nightlights-mailbox

[nightlights-mailbox]

(@nightlights-mailbox)

today was not one of lila’s days at scraps of hope, but there is still a plate containing two earl grey and vanilla cookies on the desk, and everything is suspiciously tidy. how sneaky and devious.

*Mateo looks around, chuckling as he sees everything is tidied up for the night already.*

Guess we’ve got a little trickster on our hands, huh Sprite?

*Sprite meows in response, and Mateo giggles.*

You’re right, he’s a good trickster!

[nightlights-mailbox]

lila smiles a little more enthusiastically, and the tension in his shoulders dissolves a bit. there's not much more to talk about, but everything feels settled.

it really is a pleasant night.

(@nightlights-mailbox)

it’s a pleasant night, as nights go. the inanimals have all settled down nicely for the night, cleanup has gone nicely, jimothy the duck sits atop a shelf in all his squishy glory, and lila is making chamomile tea so both of you can wind down. the mundanity of it is grounding, in a way. it’s a satisfying end to the day.

(// i feel bad for not sending asks in the last few days even though that’s a normal thing to do, but i had a rough few days so. my apologies [said while looking like a sad pathetic wet cat])

(also im struggling with dialogue so this ask is just vibes instead)

*As Mateo finishes up cleaning, he gently grabs Jimothy before curling up on the couch next to Lila. He smiles softly as the smell of the soothing tea wafts to him.*

Thank you, Lila. For everything. I know the shelter is a lot of work even on a good day, but you’ve been doing a great job. I’m really proud of you.

[nightlights-mailbox]

"...oh." lila sets down his mug, shrinking in on himself. he definitely worded that wrong.

"shit, sorry, i...that was probably really rude of me. i just...can't imagine being surprised that people love you and want to help you, because you're my best friend and i love you more than pretty much anything. and because i'm admittedly really bad at perspective taking."

he laughs flatly, and there's a long, suffocating silence. eventually, he can't bear leaving that silence in the air anymore.

"i guess i'll have to get you used to it, 'cause you really deserve it."

(@nightlights-mailbox)

it’s a pleasant night, as nights go. the inanimals have all settled down nicely for the night, cleanup has gone nicely, jimothy the duck sits atop a shelf in all his squishy glory, and lila is making chamomile tea so both of you can wind down. the mundanity of it is grounding, in a way. it’s a satisfying end to the day.

(// i feel bad for not sending asks in the last few days even though that’s a normal thing to do, but i had a rough few days so. my apologies [said while looking like a sad pathetic wet cat])

(also im struggling with dialogue so this ask is just vibes instead)

*As Mateo finishes up cleaning, he gently grabs Jimothy before curling up on the couch next to Lila. He smiles softly as the smell of the soothing tea wafts to him.*

Thank you, Lila. For everything. I know the shelter is a lot of work even on a good day, but you’ve been doing a great job. I’m really proud of you.

[nightlights-mailbox]

"well, i for one am offended that you're surprised people care about you."

lila huffs indignantly. he's joking...you think.

"you are the sweetest and most giving person i know. sometimes i worry you'll bleed yourself dry, being as kind as you are. is it really so surprising that so many of us want to give back?"

okay, not joking, then. but he is glowing faintly, as night lights tend to do, so he's not outright unhappy. he scoots a little closer and takes another sip of his tea.

(@nightlights-mailbox)

it’s a pleasant night, as nights go. the inanimals have all settled down nicely for the night, cleanup has gone nicely, jimothy the duck sits atop a shelf in all his squishy glory, and lila is making chamomile tea so both of you can wind down. the mundanity of it is grounding, in a way. it’s a satisfying end to the day.

(// i feel bad for not sending asks in the last few days even though that’s a normal thing to do, but i had a rough few days so. my apologies [said while looking like a sad pathetic wet cat])

(also im struggling with dialogue so this ask is just vibes instead)

*As Mateo finishes up cleaning, he gently grabs Jimothy before curling up on the couch next to Lila. He smiles softly as the smell of the soothing tea wafts to him.*

Thank you, Lila. For everything. I know the shelter is a lot of work even on a good day, but you’ve been doing a great job. I’m really proud of you.

[nightlights-mailbox]

though he'd never say it, internally lila preens at the compliments. how could he not? praise - no, pride - from someone so endlessly dear to him isn't a small thing. but still...the corners of his mouth twitch upward in what might be a smile, as small and faint as a smile can be. he tucks his knees up close and hands you a cup of tea, staring down at his own like it might say something incriminating of his affection.

"thank you. i'm proud of me too, i think. but..."

he looks over at the inanimals - davi and stitch, piled on top of each other, both dreaming if the way their legs move are anything to go by. the other tassel hounds, sleeping in similar piles around the room. sprite, still awake but calm, carefully licking her paws and cleaning her ears.

"you don't have to worry about it being taxing for me. you're my friend, and it's tough, yeah, but it's worth it if i get to share the workload and alleviate your stress a bit."

(@nightlights-mailbox)

it’s a pleasant night, as nights go. the inanimals have all settled down nicely for the night, cleanup has gone nicely, jimothy the duck sits atop a shelf in all his squishy glory, and lila is making chamomile tea so both of you can wind down. the mundanity of it is grounding, in a way. it’s a satisfying end to the day.

(// i feel bad for not sending asks in the last few days even though that’s a normal thing to do, but i had a rough few days so. my apologies [said while looking like a sad pathetic wet cat])

(also im struggling with dialogue so this ask is just vibes instead)

*As Mateo finishes up cleaning, he gently grabs Jimothy before curling up on the couch next to Lila. He smiles softly as the smell of the soothing tea wafts to him.*

Thank you, Lila. For everything. I know the shelter is a lot of work even on a good day, but you’ve been doing a great job. I’m really proud of you.

[nightlights-mailbox]

lila smiles woozily and gives you a half-formed thumbs up. stitch has settled nicely into his lap. both of them look ready to pass out.

( @nightlights-mailbox )

true to his word, lila spends much of his time helping you out - it seems that having someone to help has given him more motivation and energy, and for your part, you have more free time. today, he's been entertaining (read: wearing out) stitch, who doesn't often have such a steadfast playmate. it's making all the other inanimals a little easier to keep track of, since stitch is too busy play-wrestling to stir up chaos. huh...who would have thought lila was so sturdy?

(it doesn't hurt that he always brings treats with him, either. today, he brought snickerdoodles.)

*Mateo chuckles as he spots Lila with a very worn out Stitch.*

You’re really good at that, you know? Tiring Stitch out.

I appreciate it. Really.

[nightlights-mailbox]

lila’s eyes brighten significantly—it was so nervous you wouldn’t accept the help, but it seems its fears were for naught! he starts bouncing on his heels. you’re quite sure you’ve never seen him so energetic.

“does now work? i’m not exactly doing much with my time, so I’m free whenever you need me…”

(@nightlights-mailbox)

lila slips in and wordlessly hands over a sheet of paper with a nervous look on his face.

after some inspection, it seems to be a volunteer form, albeit primarily filled out in purple crayon with stars all over the margins. he’s written in his availability as six hours a day, seven days a week. looks like you have a new helper, and a bit of the workload has been taken off your shoulders!

he also offers you a hug, because last he checked, you need one (and you were too asleep to accept one the last time he stopped by).

(//please don’t post this until i’ve sent a non-anon ask with the volunteer form! it is an essential picture prop)

*Mateo looks over the volunteer form before quickly wrapping his arms around Lila in a hug.*

Dios, Lila, thank you so much! It means so much to me that you want to volunteer. The inanimals love when you come around- you’re always such a big help!

…When did you want to start?

[nightlights-mailbox]

( @nightlights-mailbox ) (//sending this from my computer so the parentheses are being ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude >:( )

it's been a slow day for lila. everyone's doing their own thing, tired or stressed or something's closed down, so he's been hiding out in his little corner of the bedroom and reading all day. it's getting late, though - around when he usually checks in on mateo - so it's downstairs time for sure. but when he gets down there, he's greeted with an unusual sight - mateo is fast asleep, and several people and things lila's seen in passing are straightening up the shelter. huh...maybe it should contribute.

so it employs teddy and betty's assistance in very carefully building the best open-concept, easily navigable pillow fort ever around mateo, so that inanimals, objects, and people may come and go as they please to assist while he sleeps. and when all the careful building is done, lila sits down at the entrance and projects stars all over the ceiling.

"sleep well, 'teo."

*Mateo keeps snoozing, but there’s a hint of a smile on his face.*

//ooc: me reading that like

[nightlights-mailbox]

lila falls asleep in the middle of tracing a star on your hand.

maybe tomorrow will be a little easier for him, maybe it won’t. but at the end of the day, you’re both still here. maybe that’s enough.

(@nightlights-mailbox)

it’s dark out, and in the house, all the inanimals have been bid goodnight. davi’s still wide awake, as usual, and sprite is nowhere to be found, because she goes wherever she pleases and no object shall stop her. such is the way of the infeline.

you should be expecting a visit from lila soon—he often comes to visit at night, when he’s more awake. and timothy would be bursting with pride if he saw, for just on schedule, lila wanders in and flops down beside you, silent as always.

something’s a little off. you can’t quite place it, though—something in the set of his jaw, or in the muscles around the eyes? maybe it’s his posture…

Hm?

*Mateo had started to doze off when he felt someone sit down beside him. He opens his eyes, smiling softly at his friend.*

Hey Lila! …Are you okay? You seem a little …tense.

[nightlights-mailbox]

lila crawls into your arms with a whispered apology. why he's apologizing when you offered cuddles in the first place is a mystery, but you have a sneaking suspicion the house is just a little too big for him right now.

not that he'd ever tell you. and you know he wouldn't appreciate you pushing the issue, so maybe just relaxing for a bit is fine. it's...safe.

(@nightlights-mailbox)

it’s dark out, and in the house, all the inanimals have been bid goodnight. davi’s still wide awake, as usual, and sprite is nowhere to be found, because she goes wherever she pleases and no object shall stop her. such is the way of the infeline.

you should be expecting a visit from lila soon—he often comes to visit at night, when he’s more awake. and timothy would be bursting with pride if he saw, for just on schedule, lila wanders in and flops down beside you, silent as always.

something’s a little off. you can’t quite place it, though—something in the set of his jaw, or in the muscles around the eyes? maybe it’s his posture…

Hm?

*Mateo had started to doze off when he felt someone sit down beside him. He opens his eyes, smiling softly at his friend.*

Hey Lila! …Are you okay? You seem a little …tense.

[nightlights-mailbox]

lila stares blankly at you for a moment, and then your words process and he scoots a little closer and lays his head on your shoulder.

"missed you. i don't know why...saw you earlier today..."

he huffs, and his shoulders sag a bit.

"hate that i'm so clingy."

(@nightlights-mailbox)

it’s dark out, and in the house, all the inanimals have been bid goodnight. davi’s still wide awake, as usual, and sprite is nowhere to be found, because she goes wherever she pleases and no object shall stop her. such is the way of the infeline.

you should be expecting a visit from lila soon—he often comes to visit at night, when he’s more awake. and timothy would be bursting with pride if he saw, for just on schedule, lila wanders in and flops down beside you, silent as always.

something’s a little off. you can’t quite place it, though—something in the set of his jaw, or in the muscles around the eyes? maybe it’s his posture…

Hm?

*Mateo had started to doze off when he felt someone sit down beside him. He opens his eyes, smiling softly at his friend.*

Hey Lila! …Are you okay? You seem a little …tense.

[nightlights-mailbox]

actual mod-made drawing of lila!! isn’t he cute :)))

[nightlights-mailbox]

lila holds up a plushie for you to peruse.

“loola.”

[nightlights-mailbox]

lila lets itself smile a little wider, and its hands stray to fidget with the fluff of its coat pockets.

“well, in that case…you have a lot of goodness points too, in my book. i hope you like the snacks i brought you.”

he yawns and wanders off—most likely to find somewhere to sleep.

(@nightlights-mailbox)

you and lila have never directly interacted, but it holds out a blueberry muffin and a slice of banana bread for you anyway, in case you like either one.

“here. you’re…friends with mateo, right?”

he seems…nervous. like he’s worried you won’t like him.

"Mmhm! I'm Silly! Who're you?" They giggle, sitting ontop of their box.

[nightlights-mailbox]

“really?”

lila’s cheeks go pink.

“but—but lux is so famous, and so shiny, and i’m just, uh…never mind. i’ll stop harping on…”

he shakes his head rapidly, as if to clear the fog from his brain, and lets himself smile tentatively.

“thank you. i’m just…not very used to compliments from most people.”

(@nightlights-mailbox)

you and lila have never directly interacted, but it holds out a blueberry muffin and a slice of banana bread for you anyway, in case you like either one.

“here. you’re…friends with mateo, right?”

he seems…nervous. like he’s worried you won’t like him.

"Mmhm! I'm Silly! Who're you?" They giggle, sitting ontop of their box.

[nightlights-mailbox]

“lila.”

he stares intently at the floor, still afraid he’s making a bad first impression. ridiculous, really—anyone who leads with fresh baked goods is doing something right.

“the nightlight. i’m, uh, lux’s younger brother.”

he braces himself. some people don’t take too kindly to lux’s…outward behavior, and they assume he’s the same. but…this one seems friendly.

“i like your hat.”

(@nightlights-mailbox)

you and lila have never directly interacted, but it holds out a blueberry muffin and a slice of banana bread for you anyway, in case you like either one.

“here. you’re…friends with mateo, right?”

he seems…nervous. like he’s worried you won’t like him.

"Mmhm! I'm Silly! Who're you?" They giggle, sitting ontop of their box.

[nightlights-mailbox]

ah. naturally.

he sets down a plate with two steaming slices of banana bread and a large, sugar-crusted blueberry muffin and smiles that thin little smile of his.

“saved you the best.”

(@nightlights-mailbox • ooc // may want to read pinned before answering, for a little more detail! if you’re good with oc asks ofc)

lila has a lot more energy than usual.

usually, he’s sleepy—lethargic, almost—but today? well, today, he has energy that nearly rivals his older sibling’s, and you know what that means: it’s baking time!

unfortunately for him but fortunately for everyone else, all those hours of baking have resulted in far too many blueberry muffins and far too much banana bread to eat by himself, so he starts going from room to room and handing baked goods to anyone who even shows a little bit of interest.

there’s nothing in particular he wants to say to anyone. he just hopes he made people happy (•_•)👍

Little bro, you better not being giving that shit out without giving me first taste!