Midnight Manor Private Residence, Saturday Morning

[hasaknightjob]

Steven and Llewellyn tended to have busy Saturdays regardless, let alone at this time of year. So, even though it was the weekend, they were up and dressed early in order to head out.

Or at least they were in the process of getting ready to head out. There was the matter of how, as Steven debated yet again if the shirt he was warning was too warm or not warm enough (perils of travel, that), he heard something.

He frowned and listened.

"Is that... giggling?"

[for the beau and the tiny ones]

Comments

[pocketpretzels]

"... Midnight?" Watts asked with a frown. Sure, it hadn't done anything with vocalizations since that brief period of initial contact, but perhaps- ?

[hasaknightjob]

"Not typically mirthful," Steven pointed out. Also Midnight wasn't, er, well, vibing in an amused mood. Sort of felt like it's usual self, really.

[pocketpretzels]

"Not typically, unless Raphael is being particularly adorable or mischievous and it is providing him the means to do so." But the cat was currently snoozing on their recently-abandoned bed, so it clearly wasn't that.

[hasaknightjob]

"It would also let us know if there was danger," Steven said. "So we can rule that out, I think."

There was more giggling, then the sound of shushing.

"You heard that, yes?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Most definitely," Watts nodded. His eyes went wide. "It is the right time of year..." he pointed out. Even without the specific touchstone of the dance itself, he was vaguely aware this was when they'd appeared previously.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven wasn't there yet. "Passover?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Springtime in general, darling," Watts said. "It's brought with it certain little visitors from a possible future?"

[hasaknightjob]

Steven's face lit up once he understood. "Oh! Our little ones?"

Well, not theirs but a version of them.

[pocketpretzels]

"I think so," Watts nodded. "Shall we go say hello?"

[hasaknightjob]

Steven reached for Llewellyn's hand so they could go together. "Indeed. Who knows what mischief they might get into?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Only the most well-meaning sort I'm sure," Watts said with a smile as he took Steven's hand.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven led them into the hallway. He listened carefully as there were more giggles and shushes. Then he pointed towards the guest room the children had used the last time they were here - the only guest room they'd had at the time. The noises seemed to be coming from there.

Granted if they looked inside they wouldn't see anything out of the ordinary, as currently the children were hiding. Not too well given the giggles, but trying all the same.

[pocketpretzels]

"Hmmmm," Watts said, scratching his chin. "I was certain I'd heard a noise. Perhaps I was mistaken. Or perhaps it wasn't coming from this room at all..."

[pocketknights]

There were more giggles. This time they sounded suspiciously like they were coming from under the bed.

[pocketpretzels]

"Aha!" Watts exclaimed, holding one hand alight (the same one he'd used to scratch his chin moments ago, the one that wasn't clasped with Steven's). "There it is again!"

[pocketknights]

"Noooooo," a young female voice sing-songed before being shushed again. Though with giggles. No one was cross, they were playing.

[pocketpretzels]

"Do you hear that?" Watts asked Steven. "It sounds like- " and here he dropped his voice to a dramatic stage whisper. "Intruders."

[hasaknightjob]

"Oh dear," Steven said with mock concern. "What are we to do? They might outnumber us."

[pocketpretzels]

"We could call Raphael," Watts mused. "It sounds like they're under the bed. He could crawl in there and flush them out."

[pocketknights]

For some reason, this suggestion was met with even more giggles.

[hasaknightjob]

"I see," Steven said, as though this was a wise suggestion. "Do you think it's mice? Mice telling each other amusing jokes?"

There was a squeak from under the bed in response to this.

[pocketpretzels]

"Certainly some sort of funny business," Watts said solemnly. "Mice sounds about right."

Ignore of course how Midnight would never let actual mice into the house (unless maybe they were sentient mice, but the last of those had cleared off the island shortly before Watts had arrived, so).

[hasaknightjob]

"You don't think they're here to try to steal our cheese, do you?" Steven asked, as though this was of great concern.

Never mind that that would either be vegan cheese or Marc's supply. Details.

[pocketpretzels]

"Rumour has it there's been a string of cheese thefts," Watts said.

Any 'string cheese' related puns were completely unintentional, not the least because Watts had no idea string cheese existed.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven did though, so he giggled. "The long pull of crime?"

Steven let go of Llewellyn's hand so he could mime pulling apart something with melted cheese on it.