Closed RP Spot for loveinsideme/nachtvogel [NSFW WITHIN]

[heyhohey]

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[heyhohey]

If he's honest with himself, the look on Herbert's face is making him want to put his strength to use just as badly. He clears his throat, flushing a little. "...I'm...still figuring it out," he chuckles, just a little timid, thoughts elsewhere.

And then he walks, carrying the tree gleefully across the terrain.

-----

By the time Herbert enters, Alfred is on the ground under the lowest boughs, bolting the tree into the stand. It's formidable, looking, as all trees do, so much larger inside than out.

Once it's secure, he smiles up from the floor, holding out a hand in a silent but polite request for help up. "It will smell even better with the garlands we'll put on it."

[loveinsideme]

"Oh?" It certainly looks majestic, here in the living room. Intimidating, almost. But delightful, certainly. "And what sort of garlands will we put on it, oh expert of Christmas?"

[heyhohey]

Once he's up and brushed off, he grins up at his handiwork, then at Herbert in turn.

"Well, we'll make some. I can do ribbon ones, and you can help me string dried fruit, and - popcorn, probably, but we'll have to make some. Whatever we don't use, I'm sure Koukol would enjoy eating."

[loveinsideme]

"Popcorn?" He tilts his head a little, frowning in confusion. "I've heard of corn, but never popcorn. But it's something you can eat, you said?"

[heyhohey]

Alfred blinks.

Oh.

"Well, I found dried corn in the store room, and - I can show you, we'll need it anyhow. I just need a big kettle, and some oil, and one of the hearths...."

If Herbert really hasn't heard of popcorn before, why ruin the surprise?

[loveinsideme]

"I'm certain Koukol has that sort of thing in the kitchen. Is this going to be a fun surprise? It sounds complicated."

[heyhohey]

After a quick moment of focus to beseech Koukol for a little help - Would you please be lovely and bring a kettle and some oil to the living room hearth? Thank you so much, I'll be making you a snack! - he turns to Herbert with a smile, nodding.

"I think it's fun! It's not complicated at all, really. Simple science."

[loveinsideme]

"If you think it's fun, mon chaton, then I bet it is. I've enjoyed everything you've taught me so far. And now I get to learn about popcorn! And all sorts of other Christmas things."

He takes Alfred's hands and kisses the back of both of them. "It's going to be a delight."

[heyhohey]

If there is one thing that Alfred appreciates about all of this - it's Herbert's willingness to try. Even if he doesn't understand, he trusts Alfred implicitly. Has anyone ever done that before?

Flipping the vampire's hands over after the kisses, he reciprocates, eyes sparkling.

When Koukol brings what he asked for, he thanks the servant fervently, moving to the hearth. He places the corn in with the oil, puts the lid on, and beams.

"Now we wait a minute...."

[loveinsideme]

After a minute or two of Herbert trying not to stare at the kettle over the fire, there's a popping noise. And then another. And then many.

"Oh!!! Oh? What -- what's happening in there, what's going on?"

[heyhohey]

"It's okay, that's why it's called popcorn!" He shakes the kettle around a bit as he speaks - it's big, and heavy, but he's more than strong enough to handle it as though it were more of a saucepan.

"Steam builds up in the kernels, and then it explodes a little bit - the corn sort of...turns inside out, and gets bigger."

[loveinsideme]

"Explodes a bit?" His hands flutter a little before he clasps them at the chest, eyeing the kettle warily.

Koukol also hangs back, unsure how he's meant to eat the exploding things.

[heyhohey]

"Yes, just a little. You'll see!"

While Alfred mans the kettle, he idly wonders what the Count must be thinking, hearing the sounds from wherever he is. If Herbert is reacting this way, it's plain this concept is alien to the whole house.

So it's with no small amount of glee that he lifts the lid once it's all done, showing how the two cups of corn had expanded out to fill a substantial amount of the large kettle.

"There it is!"

[loveinsideme]

"Look at that!" Herbert peers into the kettle in awe, looking at all the popped corn inside it. "It's transformed. Like magic, I can't believe that."

[heyhohey]

"A lot of magic and science go hand in hand," Alfred chirps, scooping out a big handful of popcorn in the measuring cup to pass to Koukol.

"We're going to string these into thread and make garlands to hang on the tree, see?"

There is a childlike excitement in his eyes doing all this - it's his favorite holiday, after all.

[loveinsideme]

"I'm getting much better at threading needles, thanks to you!" Alfred looks so excited about his popcorn, that Herbert wishes he could taste it. Koukol seems to be enjoying it, though. "So we put them on strings and hang them in the tree?"

[heyhohey]

That melts the young man's heart a little bit, making him giggle fondly. "You are, Engel! You can do it so much more quickly now than before. You're a fast learner!"

Alfred also wishes he could eat some - he really has to figure out what he can get away with, but not today - but he contents himself with the task at hand happily.

"Yes! And we wrap it all around. We will string popcorn and dried fruits - I'll make some ribbon flowers, too. It will be beautiful!"

[loveinsideme]

"Ribbon flowers! I'd love to watch you make ribbon flowers, that sounds lovely. All of this sounds so... so festive. I think Father will be very pleased when he's seen all the work we've done."

He's likely out in the graveyard, or in the gardens with Sarah. Or -- doing something with Sarah that he'd rather not think about.

No, he'd much rather concentrate on the glorious tree before them, and all that they'll do to decorate it.

[heyhohey]

"Oh, I can even show you how, I think you could absolutely do it."

He giggles excitedly, taking the kettle over to the nearby sitting area so he can start setting up for crafting.

"You really think he'll like it, too?"

Alfred does his best, honestly, not to think about Sarah anyway.

[loveinsideme]

"Oh, do you think so?" He looks pleased at that. At the idea that he can make something beautiful to decorate the tree. That he could do something that would make Alfred proud and pleased.

"Oh I think he'll love it. And the idea of eternal flowers will appeal to him."

[heyhohey]

"Oh, definitely! You're such a fast learner, and they're really very simple."

Taking a seat, he pats the couch beside him, encouraging Herbert to settle up close. He's really become such a cuddler, over time, especially when he's in a good mood.

"I'm glad to hear that," he murmurs slyly. "It means I'm doing well with his Christmas gift."

[loveinsideme]

"You must tell me what you're doing for him," he coos, snuggling up next to Alfred on the sofa, settling a hand on his shoulder. "Please, do. I have to know, you deliciously sneaky thing."

[heyhohey]

"You have to promise not to tell him," Alfred warns - but even as he does, he leans over to pull up his own personal sewing basket into his lap, opening up the top for Herbert to peek inside.

Inside is the yoke and collar to a cape he's making, black silk roses being worked down one shoulder.

[loveinsideme]

"Alfred," Herbert gasps softly, reaching out to brush his fingers against one of the silk roses. So much time and skill must have gone into that, and Herbert is touched by the effort. "Oh he'll love it, he really really will. The one he wears all the time he's had for ages, he badly needs a new one, and this he'll love. Did you know he grows black roses? He loves them. There the one flower he has that isn't planted because it blooms at night."

[heyhohey]

The praise and affirmation is received with Alfred's usual sheepishness, letting Herbert touch and inspect his handiwork. The reaction makes him glad of the time he's put in...both for this, and for Herbert's gift.

"I didn't actually know that, no," he chuckles, closing the basket back up when his lover is done inspecting. "But I'm glad you think he'll like it. You and he have been so good to me."

He spares a moment to smile at Koukol as well - he certainly hasn't forgotten the faithful servant in all this.