{ two. action and dictated }

[nihilo]

[ Alice is sitting on one of the couches at the lobby with one nutcracker on her lap, like a ventriloquist's doll.

She can't quite speak through her stomach or anything, but she does try, moving the puppet's hand to wave at passersby and making voices. ]

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Lothar.

Comments

[thehangedrose]

[On a scale of one to Garry, how flustered are you?]

[And oh dear, another kiss. He holds the nutcracker to himself, mind still trying to catch up to all the unnatural things that are happening here.]

Y-you sure?

[nihilo]

[ She giggles, taking a step back to draw the line. This should count as charity, if it plays out as she expexts and Garry wins a crate of alcohol from a certain demon-in-residence. ]

Very. But I'd be hurt if you throw it away.

[thehangedrose]

[Too bad he'll put it in his room and yet still get kissed by like, everybody before he realizes NUTCRACKERS ARE BAD NEWS.]

[He just kissed her again, he realizes, but he's so dazed that he can only shake his head, looking worried.]

Oh, no, I-I'd never throw it away! I don't want to hurt you...

[nihilo]

Good. I wouldn't want that either.

[thehangedrose]

Of course! You're...you're nice and all, the last thing I would want to do is make you upset.

[And he nods, as if agreeing to himself.]

I'll take care of Lothar for you, don't worry...

[nihilo]

[ Alice just laughs and crosses her arms in front of her. ]

That's a first.

Now run along and make sure he's tucked into bed by nine.

[thehangedrose]

I'm pretty sure nutcrackers don't need to be tucked in...

[He's not that gullible, Alice. >:I]

By why a first? Why have people tried to make you upset before?

[nihilo]

[ She gives him an admonishing look that might have said of course it's a joke or even of course nutcrackers need tucking in! ]

I meant the compliment.

[thehangedrose]

...Oh.

What, you don't get complimented much?

[nihilo]

Not for being nice.

[thehangedrose]

But you gave me this nutcracker! That's nice.

[nihilo]

[ No, it's not, Garry. ]

I'll be sure to give more gifts then.

[thehangedrose]

[LIKE HE KNOWS THAT]

Well, it's not only gifts, though I mean, you haven't been mean to me at all, so there's that too.

[nihilo]

[ Alice reaches to pat his cheek, before turning on her heels to leave him with the nutcracker. ]

[thehangedrose]

Oh, um...

[He blushes slightly and reaches up to touch the spot she patted with a hand.]

Um, goodbye, Alice! Thanks for the nutcracker...

[nihilo]

[ She turns to walk away backwards. ]

Pleasure's mine, Garry.