"So, Clarabelle, how have the crane decorations been holding up?"
"Well, I think the lacquering has kept them in pretty good shape. I was a bit concerned when the tree caught fire last week, but they actually managed to survive. Shocking, right?"
"What."
"Hm?"
"The tree caught fire?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"Last week. You know, Valkyrie, I'm pretty sure I already said that. Are you feeling quite all-right?"
"Not really. The tree caught fire?"
"Yes. So did various pieces of wooden furniture, a small part of the floor, a couple of magazines and most of Fletcher's haircare products."
Valkyrie blinks, quite aghast. "How exactly did this happen? I thought he refused to work in the kitchenette, thus the invasion of my house."
"He did, of course, so this wasn't his fault for once." Clarabelle smiles brightly, eyes glittering. "No, I tripped while I was holding a candle, which flew out of my hands onto a pile of magazines and hairgel that just happened to be on the table next to the Christmas tree. Accidentally, of course."
Valkyrie doesn't say anything, just staring.
"I can be really clumsy sometimes," says Clarabelle, and to her credit, she says it with a straight face.
A/N: Kehe.
~Mademise Morte, December 17