on the first day of christmas, my true love gave to me

[self_composed]

[It is now Christmas in the latest time zone on Earth,] Bella announces, when this becomes the case. [C'mere.]

She has conjured a syringe of venom. There are no known effects relating to any particular person doing the turning, but she's gone ahead and duplicated her alt's venom - what would be hers, if she turned - regardless.

She hides it behind her back and smiles.

Comments

[edgeofyourseat]

Alice cannot fall asleep.

He snuggles Bella, and loves her, and makes stars.

[self_composed]

Some time later - Bella fields brainphone calls and conjures herself food and otherwise conducts her life, but doesn't leave the room - the pain starts pulling inwards.

[Hey, Lazarus, did you wanna come see the endgame of the Christmas present?] Bella inquires, squaring on some clothes that they've both been doing without for the last couple days. [It is incoming.]

[nonbird]

Oh boy.

[Sure,] he says.

[self_composed]

[We're in Moonstone Palace. Can you be here in ten minutes under your own power or do you want me to yoink you?]

"Lazarus is gonna come see the fireworks," Bella murmurs.

[nonbird]

[I can be there,] he says.

[edgeofyourseat]

"Mmmmmnf," says Alice, grinning slowly. "I feel like I'm gettin' run over by a train. A train that's on fire. Love you, love you, love you."

[self_composed]

"Love you," Bella replies, kissing his forehead.

[edgeofyourseat]

He smiles and tips his face up toward her.

[self_composed]

Bella magics herself immune to venom and related substances and vampire bites, and kisses him on the mouth. He is not as warm and soft as he once was, but they can freely vary that whenever they like with magic, and he's not exactly unpleasant to kiss even like so.

[edgeofyourseat]

Mmmmm snuggly kisses. [Love you.]

[nonbird]

[So where, exactly, should I be, besides on the moon?] inquires Lazarus.

[self_composed]

[The habitable part of the moon,] Bella specifies. [Third floor, coming from the stairwell second door on the left.]

[nonbird]

[Got it.]

[self_composed]

"Here comes company," Bella says, tracing a line with her finger from Alice's cheek down to his flailing heart.

[edgeofyourseat]

"Goodie," says Alice.

[self_composed]

Bella sits back on her heels and waits.

[nonbird]

And here is company.

Blushing company.

"Hi," says Lazarus. "You look, um, snuggly."

[self_composed]

"He's been pouring stars for the last three days, it makes him all affectionate," Bella says, smirking.

[nonbird]

"I... I can see that," says Lazarus. "I really can; your coins are visible from the ground floor."

[self_composed]

"Are they pretty?" Bella asks innocently.

[nonbird]

"They're stars," he says, shrugging, and sidles into the room as though he expects to be attacked by the cuddle monster at any moment.

[self_composed]

"He won't eat you. We have arranged for him not to eat people," Bella says.

[nonbird]

"Yes, but will he hug me?"

[edgeofyourseat]

"D'ya want me to?" he inquires.

[nonbird]

Silence.