Jono's Birthday present. (Open)

[element_wizard]

It was pay day. A very important event at the Inn. It was also Alec's birthday, but he wasn't making to big of a deal about it. He didn't quite expect any presents (even if he had given some out) and he was planning to go home for the Spring Festival and then later that night go to the Tavern Under the Hill where Laruna was going to be having a party for the two of them. Well, it was really for her, but since it was his birthday too (sort of, being born on a leap day tended to make things difficult) it was for him as well. She would probably end up singing the candle song.

Looking over the time-sheets, Alec opened the door to his office. He shut the door and his nose wrinkled at an unfamiliar smell.

No, that wasn't right. It was a familiar smell, just not one he associated with his office.

It was something he associated with a battle field.

The smell of death and decay.

Looking up, his jaw dropped and his eyes went wide.

Verra was standing there. But not the Verra he knew and loved, it was Verra looking like she had spent the past six months decaying underground. "Happy birthday Alec!" the corpse rasped.

Mouth still opened, Alec back-peddled through the door like a ghost, before gibbering, "Ohgodsohgodsohgodsohgods..." in the front lobby, staring gobstruck at the door.

Comments

[sthenyaer.livejournal.com]

Melinda was walking downstaires to get something to eat, hands in her pockets, looking at her shoes as she walked. Mel heard the gibbering, recognized it as Alec's voice, and looked up, frownng.

"... Alec...?" she asks, hesitant.

[elementwizard.livejournal.com]

Still gibbering, Alec points at the door to his office.

[sthenyaer.livejournal.com]

Mel frowns. Anything that could send Alec gibbering... "Alec? What h-happened?"

[elementwizard.livejournal.com]

"Office! In.. and... she ... but.. and ohgodsohgodsohogds"

[sthenyaer.livejournal.com]

"... Alec." she glances at the door, glances back at Alec. "Alec, come on, go sit down." she tries to take his hand and lead him slowly to the restaurant.

[elementwizard.livejournal.com]

The office door opens and Verra shambles out, causing Alec to back peddle even faster.

The thing is, however, no one else would be able to see her.

[sthenyaer.livejournal.com]

"Alec? Alec, breathe, what happened?" she says, frowning and not liking this at ALL.

[elementwizard.livejournal.com]

He takes a couple of large gasps of air and then gives a hiccup. "Verra!" he squeaks out.

[sthenyaer.livejournal.com]

Mel goes pale.

"ORION! DALE! SOMEBODY!" she shouts, looking around, gritting her teeth.

[pandoras-closet.livejournal.com]

*Appears* You rang?

[sthenyaer.livejournal.com]

Mel glances at Dale. "S-sir, hi, um. C-could you- What the hell? Alec said that Verra-"

[pandoras-closet.livejournal.com]

Verra? What? *Sees alec pointing* . . . Oh.

*Turns and studies the corpse for a few minutes* That's very sweet of you, but wouldn't a card have worked just as well?

[sthenyaer.livejournal.com]

"..." Mel is suddenly very glad that she isn't seeing what they're seeing. "Can't you make her go away?"

[elementwizard.livejournal.com]

The corpse puts its hands on its waist and tilts her head a bit, "Whatever do you mean?" it asks.

[pandoras-closet.livejournal.com]

She means, you're scaring the poor boy.

So, what are you? Zombie? Raised corpse? Someone with a very good illusion spell?

[elementwizard.livejournal.com]

Alec gibbers and points in Verra's direction. He's not making any headway on the coherency highway.

Verra has stopped a few feet away from the three of them.

[pandoras-closet.livejournal.com]

*Heads up the stairs to find Melinda and Alec*

[elementwizard.livejournal.com]

Mel is nowhere to be found, mostly because her mun went to bed, but Alec's there, looking spooked.

[pandoras-closet.livejournal.com]

It's okay, she's gone.

[elementwizard.livejournal.com]

Alec's nodding but doesn't say anything. He looks grateful.

[pandoras-closet.livejournal.com]

Don't worry about it. It was just Jono, trying to make sure we all knew that he's alive and scary and stuff. *Scoffs* He's such a stupid child.

[elementwizard.livejournal.com]

"It worked."

[pandoras-closet.livejournal.com]

Yeah, he's got a knack for psychological warfare, I'll give him that much.

[elementwizard.livejournal.com]

"He was always very good at that... when we were younger." He sighs and leans against a wall.

[pandoras-closet.livejournal.com]

*Nods* Get some sleep. I'll be around. *Vanishes*