𝓥alerie

No! Blow on *your drink!*

Oh my gosh, I love your costume!

Hot's in the name, dude! Blow on it!

. . . Come sit in the blanket nest. It won't make your tongue stop hurting, but it's comfy.

. . . I don't know what you mean by that. It's a good mug. One of my favorites. After this one, of course.

(She holds up the one she's drinking from. It has a cartoon wolf with freakish golden eyes.)

I brought candy too.

... Hey.

Y'know what? You two sleep. I'll keep a look out for monsters.

No catch. Hurry up and take it before it gets cold!

Is this a can't FALL asleep problem or a having nightmares ONCE asleep problem?

It does matter.

I was making myself some and I totally blanked out and ended up making two cups instead... I don't want the second to go to waste.

So, um, you want it?

The only plan is to eat candy!

@agentjoel.bsky.social Psst. D'ya like hot chocolate?

"You could come up with a game for just the two of us? That way nobody can get in the way! Or make it boring!"

Her eyes were wide and pleading now.

"It... It'd be fun. I promise."

"I've never seen..."

She seemed a little self conscious suddenly. She gave a little sheepish smile.

"I have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to TV and movies and all of that."

Okay. I'll never forgive you if I don't get them.

He went that way. (Points.)

(Crosses arms.)

How many snacks are you offering for this information?

Haven't seen him since —

Wait. I don't want to help with that!

And? I'm a little lost here, dude.

........ Why not?

<— can't scream, actually.

Yeah!

Scary!

I can scream too!

Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Halloween!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"No."

She shook her head, giving him a little smile. Hands clutching her drink a little tighter.

"Let's watch them both. That sounds fun!"

That got a real flinch out of her, one hand reaching up to rub at her ear.

"We can't have fun with just the two of us?" She asked quietly. "I'm sure you're creative enough!"

While Valerie was visibly exhausted, she listened to his every word. Attentive to a fault.

"Hm... do you have a favorite? Out of those?"

"I'm used to it. And besides, it comes in handy more often than it's annoying."

But then, her tone turns playful.

"The fact that I ever find it annoying has to stay between us, though. I have an image to maintain!"

Please don't throw it at me —!

It's not beer, m — Del.

... I'd take a beer, though.

Wrapped up in a fuzzy blanket, clutching a warm drink.

Growls again. This time, in Del's direction.

It looks like she's about to say something. Or maybe trying to say something?

But she doesn't get it out, whatever it is. She growls in frustration and goes back to pacing. Now *pulling* at her hair.

Pacing, running her fingers through her hair over and over again.

Stressed, stressed, stressed!