IC Contact [ryslig]

[catphishing]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, OLIVER. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 142.58.303.67 *** oliver has joined 142.58.303.67 <oliver> So this is my private channel. <oliver> Talk to me?

Current Usernames

<trashpanda>
<mothman>
<oliver>
<deBricassart> (anon)

Former Usernames

<creepypasta>

Throwaways

<zx01r3z>
<tfk>

Changeling Throwaways

Comments

[fourthsaken]

[Jade just laughs, glad to see the mood lightened so easily. Whatever was bothering Oliver, can't be that big of a deal.] Dude, Soeki loves desserts. I'm not going to deprive him of desserts on Christmas.

[catphishing]

[Oliver returns with the extra mug shortly after taking his seat back next to her. He's topped up his own my while he's been in the kitchen. It's Christmas. He's allowed to indulge.]

He'll be sleepy after dinner already. I won't see him for a week if you let him have more.

[fourthsaken]

[Jade takes the mug, gratefully cradling in her hands. It's warm enough that she can almost feel it.]

I either make them tonight or for New Years. Pick one. The recipes are too cool to waste.

[catphishing]

How many recipes are we talking here?

[fourthsaken]

[Jade takes a large sip of her hot chocolate before holding up her hand, all five fingers. She looks only a little bit sorry, hiding her smile with the oversized mug.]

[catphishing]

[Oliver groans, letting his head flop into his free hand.]

I'm not even going to fit in the bed if you keep feeding him like that. We won't even be hungry enough to try all of them.

[That's probably a little mean, but Soeki knows he loves him. And he's asleep. It's fine.]

Half now, half for New Year's. How's that sound?

[fourthsaken]

Oliver! [She exclaims, both insulted on Soeki's behalf and far too amused. She elbows Oliver lightly, then stays leaning close, leaning against his side to show she's not really angry. Mostly, she's trying not to crack up.]

Deal. And I won't even told Soeki you said that...

[catphishing]

What? He knows.

[But it's still probably better she doesn't tell him.]

Which ones do you think you'll make today?

[fourthsaken]

[Jade just shakes her head in slight disbelief.]

I can't believe you get him to go to the gym with you. I can't even imagine that.

Definitely an apple pie. It's one of my mom's recipes. And I wanna try this peppermint bark fudge. Maybe the gingerbread cupcakes too? Does that sound good?

[catphishing]

He doesn't come that often. He hates it, and I think he feels self-conscious if I push him too much in winter. He'll be more willing to try it when he starts shedding the winter weight again.

[He nods his head, already starting to feel hungry as she lists off the recipes. It's hard to say no to any of those.]

That sounds good. Did you want me to help out making them?

[fourthsaken]

If you want to help, that'd be nice. [It's a testament to how much closer Jade feels to Oliver and Soeki, how much they're her family, that this year, she doesn't insist on doing all the work herself. She doesn't want to give up a holiday she could spend with them by cooking for them, as long as Oliver doesn't mind helping her out.]

The apple pie's a family recipe. You should know it.

[catphishing]

Of course I want to. I like cooking too, you know.

[He's touched that she's actually willing to though. Especially if the things she's cooking are family recipes.]

[fourthsaken]

Yeah, I know. Sorry I don't always let you help. I just... [She pauses for a minute, suddenly very interested in the marshmallows melting in her hot chocolate.] I feel like I owe you and Soeki so much. Cooking's something I could do to not be like, a weird burden.

[catphishing]

You don't owe us anything. How many times do we have to tell you?

[He sounds like he's teasing, but he means it. If Jade could start seeing herself the way everyone else did then he would be far happier.]

[fourthsaken]

[Jade ducks her head, embarrassed. By now it's clear to her how much Oliver and Soeki care about her, that they really mean it when they tell her she doesn't owe them anything, but that doesn't mean it's easy for her to accept.]

Maybe this'll be the last time. [Even as she says it, she's aware it probably won't be.]

[catphishing]

I hope so.

[But he doubts it somehow.]

Do you want us to start on dessert prep soon? Most of the dinner stuff should be okay for a while.

[fourthsaken]

Can we do presents first? I started some prep before I left for Bert's last night, it can wait a bit...

[catphishing]

Sure we can. It's Christmas. We can do things however we want.

[His parents would probably disagree with that sentiment, but they aren't here.]

[fourthsaken]

Awesome. Hold on.

[It doesn't take long for her to float over Oliver's gift. It's an... interesting shape, a slightly lumpy looking roll wrapped in traditional holiday paper and tied on both ends with bright red ribbon. It looks like a wrapped candy, if wrapped candy's were nearly 3 feet long.]

[catphishing]

[Oliver laughs, taking the gift from the air once its within easy reach.]

What is this?

[fourthsaken]

Something cool. Just open it.

[Jade grins, watching as Oliver unwraps his present. Inside he'll find a hand-made front door mat, constructed from one of the carpet choices he loved, but Soeki and Jade had veto'd immediately. A non-slip backing has been added and a welcoming message painted on it in black (in her defense, it coordinates with everything) "Home Sweet Home", with each word carefully mimicking one of each of their handwriting (Soeki's, Jade's, and Oliver's).]

[catphishing]

Okay, okay.

[He unwraps it at her insistence, grinning as he unfolds it and realizes what it is.]

You guys hated this one. Are you really going to let us use it?

[fourthsaken]

I am. If Soeki hates it, I can't promise he won't tear it up when he's a bear...

[catphishing]

If Soeki ruins something you made he'll have bigger problems than a rug he doesn't like.

[He doesn't really think he would. Bear brain or not, he'll know Jade put work into making it.]

Thank you. I love it, even if you guys don't.

[fourthsaken]

[She pauses, lowering her voice to almost a whisper.] Don't tell Soeki, but I actually don't hate it that much anymore? I stared at it for so many hours when I was painting, I almost like it now...