Repose

[Atticus M]

Did you just flog off your place for a hundred dollars?

[Janus A]

Your man is going bonkers, darling.

[B&B]
[On Tuesday, early in the morning, the B&B goes up for sale. There's a sign in the front window, and the sale is listed in the local newspaper and in various Capital publications and realtor websites. Incredibly, the place, which is a historical landmark, is being sold for the sum of $100. The seller will pay all closing costs, and title transfer is available immediately upon closing. Interested parties are given a number to call which belongs to a well-respected law firm in the Capital. Should any current residents of the B&B or Repose show interest they have, as it were, 'dibs.' Until the B&B is sold, it will be run by offsite management.

Oh, and one last thing. Workers arrive at the Carriage House, which stands adjacent to the B&B, early in the morning. A wrecking ball soon follows, and the Carriage House is brought down by lunchtime. The area is cleared and trees and flowers are planted where the Carriage House once stood.

As for the previous owner of the B&B, a new ownership deed is filed on Tuesday for the old homestead on the island in the middle of the lake.]

[Delivery, Janus A]
[On Tuesday, early in the morning, the property that the container house sits on is deeded over to one Janus Allen. A lawyer from the Capital brings the paperwork to Janus at the Greyhound Station. The paperwork includes a caveat that the land Billy's trailer sits on in his for as long as Billy wants it.]

[After this and this.]

[Locked to Janus A]
Honey, you got a moment? I got two things that need talking to you bout. The first has to do with the world ending, I reckon, and I mean that literal. The second has to do with my daddy and fruit. But, also, I reckon, with the world ending and my daddy. You holler back quick as you please, else I'll go poking at your head, and I know you hate that a whole lot.

[Locked to Damian W]
Dami? Do you reckon your sister's inclined to help save humanity from some real weird bugs possessing men in red hats? That's to say, you got any clue what went wrong with Claire and Leena? I ain't got myself no clue.

[Time-fuzz~]

[Locked to Lucifer]
Speak to Misha now.

[Locked to Adrian M]
Are you wholly incapable of helping yourself?

[Locked to Louis D]
Goodbye, Louis Donovan.

[Locked to Janus A]
Demon.

I'm genuinely doubting that we ever see spring.

Does anyone know if the woods are [...] normal again?

[Sent before the Masquerade, with all of them on the same lock. Because why not.]

So are we attending?

[Locked to Claire J]
Sorry I didn't respond right off. I wasn't round.

[Locked to Louis D]
Sorry, honey, I missed you talking first off.

[Locked to Janus A]
You known all this time?

[During moments of this.]

[Locked to Lucifer M]
I suspect this has taken you by surprise also.

[Locked to Janus A]
I require a word with you.

Mid-evening on Christmas Eve, a flash of light travels through town. For most, it's a single bright wave that fades quickly into the darkness, leaving only the full moon and the bright stars behind.

For those who are particularly sensitive? The light comes with a set of feelings - shock, anger, pain. Betrayal.

For the few that know Lucifer, it will be easy to tell that it's him. And that there's a scream beneath the emotions.

[On the kitchen counter, when Janus awakes on Christmas Eve is a box, plain red cardboard tied with an extravagant, green silk ribbon. Inside are a handful of small vials each with a label that reads 'choice'. There is one vial that has a tag that reads 'cheer'. The note typewritten on the back of a card reads: If drunk, 'choice' will give the drinker the opportunity to remove all lingering negative effects of Halloween. If they drink two, it is as if Halloween never took place for him or her. Cheer I've thrown in for you. Have a night where all is calm, all is bright and you have caught the Christmas spirit. Santa.. ]

[Janus]
So sweetheart, what am I getting you for this holiday I don't celebrate in the spirit it's meant to be celebrated?

[Claire]
I am assuming that you have plans for next week. But I'd still like to get you a gift.

[Rory]
[Teasing.] Chewtoys or alcohol for the not-my-holiday?

Naughty or nice list?

I see that being a different gender doesn't solve anything. It hurts even more knowing how miserable I was because I never knew Conall. It's taking some time to stop looking at dresses though.

Although I know there's a niche for that.


I hope people who were lost in mazes were happy after they'd found their way out.

[Public]

I haven't been that hungover in years.

[ETA:] The man looking for the queen, did you find her?

[Janus A]

Alive, darling?

[Daniel W]

All well, Lord E?

[Janus A]
So, there is a situation.

[Daniel W]
[...] How are you feeling? Stronger?

[Leo B]
Are you alright? I know I have not been around much. I am sorry.

[David P]
Everything go okay for you?

[Locked to Louis D]
Been a while. Need a favor.

[Locked to Janus A]
Not interested in talking about Steve. Wanted to run something by you about Halloween.

[Locked to Billy K]
Out at the lake. Welcome to stay in the Carriage House attic with your friend. Need anything out there, check in with Connie.

[Locked to Sadie M]
Sadie, honey, you check in some.

[Locked to Janus A]
Janus? You fare fine?

[Locked to Claire J]
Claire?

[Mental, to that annoying, persistent presence]
You planning on going ever?

[Public]

Well. If I'd ever wondered what being a woman was like, that's that taken care of.

Eddie, wherever you are, I hope you made it through.

[Leena B]

It's been a year. Please tell me you weren't dead.

["Jane"]

All right? No necromancy this go-round?

[Kratos S]

Well that wasn't postcards.

[Louis D]

All right? Did the current occupier budge up and make room?

[Patrick G]

All right?

[All attempts to contact 'Steve M' on the forums, or to reach him by phone or email, are unsuccessful.]

[Delivery: Atticus M]
[Steve leaves Atticus a letter, detailing that he's leaving to do some work as Cap, feeling morally obligated to do something in regards to the current political climate. Included with the letter is a flip phone with a single number, one that, according to his writing, will go directly to him, if Atticus ever needs him. He reiterates his feelings for the man, along with his well wishes.]

[Delivery: Janus A]
[Janus receives a letter from Steve. It's fairly short, stating Steve's reason for leaving (see above) and that he'll miss Janus. He tells Janus to take care of Atticus.]

[Note: the Mean-Eyed Cat]
[A note from Steve is left at the Mean-Eyed Cat, along with the key for the little house in back. The note says that Steve has left town and that an interim manager will be coming in in the meantime. If anyone wants to step up and take more shifts, instructions are given. The bar remains deeded in his name and the bills are paid regularly and on time.]

[Handwavey time - sometime between him meeting Claire at her friends' wedding and their phonecall the next day. A mental nudge like a polite knock on the door.]