[ Video ]

[celestial_wizard]

[ The feed starts up with Lucy sitting at a desk by a window, pen in hand and a notebook open. Seated with her on her lap is a little snowman looking critter, who was contentedly chewing on a candy cane. ]

Hmhm.. I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I really hate the cold - but when you have a view of a literal winter wonderland like this, I can't bring myself to mind that much. Although if the weather forecast is true... an entire month of snow is a bit much! Well... after the past few weeks, if that's the worst that happens, it's okay, I guess. I think a few days of quiet is just what the doctor ordered, and I can spend time with those kids. That being said - Sun, if you catch this, how are you holding up? You know after...um... after that... happened. And Levy, how is your arm?

[ She trailed off absently, rubbing Plue's head and smiling at the little spirit's 'pupun' response. Of course she wasn't worried about being snowed in thanks to her partner. ]

On the other hand it was a little -- a lot -- weird waking up and seeing the building decorated. I'm glad the interior was left alone - I wanted to do the decorating myself. I can't help but feel like a lot of people would have had less of an issue if the person responsible had at least asked permission beforehand. At least, for the people who do celebrate the holiday! Well, wintery landscapes like this are really inspirational for my writing today, so I think I'll get a few more hours writing done before I pick up some extra decorations. Anyone's free to join Plue and I if you want some company!

Comments

[Action.]

[explodewiththerage]

The guy's real good. I couldn't catch his scent or hear him put the stuff up at all.

[He's just a bit grumpy about that since his sharp senses are his pride in a way.]

[Action.]

[celestial_wizard]

[ Lucy glanced over towards the grumpy dragon with a sheepish smile. Aww, don't be grumpy~! ]

Well... if it helps, I doubt he was actually here in -person-. He probably cast some kind of spell to decorate ... [ A pause. ] Actually that ... probably doesn't help much.

[ On the one hand it'd mean Natsu's senses were second to none, still. On the other, still kinda creepy with the magical decorations~! ]

[Action.]

[explodewiththerage]

[He's just not happy knowing there's a blindspot in his guard like this. But it's not like anything bad happened so really most of his huffiness is for show.]

Oh well. At least they didn't do anything bad...

[Action.]

[celestial_wizard]

[ There wasn't much he could have done -- but Lucy knows better than to bring that point up. Him being unable to stop something was a big sore point with him - especially since-- well. ]

...

Natsu, why don't you come shopping with us?

[ ...she says like he wasn't going to come along with her anyway, silly girl. But she wants to take his mind off of the blindspot and make him less grumpy. ]

You can pick out some of the decorations if you want~!

[Action.]

[explodewiththerage]

[Well he is quite justified in feeling that way if you stop and think about it!]

Huh? Why ask something so obvious? Of course I wanna go.

[As if there was ever any other answer.]

[Action.]

[celestial_wizard]

[ She couldn't blame him for feeling the way he did. She just wished he didn't~! Well, Mission: Distract/Cheer Up Natsu is go! Lucy glanced at Plue, grinning wryly. ]

A-aahahah, okay okay - I ... suppose I should have known better than to ask.

[ Folding the book closed, she picked Plue up and held him out for Natsu to hold. ]

Let me just grab my things, and we'll head out. [ Scarf, Coat, Boots and hat. She might end up not even needing all that with Natsu walking with her, but better safe than sorry! ]

[Action.]

[explodewiththerage]

[That operation is already providing a lift to his mood. He does watch Lucy go about getting ready for the outing with mild interest on his part.]

[Action.]

[celestial_wizard]

[ He doesn't have to wait too long, before she's got on a cute pink down coat, black boots, gloves and a fluffy red scarf. ]

All set~! [ And he didn't have to put on even a little extra clothing. GRRR. Ahem. ]

Shall we go? [ She chirped, starting to reach out to his arm - then again, thinking better of it. He can hold Plue though! ]

[Action.]

[explodewiththerage]

[Aww he was actually looking forward to it a bit to have Lucy join arms with him. But with her deciding against it he just shrugs to himself before nodding to his partner.]

Yup all good here.

[And up on his head, Plue goes.}

[Action.]

[celestial_wizard]

[ It was oddly tempting to link arms with him but... if she were to do that, weird stalkers or random strangers would get the wrong idea about them. She folded her arms, trying to put the treasonous thoughts of wanting to hold his hand from her head. It was just because his hands were warm! ]

What kind of decorations do you want to get? We should probably shop in Genessia - they'll have a bigger variety.

[ She cast a glance at him and his Plue hat - and quickly looked away to keep from giggling. ]

[Action.]

[explodewiththerage]

[He idly plays with PLue on top of his head before he hears Lucy talking to him again.]

Hmmmmmm I dunno. I don't think there's gonna be anything with dragons for Christmas right?

[Action.]

[celestial_wizard]

[ Lucy hesitates, glancing away a little shiftily for a second. ]

I uh... I don't think so.. but it won't hurt to look!

[ Fft, Plue-Cap. Well Plue was perfectly happy to get the vantage point on top of Natsu's head there, even sprawling out somewhat in that fluffy hair. Puuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhh... It's so SOFT and warm~ <3 ]

... you look really silly like that. [ Lucy giggles, though she approved of the pair, leading the way out of the apartment, down the stairs and off to adventure! ]

Maybe we should check in on the kids on the way back?

[Action.]

[explodewiththerage]

[Him and Plue had always been surprisingly on the same page with most things. A level of understanding that even Lucy couldn't catch up with.]

Oh yeah we should totally pick something up for those two!

[Action.]

[celestial_wizard]

[ She'd never admit it but she was jealous of Plue's friendship with Natsu, sometimes. She didn't know why the two understood each other so well - from day one! Well it was sweet all the same. ]

Of course! And Regina too. But for Christmas - it's only a few weeks away. [ She fell silent for a moment, thoughts elsewhere, but she shook herself out of the nostalgia, huddling into her coat instead. ]

I can't believe it's going to snow all month...!

Re: [Action.]

[explodewiththerage]

[They would never tell her. That was something they'd decided way back when they first met. ]

Hmm? Well that's what winter's famous for. Snow all day every day.

Re: [Action.]

[celestial_wizard]

[ Boys have to have their secrets; she wouldn't be surprised if they entered into some kind of secret alliance to keep her by the dragon's side from the beginning. ]

Mmmh, it's my least favorite season, with all this cold. [ She kicked a bit of snow ahead of herself. ]

Although I guess it does have its merits. It's nice to sit in front of a crackling fire with some cocoa and marshmallows, all snuggled up wi--

[ She almost stopped short, her face suddenly getting pink. ]

With a blanket or two...!

[ Not with.. his arms around her or anything. Augh that mental image of cuddling against him - shoo, SHOO. ]

[Action.]

[explodewiththerage]

[A fiendish secret alliance to make LUcy's life as most interesting and unpredictable as possible. Sounds about right.]

Hmm?

[He couldn't shake the feeling she'd tried to say something else before she cut off. It was just instinct really.]

Well with me around there's no real need for blankets.

[Action.]

[celestial_wizard]

[ Statements like that do not help! She actually sputters for a second. ]

D..do you have to say things like that..!? Even if it's ... true... It's not like I'm gonna- you know...!

[ Today's Game: Telepathy! ..apparently. She hunched into her hood a little more, trying -not- to think about that particular situation. ]

[Action.]

[explodewiththerage]

[And just who said he was trying to help? Though in his defense he had no idea what he was actually doing to his poor conflicted partner.]

Hmmm? Gonna what?

[But then she's already turned away so he looks up in Plue's direction no top of his head.]

Hey Plue does she do this kind of thing when I'm not around?

[Oh my what a potentially dangerous question.]

[Action.]

[celestial_wizard]

[ He never does, and that made it worse. ]

N-Nothing, nothing...!

[ She rubbed her gloved hands over her face briefly. Okay focus, FO-CUS. FO -- WAIT WHAT? Plue glanced at Lucy, and then down at Natsu, considering his response. ]

Puuuh, pupun pu-

[ He was all set in the middle of telling Natsu just how often Lucy did that when Natsu wasn't around -- even when he was, when he wasn't looking, when Lucy squealed, suddenly hopping up to grab for the spirit. Unless Natsu sidestepped or held Plue out of her grabby hands. ]

H-Hey! Don't go interrogating my Plue..!!

[ Not like he has something SEKRIT to tell Natsu right? Right? ]

[Action.]

[explodewiththerage]

[He quickly leans away from Lucy's sudden grabby flailing arms. Must keep the dear friend out of weirdo Lucy's hands since she's clearly being hit by another fit of weirdoness. Yes that was a word in his book.]

I wasn't interrogating him. Just asking an honest question I knew you'd never answer if I asked you.

[Action.]

[celestial_wizard]

[ ACK don't lean away, that'll make her lean towards him to try to get at poor Plue. The little spirit wasn't helping either, thinking it was pretty funny seeing the shorter of the two trying to reach him. ]

Pupuuun~!

[ Nyahaha. Silly girl. Lucy continued stretching up for the spirit, until she realized it was awfully close to him, quickly moving away again. Ahem. ]

W-well why ask something like that then? It's not like I'm doing anything weird..! [ Except stopping short before she says anything incriminating. She's been doing that a lot lately - especially after the fiasco with those nightmares. She hadn't been able to bring herself to say anything about them yet, at least. ]

[Action.]

[explodewiththerage]

Yup him and Plue are clearly conspiring against Lucy as he flails and reached ever closer to her spirit only for Natsu to pull away yet again.]

You keep cutting yourself off but you never give me an answer why. So I'll just ask Plue~!

[Action.]

[celestial_wizard]

Errgh-!

[ Fine, have your conspiracy! Lucy sank back on her heels, taking a step or two away, staring at the two of them uneasily for a second. Except Plue might actually tell Natsu why - no, he definitely would. He and Natsu were thick as thieves. ... She turned on her heel, stalking towards Genessia's archway in silence for a few seconds. ]

... it's because I don't want to say something I.. I'll regret, all right?

[ Except she wouldn't regret any of it per se - she was just panicked about his reaction. ]

It's not that I don't ... want to tell you...

[Action.]

[explodewiththerage]

Why would you regret it?

[Of all the things she could have said she chose the best words to achieve the opposite of her intended result.]