Riddle 013: Spreading That Christmas Cheer [Action]

[questionauthority]

[Christmas Time is coming! Today, you'll probably find Edward in one of three locations.

A. At the Christmas Village, dressed in his little "Helper Elf" costume and freezing furiously. He does not look at all happy to be there.

B. Wandering through the town, dressed in a warm, green pea-coat, a jade scarf wrapped around his neck, just admiring the winter scenery.

C. Back at home, meticulously setting something up on the dining room table. Once he's finished, he'll call upstairs.]

Slugger? Susan? I'd like it if you could come to the dining room, please. ...Susan, you're free to call upon your Grandfather, too, if you like.

Comments

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[Funny thing about doors in this house...

they don't keep anyone out. Slugger walks directly through without opening it. Head lowered and both hands in his pockets, he stands silent as a shadow watching Edward. The box is tucked beneath one arm.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[He just looks up at Slugger. Not even his phasing can surprise him at this point.]

...what?

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[Not saying a word, Slugger drifts closer. At arms-length he pauses and holds up a fist as though there is something in his hand he wishes to deliver. He will stand there motionless in the same position for however long it takes for Edward to reach up and take it.]

...

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[After a bit of a staring contest, Edward lets out a low sigh. He extends his own hand outward.]

All right, fine. I'll bite.

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[The fist opens and two small, wooden tiles drop onto Edward's palm -- one labeled H and the other labeled I.

He then stands back, quietly awaiting Edward's reaction while he builds up the effort needed to push aside the strangeness of this whole situation and thank Edward for the gift.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Edward stares at the tiles in his palm. Brief silence as he just takes it in.]

...perhaps I overreacted a bit.

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

...

What set you off?

[What makes you tick, Mr. Nigma? What makes you... lose control.]

edit

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Well, since you asked so nicely.]

...I'd never gotten along well with my own father. I did everything I could to impress him and it was never enough. And---well. I'm not your father. I know I'm not.

[Or Susan's husband. Or Death's grandson-in-law. Seriously, why is his house so weird?]

But I figured... I don't know. With enough of an effort, you'd respect me. Everyone in this house would.

[Cue Rodney Dangerfield routine.]

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[For the moment Slugger is silent, but the gears are clearly turning as he listens. He's never had a father, or a mother for that matter, or a family, so he can't relate. He considers it a good thing.

After another moment's hesitation, Slugger bows his head toward the box under his arm...]

Thanks.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

...you're welcome.

[Perhaps next time he should just get Slugger something he actually wants, instead of projecting all over.]

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[Well, Edward, this has been odd. But in terms of experimentation, it went smoothly. Slugger is not used to dabbling in methods of making people feel better without obliterating their ability to function mentally. And while he'd rather not do it again, it isn't like he has anything better to do that he hasn't already done.

That said, he'll just be quietly turning to leave now...]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Edward will let him head out. He needs more time to think, anyway.]