them aside for her.

[ She pauses for a moment that is just long enough to turn awkward, before backing away from the doorway and gesturing. ]

I suppose you would like to come in?

[goodtobebad]

"Oh, I dunno, a little tinsel in your hair might do you some good," Crowley drawls easily from behind her, where he'd been inspecting a little Christmas village that lights up.

"Is it just me, or is it weird that the humans even in tropical climates seem obsessed with snowy winter wonderlands?"

[contactsports]

Zelda raises her eyebrows, deciding to ignore the tinsel comment. It sounds too much like gray hair and she is certainly not entertaining that anytime soon.

"It's an unhealthy obsession. Give me damp autumn days every day without this wintery nonsense."

[goodtobebad]

"It is unhealthy, they've conveniently forgotten that their ancestors regularly froze to death," Crowley says with a sniff.

"What're you called, then?"

He tilts his sunglasses down a bit, just for fun. He's become fond of occasionally startling humans with his snakey eyes.

[contactsports]

Perhaps to his disappointment, Zelda doesn't even blink. If anything, she looks a little relieved to speak to someone who clearly isn't human.

"Zelda Spellman." She offers her hand. "You must indulge me about yourself. Are you a demon of some sort?"

001

[mofi]

When Zelda opens the door, Murphy holds out a homemade baked pie. Blueberry. He probably ought to have asked her what kind of pie that she liked, but he only thought about it just then.

Now he's standing in front of the fireplace, feeding off its welcoming warmth. Arms loosely cross over his chest, looking at the yule log pointedly. "How does a piece of wood protect your house?"

[contactsports]

Zelda had been delighted to see Murphy and, possibly, equality delighted with the pie. Once he's situated in front of the fireplace she meets him with a slice of pie on a plate and a glass of scotch, gesturing for him to take a seat.

"It's not merely a piece of wood. It's imbued with magic, fortified with a spoken spell. If the fire is extinguished, the spell will be broken."

[mofi]

Murphy nods at her request and settles down in the nearest spot to the fireplace. There is something magical about this. He can feel it. All sorts of energy is buzzing around him. Some he can tap into and some that he can't.

"Why can't you put a magic bubble around it? So no one can extinguish the fire?"

[contactsports]

"Well, there is already, in a way," she says, almost gently, passing him the glass of scotch before setting the slice of pie on the table beside him.

"But magic isn't foolproof, especially when other magic users get involved. And I am certainly not the only witch here."

Heropa

[perfectlyhuman]

Adam likes Christmas. Of course he likes Christmas, he's a little boy, and most children like Christmas.

While Heropa isn't his usual stop, and he hasn't been here for a while, today he decided to veer slightly off path (thanks to the Porters, going to an entirely different city or state can be just that), and it's strange to see somewhere so sunny during this time of year.

He's taking a look at the ridiculous variety of snow globes when he notices her, hearing the words he can't quite understand. Everything about Zelda screams 'witch', which, nowadays, is a good thing.


"There's a lot here." Because what's a child to do besides talk to a stranger? He looks at the snow globe in front of him, a gaudy thing with a flat cartoony santa. "Not a lot of it's that good, though."

[contactsports]

Zelda looks down at him, raising her eyebrows thoughtfully. She likes children, so being spoken to by one isn't unwelcome. Especially one who seems marginally aware of the atrocities occurring around them.

"It's horrendous," she replies, her gaze turning to the snow globe. Why would anyone pay money for that? "Although I've developed the impression that this holiday is far more concerned with quantity rather than quality."

[perfectlyhuman]

Oh, Adam is aware of a lot, she might come to find. He’s an odd little child, to put it simply, but aren’t they all?

He shakes the little globe, with no real hopes that it’ll improve on its blandness. He’s still disappointed, as shown by his twisted nose. So he puts it back on the shelf.

“You could still have a lot of good things. But it’s like when people people give you socks for Christmas. You never really need new socks.”

[contactsports]

"If one is going to celebrate this wretched holiday, they may as well embrace its frivolity in all manners," she agrees. Who would get a child socks for Christmas? What's even the point?

"Are you looking for a gift for someone? Or a treat for yourself?"