The ghosts made sure to remove the "for sale" sign before luring anyone in. Vivien occasionally offered to help Moira bring people in, but that seemed like taking a present away from the red-haired maid, who took an incredible significance in her potential to attract people. This was a coping method, Vivien figured, and honored it by leaving it alone, much like Lorraine's violence – but it didn't stop her from occasionally going to the gate herself and talking to people.
Guests were usually skeeved out by the invitation, but Vivien did her best to scrape up an excuse.
"Excuse me," she'd start, smiling through her curls as she unlocked the date, careful to stay within bounds.
"I know this sounds really odd, but we just made a bunch of food for a party and everyone canceled – do you wanna come in, just for lunch? I'm Vivien, by the way. If you're not in a rush, you're welcome to come in. We've just got too much food and the whole family was excited for visitors, we'd love to meet people from the neighborhood.."
They'd traipse up back to the house, Vivien spilling facts and anecdotes like a salesman to dampen the creepiness of the browned vines that crawled up the bricks of the house's face, the long weeds that had popped up in patches throughout the yard, the dark, the foreboding interior of the house that pressed against the front-facing windows.
"We're just an eccentric family," Viv would say, gently, opening the door for their guest. "We bought the murder house and now we're inviting strangers to tea. Trying to soften up its reputation, I guess! Here's the maid of the house, Moira. She's fantastic."
The old woman would round the corner from the living area and smile at the guest, extending a hand. "Moira, would you mind grabbing Violet? Tell her we managed to get someone to eat with us."
Moira would saunter off to deliver this double-edged message. Bringing ghosts out would also mean keeping other ghosts back, and she would quietly extract Violet from whatever she was doing to bring her downstairs, looking disapprovingly at ghosts that reappeared in hopes of being invited. Tate would always lurk under the stairway while Violet came downstairs, just looking at her while she pretended to be focusing on the sound of people talking, focusing on staring straight ahead.
Preparations for this game had to be made in advance. They had to negotiate with either Constance or Larry, their only outside links, get them groceries – they were more than happy to pay for the errand, and Larry was usually happy to contribute. He liked the twisted aspect of this hosting and was never minded contributing to positivity inside the house. "You're doing a good thing," he'd say, handing the full bags to whoever came to the basement door with his good arm. "Smart of you guys to stay connected. Invite me to dinner sometime, huh?"
They never did – Vivian didn't like him and Ben loathed him.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: 12.30.12: I will be updating this! I'm planning for two more chapters. I've really been having fun with this one, but I can feel myself getting disorganized at some parts because there is just so much to talk about with these characters. Expect more in the following week, as well as whole other stories on some of these interactions and character details. Nothing better than some good development sketchin', guys. Every review and favorite is seriously appreciated, I love you aaaalll.