A Fiery Bouquet of Welcome

[serpentinthegarden]

Heard the meet and greet was a bust. Guess the citizens decided to share their gloomy mood with the newbies, typical of humans. When you're in a bad mood you always feel the need to spread it around.

Even Chef has got a dose of it. Usually the candy shop makes a whole spread of goodies for those banquets. This time he didn't even bother suggesting it. I finally tempted him into at least making a few gift baskets... 

[Crowley sneered and looked at one of the baskets.]

Not sure that's a good thing. He was laughing and singing a made up song about hot peppers when he made these.

But it's free right? How bad could they be? If you are new to the Kingdom stop by the candy shop on Main Street to pick up your free basket.

 

Comments

[strangeandunusual]

You tried, Crowley, and I think that's what counts more. It looks like it's up to us to make them feel welcome this time.

... Hot pepper songs aside, they look really nice.

[serpentinthegarden]

I'm rather impressed with the old guy. I didn't know he could be malicious.

[ He bobbed his head, deciding not to say much about a demon trying to be welcoming. It was a strange turn of events. ]

They look perfect... not sure how they taste. I haven't tried them. You want one?

[strangeandunusual]

Mmmm ...

[she tilted her head]

You know what?

[yes. yes, it was time for this to happen.]

I think I do. As a gift.

[if it didn't do anything to Mal, then it was really a gift. if it did? served her right.]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ He could sense evil plotting in the air and he greatly approved! ]

I'll gift wrap one for you.

Crowley

[strangeandunusual]

Actually, since you already showed the baskets, can you take the candies and wrap them in a different box? So they look like something else?

What? Totally innocent here!

[serpentinthegarden]

I could do better than that.

[ He smirked and looked to Chef who seemed ready to cause some more trouble himself. ]

We could do a new batch and looks nothing at all like this one. Different decorations, different box. They will never suspect a thing.

I meant filtered to, LOL

[strangeandunusual]

Perfect. Mal won't even see it coming.

[of all people, she knew he'd appreciate knowing the recipient of her prank]

Put little purple and green squiggles on them and she won't be able to resist.

LOL, ok :P

[serpentinthegarden]

It's for Mal!

[ See now he loved the idea even more. He had so many reasons to want to get that kid. ]

I'll make sure it's extra special. Hey, Chef! Ever heard of Carolina reaper? Hottest pepper in the world. Add a bit of a dragon theme, purple and green. I think its a perfect idea.

[strangeandunusual]

What can I say, I'm out of patience and this is something that won't hurt her long term but ... make me feel a little better. Maybe Beetlejuice is a bad influence.

[darksmokerising]

Not sure I'm in the mood for death by pepper, if that's any indication of what awaits my tongue. [She's getting used to the mirror thing. Really.] I might drop by and take a bit of a look, though. Winding up here wasn't really how I wanted to start or end a day.

[She raises a hand.]

Merlan Margaret O'Keefe. Hijacked from a well needed nap.

[serpentinthegarden]

I've never known Chef to poison food before, so they could be fine. If you want to gamble?

[ He inclined his head in an, 'Entirely up to you' way. ]

Crowley.

[ His dark wings folded neatly behind him as a nap did sound pretty good right now. ]

Bet you didn't think you would wake up from that nap in Wonderland.

---> Action

[darksmokerising]

Peppers usually mean heat. [She stretches and yawns.] I might, perhaps. A walk never hurts.

[Wings interest her but even though hers are snugly tucked away, she'll leave the questions off. She laughs, the sound bright and rich. Fine, she'll come to see, and starts walking.]

Does anyone? I mean, I've woken up in some might strange places but this does top them. Now, where was that--

Ah. Good thing I went on a walk earlier. Hello in person.

[She smiles after slowing down and coming to a stop.]

[serpentinthegarden]

They could have been sweet peppers.

[ He glanced sideways at the Chef who was busy doing his thing in the kitchen and not saying one way or the other. ]

Guess it's meant to be a surprise like the whole through the mirror thing.

[ The bell over the door jangled when the lady entered and without even looking up at her Crowley grabbed a gift basket and set in on the counter by the register. ]

There you go, one basket of mystery... I'd recommend having a glass of milk nearby before you try it.

[darksmokerising]

See, the fact that you said milk and one of milk's defining properties is that it locks down the spicy oils naturally occurring in hot pepper means they're probably hot. But I needed a walk, didn't I? Pft. I don't even know the currency around here yet. Do I even have any?

[Merlan glanced all the way up at Crowley, tilting her chin slightly.]

[serpentinthegarden]

It's a precaution. I don't know what he put into these things.

[ One might have called it a friendly warning if they weren't a demon and wondering why the lady was giving him such a hard look. The wings probably, it usually was. The dark feathers fluffed a little, just to show off. ]

And these were on the house. Free gift basket, sort of eliminates the need for money unless you were thinking about buying something that has less octane in it. The bon bons are delicious.

[darksmokerising]

[They were really wonderful wings and made her smile. She'd fallen asleep with her own wrapped around her, so they were out but not particularly comfortable. Maybe it was just weird that they were out, maybe the feathers were out place.]

I think I'll leave experimentation to others. Not feeling myself at present.

[She paused.]

But, I think your wings are lovely. I'm-- Are they out all the time? Mine are just...highly uncomfortable at the moment.

[serpentinthegarden]

Yours are...?

[ An eyebrow slowly traveled up his forehead. He hadn't been paying the greatest amount of attention and those wings wrapped around her had seemed... well... ]

You have wings! I thought those were a fancy cloak... out of step with the fashions here but, everyone is. 'Out' in the new 'In'.

[ He casually took in the lady's appearance, appraising her much like he did any new person he met with those unblinking yet shade hidden eyes. The feathers were white he noticed. ]

Yeaaa, they're out all the time here. It's something to do with the magic of the Kingdom. The only time I don't have wings is when I'm a serpent.

[ His head slowly tilted to one side as he stared at her wings with a small pout. ]

Maybe they wouldn't be so uncomfortable if you let them stretch out? Why do you have wings anyway? Are you an angel?

[creepyoldguy]

I'll eat a few if none of the noobs take 'em.

[serpentinthegarden]

Actually... That's not a bad idea. Want to try one?

[ Cause then he could find out just how hot these things were without risking himself. ]

[creepyoldguy]

Uh, yeah!

[Granted, his tastebuds were mostly dead, so...]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Ah, but maybe his hair would turn red or steam would come out of his ears. It might be fun! ]

I don't think it would be noticed if one of these lollipops went missing...

[creepyoldguy]

It's really a kindness for the newbies.

[And hell, he was curious.]

Give me a few and I'll be there.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ There is probably a saying about curiosity and the dangers thereof, but eh, Crowley was curious too. ]

I'm not going anywhere until 7.

[ When his shift was up. ]

(action)

[creepyoldguy]

[As long as they weren't infused with holy water, Beetlejuice figured he'd be fine.]

Yo, let's see what these things are made of!

(action)

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Now that would be down right evil! Chef was upset but thankfully not homicidal.

Crowley waved lazily and sneakily retrieved a lollipop from the back of a bouquet where it wouldn't be missed. This was held out for BJ. ]

Bon appetit.

[ The creation was a white chocolate covered strawberry with a layer of hot pepper flakes hidden just beneath the chocolate coating. ]