onebadapple | Deer Country IC Inbox

[ A red lacquered box with two tiered trays of wagashi, a basket of chestnuts, and a red omamori arrive on Snow White's doorstep accompanied by a note. ]

The pie was lovely; both in flavour and presentation. You truly have a remarkable talent, and I am most grateful you thought of me over the holidays.

May the New Year find you well, and bring you luck and prosperity.

[Medicine Seller will get a letter in return:]

And thank you so much for such a lovely gift! I've never seen some of these things before! Would you be so kind as to tell me what they are?

They are sweets mostly made from sweetened bean paste. The charm contains a measure of protection from lesser misfortunes.

[Maul's fiendish delight in the holiday means he's once again broken into people's houses and used all the stealth he possesses to leave those he likes a gift or two. Sometimes, he even goes right down the chimney like a demented version of Santa Claus. He leaves Snow White a few pretty pie tins as his present and a short note.]

Merry Christmas, Snow White. I hope you will find these useful.

Edited 2022-01-03 04:56 (UTC)

That sounds delicious! I can't wait to try them! And that's so kind of you! Thank you. I also appreciate the charm!

You are most welcome. May the help keep you safe and well.

[Maul starts in with no preamble. In the background can be heard some screeching sounds and then that of both breaking glass and other assorted objects being tossed about.]

Hello there, Snow. I need your help with a small problem. [Literally small, Cranky is only about a foot high and sixty pounds. But all of that completely full of fury. He glances over his shoulder at his Mankey, who of course is throwing another temper tantrum. Really, Maul's home is going to run out of windows very quickly at this rate.] I have an animal friend-- ["Friend" being used in the loosest sense of the word but he figures it's best just to be succinct right now rather than explain how he and the Mankey relate to one another on a personal level.] --named Cranky who keeps getting angry over the slightest things. I was wondering if you could help me figure out how to get him to behave or at least keep him in a better mood.

Why hello, Maul! It's so lovely to see you! I would be happy to meet your animal friend!

Oh! Oh, he's adorable! [She giggles even though she's in monumental pain again.]

Well, hello there, Cranky! Will you come and say hello? I won't do you any harm!

[Cranky comes over with the usual glare in his eyes that makes him bear a shocking resemblance to his new owner. But when he sees Snow on the other end of the line, a luminescent blush comes even through the face full of fur and his eyes become all soft.

Maul gapes in amazement as Cranky immediately takes to the young Disney princess. He screeches and grumbles in Pokéspeak, talking to Snow. He points to Maul and then points to his tail, rubbing at the tip of it. He's telling Snow all about how Maul had accidentally stepped on his tail the first day they had met and hadn't even bothered to apologize for it. Oh, the shock! The betrayal! The indignity of it all! He then goes onto explain he got into a fight with Maul and beat him up. As for the Sith Lord? He watches all of this, and judging from the expression on his face, has got at least a vague idea of what the Pokémon is telling his friend.

This was just one of many reasons Cranky has been refusing to obey Maul, that his tail had been stepped on. The other is that he doesn't yet respect Maul enough to listen to him but the Force only knows when that is ever going to happen.]

Oh, I see! [And, not surprisingly, Snow understands poke-speak as well as she can any other animal. She listens intently, nodding and absolutely letting Cranky explain what happened.] I'm so sorry that happened, Cranky. It must have hurt terribly. But I don't think he knows.

But don't worry, I will be happy to tell him. But you really should try to listen to one another, Cranky. You're his friend, after all, and friends listen to one another. Here, let me show you!

Maul, dear! Cranky explained everything! You see, you stepped on his tail and it upset him when you didn't apologize. So all you need to do is apologize for stepping on his tail and then your friendship can begin properly.

[Maul waits to see what Snow will be able to translate from Cranky's speech. While he does remember stepping on the Mankey's tail, he hadn't realized the little Pokémon had taken it all so very personally. He also realizes Snow and Cranky are right. He hadn't apologized for what he'd done at the time. Fortunately, Maul's getting a little better with being able to say he's sorry to people.]

Oh? Is that what needs to be done? [He turns towards Cranky and says quite solemnly:] I am sorry for stepping on your tail. Can we be friends now? [Maul sticks out a hand towards Cranky. After a moment where he eyes Maul's claws with suspicion and the usual glare in his eyes, Cranky puts out his paw and shakes Maul's hand gently. It's the first time he's touched Maul where he hasn't had malicious intent and his eyes even wrinkle up like he's happy now. Truly, this Pokémon has Maul's own personality, changing from angry to pleasant on a dime.

Maul turns back towards Snow. He's about speak when Cranky, having decided that now they are friends means he can treat Maul like a human jungle gym, hops onto his back and clings there like a fuzzy backpack. Maul lets the weight of the Mankey settle there and then speaks to Snow.]

You have my thanks, Snow. He's been in a terrible mood for days now and tearing my house apart when he isn't trying to fight me.

That should be all, yes. [As far as she can tell from their conversation. She watches as the mankey jumps onto Maul's back like a jungle gym and giggles.]

Oh good! I'm so glad you've made up and are getting along now!

I wish you had told me sooner! But I'm sure with a whistle and a tune, you'll be able to clean up the rooms in no time at all!

Yes. There wasn't going to be much of my house left if he continued on in this manner.

[The fighting Pokémon seemed nearly indestructible given he'd smashed right through a brick wall without so much as flinching when he'd been charging after Maul, demolishing it in the process. He glances at Cranky when Snow mentions cleaning up the rooms.]

Are you going to help clean up this mess?

[Cranky gives Maul an 'Are you kidding me?' look and instead cackles in amusement at the idea of him helping his owner to clean up around the house. Maul doesn't look too surprised that he doesn't want to help but it had been worth a shot just to see what would happen.]

Oh now, I'm sure he wouldn't have completely destroyed your home!

[When Cranky gives a look like "are you kidding me?" to Maul, Snow White merely tilts her head, watching him expectantly.]

Oh, that's too bad that you aren't going to help, Cranky. [Snow White shakes her head.] I was so sure you would have! [Snow White doesn't guilt trip, but she doesn't really hide her opinion either.]

Still, I'm glad that it's all settled!

Perhaps. Maybe he would have grown bored after breaking everything made of glass in here.

[Maul is now down by quite a number of windows and a number of plates, glasses, and other assorted items in his kitchen.

Cranky looks a bit contrite when Snow mentions she thought he would help. Who couldn't help but feel a little guilty when it came to disappointing the Disney Princess? He clings to Maul with his back paws as he fiddles around with his tail with front paws, starting to reconsider his stance.]

Yes, at least now he hopefully won't throw any more temper tantrums. You have been invaluable in helping to communicate with him, Snow.

I'm always happy to help my friends! And since you're both friends, I don't mind!

[Snow is always quick to call anyone kind to her a friend, it makes her sweet but so deeply easy to manipulate.]

I'm sure he won't throw any more unless he has a very good reason. Everyone gets upset from time to time, after all!

Alright, I need to go start cleaning this place up. If you would like, I'll bring Cranky around for a visit soon.

[He knows with how much Snow loves animals, seeing the Mankey in person will be something she'll like.]

I would adore a visit! Do you know how to get to my home?

I don't believe so. How do you get there?

I live in Crenshaw. [Snow White sends Maul a picture of her home.] Isn't it adorable! And don't mind all the people outside.

[That's just her cult she can't get rid of.]

That is exactly the home I would have pictured you to live in.

[The idea there are people hanging about sounds slightly alarming but he's sure Snow would have mentioned if they were doing anything untoward when it came to her. Then again, she's not the best judge of people's intentions. He'll just have to see what they are planning to do himself.]

Isn't it precious! I haven't had a home of my very own until I came here. And I only got this home after Varian helped me find one. I was living with my bear friend in a cave until he helped me find it.

You were living in a cave?

[Snow, honey, no, love yourself.]

I am very thankful then that you were able to acquire it.

It was a very big cave... I didn't know I was allowed to just take a home.

I acquired my own in Deerington. It just so happened to show up here as well. It was very rundown when I first lived there but I have made many improvements to it over the years.

Deer Country IC Inbox

Ringing in the new year

no subject

no subject

Action; Backdated to Christmas

no subject

no subject

Video; un: darkness

Video;

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject