AN:
Song from Maybe Love by Steven McClintock
8*8
Cracked Peony:
Bed ridden under a hand sewn quilt and bed linens woven from feathers soundly slept Corbin. Pillows were carefully stacked to prop up his shoulders and head to help him breathe. Wheezing instead of smoothly breathing with clogged sinuses inhaled Eucalyptus and cowslip. Hair worn in a loose braid in a fresh change of pajamas. Sight of a sick Corbin that Elanye has been tending to since he came down with a head cold. His high temperature worried her when she checked the 1914 Carrier Air Humidifier. Essential oils she was using to help him breath and keep him from coughing too much. While she sent a message to Charlie she couldn't come in until her nephew got better. Had her to take as many of her days off until Corbin got better. Left Elanye to spend morning well into afternoon working around the cabin. A basket or two of laundry from a Maytag Vintage Wringer Washing Machine was done. Just when she was hanging on the outside line strung up in her brother's apple Orchard. Picking up clothes pin after clothespin when she was done hanging up. Giving into the song that would carry through the first when she filled the clothes line. Branches swayed as the trees reacted to her strong feelings as she sang with certain prince on her mind.
(verse)
I know we're mostly strangers
Livin' worlds apart
So I can almost touch you
Passing in the dark
(verse)
Love is made for dreamers
And dreams are made of chance
Move your world a little closer
Make this moment last
(pre-chorus)
It's so hard to reason
With a heart out of control
Why wait to hear an answer
When it's too soon to know
(chorus)
Maybe love
Maybe not
You know the chance is all we're given
The chance is all we've got
Maybe love
Maybe not
Still something in me says this may be love
May be love
(verse)
Tonight is still upon us
It's hanging in the air
If I reach out to touch you
Will you still be there?
(pre-chorus)
It's so hard to reason
With a heart out of control
Why wait to hear an answer
When it's too soon to know
(chorus)
Maybe love
Maybe not
You know the chance is all we're given
The chance is all we've got
Maybe love
Maybe not
Still something in me says this may be love
(bridge)
All I know for certain is that I've never felt like this
A love that lasts forever could start with just a kiss
(chorus)
Maybe love
Maybe not
You know the chance is all we're given
The chance is all we've got
Maybe love
Maybe not
Still something in me says this may be love
(chorus)
Maybe love
Maybe not
You know the chance is all we're given
The chance is all we've got
Maybe love
Maybe not
Still something in me says this may be love
Her singing ended when a visitor brought by Constantine surprised her when he stepped forward. Had Elanye hanging last of the clothes before stepping forward to greet them.
"Hi and welcome," She shouted, "Glad to see you again Sloane with his highness."
"Mom has her hands full and I thought I would come when I heard." He answered her.
"You already know where to go," She wouldn't get in his way, "Want me to prepare anything for you?"
"Usual and I'll take my order early to help you." He passed her.
She was left with casually dressed Constantine since this wasn't Sloane's first time at Wywave's cabin. He was here a few decades ago when Wywave was still learning under his mother. He knew where to go without any directions being given.
"Where to send my thanks?" Elanye asked Constantine, "The hotel or your castle."
"Split, Charlie sent me after requesting I bring Sloane," Constantine took in her appearance, "What domestic task are you doing this time?"
"Laundry," She answered, "Not everyone has a servant imps."
"I can do small things myself," He replied, "I am not fully dependent on them."
"Really?" She wondered.
Both knew Charlie had been sending Elanye in her place to check in on him and work with his castle staff. Making sure he stuck to a regular sleeping schedule among other small things. Small things being kept in a certain level of neatness and organization. From how his scattered clothes all over the floor of his bedroom are picked up by a chamber maid imp. To brands he eats and uses to be keep up his appearance, kept in stock while delivered through strict guidelines.
"Then what would you like as payment from me?" She asked him, "I already know what Charlie is going to want."
"Thank you for loving me
through rain, through growth,
through change.
thank you for loving me, still." Constantine's way of telling her he heard her singing.
"How do I love you?
Oh, this way and that way.
Oh, happily. Perhaps
I may elaborate by
demonstration? Like
this, and
like this and
no more words now." Her answer right back at him.
Become their conversation for the rest of Sloane's visit with Corbin that led to him getting better. Well enough to return to the hotel for yet another bonding event of Charlie's activity. Where she had had Wywave made a level ice skating rink for the hotel. She wanted to pair ice skating as a form of trust building among pairs. When she heard Corbin was over his head cold to attend with his cousin. Mirabelle was already skating with her grandfather by the time they got there. Corbin and Hepizehab ended up skating with Octavia and her. Cherri Bomb had Frank as her partner while Serenity and Alastor skated together. Angel Dust took advantage of the situation to get cuddly with Husk. Roh stayed off to the side lines to act as a lifeline for anyone who falls. Wywave and Zon ran a hot beverage stall for anyone wanting to Warm up.
Observed by Elanye when she showed up with a pair of most usual skates sitting in her basket. Way she was dressed wasn't any different than the stockings she wore and the length of her skirt. Which Serenity pointed out to Constantine whe. Elanye sat down. Putting her basket down to pull back the cloth she used to cover and reveal her ice skates. Design alone screamed whimsical swan and fairytale meets impossible shoe wear.
"What are those?" Constantine asked about Elanye's skates.
What looked like heelless ankle length boots colored leather mixed with a metal he never saw. Flourishing feathers design mixed together with closed toe . Natural scrollIng that made up the blade of the skate on the bottom. Elanye pulled from her basket when she looked down to put them on.
"Something wrong with my skates?" Elanye asked him.
"Never seen skates like that." Charlie saw that the design as artistic.
"A gift from an old friend." Elanye picked one up.
She handed her left one to Charlie to look over how everything was ensemble by skilled hands. Craftsmanship alone told Charlie these were put together with the greatest of care.
"I think something more practical should be worn." Constantine suggested.
He made his point when a pair of Victorian style skates from the leather, ankle length boots. That one needed to securely lace up to wear when they took the ice. Presented to her by Belvedere with them already lace up for her to put on.
8*8
Constantine would end up meeting Elanye's admirer when she invited him back to her brother's cabin on Sinsmas night. More of a disappointment to Charlie when they weren't attending her private Sinsmas. Left Elanye to assure her, they would be back to celebrate with everyone. Since the person who appeared wasn't who Constantine thought he was.
"Young Constantine I presume?" A strained hoarse bass voice asked the prince, "Taking books from the forbidden section of his parents' library is the beginning of a long list …. "
A horned anthropomorphic figure sat with straight posture on the couch, a single tea cup in hand as his tail swung in place. Reaching toward hoo Hoo hoo perched on the arm rest next to him. Combining gently through feathers when wings were spread open. Constantine revalled hearing about him from bed told stories told to young demon- born. As bedtime stories during the holidays when they wanted to stay up. Old legends to most now sat before as guest of Elanye's.
"Nothing compared to this one," He pointed to Elanye, "Since day one of coming into her abilities and even before that. Consorting with fae or fronting a Misery Wraith in a haunted house."
He used his tail to put down his tea cup on its saucer when he grew quiet justblost in nostalgia. Reclining back in the comfortable cushions when he inhaled the scent of strudel. Retracting his hand from Hoo hoo's feather to allow her to fly toward Elanye.
"She makes one heck of an apple strudel," He drew attention to hajd eaten pan, "Even in the world of the dead I was still able to find her."
"Yes, her baking and cooking skills have gained some notoriety." Constantine pointed out.
"I've noticed," Person agreed with Constantine, "Makes me wonder what she means to you?"
"I keep myself busy
with the things I do,
But every time I pause,
I still think of you." Constantine clearly stated as he looked directly at Elanye as he spoke.
" … you might not have been my first love
but you were the love that made
all other loves seem
irrelevant." She spoke back walking toward him as she accepted Hoo Hoo on her shoulder.
"Ah," He quietly heard the emotion in their voices, "How I dislike this being my last visit to this place. "
When ungloved hands grasp the other and fingers and talons wove together. Constantine reached up to stroke Hoo hoo's feathers; he happily welcomed his talons and chirped with wings spread open.
"A Misery Wraith is a new one." Constantine brought up what he just learned.
"A spirit wanted help and I thought I could lend a hand," She recalled, "My brother thought I was crazy and my parents livid."
"A haunted house?" He brought up the detail.
"It's a long story," She recalled him, "Didn't we promise Charlie we would make it back to the hotel?"
"It's a long way back without teleporting." He informed her.
Her guest ended up laughing in an amusing way telling the two he had placed to be. Raising from his seat where a rare bottle of hellohol with a ribboned bow sat. Gave the two his blessing as he picked up his sack and vanished.
"Answers a few questions," Constantine looked direction guest left, "Among other things."
"I am going to miss his Saint Nicole's stories," Elanye sighed sadly, "Humorist with a side of realism."
While she was cleaning up, she left half of the apple strudel out in Constantine's presence with single spoon. Picking up the bottle left for her with greatest of care to put away with the others. Before she packed it up to bring with them to hotel by careful placement in her basket. She caught Constantine sampling using the spoon she had forgotten to pick up. Left her to offer to make a batch only for him at a later date out of whatever apples he chooses. Allowed her to pack her basket while he watched what went inside before being covered. Furline capelet and gloves were pulled on with her about to reach for her lilly shape lantern. Constantine hadn't helped her to lighten her load with her arms already to full. Meant a long journey out of the forest to the elevator platform in nearest town. Tolerating the handful of demons when they took the elevator to pride Ring wasn't new for Constantine. Just doing it for Elanye to keep a promise to his sister was a new one for him. Since she filled him in on her past to a real Haunted House and a Wraith. Hoo Hoo screeched at the scary parts with wings flailing as he hopped.
8*8
A Niffty greeted a new sinner to the hotel wanting to research the redemption process rather excitedly. Asking if he was a bad boy before he could introduce himself as an inventor/mad scientist named Baxter. Elanye to keep herself from laughing when Charlie kneeled down to his height.
"Doesn't that remind you of your alligator bag?" Charlie asked Elanye about Baxter's self walking crustacean looking bag.
"Maybe." Elanye looked past Baxter to his bag.
"Insist on seeing this alligator bag." Baxter heard what Charlie said.
"Depends …" Elanye got defensive, "I don't like skeptics and anti- feminists."
Elanye right off felt like something was wrong with Baxter that sent the hairs on back of her neck standing up. Already figuring he would catch Constantine's attention in the during a future visit.
"Let's get on a right foot," Charlie sensed the tension, "Let's got through the introductions while we settle you in."
"I need a room where I can set up my own lab and run my experiments." He insisted.
"We'll see what we can do." Charlie was hopeful for him.
When Serenity entered the lobby area when Charlie started her welcome speech to Baxter about his being redeemed. That Elanye noticed how Baxter reacted to being in her presence as if he was scared. Which had her quietly reeling when Serenity came near the reception desk.
"Newest resident?" Serenity asked Elanye.
"Pretty much," Elanye handed her phone messages to her, "Know anything about him or can you find anything on him?"
"Same payment as before?" Serenity asked.
"Name where and when" Elanye wasn't bothered.