December 31, 2022

Lock gets up to open the door. Knight continues sitting because someone got the door before him. It’s Melody! She's an anthropomorphic deer, about 5'2, wearing a sanrio shirt, jeans, boots, and a flannel under a winter coat. She also has a flower crown of lilies on her head. "Hey! I'm back-'' she says with a smile, surprised to see Lock. Lock holds the door open with a confused look.

“Welcome back Melody!” Knight says.

Orpheus looks at Melody. "You're alive?????"

Smores is behind her. Melody flushes with embarrassment and nods. "Yep! Traveled around a bit- got a new friend, and healed Sondar and was.. a rat." she seems disdainful at the memory. 

"But I'm back now!" she smiles. She smells like she hasn’t had a proper shower in a month at least. Kade springs awake when he heard the word rat, looking around quickly.

“Sorry to say this but you may need a shower. Also here.” Knight tosses Melody a dabloon.

Smores just heads to the bathroom. Melody nods. "Yeah... excited for running water though! Yippee!" She catches the dabloon. "Thanks!"

Kade's staring at Melody.

“Merry Christmas!” Knight cheers.

Melody grins at Orpheus, stepping into the house. "You've grown!!!" she giggles.

Lock is watching before she suddenly heads to the kitchen and returns with a tray of tea and cups that she sets down.

"I did? Wait, yeah I did. I moved out of the house this is just what hell does to a motherfucker!!!"

He stands up.

Melody giggles, approaching and poking at Orpheus. "You look like you!!" Then, she turns to Kade, locking eyes. "You!"

"You. Come here." Kade says.

Melody walks over, extending her arms!! He hugs! She smells bad. "It’s good to see you guys again,,, glad to see Lock’s alive!" He's been around Orpheus and other wrath demons he's used to the smell.

She pulls away. "Guess I should get that shower-" she chuckles.

Dakota walks in from somewhere. He stares at this deer.. thing. "Who let a deer into the house? The kid and I already got us enough venison to last us the whole year, we don't need anymore deer meat!"

“That is Melody, and I swear to god, DO NOT EAT HER” Knight glares.

Melody’s face PALES. "I’m not edible!!"

Lock snaps to looking at Dakota, "Don’t eat the ones that speak-"

"I didn't know that it spoke...." He pouts. "I just thought it was wild!"

"I’m standing on two legs with clothes on..."

...look, he's a little dumb, okay? "Right.. Sorry 'bout that... I'm not used to animal things that walk and talk like humans!!!"

Kade looks as if he's about to comment something but decides it isn't the best time.

"it’s alright..." Melody says, her ears pointed downwards a bit. "I’m gonna shower now!" And ahe heads into the hallway.

Cole wakes up as he grabs his cane, "I'm a fuckin old man"

"Peepaw..." Kade jokes

“Peepaw Cole.” Knight adds on.

"I can't even retort against it," Cole sighs.

Luna snorts and wakes up from her nap. "Huhh? I feel like I missed a lot.."

Melody walks back into the room, fresh. "Hi Luna! Hi Cole!"

"Oh hi Melody! Long time no see!" Luna smiles warmly

Cole waves to Melody, "Hello melody"

"Hi!! I’m back!" She smiles. Shes wearing a t shirt, jeans, and her big flannel

"Did you have fun?" Cole smiles

She nods. "Yeah mostly!!" Melody walks over to hug Cole

Cole leans his cane against the couch and crouches down to hug Melody. Melody hugs him gently! "What have you guys been up too?? What happened with the cane?" she asks with concern. Lock watches.

Cole shakes his head and smiles, "I'm fine, just decided to wear one of my old outfits for a little bit"

Melody nods. "Okay- good. I wanted to ask you for something-"

"What is it?" Cole's head tilts slightly

"I wanted to ask if you could take out the chip? It's helped me a lot, and I'm thankful for it, but I think I dont need it anymore,," she smiles

Cole nods and smiles. "I'm glad you don't need it anymore, it shows that you’re improving." He snaps as the chip appears in his hand.

Melody takes a deep breath and nods. "Thank you,," She hugs him again!

Cole puts the chip in his overcoat pocket and hugs her back "not a problem"

Melody yawns. "I’m gonna go check out my room- I'll probably have to clean it." she says, not excited to clean it.

Cole nods, "if you need anything let me know, alright?"

Luna finally exhales, "glad she's safe."

Orpheus is chilling on the floor. Cole takes a deep breath and sighs "Orpheus can we talk?"

"I will!" Melody leaves.

Orpheus looks at Cole. "Oh? Sure." He stands.

Cole takes his cane and rests both of his hands on top of it. “I'd hate to bring this up but uh look I don't hate you, just what you said at Claire's birthday party fucked me up. I know it was true, but I just don't know if I can look at you like a best friend anymore." Cole sighs. Lock watches quietly.

Orpheus stares at Cole. "Yeah, that's fair. I mean, I don't really know what to say other than that, but it's fair! Sparrow's only allowed in my house so she can shower, by the way. We like, Never talk. Ever."

Cole nods. "Fair, I just wanted to clear that up so you don't think I hate you or something," he chuckles nervously. "I mean hell how could I hate you when I got you a christmas gift?"

"That's fair. I did think it was going to be a boxing glove that shot out and punched me in the face, though." 

Cole shakes his head. "I wouldn't do that to you. that's just rude and only really reserved for enemies." Lock looks between them as if expecting something to happen.

"It would've been funny, not gonna lie...But, yeah. Nice talk."

Cole nods, "went better then I assumed, good talk."

Orpheus stretches. "I'm gonna go throw my axe at wild animals." He leaves the house.

"Oh my god, he’s going to murder you" Lock says.

"No? We had an adult conversation?" Cole looks over at Lock with a confused look.

"You heard how he was talking! And you didnt bend over backwards or lie or anything- he’s so mad, i can tell." Lock reinforces.

"That's mad? Orpheus is probably the chillest person out of all of us." Luna tilts her head.

"...Lock, I'm starting to think that you don't know how to come to an calm, no bullshit, agreement"

Cole narrows his eyes at Lock.

"Yeah I can, that's easy."

"Sure it is," Cole sighs.

"It is!" Lock grumbles

"What is your favorite color?" Cole leans on his cane slightly.

"...I mean I like yellow." Lock replies.

"Grey is a better color." Cole says with a flat tone.

"...I mean yeah you're right. It’s very soft and simple." Lock folds immediately.

"See! You’re doing it right now!" Cole groans.

"...well yeah maybe I am..." She looks down.

"No it's not a maybe, you are doing it." Cole sighs.

"...yeah I am" Lock looks down more. Luna is watching silently. Uncomfortable.

"You’re still doing it" Cole sighs

"Oh for gods' sakes Cole." Luna grumbles trying to break up the conversation.

"Pffff noo?.....yeahhhh.."

Cole sighs and shakes his head as he goes quiet.

"Sorry" Lock apologizes.

"It's fine." Cole goes back to holding his cane with one hand.

"iuygoiuaiweuhfiauwhleiufhalwe" Lock mumbles in a high pitch. Luna turns her attention directly onto Lock and winces a little, "what the hell was that?" 

Lock continues to high pitched whine, "Wretdyugihjokwasedrftgyhuijkolwesdrtfgyhuijokpl"

"...uhhhh why are you verbally keysmashing?" Luna stares.

"-Imtryingnottoagree," Lock says quickly.

"Uhhh you don't have to do that though? In the case of favorite colors, instead of doing whatever that is, just explain why you like yellow more. Don't just fold." Luna takes a deep breath, "okay lemme show you. Hey Cole, I like blue the most because it's the color of the skies back home!” Lock’s ears droop as she looks between Luna and Cole.

Cole looks over at Luna, "that's okay. I prefer charcoal gray because it reminds me of emptiness and that calms me down and clears my mind."

Luna nods back, "I respect that Cole. Glad to hear it helps ya."

Lock looks over at them over and over. Luna turns her attention back to Lock, "and that's how you have an adult discussion. Neither of us are threatening to murder each other."

Orpheus walks back in the house. His sweatpants have a lot of dirt and grass stains now. Surprisingly, he isn't covered in blood! He shakes the dirt off his paws and looks at Luna, raising an eyebrow. "Murder??"

Lock gets up and pulls the hatchet from her back. "Uhhhhh Lock, what are you doing?" Luna says, scratches her head.

Orpheus stares at Lock. "Aw, damn it. I just taught her how to use that thing too!" Cole and Luna look concerned. Lock runs at Orpheus and slides as she swings at a leg. Orpheus gets hit in the leg and barks, "OW????" He falls forwardonto Lock. Lock squeaks as she lets go and is crushed.

"But...why." Luna is so confused.

Cole blinks "I....why did you do that?"

Orpheus gets up, growling. "Ok," he takes a deep breath, "Normally. I would be really pissed off."

He pulls the axe out of his leg and drops it on the floor. "But you used it right. Congratulations!"

He picks Lock up.

"Lock, I'll be honest, good swing! But why the fuck???" Luna says. Lock is stunned and does nothing. Orpheus carries Lock into the kitchen, out the backdoor, and sprays her with the garden hose for 3 seconds before allowing her to return inside.

Afterwards, Orpheus limps in and sits on the couch, "Cole do you still heal people?"

Cole slowly looks over at Orpheus, "is that even a question?? yes??"

"Great!!!" He shakes his axe'd leg at Cole. Lock quietly walks in. She’s soaking but sits down and keeps the water contained to one spot. Her hair is out of her face for the time being.

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