New Year's With the Craigs

by Leonidas701

Elliot invites his girlfriend, and her family, to spend New Year's Eve with him. Really just an excuse for me to have Elliot, Fie, Fiona, Sara, Xeno, Leonidas, Neithardt, and Olaf all interact with each other. Sequel to "Tumbling Down the Mountainside". Elliot/Fie, Neithardt/Fiona, build up to Sara/Xeno. Takes place between CS2 and 3. Art by @maskyarts on twitter

4. Interlude 1

December 31st, 1205

12:04 am

Age was starting to show its effects on General Olaf Craig, but even old and tired he was certain he would remember his house being haunted. So that clearly wasn't the reason for the ghost standing at the top of his staircase.

While his confusion kept him in place just before the foot of the stairs, the ghost apparently had no such compulsions. It smoothly glided down the steps, getting closer and closer. And closer. And closer.

Then it bumped into him, right into his chest. "Sorry," came the muffled voice of the ghost. "It's hard to see under here."

It was the voice of a young lady. Now that his eyes were better adjusted to the dark, the ghostly sheet looked a lot like Elliot's blanket.

"Fie?" he guessed.

"Sup."

"If you don't mind me asking, what are you doing?"

"I was hungry and Elliot told me there were some snacks in the kitchen."

"Ah, I see," Olaf said, nodding sagely even though Fie couldn't see it. "What happened to all the snacks he keeps in his closet that he thinks I don't know about?"

"We ate them. I ate them."

Olaf held down a laugh. "Really now? And why did you take his blanket?"

"'s warm."

"And you don't think Elliot is cold without it?"

Olaf guessed that that movement of the blanket was probably a shrug. "He has a heater," said Fie.

Olaf couldn't keep up the act any longer. His smile broke through and he let out the loudest laugh he dared without risking waking anyone up. "Oh," he said, still chuckling as he put his hand on where he assumed Fie's shoulder was. "Oh, that's the best welcome home I could have asked for. My son is a lucky man. Welcome. By all means, help yourself to the kitchen. Fiona keeps the best snacks in the cabinet above the refrigerator."

"Thanks."

"Would you like me to get them for you? They're very high up."

That seemed like a head shake. "I'll jump."

"I'm sure you will. Just please, don't leave my son cold for too long, would you?" he requested as the ghost moved past him.

A lump rose at the side of the blanket, then a smaller lump rose from that. Good enough for him. Olaf yawned and went to his bed, content that his children were happy.