#bastienxmaddy

[cryptid-killjoy]

Frank and Delta's Ball

Feral was open.

Invite Only. Sure. But it unprecedented that Feral let people in that didn't live there. This was first since Feral became... well... Feral.

Delta Castle was decked out. She finally decided I have a ballroom. I'm going to fucking used it and have a god damn ball. Why the fuck not?

People were busy. Friends were vacationing. It was spooky season. Voodooists had feast after feast and celebrations no one could keep up with. Witches, alchemists, magic users of all kinds knew the veil was thin and were in high demand. Busy bees all from necromancers to fortune tellers, mediums, to paranormal investigators. Still, even the Laveaus knew how special the invite was. They were going to take the time to come to Delta's home. Her home. Not just feral. What a thought really. The very idea she was allowing people to bring plus ones was really something else. Though Valerie suspected if anything went wrong Delta would have the last laugh considering at that point whoever fucked with her at that point could never leave. So it was a pretty trusting giving situation all things considering.

Valerie was dressed like a daughter of October, her hair all flouncy She didn't have many chances to truly wear big extravagant dresses aside from the theater, but it really depended on the show. Most everyone would come in through Figaro's bus except Valerie and Thomas. They'd be the only one's who didn't. They'd get a personal escort from Tree. He'd show up for them and give them a ride in his branches up the mountainside to the castle, an Ent-Walk if you will, the VIP service. The best part would be Valerie noticing Tree had a bow tie on down around his lower trunk. He dressed for the occasion.

"Looking handsome, my friend. Looking good. I missed you."

Going through the doors of the castle everyone would be given a gift bag with party favors. There'd be a keychain inside that said Stay Feral. It was starting to be Delta's little catch phrase when she showed face on tv or podcasts. She didn't do a lot of PR as she wasn't much into that sort of thing, but it did happen. She and Frank did go out sometimes and they'd get approached.

The place would be packed too. Valerie hadn't expected it to be quite so populated considering what she heard of Feral, but Delta invited a large amount of fae from the other realm. They all came in from the hidden tree door in her childhood bedroom. The portal had always been there and it was getting more use now than ever before. She was slowly getting to know her homeland even when she wasn't there just by Diablo's shared mind with Maleficent. Then when she did make visits the puzzle pieces would mold together so much faster. She could learn at advanced speeds.

By the time anyone from the outside got there the fae were dancing and it would look like a full party. Where was the music coming from? That's what Delta wanted to know.

The DJ booth was empty. How long could it play on it's own? She should have known better than to hire a cat. Where the Hell was that cat now? At the buffet again. Of course. Right next Zero. "Cheshire. What are you doing?"

Chess pointed at Zero. "He wanted a bone. So I had to eat until I found the right one to throw to him. He's very patient. A very good dog."

There was a whole plate full of eaten meat with just the bones left piled up high at least a foot on it next to him. She glared at the plate.

"These are soup bones. Not throwing bones."

"Mhm. That's nonsense."

"I know. I can't believe there's not been one good throwing bone in all this buffet yet. You should really talk to the chef and get a refund."

"I. Am. The. Chef." Delta said through gritted teeth.

"I see. My. My. Well, now we know why Daddy went out of business, don't we?"

"Get back in the booth, CHESS!"

"Touchy. Touchy." Then she really just laughed as she disappeared into curls and swirled herself back into the DJ booth.

Delta looked at the plate and there was Zero staring at her. Delta rolled her eyes and threw them all right at him. Bones scattered all over the floor. At least Chess was good for rave effects all wrapped up in a furball. But, she really did need her to stay at the booth, at least until after the dance with her girls. She needed her to be ready in case she signaled because there wasn't a set time for it. She was going to wait till everyone was ready. Plus, no one in weird costumes or big dresses was dancing in that shit. They had to do a quick change up for it first. She needed the DJ to pay attention. After she could slack.

Funny enough Zero wasn't the "dog" there. Willem had brought Slippery with them so there was a real dog that was pretty happy about that pile of thrown ribs.

Then in the most random thought Delta tilted inspired by the bones. She walked up to the DJ booth and requested, "Bone Thrower by Revolution Smile." It was exactly ball room music, but this was her ball. What did people expect? Knowing the lyrics by heart as outsiders started to pour in it almost felt fitting. It wasn't an ode to the outsiders she invited. But, it sure was an ode to the outside world right now. Fuck everyone but the people she allowed here. Her weird ass quirky misfits and monsters, even the annoying ones like Chess.

The rocker in Valerie's heart walked in during this with Thomas smiling, like fuck yeah. The lights were all over the place. This place was kick ass. She didn't even know Chess was going to be here. Her smile widened when she noticed her at the DJ booth. "Look love. It's Chess."

Then there was Bas and Maddy. They lived right downstairs and would arrive right after their vacay just in time. So, they didn't have far to get here. All they had to do was come up their lighted steps.

Bastien would have taken some of the good stuff tonight and the lights were tripping him out. Everything was messing with his senses and he was lost in a world of his own and that included the bass and his wife's skin and perfume in the middle of the dance floor.

For those than can see he gargoyles they'd be all three be sitting on their rears in chairs with their arms over the ledges glasses on, or half cocked and crooked on their heads giving people nods and peace signs who walked by. Even his voices were high.

Then there's going to be Kuzco. The man has no shame. Ball? Were they supposed to get dressed up? Shrugs. All he knew was there was music and costumes allowed. This guy never wore anything normal. He shows up in ALF costume, but not just any Alf costume. It was a plastic horrid 80's kid's costume with the wretched masks that cut your face and no one could ever breathe in.

He managed to get a hold of the largest size possible, but it still didn't fit him even though he was a pretty small guy. Almost but no cigar. So he cut the legs and wore it like a poncho over his clothes. He'd say, "Here kitty kitty to Chess" way too many times all night since Alf liked to eat cats and not in the sexy way.

Willem and Nutmeg were in a circle of fae dressed as fauns comparing their fake horns to people with real horns having loads of fun with it. Everyone was hamming it up loving sharing the concept with each other. Imitation was flattery. They did feel flattered.

While all this was going on Figaro was getting a round of passengers to haul up. Koda and Elsa being in the round coming up. Koda invited his uncle to come along but he passed on the situation this time. Maybe next time if Delta let people in again. If this went well who knew? Dale and Scout were also in this batch and if GoGo was accepted an invitation to come with Scout she would too. The triplets and the Savanne kids were being babysat by Caim's people this time. Jules had a bunch of kids despite the exterior lack of responsibility. Tray assured them no he could handle it. If the halfling could handle a coven of vampires, and survive Hell as half human, he could handle a few pups and a couple zombies. They were going to be alright with Unkie Jules and Tray. Scout was a little disappointed her buddy Tray wouldn't be with her this round, but he insisted she go since Feral was going to be full of all her old friends. She needed this.

Babyface, Black Arts, Ellie, and Nebby on this ride in too. The bus was getting pretty stoked to go on up to the castle. Dale couldn't sit down with his Barbie Box on so he put it in the seat next to him. So, he'd be sitting there with his hair nice and gelled and his crop top on when he noticed Ellie and Babyface loading the bus and talking to whoever they were with. He assumed that was the fam he kept talking about but his brain didn't go that far yet too excited with, "ELLIE!" He stood up and went running down the aisle.

First hug.

Second smile.

"God damn. Fuck you for staying away so long. Fuck you both."

Scout waved from behind him a seat over.

"He means that in the most loving way possible."

[cryptid-killjoy]

orleans-jester​:

From Maddy to Bastien

- I hate the times when I wake up and the only parts of you that I can find are your hairs strewn on the imprint of your head in the pillow. The same pillow where you thrash about in the throes of your worst pains and the pillow you lie upon in our shared pleasures

- I love knowing that you’re there for our daughter, up with her whether it be in the morning or the middle of the night and that’s why you’re not in bed but tending to her, changing her, quenching her thirst with milk that came from me so it’s like I’m there despite sleeping.

- I hate waking up with alarm clocks coming from my cellphone, the beeping and the songs that sometimes go off and bring me out from the dreams because the first thing I always want to hear is your voice unrehearsed when it’s scratchy and hoarse and you say my name perfectly each time.

- I love the times when you come home from your night wanderings and you smell like the trees and the breeze and your hair so crazy like you were swinging on a trapeze and my heart starts to burst because out of anyone in the whole world you came home to me

- I hate the way that when we go out together, I sometimes end up with pebbles getting inside of my shoes and it hurts so I need to stop and I need to kick it out because it reminds me that life can be so cursed with something so insignificant and I could be that for you

- I love that you told me how you forget things but you’ll never forget that you love me and when I feel small and like I’m not as good as I could be or should be, I remember that outburst from when you asked if I was your girlfriend and I wish I could say yes again

- I hate when I remember that you had a life before me because I didn’t have one before you, I hate the idea of your hand being in someone else’s and I hate that you had to see mine in someone else’s and you’ve been well versed in living without me but it’s okay because it’ll never happen again

-  I love when I wash the dishes and you help to dry by using those embroidered hand towels that Sally made us as wedding gifts and how I’ll sometimes stand there long after the bubbles dispersed and reflect on how lucky we are to have things obviously ours

- I hate how much I love the scars that you shoulder as evidence that you love me and that you cared even when times were bad and they must remind you of the hard times but I loved you before the very first of those bursts hit you I promise I promise I promise I did, I do.

- I love how you believe in the angels and the prayers and the power that they can hold, and you’ve never stopped believing despite ghosts and threateners and every fucked up thing this world ever nursed towards you but you believe you beautiful soul you believe

- And I hate when I love these things and hate when I love and the whole world can be a mess and it can be confusing and the moments are fleeting and things are topsy turvy and often times reversed but the only stable thing is you and you and you always

[ I imagine she writes bits of this each night and one day just hands it to him, part of getting things out, the good things and the bad, to let the world do what they want with them ]

When Bastien gets handed this he’ll look down at the paper and start to read it while in front of her. Do remember he’s a slow reader. 

I hate the times when I wake up and the only parts of you that I can find are your hairs strewn on the imprint of your head in the pillow.

He’d look up from the paper before going any further and apologize. 

“Oh uh, sorry. I didn’t realize it was an issue. I guess I can wear it tied back at night and see if that helps, but it usually just gets tangly in the rubber band. Then I have all sorts of knotty problems. It’s not that comfortable either, but if it helps, I guess I can.” 

He really thought she was complaining in a letter. Maybe she didn’t want confront him out loud? He didn’t know. But there were lots of words so he kept on reading. 

The same pillow where you thrash about in the throes of your worst pains and the pillow you lie upon in our shared pleasures

He’d glance back up weirdly. “Uh, yeah. Same pillow. I don’t really have a different pillow. Am I supposed to change pillows? Is that a thing?”

He’ll read on. A whole stanza this time.

- I love knowing that you’re there for our daughter, up with her whether it be in the morning or the middle of the night and that’s why you’re not in bed but tending to her, changing her, quenching her thirst with milk that came from me so it’s like I’m there despite sleeping.

He’d point at the paper nodding. “Well yeah, that’s where I usually am. That’s all she does yet. And ohhhh that is very specific. This one sounds more positive I think. That’s good right?” He’d ask since he thought the last one was a written complaint. 

- I hate waking up with alarm clocks coming from my cellphone, the beeping and the songs that sometimes go off and bring me out from the dreams because the first thing I always want to hear is your voice unrehearsed when it’s scratchy and hoarse and you say my name perfectly each time.

And another hate thing. Oh shit. Another complaint? Maybe not. This one was confusing, but he wasn’t quite sure but now he was starting to think there might just be a pattern to this. It was starting to sound like poetry actually. He had to read this phrase six times and still was confused. He kept trying to break it down in his head. 

She hates waking up with alarm clocks. Those clocks bring her out of her dreams. That has to mean she likes her dreams. But then it says BECAUSE the first thing I always want to hear is your voice - So - in his head he couldn’t fathom why she would hate the alarm clocks waking her up if she liked his voice. The BECAUSE was clearly there. Because connects things. Hated alarm clocks that brought her out of her dreams BECAUSE she wanted to hear his perfect voice? He could find zero sense in this phrase. It felt like something nonsensical like Chess would say. Unless he was not understanding text sarcasm. That happens too. 

“I’m not sure I understand this one, but just to be clear never trust a dream that looks like me. It’s not. I’m right here.” He even grabbed her hand and patted it on his face and then his neck and chest making her feel the realness. “Seriously, anything you dream is never me and never will be how I really act. I’m not responsible for your version of me. That’s the other world where the Sandman tries to trick you into believing who people are, or even who you are, or even who you want yourself or others to be. Momma told me a long time ago to never trust the dream people because if you believe them, real life will be awfully disappointing and you could even mistake a nice life for a nightmare. That’s what she said. So in case you’re ever mixed up, just reach out. Just to be sure to make sure I’m real.” 

Now of course the original Maddy was trying to help her son who was hallucinating people and couldn’t tell his dreams from delusions from fantasy at some point and was trying to help him stay grounded, but Bastien took it quite literally and needed to. So, because he wasn’t quite sure he understood that stanza correctly he thought he should pass on that bit of advice to his wife. He cared for her and wanted to take care of her in every way he knew how. This was why he was never impressed by dreams. He didn’t trust them himself.

He went to the next stanza and it started with I love. 

“Oh, it is a pattern!” He finally caught it. He read on more enthusiastically now. 

- I love the times when you come home from your night wanderings and you smell like the trees and the breeze and your hair so crazy like you were swinging on a trapeze and my heart starts to burst because out of anyone in the whole world you came home to me

“Well, I might have a time or two. Sometimes I go to one of the circuses and have a little gander around. And of course I do. This is our home. Where else am I going to come home to?” He had a look on his face like that was the most obvious thing. 

After that he just kept reading to the end because one stanza later and it was overwhelming enough on the I hate part to need to read on to I love again. But the poetry of it let him to go on. He may had read through but he circled back many times before he spoke again. 

- I hate the way that when we go out together, I sometimes end up with pebbles getting inside of my shoes and it hurts so I need to stop and I need to kick it out because it reminds me that life can be so cursed with something so insignificant and I could be that for you

His eyes lingered on the word insignificant for so long it took the power of the fun away from the next phrase because there was yet another hidden put down about feeling small. 

- I love that you told me how you forget things but you’ll never forget that you love me and when I feel small and like I’m not as good as I could be or should be, I remember that outburst from when you asked if I was your girlfriend and I wish I could say yes again

- I hate when I remember that you had a life before me because I didn’t have one before you, I hate the idea of your hand being in someone else’s and I hate that you had to see mine in someone else’s and you’ve been well versed in living without me but it’s okay because it’ll never happen again

This next stanza also caught him in waves. It was the one that caught him above all others because it was the most true. He did have a life before and he was very used to living it without her. Did that mean he’d want to? Hell nah. But he sure as fuck knew how. He was a walking man like that and she knew it. That part of him that started to realize he was reading poetry and it was about them, it wasn’t a list of complaints or fixes to do at all, really started to fly on the wall hone in. He wasn’t just reading anymore. He was trying to read between the lines and he felt very affronted by this. He’d tried very hard to stay quiet even when things hurt on this subject. He kept glancing up as he read this phrase over more with one of his more monotone expressions unable to bring it to the surface yet. 

After all the bandana stuff especially he knew what his argument would always be. How would you like it if I gave something like that to her? Tell me then the gift would seem appropriate? Chip could have given it to his child to play with later instead. Anything. What if my bandana ended up her child’s hair someday? How would something like that really have made Maddy feel to see Bastien’s personal flair up in that other girl’s hair or that other girl’s child’s hair? What if he used the excuse but we exchanged that gift before we fucked? If she could ever honestly say it wouldn’t bother her in the slightest she’d be the biggest liar ever or had completely inhuman feelings. Maddy couldn’t even support him to go greet her for goodness sake. There was no way such a thing would ever seem appropriate.  But right now all those pent up things he’s never said since then were behind his eyes as he read that phrase so many times. It almost felt like an apology. 

It ended with a promise. It’ll never happen again. He’ll never have to live without her. Hm. He remembered Mary Poppins saying promises were pie crusts, easily made, easily broken. He also remembered giggling and saying back, “Not if you put super glue in the pie crust.” Bastien was going to hope Maddy made that kind of pie with her promises. He liked that idea. 

He’d look up and crack a small laugh. “I like our towels too.” 

Then head down back to the business of reading. 

- I hate how much I love the scars that you shoulder as evidence that you love me and that you cared even when times were bad and they must remind you of the hard times but I loved you before the very first of those bursts hit you I promise I promise I promise I did, I do.

He read that and nodded along because she was right again. He didn’t like his scars. The bullet wounds though he made no fuss about them did nothing but remind him he was seen as a monster. A night Bastien would never have been shot at so quickly. So he was nodding in agreement. He didn’t mind the attention when she had been taking care of them. They take care of each other. He just didn’t like them. Plus, all the reasons he had to even go after her in the first place. Hard times was putting it lightly. The name on his arm was a more difficult one. Of course he didn’t mind and was quite proud to have her name there for anyone to see he loved her. It was never a question about that. But it did happen during a complete nervous breakdown in an attempt to prove himself worthy of her love and that he wasn’t a complete misogynistic asshat trying to brand and claim her. His arm can often remind him of how difficult he is to love to have had to feel so broken, an act of desperation.  That he wasn’t trusted by word alone after all he’d done and cared for her. It was a heartbreaking memory and still is from his perspective because he was the one begging to feel worthy of her, feeling like the worth of the rock in her shoe at the time. 

Insignificant. 

That’s why those earlier phrases caught him so hard where she was putting herself down so hard. He knows what it’s like to have been there under her gaze. He would never wish that upon her not in a million years. All he ever wanted to do was take her pain and help and everything kept hurting. Now it feels like she’s describing the same feelings he used to feel around her only now they were married. 

That couldn’t be good. It frightened him. He would never want to cause his wife to feel that way. 

That is scaring him to death as he stands in his own very kitchen. 

- I love how you believe in the angels and the prayers and the power that they can hold, and you’ve never stopped believing despite ghosts and threateners and every fucked up thing this world ever nursed towards you but you believe you beautiful soul you believe

- And I hate when I love these things and hate when I love and the whole world can be a mess and it can be confusing and the moments are fleeting and things are topsy turvy and often times reversed but the only stable thing is you and you and you always

He made it to the end. 

He held the paper down at his side and he looked at her face and shook his head. 

“This is a poem about us.” 

“You wrote this... for me. Thank you.” 

Another look up and down even though the paper wasn’t where he could read it anymore. 

“Some of it’s confusing. Normally I like confusing but I don’t like my wife to be sad. Some of it’s really sad. There was a lot of love yous in there in different ways. That felt good. There was just lots of hates too. 

“I can’t not believe in prayers when you’re here. It’s so obvious.” 

“But, Maddy?” 

Then he came in and hugged her and said, “What ever made you think a pebble was insignificant? You know there’s an old Jewish custom where people put little rocks on tombstones when they are visited, not flowers. They wilt and die. The pebbles are a symbol of eternity. They gather and grow as people visit unlike flowers showing forever how much that person was loved. In my pocket, in my shoe, in the corners of the window sill, you can be anywhere as my pebble because rocks are forever. I can just hop on one foot if you get in my shoe. It happens. I’ll be one too. If you find me in your shoe, I’m the weird shaped one a little different from the rest, never lays quite flat. I didn’t mean to get in your shoe. I’m kind of clumsy.” 

[cryptid-killjoy]

The Next Day in the Phillippines

The Belleroses had spent a very lovey evening with the fireflies spending happy-go-lucky, sweet, and precious time making memories on the twinkling river as a family. It went swimmingly even if Bastien hadn't actually meant to go swimming at all. Today however was a completely new day meant for one specifical goal. He was giving his money away to a random inmate. There were murderers, criminals of high and low at the prison, and yet it was called the Happy Jail.

Bastien knew better.

They could make as many Netflix specials as they wanted and let the inmates dance to source an income for the prison. Cha-ching. But, it didn't bypass Bastien's eyes the conditions of them outside the dance area where everything would look so happy and hunky dory. He wasn't saying every criminal deserved The Ritz Hotel, but when he spotted some of those subhuman conditions in the background while they showcased their dancing Bastien knew what he would feel like even if the dancing were a blessing within the Hellhole. Dance monkey dance. Dance and maybe we'll give you a little better conditions than the rest? Maybe? Bastien didn't trust the look of the place verses the title. That was like saying he was happy to be homeless even if he chose it over a shelter. Sometimes people didn't understand what the alternatives and pros and cons really were, the choices available with limited means. Dignity versus privacy versus freedom of choice. There was a lot more involved than people sometimes understood.

That's why Bastien got sucked into his prison youtube spiral and ended up here in the Phillipines with his wife. His heart was drawn to those people and his walking man feet carried him there. Could he have given his fortune away to any random prisoner anywhere? Of course he could have. People in need were everywhere. But, his heart draw a string. He had to follow it. Maddy probably understood those lines. It was like Willem and his winds. If it blew he sailed there. Bastien followed his walking man feet. His feet were connected to his heart.

He was a murderer and so was his wife. His grey morals would show here. The term murderer didn't intimitate Bastien. He tried to speak to a few inmates while they were given a tour which only their kind of money can get there.

He spent his time being a fly more than talking direct. He listened to the conversations passersby would have. He listened to the attitudes they had. He wasn't listening for the ones with good attitudes. He was listening for the broken. He heard people complaining about the ones unable to dance or with physical issues. He listened for the types that can't keep up. While he had his ear tuned in for these sorts of Bastien-type-sensitivies they'd be lead out to the courtyard for a demonstration of the infamous inmate dancers. Even the show was the type only their money could buy. They let people come in to see. But they were getting special privy.

So, he'd get settled in with his wife and they'd watch a very well put together performance that him cheering the guys on. Bastien was having fun with it. They'd do some Michael Jackson which meant Bastien would get to brag to Willem since he knew he was a pretty big fan that he got to witness something cool like that. Bastien couldn't help but note the slight irony in the song They Don't Really Care About Us , It wasn't like having the dance program there wasn't a way to care, it was, and he was sure it made their lives on the inside a bazillion times better than it would be without it, but he just had his own personal opinions about prisons in general, the fact most jails are for profit. At that point everything loses Bastien's respect because it becomes a poverty trap.

He leaned to Maddy with Frankie on his lap. "There's so many of them." It was overwhelming. "I know I saw it on tv but it's just... so big." Everything looked bigger in real life.

Then as he watched all these able bodied strong people dance their way through their routines Bastien spotted the the prisoners watching on the sidelines. They either didn't make the cut, had been banned from the performance, or weren't physically able. His brain started to focus on the line. A cane. He saw someone with a homemade mobility aid. It had bright orange flags tied to it as if to warn people it was there as a danger. Bastien watched him limp over from one spot to another to get a better view.

"That. That's the guy." Bastien pointed him out to his wife. He didn't know his story. He couldn't even really see his face they were so far away. He didn't know a damn thing about him, but it looked like life would suck hard in a place like this in his condition and Bastien made his decision just like that. "I think I want to give it to him. After that we can do whatever we want like a vacation before going home. That's what I want to do. That's the guy. I just feel it."

[cryptid-killjoy]

Bastien mosies up to Frank before heading out on his trip because he felt like he hadn't nodded at him enough lately. Those eye contact chin nods were important to silent bonding folk like Bastien who went periods of time without verbal communication. He did more likes smoked together with loud music on, drove around with music on, played wack a zombie in the square for squares. They never really had to say much at all. Hugo and the gargoyles often did more than Bastien around Frank when they'd hang, maybe chilling with Tree. Hang as is Frank possibly literally hanging from something while Bastien sat and Bastien-ed smoking up while deeply conversing through his three rock friends. Meanwhile the Hunch nods, just nods and shares looks with Frank because Frank gets it. Frank seems to see them too, at least Bastien feels like he does. But, in this instance he was all alone, no rock pals upon entrance.

"Frank, Delta said it'd be cool to go off for some time as long as we take the generic wannabe Frank I ordered from Wish with me. She's not taking care of her. So I said cool. So she said cool bring us souvenirs. I'm thinking a real shrunken head if I can find one. I have a feeling she could make her own but I want to get her something special to the region."

Hugo suddenly pops up with librarian glasses, "How very academic of him." Victor while rolling his eyes, "Yes." Laverne: "Very."

"Anyway, wanted to say bye for now I guess. Oh, and enjoy your trip too. Delta mentioned something about Thailand, something about giving the monkeys a real dragon to ohm at. Whatever that meant."

--

Then after his quick goodbye to Frank to he set off with his family to the Philippines and ended up in Cebu City. When he first stepped foot out of the airport and took his first look around he could see the nightlife of the city in full swing. He noticed the amazing view of the Taoist temple with the dragons high above. "I bet Delta would like that."

The city felt so fancy and they'd even go to a luxury hotel to check in seemed per usual though it wasn't why he was here. He'd let Maddy handle the checking them in and all the such details. They spoke Tagalog here, but luckily it was quite normal for them to be versed in English for foreigners. So, hopefully they wouldn't bump into too much language barrier trouble. That said if either of them have caught on to any of Kuz's Spanish some of it sounds similar and they might be able to catch on sometimes.

He was sitting in the lobby with Frankie as his detail girl checked them in when he saw something that triggered the Jetsam in his soul. It was a pamphlet wall and one was for a whale shark experience and another was a sea turtle swim. Both were in big letters. Oh boy, this was going to get him in trouble before he left. He couldn't stop staring at the tourist pamphlets. He picked them up waiting for Maddy to take them to their luxury room to get settled in.

[cryptid-killjoy]

Bastien came rushing in their dungeon at a run. He dropped his hammer without even putting it in it's proper put-away location.

"MADDY!! MADDY!! You have to listen to what I learned tonight. You just have to."

His cheeks were flushed from the sprint. His pale skin all splotchy from the exertion to hurry up to get to her.

[cryptid-killjoy]

"So funny thing, babe." Bastien said as he looked up from a laptop. It was yet another material item he'd have never owned if not for the hordes of Feral.

"You can't actually get married legally in the Paris catacombs. So, I got all upset and started bitching to Delta. I was hoping she'd help me make something happen. She's good at stuff like that. Then she reminded me I was already legally married. So, it doesn't even matter. Cool huh?"

[cryptid-killjoy]

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A Bellerose Christmas

The Belleroses would no doubt make their way to Paris for Christmas this year. It was a must. Bastien was tunnel visioned on Paris for all things recently whether it be their vow renewal later in the year or needing to see the giant tree he took ornaments off of during their first trip. He had to make sure Notre Dame's big window still had all the same colors as Maddy's ring in person now that it was open again. There were things like this he needed to do in person less his mind never settles. He'd want to stay in view of the tower like the first time too.

He'd make sure they had a nice dinner on the balcony for Christmas. The eve wouldn't go without a train around a small tree gotten for their room again either. Bastien needed the nostalgia. He needed to feel he was making progress again after a few setbacks. This time around they had their little girl. He and Maddy were good. He was hoping for a good year.

Gifts

Besides what was already mentioned for Frank and Delta before leaving for Paris. Bastien will have sent gifts to a few others besides the ones he wrapped for his family. Please note even if the gifts seem like they might have been costly he paid nothing for any of them. He picked them out of the hoards he's been gathering up from Feral's empty stores and homes. Clopin's will have come from a head shop.

Clopin - Reaper lighter with a note From The Fire Bug

Family - He got a nutcracker car that he was determined to be a part of their Christmas train.

And Bells. He'd wrap Maddy and Frankie a bell and have one for himself too. Plus, a Polar Express ticket. He found them in a gift shop. He tossed out the cartoon jargon and kept the tickets and the bells and gave those to them. He was super excited about them because he could hear them. Somewhere in his head he just knew Maddy could hear them too. He'd be on the edge of his seat saying, "Ring it. Ring it." Just waiting. Of course, she'd hear it since it's a real bell. But in his mind, it was fact. It was enough. It didn't matter that she couldn't see the gargoyles or anything else. She believed. Maddy hearing the Polar Express bells was magic in Bastien's mind. More confirmation of how beautiful her soul was. He'd be all, "I knew it. I knew it. I knew it." He'd get a hole puncher and punch She Believes in one, Paris in another, and He Believes in the other. Paris was on Frankie's. Then after he punched the his and her tickets, he switched them. He'd say, "I want to keep yours. You can keep mine. I believe in you too. I don't care if they're nontransferable. We're married. It doesn't count." He'd keep that in his wallet. It was far more important than a credit card. She Believes on a golden ticket. He'd get caught pulling it out and staring at it many times throughout the trip and after.

For Frankie - Don't have an image for it, but he finds an oversized Santa costume for kids. The oversizedness of it makes it appear more like a cloak than a coat so, he calls it her Christmas Reaper Suit.

He will be going out in day face a lot during the Paris trip. I can see him wanting to take Frankie to Disney again. They won't be able to go on rides with a child like this and do much. But since it's holiday time Disney is set up with plenty of festive non-ride fun things to just point at and stare. Lots of sweets and goodies parade. There's always a holiday party at night at Disney during Christmas. They pass out cookies and have a big show. He'll put earphones on her for the fireworks and put one of those kid-leashes on her just in case there's an invisible moment. He wasn't taking chances on losing his kid in a place like that.

For Maddy especially - He'd have found a sun and moon necklace in one of the abandoned malls. He liked this one because the sun seemed bigger than the moon and usually the moon shows more on jewelry like that.

He would stick a secret Waldo in their Christmas Tree. He'd have taped it to a pickle ornament which he didn't know was a thing until he read it on the internet. But, since he read people play a game about finding the pickle ornament it reminded him of Waldo so he put their first pickle on the tree with a teeny Waldo together.

Note he would wear a Santa hat at night when it was time to put the presents under the tree. Picture it's lovely bushiness sticking out from under in red joy.

And you best believe Hugo was dressed as Mrs. Clause with a bonnet and glasses but clumsy and tangled in colored lights. Victor would look more like Scrooge and Laverne Bob Cratchit attire with the chains and top hat. She kept saying, "3 ghosts were going to haunt him but don't worry they have an in with Christmas Future. Thank goodness our boy married in with Chef Maddy."

[cryptid-killjoy]

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How it looks when Bastien dips his hand in the water over the side of the boat on their vacation.

[cryptid-killjoy]

Bastien: You have been proven correct Bastien: As long as you're okay with it then. I'll write him back and see where it goes

Maddy: Just because you weren't expecting anything in return, doesn't mean that's what you're going to get.

Maddy: It's up to you if you want to see them or not, especially if we have to travel to do it, it was your donation after all.

Maddy: But I wouldn't mind making a potential new friend. :)

[cryptid-killjoy]

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@orleans-jester

Video Text to Maddy from Bastien: Remember that time we were teleported to India but we weren't allowed out of the hotel room so we didn't get to see anything? I'm so confused. Your origins are from India, right? Is it a scary place? I don't know much about it. What do you know about it?

[cryptid-killjoy]

Bastien is going to be helping walk random dogs while Willem and Figaro are off on their Pixie Hollow adventure. He, Zero, and Koda have all volunteered to help. Rephrase. Zero volunteered them all to help. 

While walking a little dog around Bastien was running out of steam. It was an evening stroll, but as he’d just finished transforming he wasn’t at his highest energy just yet, but he was determined to help. There were just so many. He turned to his wife confused, “I don’t know how they do all this, just them.” 

Figaro had to have some sort of one up being able to talk to them and herd them in more or something because with them doing it all one at a time, it was going very slow. “I wish they’d hurry back. I don’t think I want to be a pirate or a cryptid. They do too much. I like being a Bastien better.” 

[cryptid-killjoy]

One random night while nosing around Feral and rooting around Bastien decided to go check out his old building he’d been so proud of buying. It still had some of the instruments in it Willem had brought over for his video that Maddy helped sing in. He hadn’t had time to come back for everything before the Horned King take over. It was also one of the handful of places Delta left as was pre-Feral. Everything was just as Bastien left it. He knew when he saw it he should consider that a gift. This was still his and would be. All his horses were still strewn about, his tools, his collection of metal, wood, and fiberglass. 

He sat down at the drum kit that was left there. He picked up the sticks. He didn’t really know what he was doing, but he tried, fiddled, and gave it a little go. He didn’t turn world class over night, but it wasn’t so bad. There was something about Jetsam being in him, sharing minds even when they aren’t always completely conscious of one it that was leaving traces behind, leaving wires and synapses of muscle memory still inside him. Every now and again memories were getting crossed. There were effects on a person being when used on a regular basis and while in New Zealand he’d started to be quite often. 

He might not have been stage worthy, but he was still impressing himself. He’d look up after at his wife with more surprise in his eyes than pride though. It was and ‘I didn’t know I could do that’ sort of look. 

Then he leaned back and swiveled on the stool and looked around. He used to salvage around this whole hood looking for parts and pieces. “Salvaging for parts won’t feel the same without the threat of someone catching you.” 

That was the funny thing about being down and out. It started out for such sad reasons and then it became a rebellion of it’s own kind because society bullied you for your own sad circumstances that you couldn’t control. They dehumanize you and give you pity or hate and all you ever want is respect. So, being homeless became a lifestyle. Even once he got a home at the castle there was a way to keep a rebellion by being where he didn’t belong and wasn’t wanted. Now that Delta had everything he and everything felt so safe inside this empty bubble dome of a world he wondered who would even ride his carousel if he finished it. 

It was meant for the children of the forgotten neighborhoods. He didn’t think there were any children left. It felt like a lot of work if no one lived here to ride it anymore. 

“I think I’ll just light it on fire.” 

[cryptid-killjoy]

orleans-jester​:

Maddy: But it’s cute hat-head.

Maddy: If he doesn’t, we’ll make sure you get one. Maddy: I never even thought of that, you’re brilliant baby. –

Thomas: He sure did. Thomas: Great, have a good one Bas, I’ll give you a shout when we’re home.

Bastien: Thank you

Bastien: I believe I might be. Safety first 

Bastien: Cool. Enjoy your vaca of Flotsam time

Bastien will be laying in bed in dark eyeliner when he sends out these texts back to back.

To Maddy: Valerie's left the building. We should wait for her to come back.

To Delta: I'm going to build a house in New Zealand. Delta: You trying to leave me Hunch? Bastien: No. You built me a home here. I can build you a home there for us. I think you'll like my house better than a hotel full of nosey maids anyway when you visit. Delta: As long as that's all it is then I approve. You know Frank will find out if you're lying right? Bastien: I'm not worried Delta: That's my Hunch. Do whatever

To Thomas: You're a builder right? You can build things? Like houses? Think you'd be up for building one in the shape of a octagon?

[cryptid-killjoy]

“Here. You take her back. I don’t know if I’m meant for babies. I think I’ve had enough of holding of her, really.” 

Piper felt nervous with Frankie in her arms. People and places did have a tendency to explode around her when she was on edge. She had far more control of her magic than Kuzco, but she was extremely anxious as time neared going back to Peru. She and Dale had an emotional conversation. She didn’t want to leave River now that she realized he was here. Piper had a lot going on internally. One had to remember River was her BFF in her younger years. Dale in the older when Riv got busy. She had obligations now. She felt the pull to get back to Claudius too. Still, the last thing she wanted was to implode her niece’s baby, hell Maddy felt more like a second sister. Either way. Piper didn’t feel that motherhood pull yet. It felt like a potato sack all awkward in her arms. She noticed how much of a natural Dale was at this stuff though. 

So there she was in their hotel room trying to visit making her rounds as time drew near before going back to Peru. She wanted to spend a little time with everyone one last time. She also needed to speak to her fathers. She was stalling on that conversation, but she knew she was going to stop there next.

 Truth was Maddy’s wasn’t her favorite place to visit either. She always just so bland, so predictable that her conversations were usually dry before they began. Having a conversation with her was like taking a personality quiz for a job. Her answers were usually whatever you know you’re supposed to answer to get the job even though no one really would wants to click that answer. So it gets really mundane quick. What’d you eat for dinner? Some kind of food. Okay. It’s boring as fuck. So, as much as Piper loves her Maddy she braced herself for such trivial conversation. She wasn’t sure how often she’d be coming back despite her portal abilities. With an entire country to take care of who knew what spare time she’d really have for a social life. 

Bastien held his finger up to his mouth for Piper to lower her voice. Piper really wasn’t the best with babies. “She’s falling asleep.”  

Then he’d try to make the switch from her arms to his arms extra smooth to not rouse and disturb her much. Chip got him a rocking chair for the hotel room and he would walk with a slowly shuffling gait over to it with Frankie against his chest and sit gently down. It quickly became Bastien’s favorite spot to sit and be with Frankie. It was actually Valerie’s idea. Valerie had one in her room that Chip’s family was always wanting to borrow. This of course led to his family getting some and then Chip getting one for Bastien. All the baby people ended up with at least one. Bastien was determined to get them all one before the end so it’d be like The Three Bears story. 

While Bastien was trying rock Frankie all the way to sleep Piper would say to Maddy, “I’m going to missy you, but listen. You guys should talk to Delta. Claudius has spoken with Friar Tuck. He’s still alive. From Sherwood on the inside. There might be others. The Minstrel, my friend Alan. I think you know them too. Weren’t you both close to the Merry Men?” 

Bastien’s head would perk up because he definitely was. “Really?” 

Piper gave that affirmation nod. Delta hadn’t even contacted her Hunch yet. She was going to do all that when she was ready to call for him to come back. She hadn’t sorted out all her own details yet so she was leaving him be for now. Delta wasn’t giving him a play by play. 

“That’s so cool.” Bastien looked stoked. His heavy eyes were wide with excitement even as he rocked with lax chilled pace for his daughter. 

“Yeah, Tuck’s living in your church now.” 

“My church? With my bells? Does he know how to polish them? The little ones only like downwards strokes and the big gal like circles. You got to stroke her just right. How do you know he’s in there? Did anyone teach him how to do her right?” 

Piper made a weird face because the way he said it sounded a little funny and Bastien looked so concerned all of a sudden over these bells. She glanced over at Maddy because of how serious Bastien suddenly looked, like really serious concern. It was one of those Bastien is weirding me out. Is this normal glances. 

[cryptid-killjoy]

All the Happenings

Valerie and Scout would have a freeze moment when they’d both be see what Chip was going through with swamp fires through the camp. No one would know for sure this was Piper but there would be suspicions after the magical reinforcements from camp were the best way to tame it. 

It was possible even Thomas got some connections with Raya on this one with her dead-side Hell-mind being so triggered. Valerie suspected Piper right away whether Brigitte did or not. She was too in tune waiting for news after Dale left. Laveau property being ground zero for a swamp inferno couldn’t be a coincidence. 

Valerie would tell Thomas about this tragedy. Her precious other world, her camp, Chip’s community, Zeke’s home, his mamma’s people, so many hurt, the village nearly destroyed. There was a selfish part of Valerie that felt her life in her new Lothlorien was exactly what she wanted with Thomas, protected, and safe, felt so fine. Then there was another part of herself that felt that natural inclination to need to help. It was in her blood to pull together with the group and help the village if something real went down. This was something real. But, not wanting the responsibility of it was also why she left and the guilt was going to be put to the test with this one. 

Zeke would have contacted Thomas personally just in case Valerie got any impulsive ideas. She was in no condition with the triplets to be coming home to all this mess. Physical labor was the last thing she should be doing and she didn’t need the emotional stress of seeing it all up close. He, Brigitte, Chip, and the elders left would handle it. 

That was one happening. 

The next happening was the most recent amazing moon. 

Thomas would change and head out like he usually does. Valerie would wish he’d not wonder too far. She couldn’t communicate with him, but she’d start to feel sick herself, nauseous, pain she wasn’t used to feeling. Victor wasn’t there. Jesula was in no way available. Scout stayed home on full moon nights out of habit and sense of duty ingrained, but she was still a kid, and no specialized nurse here. She had no idea how to help when her mother started to cry out in pain clutching round her middle. It had finally happened, the big it. The triplets were being affected by the moon and with three of them crammed in there Valerie could feel it and they would only get bigger. 

Valerie would be compelled to go outside swearing up and down to Scout the pups wanted their father and moon. In her condition, barely able to stand, Scout had to help her walk to the door, but would beg her to go no further. She was scared if she stayed on the porch she’d just be a target for other wildlife like that on a night like this. She didn’t trust her father was the only wolf left in New Zealand after the camp they plowed down. Who knew if there were any strays out there? So, Scout would sit on the kitchen floor with her mother right by door trying hard to muffle the sounds of a wounded animal Valerie might make by keeping the radio on unsure of what else to do as she tended to her mom with cold cloths, and they waited for Thomas to return. 

It didn’t end there. There was another happening. 

Flotsam/Valerie was groomed to have a connection with the other side. They’d had a strong one that had grown more powerful with age. Dr. F’s saying “He’s got friend’s on the other side” was one of Flotsam’s favorites. They tried so hard to appease the Gods, spirits, and such. That same full moon night would end with Valerie in an involuntary seizure-like trance ghost writing on the floor. It took a while for Scout to figure out to put pen in their hand. The writing would not be in her own handwriting, not even the parts that were clear, though most of it was scratchy and gibberish, hard to make out, like her body was hard to invade and control. Something possessed her and it was not Marrassa or Savvy. Neither entity had ever worked that way before. 

All of this was going to be what Maddy and Bastien were flying in from Nola to New Zealand to. As if their little miscommunication wasn’t a jumble of a mess of it’s own, the Laveau family stress just rose a little higher in worries that would feel a lot less petty or emotional and more life concerning. Valerie was still half in the dark about Thaddeus so she didn’t know Thomas had that piled on it too.

 Victor and Zero were traveling by the same Jolly Roger magic sea portaling and would be as long as Delta had anything to say about these trips. He’d be bringing Tree back to Nola with them. That said, if Victor were a guessing man, he’d guess Thaddeus better not test Thomas’s patience at this point in the game because his wife was now officially in a very, fragile, high risk state, and would get a doctor’s warning label over the phone before he’d arrive to see her. Emotions matter. Getting heated matters. Mamma gets upset. Babies get upset. They could have emotional changes too not just full moon just like daddy. 

Chip hadn’t even reached out to Maddy he’d been so exhausted and busy in the village. Though the fires themselves were all over the news, so the Bellerose’s had to have been wondering. If anything they might have been able to get more news out of Scout than anyone. Scout would be the most open line in the Laveau family at the current moment. 

Still, with all this going on in the background, Bastien and Maddy were going across the sea. So, were Delta and Frank. 

Delta and Frank were happening. 

Delta wanted to check out this place Tree had been. They thought about not making a move till Maleficent did something, but it was dragging out. They took a risk and left Heresy alone in the castle. It was a big risk, but damn it they were bored. Fuck it all. They would not even announce they were coming to anyone. They would just board the Jolly Roger right before they set sail, even Victor and Zero did not know. They would tell no one where they were going to stay. They would tell no one their itinerary and just show up and take over the Captain’s cabin. Smee would start to lift a hand when they chose that door and all it would take was one look from Frank and the ever slow slight bounce of one of Delta’s curls as if she might turn her head and he lowered that hand and opened the door for them. Delta never had to turn her head. Frank’s stares always did it. 

The Cap’n wasn’t going to be happy about this. He doesn’t like his things moved unless he’s the one doing the breaking or throwing of course. Delta decided it was much more fun to stow a ride on the infamous Jolly Roger and mess up Hook’s room than to hitch a ride a plane with the Hunch and Maddy if given the choice and since Victor was going they had a choice. So, Delta told Maddy they weren’t going and gave no other reason. She didn’t say they had another ride, just that they weren’t going with them. 

Bastien and Maddy went on a plane. Maddy got a plane all to themselves this time she said. Bastien liked that. He was not a fan of ear popping in planes and going deaf when going high and low, but he was a big fan of being alone. So he would sing his wife lots of praises for that.  

 This was a new place and Bastien got a little skittish about leaving the airport unless it was dark. He kept asking what time it would be when they landed even after he’d already asked. He was jazzed up in Paris on marriage confidence. In Nola everyone knew him as Delta’s hammer guy at the very least. Going out in the day just wasn’t so bad anymore, but this was a brand new world out there that didn’t know him. The nerves started to hit. He was very thankful their arrival was in the evening. They’d arrive at Valerie and Thomas’s most bragged about and highly recommended honeymoon hotel. They’d mention Valerie and Thomas and get the star treatment from moment one. With a pocketbook like Maddy’s they won’t be regretting it or wasting their time either. They’ll surely be amply rewarded for their hospitality. 

Still, Bastien had that groggy after-transformation face with extra travel exhaustion on top as he sat down on the balcony for a smoke without taking much of the room in yet. 

“Look at us in a whole new world again.” 

He was calming down after everything. Bastien always needed a moment to step back and recenter after the pain. He gained strength through the night. As confident as he’d become in Nola in the day his love for the night would always remain. He always longed for a day in the sun like a normal man but there was comfort in the dark. There was muscle memory in what this was. There was never pressure here to be brave or overcome. He could just be. 

He liked that feeling. 

“Come check out the view, Mama Bear.” 

[cryptid-killjoy]

Bastien and Maddy had already started a tradition of their own for Halloween. They passed out pumpkins in the old part of town still beat the worst and lost to Katrina. These areas grew fewer and farther inbetween but they existed and it was those lost kids he cared about not all the kids running around trick-or-treating in the fancy hoods getting full size candy bars all night. 

They did this their first Halloween and Bastien wanted to keep doing it so they did. It wasn’t far down the street from the old building he bought he was using as a workshop to make his carousel. It also wasn’t far from vampire alley where he and Maddy once stayed in another squat and ransacked a dead man’s home. 

It was after the night started to calm down and there were very few pumpkins left and it started to seem like maybe no more children were going to come by, but Bastien wanted to stay a little longer just in case. That is when a dark hooded figure approached and it was no child. He could tell he had a man’s face and he carried a scythe like a reaper. It was Halloween so this was hardly abnormal. 

Still, it was making the hairs on the back of Bastien’s neck pop the closer he got though he did not appear supernatural. He definitely looked like a man in a very cool costume. 

Upon approach he’d say, “Greetings Bellerose family. I am the keeper of the grigori’s prison-”

Bastien’s eyes widened at his manner of speech and being a Catholic he heard grigori’s prison and his whole body went rigid under his bear coat. 

“-The Mathey. I am He with the key to the bottomless pit, I am Ares and Mars. I am He who takeths the souls of man. I am Samael the archangel of Death. Fear not for this is not your time. Your clocks still tick. I have been sent by friends.” 

And Bastien was officially stuck. Frozen stuck. Staring. If the cat had ever stolen his tongue before it was now. He had a lot on his mind considering his beliefs of Clopin, beliefs of the church, his own wild delusions. Samael was patient and stood for this silence like it wasn’t awkward at all. He just stood there cloaked and ever tall and looming in the dark. Was this really the king of reapers if it could be put that way, not that there was really a king? Archangel? Answered prayers. Jesus Christ Almighty God. What was happening to his life now?