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And boy, was this ever real alright...

Brilliant. What a brilliant end to day this was. No, really, look back. I woke up this morning from a nightmare of a reality, and spent a moment in the afternoon re-burying a beloved pet, only to then come back home to a somber Ash wishing to be alone. So pray tell, what is the logical conclusion to this quite pensive chain of events?

That’s right, fuck it-party time.

Never mind that Adalia doesn’t do well with noises, or Sera much less with crowds. Oh, and Ash’s wish? What, do I look like a genie in a bottle to you? Chivalry is dead and Amanda has killed it.

I even tried to salvage it, tried to put a stop to the influx of text messages and expectations by telling everyone that if they came here, they would only be coming into an empty house of lies. Yet, in my growing theory of her secret psychic abilities, Amanda went ahead and put a stop to that too.

<> She warned me, a single message, nothing more, before going into complete radio silence when I tried inquiring why. Either she was on the road, or deliberately ghosting me, or both.

.....

It’s probably both.

A regular person most probably wouldn’t have heeded her, stood undeterred, and shut everything down before it reached the point of no return, but that’s where I was different. You see, I’m an idiot.

More specifically, an idiot with a lackluster sense of foresight. Amanda always has a cause, an intent, she does not pull these kinds of stunts out of nowhere just because she can... so for something as big and outlandish as this... there’s gotta be a very, very good reason for it all.

And besides after everything she’s done for me, going above and beyond even what I would consider above and beyond, how the hell, in good conscience could I ever say no to her and not want to immediately kill myself afterwards?

So begrudgingly, I simply accepted my fate, which leads me to the hardest part of this whole entire shtick of an evening-breaking the news to everyone else.

It’s party time.

Adalia was the most receptive recipient so far, when I told her about the last-minute change of plans, she pondered on it for a bit, before finally voicing her gripes with a groggy, “It sounds... noisy...”

“It will be noisy, definitely,” I admitted. “Think you can handle it?”

“If you... want it...” She said, yawning, rubbing sleepy eyes on her jacket sleeves. “...then... I want it too...” before returning back to her slumber.

All in all, a promising start.

Then I knocked on Sera’s bedroom and I could feel the sweltering intensity of her gleaming yellow stare burning away at my retinas from the very moment she opened the door.

Surprisingly, she didn’t react negatively upon being informed of how I managed to distort and twist her solo plans somehow into a full-blown Christmas event, but that doesn’t mean she was outright sending positive vibes my way either. No simmering disapproval, nor delighted glances, but a middle ground in-between where silence reigned supreme, before she shortly after went and slammed the door in my face.

Honestly, I think that went rather well, all things considered. Now that that’s over with, all that was left now is...

“-Tyler, Amanda, everyone. it’ll be tons of fun you better believe it, and probably also pretty hectic... so you might not have that quiet time you wanted pretty soon. I’ll try my best to keep it down, and by then, once again, if you’re feeling up for it, I’ll still be saving you that one pinecone you can hang. You’re welcome to join anything, y’know? Not that there’s any urgency, it’s all your choice.”

For some reason, I felt a lot more pressure on me talking to a literal door than up against the silent judgment of Sera’s glowing gold, and when I ran out of things to say, that invisible pressure went skyrocketing higher than the stratosphere.

If magic could give me wallhacks, which it probably could, then I’d probably see Ash on the other side right now, upright atop a crumpled bed, still garbed in her nightgown, slumped ears twitching lightly at the sound of my voice... pondering deeply to herself what the best response would be to reassure me all was fine with her in there... even if it really wasn’t.

And by that slight rickety sound I’m hearing, it seems she just got done searching for one.

“A surprise Christmas celebration, hmm,” there was the faint trace of amusement in her voice, guess she found something funny about the whole notion. “Could it be that Lady Amanda has entangled you in another one of her ambitious ventures, Master?”

I threw the door a surprised look. “That’s such a good guess, it’s almost scary.”

“No, not a guess,” She said, and now I could almost hear the faintest impression of a smile on her face. “This kind of spontaneity, impulsiveness, it leaves quite the distinct impression, the kind with all your consideration and concern, Master, you will never dare act upon yourself.”

“I’m sure Amanda has very good intentions for pulling this stunt, that it happens right now is just very bad timing on her part,” I said. “Still, I hope you won’t mind bearing with her spontaneity for just this evening.”

“You will not hear me utter a single word in protest, nor would I even think to even do so. On the contrary, Master, I highly encourage it.”

“Really now?”

“Truly,” She affirmed. “It would be a welcome change of pace to hear cheers and celebrations resound for once. I see no reason to find dismay in such a prospect. Furthermore, I’d wish nothing more but for you to enjoy yourself, so go, please, have fun... and do not allow me as I am to impede upon your enjoyment.”

“Here’s the thing though,” I said, slowly leaning my head against the door. “I’m pretty sure I can make your wish come true more effectively if you were right there with me.”

Ash went silent again, but I felt no pressure, no unease, emanating from behind her door, all I could feel was her warmth.

“Of course, I knew you’d say that...” She said quietly, affectionately. “Everything I long to hear, you’ll say it. In admirable hopes to try and comfort me, I presume. And indeed, how tempting a thought it is to me to keep you hear longer and say even more.”

“Then open the door, Ash,” I said. “Let me comfort you.”

For a moment there, I had hope. For a second, that I’ve gotten through to her, that finally, I’ll get to see the door handle turn and fully twist, the creak of hinges, the small gust of air, and I’ll see her face once again, her mesmerizing green eyes staring back at me through a narrow gap.

Then that moment passed, and the door stayed shut.

“I appreciate the gesture, Master,” Ash said. “But sadly, I’m afraid that I just-”

“Need more time,” I nodded, finishing for her. “I get it.”

“Forgive me, Master, I-”

“No, no,” I quickly interjected. “It’s okay, Ash. Don’t explain, you don’t need to justify yourself, Ash. Just... whenever you’re ready, whenever you want to... only then we’ll talk. Remember, I’ll always be here for you.”

Then faintly, so faintly I might have imagined it, I heard something slump lightly against the door.

“Yes, you are, you always are...” Ash said softly, suddenly closer now. “. And due to that, I know ultimately, that in the end, I’ll always be alright... because of you.”

I lifted my hand, briefly placing it against the door, and I like to think that hers was right there too, only just mere inches apart.

“Alright then, feel better, okay?” I said, before withdrawing back again, turning already halfway away. “And remember-pinecone.”

She giggled. “Yes. I’ll keep it in mind.”

Well, that didn’t go as well as it could have. But I suppose they can’t all be winners, can they?

Better luck next time.