( video )

[likeboudica]

[ The video conveniently turns itself on when the front door opens; revealing Howl leaning against the frame.

Tessa's frowning. You would, too, if you could smell the alcohol. ]

Are you all right?

[ She steps closer and ends up hugging him for a solid minute. When she draws back, her face is a mix of annoyance and embarrassment. ]

It is one of those days, is it not? [ She looks up. ] At least there are no mistletoes.

Comments

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[mrsnose]

Indeed.

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[likeboudica]

Miss Sophie. [ This is so awkward. ] Are you— hugging people as well?

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[mrsnose]

No, no I'm not. [Not really awkward as much as - well. She's not jealous, that's ridiculous] It doesn't mean I can't be glad there is no mistletoe.

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[likeboudica]

[ Tessa finds it quite awkward. ] Were you here for that curse already?

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[mrsnose]

No, but I can't imagine it being any fun.

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[likeboudica]

It was not, truly. We were all forced to kiss one another and could not help it.

[ Well. Some of the kisses were nice. ]

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[mrsnose]

There we go - not something I'd want.

[conesoldstober]

[It takes Howl a moment for his alcohol-fogged mind to pick up what's going on, and by then he finds he doesn't have the energy to fight it and just hugs back, leaning his chin on her hair.]

Small mercies. I probably smell atrocious.

[likeboudica]

[ At least this way, with her head against his shoulder, she can't smell his breath. Small mercies indeed. ]

You do.

[ But that doesn't mean she can let go just yet. ]

[conesoldstober]

I didn't expect any of you to be awake.

[He can feel his heart beating up a storm in his chest and it still feel so bizarre and foreign to him.]

[likeboudica]

I couldn't sleep. [ So she curled up in the living room with the book she's currently reading. ]

Really though, are you all right? [ She knows some people get drunk for no reason whatsoever (her brother and, allegedly, Will) but others to drown their sorrows and if it's the latter, she might wish to know about it, in case she can help. ]

[conesoldstober]

Yes, yes. Better than I've been in a while, actually. At one level at least.

[likeboudica]

What do you mean?

[candothat]

[This is the sort of video that needs to be addressed in person. As such, Chekov goes to the living room, wishing he didn't like Howl so he could punch him (and, perhaps, wishing that he were the sort of person to punch other people in a jealous rage, which he is not).]

Tessa?

[likeboudica]

[ Oh. She's glad for his presence and for the fact that the urge to hug Howl leaves her immediately.

So she's walking over to him and hugging him, now. 'sup. ] Pavel. [ Muttered against his shoulder. ]

[candothat]

[Ah, well. Good morning to you as well. He hugs her back, naturally.]

Is there a curse today? [Please say yes.]

[likeboudica]

[ Good morning. She'll just leave her head on her shoulder and her arms around him, all right? ]

I think so. [ At least when it comes to Pavel, her urge to hug and touch is wholly normal, but Howl? Surely that must have been a curse. ]

[candothat]

[If she insists. Actually, maybe he should just hug her all day. It could potentially save both of them from awkward situations.]

But this is not a curse?

[likeboudica]

[ That would be much appreciated, in fact. Maybe he should. ]

If it is, then I do not mind it at all.

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[rehashing]

Tessa. Your phone's on.

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[likeboudica]

[ p a u s e ]

It must have turned itself on. [ The devices really have a talent for that. ]

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[rehashing]

[ Don't they? And then, confirmation. ]

It's one of those days.

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[likeboudica]

I thought so. I would not have hugged Howl otherwise.

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[rehashing]

[ she didn't know if it was the hug or the state Howl was in. now she does. ] It isn't violent. [ which is good, right? ] I hugged someone in the stairwell.

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[likeboudica]

No, it is certainly not one of the worse curses. It is still intrusive, though.