[RP] The Inn of Peace - IoP (Open to all)

[Gren_Eckener]

A few days later, Remy thundered down the stairs, clutching a monkey skull, eyes wide with mulled elation. Who could he tell? Who was there?! Charlotte! Charlotte was sitting on the couch!

The vampire leapt over the back of the couch and dropped the monkey skull on a pillow, suddenly grabbing the girl's shoulders. "Charlotte! We did it! It's off! We're safe!" cheered Remy, shaking her slightly. "It's off!"

Charlotte wiggled in his grip, shocked. "What what what what what? Remy, let me goooo!" she complained, bemused and baffled.

"The apocalypse! It's not coming! We're gonna be okay!"  

[Azana Brown]

Azana walked downstairs, jolly but apprehensive...she paused at the end of the stairs, blinking in surprise at an extremely energetic Remy. She tilted her head, a little confused but assuming good news.

"...Um, Merry Midwinter?"  

[Gren_Eckener]

"Very!" huffed the vampire, whirling to face Azana, eyes wide and bright. "Azana! Azana, this is perhaps the best Midwinter ever! The apocalypse is off! We're safe! The Fifth got hit by a car! He's trapped in his mortal body! WE! ARE! SAFE!"

Charlotte gasped, a hand at her lips. "Oh...oh my!"  

[Azana Brown]

Azana took a minute to take in the news. She had been considering a little pow-wow with her souped-up guardian angel...and now it just kinda seemed unnecessary. The whole thing, really, was...well, honestly? Anticlimactic.

"O-okay..." She answered, it still sinking in. It was a little too good to be true, but perhaps they were owed some good karma. She'd have to ask Orrin.  

[Gren_Eckener]

Remy chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "I dunno how it works either, but I'm happy!"

Charlotte hummed, thinking hard. The death of mortal flesh didn't stop her...how on earth was this supposed to work?! She snatched up a chibi and whispered in its ear, sending it up after her sweetie, another team writing notes to inform the rest, scampering up the stairs in phalanx and spitting at the hallways.  

[Azana Brown]

It didn't take long for Max to rush down the stairs, colliding with Remy. She looked up to him, eyes a little glittery from her eyeshadow, questioning him with the look. Was it true...? Did he finally get to relax and put all that crazy tension behind...?

Azana smiled and left them to their merriment and celebration, whatever that would look like. She lit a simple candle, setting it in the window before sitting next to the fire, only vaguely aware of the bird-shaped stone that sat within it. Midwinter was jolly, yes, but it was also calm. A long night meant as rest for the sun. She had made it a point to stay up during the longest night to see that new sunrise. And now, with Remy's announcement, it would be a lot more meaningful.  

[Gren_Eckener]

He nodded, biting his lip, picking her up and spinning her about before dipping her into a firm kiss. Oh yes! Yes it was!

Charlotte sat down, folding her hands and thinking, waiting.

Gren soon came down the stairs after, eyes wide. "Az..?"  

[Azana Brown]

Azana looked to him, grinned, and gave a slightly resigned shrug. "Some things just sort themselves out, I guess," she answered him. She still didn't fully believe it, but why not take it at face value, at least for a day? "Merry Midwinter, Gren."

Max was about to let out a cheerful whoop but was silenced in the absolutely best way possible. There was plenty of time to chatter about how excited she was. Life wasn't that short.  

[Gren_Eckener]

Gren smiled with a deep, relieved sigh, and slowly strolled the rest of the way downstairs. "Merry Midwinter, Azana...a very merry one indeed."

Remy straightened Max out with a triumphant crow of a laugh.  

[Azana Brown]

That was worth it. She chuckled, shaking her head. "So...suppose we should throw a bash, now that we know we can? I see someone got a head start on the presents."

Max joined him, even if she hadn't done much of anything. It just felt good, and besides, it meant that she'd be sticking around for a while. "Glad ta hear all those Christmas cards won't go wastin'..."  

[Gren_Eckener]

"I'd think so." smiled the Innkeeper. "And, well...what if it wasn't going to happen? Gotta hold out hope, after all, and the rest were none the wiser."

"Damn right! Man, I feel fantastic!" cheered Remy, looking as if he'd been freed from a private oubliette. "What th' heck do I do now?"  

[Azana Brown]

"True," Azana nodded, blinking in surprise at a mug hovering in front of her. She smirked, taking it in hand and having a swig. A spiced, and slightly spiked, cider.

Sosol had slipped in during the festivities, clearly overjoyed even without anyone being able to see it in his eyes.

"Ummm...let's work on gettin' ya some festive stuff! Ya gotta match me kinda, right?" Max giggled.  

[Gren_Eckener]

Gren glanced to Sol with a knowing smile, nodding. "Merry Midwinter."

"Yeah! Heck yeah! Clothes, parties, what?" he beamed.  

[Astra_Senpai]

Honey, long due for returning, went inside and shook her head free of unmelted flakes.  

[Azana Brown]

"Merry Midwinter," Sosol greeted her. "Would you like something to warm up...?"

"Um, all of the above, duh," Max smiled. "Since we're gonna throw a big one here, let's focus on the clothes."

Azana sipped the cider, nodding in greeting to Honey. "Hey! Didn't think you'd be busking in this weather..."