gʀɑɦɑɱ ɦɑʆɗɑʀ, ɛรquiʀɛ (businesslike) wrote in summerview, @ 2019-01-09 23:39:00 |
|
|||
The holidays were a time that Lenore had usually spent showering time with friends and family (even if her parents couldn’t care less). She made sure to dote on the things she did have. Her new mutant kitten, a lovely ugly sweater for Graham along with a few other things she’d collected from her travels in Italy, and of course her friends and clients. It was unorthodox, but it was something. Spending the new year with her dearest friend only made everything all the better. So long as she wasn’t alone, and of course, he would humor her with a few ideas on how to pass the time. She’d brought blankets, several soft ones. Pillows, candles, movies, and even board games. One way or another, she was going to have fun and see to it that Graham did too. “You’ve never built a pillow fort before? Or with blankets? Not as a child?” For Christmas, Graham had gotten Lenore a lovely antique art supply box dating from around the 1800s - it came with the paintbrushes and charcoals, all used, but the wood itself was beautiful, made of teak and the box also came with the original paints; the palette was visible when you grasped a brass pin on the bottom drawer and pulled it out. It had been expensive, certainly, but money was of no concern to him. He’d live eternally to keep acquiring it anyway. And the idea that he’d made a pillow fort as a child was rather amusing. “My childhood was a cold void,” he shared with a chuckle, and he wasn’t wrong. That was just the way things were for the upper class, in the Victorian era - stark, repressed, frigid. He didn’t feel much differently these days, reminders of his miserable existence following him around like a black shadow (the same shadow, the same monster he felt within). But honestly, he wouldn’t want to spend New Years any other way - things like this caused the beast within to retreat and fuck off for the time being. He didn’t have to think about eternity or the need for blood. “So no, it’ll be my first time with a pillow fort. What do we do first?” He’d browsed some pictures on Pinterest though, did that count? Lenore had been fascinated with his era, wondering his opinions on then and the present. She was mindful of the questions she did ask though. Like Graham, she was all for distraction away from being a monster or thinking about blood for any amount of time. “Pillow forts are quintessential to warming and shoo’ing away voids.” She said matter of factly in her cozy pink flannel pajamas, assessing the supplies they had to work with. “It’s your own personal huddle hole. A relaxation realm of zen.” Or a mess in the living room, as her parents would say. “First we have to prop up our structure in a nest formation. Think of how you’d like to luxuriate, so to speak, and form your pillow nest there—keeping in mind, blankets will be needed last.” She tossed him a pillow for good measure as she wasn’t going to be the only one building this little nest. Even if it was her favorite way to relax and she did it regularly. She organized some pillows to sit upright for structuring and a few more for support against the ground. Fluffing them up all cozy! Lenore’s pyjamas were cute, honestly - Graham was a bit more bland in his approach, but what else was new. Fleece pants and a t-shirt, though at least it was modern. In his day, nightshirts and caps were common, and those just didn’t stand the test of time. “Good lord - are you an architect in your spare time, darling?” he asked with a chuckle, because that was such a precise explanation. “Well, I presume we want the hardier kinds to be used as walls...” Which was why he took the sofa cushions and began building with those - squishier pillows and blankets on the inside, as Lenore said. And chairs, they could use the dining chairs to drape blankets over, in order to make their roof. Now that he’d started, he’d definitely get into it. “Are we going to have lights on the inside too?” Lenore’s clasped hands eventually fell together as she watched Graham take part—with fair enthusiasm—in her little activity. See. She would show him all he’d missed just yet. “No architect. Appreciator of architecture and creator of imaginary worlds—this one, a humble warm nest for the New Years.” She already gathered the most fluffiest blankets to wrap in and around the “ground” of said nest and took the lighter fabrics for their “roof”. Though she hadn’t considered a light source on the inside. “I think I have an idea.” She disappeared momentarily into the darkness down the hall before reappearing with a small sleeve of leftover lights, tiny ones, twinkle lights, if you would. “Think these will do?” Ah yes, twinkle lights. Even Graham had to admit being captivated by how delightfully whimsical those were. And perfect for the holiday season (or, subsequently, blanket forts created during the holiday season). “How did I know you were going to choose these?” he laughed a little. “Here, let’s see - “ They had walls and a ‘ceiling’ for their humble little nest, so he took the strand of lights and began stringing them along the lighter fabrics that made up the roof - it wasn’t too high, and he was certainly tall enough to reach. To get them to stay up, he also draped them over the top rungs of the chairs, winding them around and looking for an outlet to plug them in. There we go - Let there be light. “They look nice, I think?” he observed, stepping back to take a gander. “And here you pretend as if you couldn’t possibly know what a little bit of creative fun could be. You’re a natural.” She knew her dear mentor didn’t have much to honestly warrant the need to try and find the rainbows and candy in life. How he’d lasted this long alone surprised her. But for all he’d claimed to never leave her alone she wouldn’t leave him alone either. Graham wouldn’t be lonesome at all so long as Lenore had something to say about it. She playfully scooted him along inside their handiwork before snuggling alongside him and grabbing for the remote. “Normally we could have hot cocoa and marshmallows but we’ll have to forgo…now. Is there any sort of classic movie you haven’t seen?” “Why forgo?” Graham asked, once he’d been spirited away into their new fort. It was quite cozy, yes, though he wasn’t great at...snuggling. Or at least, he hadn’t really engaged in much practice lately. But he’d do his best, slinging his arm around Lenore and tucking her against his side. “Do you not have any?” He knew how much she liked hot chocolate - or did, once upon a human time, but there was no reason not to enjoy it now. Vampires could still taste, though when he was a newborn he’d gone through a similar experience where, psychologically, food just didn’t appeal because in the back of his mind he knew it wouldn’t really sustain him. Only one thing could do that. Regardless, he was here to sort of lovingly nudge Lenore to continue to enjoy her favorite treats regardless of blood preference now. “I brought mix jars I found at the bakery - they’ve got cocoa powder, sugar, chocolate chips. You just add hot milk and then it’s all set. They’ve even got marshmallows on top.” And a peppermint stirring stick as well (it was really a candy cane?), how grand. “As for movies, I think I’ve seen a lot of the classics - well, I suppose it depends on what you consider a classic. The Godfather, or Sleepless in Seattle?” “You tell me this after we’ve gotten comfortable?” Lenore mock huffed against her pillow, but settled against Graham and reached for the remote to try and navigate to the most suitable streaming service that would have options abound for them to choose. She’d maybe sort of think about scurrying up quickly to grab some of those tasty treats just to...taste them and smell them. Feel how nice and warm they were. “Thank you. I know you know those are my favorite. You spoil me.” Unfortunately she did have to give him a look, pushing him back against the more sturdy pillows. “A holiday special. Not a timeless classic that the academy would have you believe is pure cinema bliss. You know, like Trading Places, When Harry Met Sally, or the ever overly popular--Love, Actually.” “Oh, right, holiday specials,” Graham rolled his eyes, all in playfulness. “Please don’t make me watch Love, Actually.” He could probably handle When Harry Met Sally or Trading Places (obviously Lenore wasn’t going too far back when it came to holiday specials - there were likely some Humphrey Bogart ones out there, in the old old era of film) but for some reason, the problematic sap in the first selection made him shudder internally. “I’ve not seen any of those though, so I suppose I’ll let you pick since it’s your place.” He wouldn’t mind getting up - it would literally only take a second. “Go on and decide, I’ll be back in two shakes,” he promised, and zip zip. Vampire speed was handy sometimes - by the time a blink happened, he had milk warming up in the microwave. The efficiency of modern inventions, no? She had tried not to go too far back into time. Obviously, Mr. Non-corny filmchoice did not spend much time at the cinema. Lenore wouldn’t expect him to. He was a numbers man after all. Sitting in a dark room full of strangers to share emotional adventures and experiences? Psh. Yet he was about to do so with her and she greatly appreciated it. “Oh fine. Trading Places—comedy, yet warm and full of life lesson. Ackeroid and Murphy are a very good match.” She hummed as she scooted with a little of her Vampirism speed to keep up and place the selection in so that graham wouldn’t have to wait once he returned. Of course someone like Lenore didn’t like going too fast, loose the moment. Unless it was running from danger or herself. With the selection made and ready to play she scooted back all cozy like in their fort, delighted as a daisy. And now they had hot chocolate, so getting up for those couple of seconds was probably worth the hardship. At least Graham thought so, when he brought back two steaming mugs of that stuff - it was legit too, none of that shite from a packet that was really just chocolate-flavored water. He handed Lenore her mug, settling back in with the whole...snuggling thing. He felt like he needed an instruction manual (‘how do snuggle?’) but assumed that she’d tell him if he was completely cocking it up. She was a kind person but she wasn’t meek, so, he appreciated that about her. “Alright, let’s see this very good match,” he grinned, and perhaps this would be his best new years in all his long life? So far, it was looking like it’d turn out that way. “What’s the movie even about though? Brief plot synopsis first?” Oh goodness that chocolate was so lovely. Lenore may have made a few inhuman sounds as she took the mug and held it close, taking in the scents and scooting back against Graham. “You are the best. I wish my apartment could smell like this all of the time.” So cozy, delicious, warm. How she craved the feeling of warmth. “Oh, you’ll love it. Two entitled old rich men make a bet that anyone could do the job of one of their best stock market men—even a beggar on the street. So they switch their lives. It’s an eye opener for both men, obviously, and sets very wonderful viewpoints for all men.” Between the two of them, hopefully they could generate some warmth (that may have sounded cleaner in Graham’s head when he considered it, at first, before considering some more). As a vampire, he was technically a walking corpse, but he wasn’t smooth, freezing cold marble. Graham could pass for human, provided he didn’t try to step into someone’s private domain without permission or something like that. But warm, yes - soft, not so much. More sleek muscle and whispers of bone. They had blankets too, it was rather cozy in their fort. “I see,” he nodded. “That has the potential to be very feel-good, yes. I also presume it takes place during the holidays.” It didn’t sound very romantic either, so he wondered if a tearjerker was on the agenda - they did have all night. He contentedly sipped his cocoa. “I won’t ask anymore annoying questions, I promise. I’m ready when you are.” After a humming sip of her chocolate, merely just enjoying the taste of something other than blood—ignoring the anger in her body for what it really wanted, Lenore gave a small sigh. “Feel-good, yes. Something like that.” She set her mug aside to wrap herself up in more blankets and lean ever so lightly against her mentor. “Of course. It’s during this holiday season. Closer to Christmas.” Not true warmth but a different sort. That’s what mattered, anyways. “I ask you annoying questions all day, don’t be ridiculous.” Delicate fingers found their way to the play button and she settled back. “But if you don’t laugh at least once I’ll be convinced that you are Grinchly sick and I won’t leave you alone until we get that handsome smile working again.” “I don’t think you’ll have to worry - though at least my grinchly sickness is not contagious, so there’s that?” Blush, blush - no one ever said he had a handsome smile, what a compliment. Graham didn’t get very many compliments at all, come to think of it. Besides that he could win awards as the world’s stuffiest Victorian gentleman, but that probably wasn’t a compliment. “You’ll remain lovely as ever.” Lenore could rest easy though, because the film managed to elicit a few laughs from him. It had a lot of quips and also physical humor, but obviously it was different than the swears and fart jokes used today. Ah, how times had changed. His hot chocolate mug was empty but that had been good, and the film was a good pick also. “Well, now I want some frozen concentrated orange juice,” he grinned. “No, no bad vibes shall come my way. I refuse.” As much as she possibly could. Lenore had gotten very efficient at distracting herself. While in Graham’s company she felt safe, only ever in his company. Not for herself but for anyone else. She didn’t feel like a monster or cold or lonely. She would enjoy every bit of time he allowed her to share company. And he did have quite the handsome smile, and his laugh gave her a jittery feeling in her stomach. The feeling of success. “With cocoa? That’s abhismal. No. I’ll go remake it, this time with candy cane sprinkles and one to stir—and you will pick something out of your comfort zone.” Excited and pleased, she gingerly took his mug along with hers and scurried off with a gentle speed in vampire terms to make them a new treat. Candy cane sprinkles, what magic was this? Graham was quite curious now. “I think they did come with candy cane stirrers,” he said, resisting the urge to follow and observe the making of cocoa (not like it was difficult with the prepared ingredients already there, simply an addition of hot milk) because he didn’t drink it often and fascinating. But no, picking something out of his comfort zone. He stuck with that task. “You’re asking for a tall order here, darling,” he rumbled, teasingly channeling the Grinch, assessing Lenore’s DVD collection. Oh, fuck him, he was about to go for When Harry Met Sally. It apparently had a holiday theme - or rather, the film covered a period of many years and there was a fake orgasm scene in a restaurant. Everyone knew that one. “Alright, this one - or The Holiday?” Now he was having trouble deciding. Fake orgasms or fake Britishness? Tough choice. Delicious candy cane stirrers and crumpled pieces of candy cane atop a glorious helping of whipped cream in their refilled mugs of hot chocolate. Lenore’s smile broadened, if at all possible, as she observed Graham and his little conundrum with the movies. Handing him his mug and sitting beside him, she chuckled lightly. “You seem displeased with both. How about this, a movie you haven’t seen—a new New Year’s tradition that you create. One that’s not on the common list or a cliche. Anything you want.” She was all about throwing the rule book out the window, creating memories, and turning everything into something of an adventure. “Hmmm - “ Graham flipped through the film collection some more, since they were officially forgoing the rules. How scandalous. He was willing to start a new tradition, kind of go with the holiday theme somewhat, and step out of his comfort zone a little. There. Gremlins - decision made. “I haven’t seen this one, unsurprisingly,” he huffed, cueing up the film. It was sort of a comedy but not, so it was likely on a separate plane than Trading Places. “The gremlins are actually cute before you feed them after midnight and get them wet, aren’t they?” He had his cocoa and he got comfortable again - though he often had restless hands, like he needed to keep a cigarette scissored between them, so rather than sit on them he multi-tasked by watching the film and playing with Lenore’s hair. Kind of braiding and unbraiding, because it wasn’t as if he was great at that sort of thing. It was like any man who attempted to braid a woman’s hair (meaning...he needed more practice, obviously). Gremlins. Very much out of his ideal comfort zone and very unsuitable for a holiday--it was perfect! Lenore may have chuckled like a little gremlin herself, hugging Graham’s side snugly. It was ever so delightful when even an old man (the most charming old man) didn’t know something and she could actually teach him. As if it would make up for everything he did for her, hardly, but it was the small things. “I’m not going to tell you and ruin the story...you’re going to have to watch.” Truth be told? Lenore had forgotten. She hadn’t seen this movie since she was a young child at a sleepover. At first she wondered if he’d become bored with the movie but no, he was paying attention. Idle hands are the devil’s workshop? Everyone had their little quirks. This, was quite amusing. “Should I have gotten you a barbie for Christmas?” She whispered teasingly. But his fingers felt nice running through her hair. Calming, really, and she nestled back further into his touch. “Think of it as rope,” she whispered a little helpful hint. “Three strands. Left, right, and middle. Cross one over, and then pull it to the middle to take it’s place. Then the other side.” She hoped that helped. Braiding was hard. If that’s what he were doing. She trusted he wasn’t tying her hair into knots... Knots would be rude, and Graham would never. No, he stuck with braiding - as terrible as he happened to be at such a task. He combed his fingers through dark waves, determined to start over and take her advice into consideration. “This wasn’t one of my Victorian era skills,” he quipped, but his next attempt was a bit better. “You’re much more delightful than a Barbie,” he assured, with a chuckle, the words murmured and silkily accented into her hair. “I’ll just practice on you - there we go.” Her hair was long enough so he could flip the braid over her shoulder, and bop her nose with the end of it. Her hair also smelled lovely too, but let’s not get creepy. He was a vampire, and thus creepy enough in his everyday undead life. “At least her features are far more undead looking.” Lenore tried to look on the brightside, nodding slowly and taking her eyes away from the movie long enough after being booped to look at his handiwork. It brought a toothy smile to her face, warm and genuine. “It looks lovely, thank you.” She leaned up to give him a quick peck on the cheek. Such a sweet old Victorian vampire hidden beneath his own disdain for their form. But there was life in him yet. Just as there was in her. Which reminded her, “What time is it? Do you want to watch the giant ball signifying a new year drop until everyone cheers about being alive for another year?” She could hardly get out the words without a small laugh, covering her lips like a lady so she would chuffle. It was known to happen from time to time. Lenore was never the perfect lady her mother had wanted. Not that she wanted her at all, apparently.. Being alive for another year, oh joy. They were doomed to ‘celebrate’ many of those, so may as well. “It’s almost midnight and there aren’t any gremlins around to feed so certainly,” he stretched a bit, getting up to put their mugs in the sink. It only took an actual second though, and zipzip, he was back in the living room. “Let’s put on that ball - it’s in Times Square, which I’ve got to admit I’ve never been to.” It didn’t seem like it’d be all that much fun now, he thought, as he settled back in their blanket fort with a good view of the television; the countdown was about to begin. From the looks of it, the crowds were absolutely atrocious, and all those heartbeats, senses overwhelmed - talk about a headache. Such a gentleman. Lenore got up a bit to stretch, opening up the curtains of her windows so they could see the local fireworks once things kicked off. They were near the water, and that always meant more room for greater fireworks. She hoped the witches really had their fun with this. All but diving back into their fort she mocked a gasp, she shouldn’t be surprised at this point but--all these years and not even times square? “Even I’ve been there before you grinchy gremlin! As soon as I’m over this catastrophe I’m taking you to the most extraordinary places in the world. And you will see all you’ve missed out in your afterlife.” She poked him in the chest lightly before settling back against him, pulling the covers up closely as the countdown was ready to take off. The young vampire closed her eyes briefly before it could begin. “This year I will not kill anyone. I will be a model citizen. I will travel again. And I will attempt murals.” Opening one of her eyes, she nudged Graham gently. “Ahem. Resolutions.” Those were good goals. Graham hadn’t ever really partaken in this nonsense of resolutions before though, so he had to think about it a moment. “I’d like to travel more, I suppose,” he said. “Perhaps not be so...closed off. Make more friends, something like that?” It was difficult for him to trust people but despite all their faults, he did like being around others and hearing their experiences, as he had come to discover. Besides, what happened with Jane - her making him think there was a future and a purpose to all this eternal business, and then leaving him high and dry once she had a moment to do so - had happened literally centuries in the past. He had to let it go, because like it or not he was a vampire now - because of her, yes, but he couldn’t change that so what was the point in constantly dwelling on it? “If you want to travel, we can go together - if you’d like.” There, he made his resolutions with a few seconds left to go until time rolled over into 2019 - hopefully that was acceptable. “Something like that,” she mirrored his words with an amused chuckle. But there was a lovely spark in her eye and if her heart were still beating, Lenore’s would have jumped in delight. “Of course I’d love to travel with you. I warn you though—I enjoy adventures. We may be spontaneous.” When the clock hit its mark she actually felt better than she had in a long time. Not quite so lost or desolate. Or angry and sad. She gave Graham a very snug hug before reaching up to take his scruffy face and lean up on her toes to give him a gentle little kiss. It was a superstition you’d receive a year of loneliness if you didn’t have a midnight kiss after all. Lenore beamed up at him, scratching at his cheek fondly. “Happy new year, Graham.” Graham kissed her in return, though he was surprised - he hadn’t been expecting Lenore to kiss him at all. He was glad she did, though he didn’t know what to say. Instead, he just let his actions take over; his lips pressed to hers again, another kiss that was more of a crash, something that caused a rumble in his throat. She was undead but she was still light, shining across dark water. He didn’t really know how Lenore did it, but she was a rare gem amongst their kind. “Happy new year,” he finally replied sheepishly, forehead touching hers before he pulled back. “I can probably get on board with being spontaneous, don’t worry.” She hadn’t expected the second kiss of his, but it would be a lie if she said she didn’t enjoy it, pulling her smile even wider. So her dear Victorian just needed some affections, he didn’t mind it—as clear when he let their foreheads touch. Perhaps he had been just as lost and longing for connection as she was. He just didn’t know it yet. Well. He certainly wasn’t going to have to look further now. For all he’d done for her, Lenore would be sure to put in double the effort to help him too. “Wonderful.” Lenore took his giant hand in both of hers, clasping and holding it close to her no longer beating heart before leading him over to the window. “Now all there’s left to do is enjoy the fireworks.” |