Backdated to May 28, Locked to Sylvando

[creepyoldguy]

[Just a green-haired demon, wearing 3-D glasses, chewing on a glitter pen.]

S'up!

[Beetlejuice gave a fangy-smile around the pen.]


Lydia tells me you're good at planning parties. And...since everyone missed hers and Emmy's birthdays, I'm trying to put together a party for her. But, the problem is, I'm dead. And...a demon from hell. So, I've never actually been to a birthday party, let alone had one myself, or know anything remotely about them other than cake.

[He held up a cheerful finger.]

Which! I totally have covered. Cake, I understand, and I have plans.

But, uh, anyway, would you be willing to help with the rest of it? Especially the inviting part, because, if I try it, it will come in the form of me threatening to rip someone's spleen through their ear-canal if they upset Lyds by not coming.

SO, uh....will ya help?

Comments

[smilingarmor]

Of course, darling! Always happy to spread a bit of cheer. And Lydia's my friend too, so I'll certainly need to make a note of when her birthday is for future reference.

And actually, I was meaning to talk to you in any case. You are Beetlejuice, si?

[creepyoldguy]

Great!! Thank you! She deserves it.

[He took off the glasses and nodded.]

That’s me. My reputation precede me?

[smilingarmor]

Somewhat. Another friend of mine, Mal, asked me to explain something to you; she'd do it herself, but she tells me that you've been avoiding her.

[creepyoldguy]

She thinks I’m not a person and treats like garbage. Not too keen on hanging out with her.

I’m also a little worried I’ll slip and kill her if she keeps claiming she’s evil.

[smilingarmor]

She does tend to be quite a prickly sort, but that doesn't mean she thinks less of you. She's just as sharp with me, especially when she's in a mood, which is often.

Her claims of being evil are another issue entirely, but likely one she'll have to work out on her own.

[creepyoldguy]

I’m kinda done with her. The fact Lydia likes her is the only reason I haven’t—-

If she wants to apologize for robbing me and pretending to buy me a gift with my own money, and telling me she will NEVER ask me to do something, only bark orders at me?

I might listen.

But, she told me it’s okay to treat me like dirt, because that’s “just the way she is”. So, I’m not holding my breath.

[smilingarmor]

[Mal hadn't told him about the gift business, but I'd rather hear her side of it too before coming to any conclusions. As for the rest of it... He considers for a moment before replying.]

Mal is the sort of person who thinks she must be strong all the time to protect herself, and given what I know of it, in the place she grew up, that was true. Unfortunately, old habits die hard, and the only sort of 'strength' that she learned there was the sort that makes one harsh, cold, and domineering- or as she puts it, 'evil'.

Oh I know it's not an excuse, of course; she's a stubborn thing, but she will have to learn better eventually. However she behaves though, she asked me to let you know that she doesn't see you as less than herself, nor does she expect you to obey her.

Unfortunately, neither communication skills nor manners are ever likely to be her strongest suits, so continuing to avoid each other when possible might be best, at least for the present. Both for the sake of avoiding misunderstandings and preserving dear Lydia's sanity.

[It was never exactly fun when two of one's friends turned out to be oil and water, but trying to force them to mix anyway would only lead to trouble.]

[creepyoldguy]

I’d do anything for Lydia. That’s why Little-Miss-Not-Evil is still walking around.

See, that’s the thing. She expects to be able to do and say what she wants with no consequences. She doesn’t care. She’s not evil, she’s a selfish brat that I’m terrified is gonna hurt Lydia because she’s so selfish.

I’m a jerk of a demon and even I know that if you do shitty things to people they’ll do shitty things to you right back.

[Mal would never apologize to him. He knew that. ]

Yeah. I can be civil in passing and stuff....but, I’m not gonna actively seek her out.

[smilingarmor]

Lydia is quite a bit stronger than most- including herself- think she is. It will take more than a little tiff with a friend to knock her down if it comes to that. But I can at least say for certain that Mal would never purposely do such harm; she cares a great deal for Lydia, even if she doesn't always show it.

In any case though, I've passed along the message I was asked to, and I'll let her know how you responded.

With that out of the way, care to meet somewhere in person to go over party plans? I'd be interested to hear what ideas you have and it's much easier to discuss such things face to face than over these mirrors.

[creepyoldguy]

She’s a tough kid. No argument here.

[But, he also was keeping an eye on Lydia. Just to make sure.

Beetlejuice grinned at the suggestion .]

Yeah, sure, Sly! We can grab some chow and talk party shit!

[smilingarmor]

'Sly', eh? Now there's a nickname I've not had before. I think I like it though!

In any case, can you meet me at the cafe in half a hour? I think they're having a special on crepes today, and they'd be just perfect to eat while we talk.

[creepyoldguy]

That means you have good taste.

[He tilted his head, as he tried to recall if he'd ever had crepes.]

Those are fancy pancakes, right?

[smilingarmor]

They're similar, but they're usually eaten by wrapping them around a filling, rather than with a knife and fork.