(Video, late November 7)

[creepyoldguy]

So.  If you were going to try and scare someone half to death—-what would you do?

Also, please rate Actual-Crowley and my scares we did. If we got ya, I mean.

Comments

[strangeandunusual]

[sweetly]

.... Where are you, right now, Beej?

[creepyoldguy]

Kitchen.


Why?

[strangeandunusual]

[she walks herself over to his apartment, opens the door, and immediately takes aim with a squirt gun, hitting him squarely between the eyes]

Don't give people heart attacks.

[creepyoldguy]

Oi! Hey!

[ Sputtering, wiping his face with his sleeve.]

But—but it’s fun!

[strangeandunusual]

[she twirls the little black and purple plastic gun around her index finger like a champ before "holstering" it in her sash]

Sorry, pardner. Not 'round these parts.

[creepyoldguy]

They make the funniest noises, though! And you should have seen his face—

[strangeandunusual]

... I mean ... Dr. Riley usually is pretty high strung.

[the tiniest, guiltiest of smiles. it's like being amused when she startles her Dad]

But still, I don't know if my magic's strong enough to help a heart attack. We don't want anyone that's been brought here to actually die. Then they can't go home. [a brief pause, as she thinks of the perfect angle]

And you wouldn't want to be responsible for anyone dying while kidnapped, would you?

[creepyoldguy]

[He hadn't actually thought about that. The ghosts seemed fine, but, then again, they had probably been breathers who belonged to the Kingdoms at some point. Or they had done an enmasse jail break, which was even cooler to consider. Beetlejuice could certainly think of worse ways to spend eternity than hanging out with a group of friends.

But again then there was Municipal Gas Satan, who apparently thought he was some sort of god of the dead, which, excuse him, rude. Ugh. Did that mean if an apprentice bought it, he'd be in charge of them? What sort of discount Netherworld did this place even have?

And Lydia's use of his own word for their situation, kidnapped hit home. The fella probably had a file back in his home world's Netherworld, with a specific expiration date, that did not involve corrosion or pranks done out of demonic ennui.

He huffed a sigh, defeated, but, unwilling to give off the idea he was a fount of compassion or anything.

Fiiiiine. But only because it'd probably give some other demon a ton of extra paperwork.

[strangeandunusual]

[the amount of time he took before answering was enough of an answer to her: she'd made him think. she'd count it as a victory.]

Thanks.

... Also, you and Crowley really got me good.

[creepyoldguy]

[No small feat, Lydia.]

No problem.

[Beetlejuice made an emphatic gesture.]

You were the hardest one on the list! I cared if we accidentally traumatized you! It's a fine line, y'know? And you're tough so we had to pull out all the stops to even have a chance making you jump even a little!

[And then there was the preening.]

Thank you for being appreciative of our work.

[strangeandunusual]

It was perfect. You're really good at knowing what will scare people without messing them up, when you put your mind to it.

[a pause as she thought about some of the things she and Missy had discussed before she disappeared]

It might even be useful to get some more stubborn people to lend a hand once in a while ... as long as we don't let on that it's you.

[creepyoldguy]

[He preened at the praise.]

You want me to harass people into making the choice to go train?

[strangeandunusual]

I mean ...

[she gave a laconic roll of her eyes]

I'm not outright telling you to. You didn't hear it from me. But I'm sure that if it worked, it would be really helpful.

[creepyoldguy]

[He gave a somewhat rueful laugh.]

I don’t wanna misinterpret. Tends to not go well.

[He brightened]

But! I think I gotcha.