Repose

[Locked to Jason W & Damian W (+Stephanie M)]
[After this.]

I know we aren't exactly on friendly terms, but your brother? Is starting to remember things, and I thought you should know. Last I saw him? He had a bag and a bus ticket and a lot of confusion. So, maybe? Do something about that.

[Locked to Emily G]
Someone didn't update me on how date night went.

[Before he responds to this]

Come out of your room and take a shower.

[Juliet J.]
[Before this.]

Hungover?

[Muerte]

Hi.

[After she receives his gifts, she sends him a picture and a message. The picture is a close-up of the pendant sitting against her skin, the low swoop of a paint-stained black tanktop just visible, as well as a swipe of blue over the crest of her shoulder.]

It's beautiful. And groovy. [Smiley face.] And I love the band.

[...] I don't want either of us to be alone. It hurts, and we don't have to hurt like that. Name a time and place, and I'll be there.

[Locked to Emily G]

There's this immortal being I know? And she has great taste.

[Selina, Sasha]

I'm back from the Capital, and I've brought gifts! Also, I may or may not need help with something beyond my expertise.

[Muerte]

I've acquired a mummified cat. It talks! Well, meows.

[Carnival Update]
[Beautiful posters for a special show on Christmas Eve and Night go up around town. They're red with gold lettering and promise treats, dancing and mysteries from beyond! A special note at the bottom indicates there are still some openings at the carnival for those interested. The number added is of course Eddie's office line.]

[Sent to Deputy Stephanie M.]
[A very harmless Carnival ticket. No note.]

[Meredith J.]

Have time for a reading?

[Public]

I could have sworn I heard Latin chanting at the church, yesterday. That's not typical for a small town, is it?

[Eddie was at the bookstore the second it opened. He hadn't slept all night (nerves, worries and ghosts made sure of that) and was eager for a cup of coffee. This wasn't exactly the most thrilling spot for a date and the early hours made sure there wasn't any low-light romance. That, of course, was intentional. Eddie was fine pretending things were okay between himself and Muerte, but he wanted to know who she had become and if it was too different from what he remembered in New Jersey. He thought there was less pressure to be Edison Needles, as well, which would likely make her happy. Eddie could put on an act for anyone, including her and he thought it was unfair if he did so this early in the game. She'd get sick of it fast, like eating too much cotton candy and then riding the tilt-a-whirl. Whether or not she'd get sick of him bare bones and bitter like black coffee, well he didn't know for sure. Maybe it'd be easier if she did. After all, Eddie yearned for his lonely life before half of goddamned New Jersey landed on his doorstep. But, lonely? That'd kill him, almost twice as fast as heartbreak. He'd pick the troubles of family, love and friendship over and over until he didn't have any of it left.

It frustrated him. Probably more than he managed to frustrate anyone else. And, wasn't that sort of funny?

He was dressed as casually as he could manage. Which, of course, wasn't very at all. A bright green and gold checkered sweater vest over a white button up shirt and a tie polka-dotted with 8-bit ghosties didn't scream subtle so much as old nerd. He had obviously embraced the latter, finding it a good way to express his eccentricities. Most people would look at him, his line of work and decide it made perfect sense. Eddie liked harmony, he liked people to think every experience with him was smooth sailing. He taught the same to his carnies. It made their individual mysteries inviting without letting anyone get too close.

Eddie got his cup of coffee with weird flavored creamer (candy cane) and made his way back to the science fiction. He had called Muerte a little before, reminding her to stop by the bookstore before cutting the conversation short, afraid that a long talk on the phone might ruin the morning. He wanted this to be special despite the mundane surroundings. God help him.]

[It isn't quite in season, but he still leaves a freshly cut stalk of violet hyacinth for her, sitting in a slender vase at her door. Its fragrant enough to dim - but not nearly enough to completely mask - the scent of her paints.]

Who: Eddie and Emily
Where: New Jersey
When: a while ago before Repose
What: saying goodbye
Warnings: pretty tame!

( There was really just one thing holding him back. )

[Phone Call: Emily G.]
[Before meeting Bruce. Ring, ring!]

Who: Hunter and Emily
What: Hunter, a shovel, and company?
Where: The Cemetery, of course.
When: Before sunup, say 4 AM.
Warnings/Rating: Safe.

( 'When you're dead, they really fix you up.' - JD Salinger )

[After this. He thinks of her before anything else, of course he does, but she's not the type to send him presents. Not when they're actively trying to forget each other. Still, there's a good chance he'll get drunk and hack into the post office security cameras later...]

I appreciate the booze, secret admirer. I do. But, I'm not interested.

[She sees this, and spends a little too long laughing about it in her room, a new portrait being added to the wall with a backdrop of striped tent fabric before she pulls herself together and gets on the phone.

It arrives from the city later that day in a plain box, and then she ventures out of the mansion. She walks, even though it's getting cold, and heads into town to the post office. With a little extra monetary incentive and a polite smile, they agree to make a special delivery out to the carnival grounds.

The box arrives with no note, but once opened reveals a bottle. Just a bottle.]