Janette smiled. "Of course they can! This house is certainly big enough. Now if things go according to plan, maybe, just maybe, Theressa can have that dream of owning that large ass estate in the higher district for the kids~." She sang out as she finished her fruit bowl.
Alastor rolled his eyes. “I shall inform Angeldust then. Husk also seems to be warming up to Ben, and Atticus ate breakfast with everyone this morning.” Alastor reported as he collected the mess of dirty dishes for Quinn to wash.
"That's great!" She chirped.
A few hours later….
Angeldust was running around like his afterlife was depending on it. And it kinda was. Theressa asked him out, and he was panicking about looking his best.
“My hair is a mess, I look like a frickin hooker, and I’ve got nothin to wear! What am I supposed to do?!”
Janette was finally up and about and dressed to make sure she didn't look suspicious. "Angel… what's wrong?"
“Theressa asked me out and I got NOTHING to show! I’m not ready at all, what do I even wear?! And my hair is crap-” He shut himself up before he did end up cursing. Alastor would kill him..
“Have you talked to Selene?” Said demon asked.
“Selene? The attic kid? No… why?”
“She’s a five year old… she loves playing dress up!” Alastor replied. “She’s not bad at it either.”
Angel was a bit skeptical and so was Janette as she raised a curious brow. But shrugged. "Well, let's ask her anyway. I have to introduce myself."
Angel was still skeptical but followed regardless, up the stairs to the attic where Alastor took the lead.
Alastor knocked. “Selene, we are in a bit of a crisis and are in need of your assistance. May we come in?”
“... What kind of crisis..?” A small but high pitched voice asked in a hesitant but demanding tone.
“A date, my dear, my friend is going on a date.” Alastor replied.
"Uhhh… I think you mean date(s)..." Husk's voice spoke up.
Alastor feigned innocence in the matter. “Oh, you as well?”
Husk narrowed his eyes in irritation at the smiling demon. "Can it."
The door was all but thrown open. “WHY DIDN’T YOU JUST START WITH THAT!! COME IN!” The child was by far the smallest of all met thus far and was nearly a spitting image of her mother, freckles, dark hair, and all. Only her eyes were different, being stormy blue instead of dark brown.
Janette smiled fondly at her. "Hello Selene my name is Janette. I'm the new owner of the house. I'm a new friend of your mother's. I was hoping you could help these two gentlemen with their date outfits?" Janette asked.
“One. Stranger danger, I’ll come back to you. Two. You both look like shit. I’ll fix you right up!” Selene skipped away while Alastor scowled.
“Selene Lee Harrison, what have I told you about the use of that sort of language in the house!”
“The adults do it.” Selene smiled deviously. “And I’m dead, I can do what I want cause you’re not my dad!” She started sorting through some old suits around the attic.
Janette was taken aback by her attitude. She respected her sass but she didn't appreciate her tone. "Selene, if I recall correctly, we've met before. And secondly, even if Alastor isn't your father, I can easily get your mother here. And it is true that you're no longer living but that doesn't mean Judgment of the high Heavens isn't still watching you. How you behave in not only your living life but in this one will depend whether you deserve a second chance at having a life again. So I ask you…" she said with sternness and clarity that even made Alastor uncomfortable. "... Do you want to risk it? Or are you going to learn to shape up into the beautiful young lady that I and your mother know you are and treat your elders with respect!" She said with her powerful intent of power through her soul. A trick she learned from her grandmother. "And I don't think Aunt Elenore would appreciate your lip either. What would she say about your attitude towards her most trusted friend?" She said while crossing her arms and tapping her foot.
“...”
Selene huffed. “Alright, I’m sorry. I’ll be good. Mom.” She’d meant the last part in a sassy way. “Here white fluff… what are you even?” She asked Angeldust.
“Uh… a spider?” Angel replied thinking it was obvious.
“You’re way too… pink… to be a spider. Whatever, just go into your human form and try this on.” She pushed a suit into his legs, seeing as she was a tiny bean.
“O-kay then…” He went to change while she started on Husk’s outfit.
Janette eyed her down. Making Selene a bit uncomfortable and actually sheepish. She smiled "innocently" and found an outfit for Husk.
“Shoo, shoo cat! Go change!” Selene waved the avian feline off as Angeldust returned. Angel was in a white suit, with pink pinstripes going vertically around it. “Now… for the accessories!” She dug around for the right amount of accessories that’d match with the suit, ending up with leather brown gloves, black shoes, a white hat with a red band around it that had a fake spider on it, a feather, and a red bowtie. “What do you think?”
Angeldust looked himself over in the body mirror. "Hey~ this is pretty nice~! You got style kid! You think Theressa will like it?" He asked unsurely at Janette.
Janette smiled. "She'll love it! She might be out of "The business", but she's still a sucker for men in a good suit. Especially if he's got that femistic charm~". She sang out as she wiggled her eyebrows.
He blushed and scratched his head nervously.
*Like this without the smoke and background and white hair*
"Hey…um… I kinda need some input on mine?" Husk awkwardly asked.
“One touch.” Selene grabbed a red bowtie for him. “Otherwise that roug charm of yours will work the rest.”
"... You're supposed to be five years old right?" Husk asked as he made the bowtie.
“Yep.” She replied simply. “Why?”
"... Nevermind." He said as he avoided eye contact.
"You both look so handsome! They'll just devour you two! I know Juniper will~" Janette playfully nudged Husk in the shoulder. He blushed and as he muttered.
“Doubtful..” Husk muttered.
"Well aren't you the ever optimistic one~" Husk turned around to find a smirking Arabella. "C'mon entuude. snuck in while no one was looking Give yourself some credit. I mean, LOOK at how good you are!" She grabbed his shoulders and turned him around in front of the full body mirror. He took a good look at himself.
“I..” Well, he supposed there was some sort of charm to it all. “I guess if you like tall, dark, and brooding.” That was probably the closest they’d get to him complimenting himself.
Janette chuckled. "Trust me when I say this. She LOVES breaking in the tall, dark, and brooding."
Arabella laughed. "I can smell the leftover pheromones on the card that she gave you. You're definitely going to have a good time~". She purred out.
He blushed heavily, ducking away. “Sh-shut up!”
“WOW!” Husk didn’t even jump, already used to Ben’s… Ben-ness. “IF I WAS A GIRL, I’D TOTALLY DATE YOU!”
Angel snorted and started laughing. And Husk… well Husk tried not to make the face of neutral displeasure.
"Thanks… kid…. I think?" He replied uncertainly while patting his head.
Janette then asked, "So…? When and where are you going to meet up and whatcha going to do?"
“Uh..” Husk shrugged. “It’s just a diner at some restaurant and a walk..” He finished awkwardly.
“Movies. A romantic comedy, I think.” Angeldust hummed, trying to remember the name of the movie. “Blended? I haven’t seen it before and she insisted that we watch it.”
"Okay, soooo, I might have some interesting tidbits that you might want to know after dinner and movies. There's a local park in the up part of town that does these charity dances. It's really nice. The decor is country styled with fairy lights and a DJ stand and everything. They also have refreshments. And they texted me that they want to go with you two…" she said with a big smile.
“A- a dance?!” Angel didn’t really know anything but pole dancing and at raves.
“A dance, huh..” Husker looked down, in thought.
"Now don't worry Angel. Theressa teaches dance classes from time to time. She can help you if needed. And Husk, looking at you now, it looks like you'll have no problem." Janette smirked.
“What is that supposed to mean..?” Husker questioned, looking at her.
She smirked wider. "I'm a very perceptive Husk. And judging by how you reacted to the whole situation…. I'd say that you're a very good dancer. Correct?"
He looked away, rubbing the back of his neck with a sigh. “I wouldn’t say “very good”... decent at best..”
“He’s being modest, I find it amusing. I bet Juniper will find it adorable~.” Alastor spoke up for the first time since they got up there.
Husk wanted to curse him out but then he saw the children. So he settled for a scowl and the old way of flipping people off. Biting the back of his thumb nail.
*True fact. You can learn this in Shakespeare class or in Romeo and Juliet movies.*
Alastor chuckled. “Well, thank you Selene for your exquisite tastes and your help, we may be needing it again soon~” Only the next time would be for a wedding.
Selene both looked proud and confused at the same time.
Just as she was about to ask, Angel's phone went off. It was Theressa.
“It seems the girls are here. Juniper will be dropping Teri and I off at the theater.”
"Oh! That reminds me. The movie that she wants to see is only shown in an outdoor theater so you're going to need pillows and blankets!!! Oh! And before I go get them… Selene?"
“Yeah? What’s up?” She asked in slight interest, though she was trying to look disinterested.
Janette smiled warmly. "Your mother wanted me to tell you that she says hi and that she loves you."
Selene was tearing up. It’d been so long since she heard from her mommy since her mommy was scared of Alastor and Arabella.
Janette bent down and wiped her tears. "It'll be okay honey. In time, you'll be together. I promise you."
Selene hugged Janette. “Th-thank you… thank you… thank you..”
Alastor smiled warmly at the gesture.
Janette hugged her gently. Probably the first comforting hug that seemed motherly that she felt in a long time. She didn't want to let go. But she didn't want to seem weak. So she released her and Janette pecked her on top of the head.
"I'll be right back. I'll be in the foyer. You two! Get your butts down there and greet your girlfriends!" She giggled at the sputters and protests as she made her way downstairs.
“You know My Doe… I haven’t seen Husker touch a bottle since Juniper came around.” Alastor commented quietly as he walked downstairs with her.
Janette beamed. "That's great! That's always an improvement! Charlie will be ecstatic! Can you get those large carrying bags while I get the blankets and pillows?"
“Yes indeedy!” Alastor hummed.
Janette went to Anna's closet and knocked. "Anna? I need to get some blankets and pillows. Do you mind?"
“Not at all! Come in!” Anna chirped.
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