Holiday Ghost Event: Road Less Traveled

[shnpc]

WHO: Everyone, affected and not
TONE: Not of this world
RATING: PG
WHEN: December 11th through 12th
WHERE: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
WHAT: Due to visiting holiday ghosts, some students and staff find themselves living as they would have if something in their lives did or didn't happen. An alternate version who could be better or worse off!
NOTE: This signals the event start. Use any posting format you want, and feel free to post about this as well on the journals!

Comments

[wavesofjade]

Come, now, don't be--

[But, no. This isn't Salvador. He.. His scent is different, his pulse is different, so many little things are different that most people wouldn't even notice. She feels her knees go weak, and has to grip at a nearby windowsill so she doesn't fall.

Dolores stares at him for a moment as if she has no idea who he is, then she shakes her head and straightens, tucking a wisp of hair behind her ear.]

.. I.. I am sorry, K.. Kankri. I'm just a little rushed, dear.

[insuffera6les9n9rus]

[The humor disappears from his face in a heartbeat when he sees her start to fall, and he steps toward her in concern.]

Are you alright? You look pale.

I know I should have sent word that I was coming, but I'm here for business, you see, and...

Is there anything I can do to help you?

[wavesofjade]

Yes, I'm alright. For.. business. Of course you are. Oh, do come here.

[And like it or not, Kankri, she's going to hug you... because when this is over she might not get the chance to see you as an adult again. She wraps her arms around him tight and kisses the side of his head, and lets out one of those soft 'hmm' sounds of happiness that all mother-types tend to do when they hug someone they love.

Though, she doesn't hold onto him too long, and when she draws back she gently straightens the front of his clothes.]

There may be, but tell me how you are. I've missed you.

[insuffera6les9n9rus]

[He's too surprised to resist when she pulls him into a hug, but he clears his throat and quickly brushes away her fussing over his clothes to straighten them himself. Some things never change.]

Things in my division are going as well as they can be expected to. I may be getting a promotion soon. Although that wasn't why I took this assignment. To be honest, I sort of wanted to surprise you and Sal.

[He raises an eyebrow.]

It's only been a few months since we all had dinner at Sal's house before the term started, Dolores. Are you sure you're alright?

[wavesofjade]

[Some things never change, indeed, and she doesn't need to have a still-beating heart for a vice to clench around it when she sees that old habit still evident in him. She smiles, gently touches his cheek, then clasps her hands behind her back.]

Only a few months? It seems like longer.

[It's definitely a surprise.]

I'm alright, honestly. Um.. Salvador is still in class, I think. Would you like something to drink?

[insuffera6les9n9rus]

Well, I'm not surprised it seems longer. You must have infinite patience to spend your time doing what you do. Not that it isn't a noble and necessary calling, but I certainly don't have the patience for it.

[He seems to have accepted that, crossing his arms over his chest.]

I really should be working. But...I suppose, I could afford to have tea and catch up a little.

[wavesofjade]

[A soft chuckle escapes her, and she presses two fingers to her lips, feeling that if she laughs too much she might cry and she can't, can't tell him the truth. Not if she doesn't want him to be unhappy. Maybe someone else will.. but he won't hear it from her.]

There's always time for tea and a catch-up, little one. Well, almost always.

[She gestures down the hallway, towards her rooms, and falls into step beside him.]

Now, do tell me how you've been. I want to hear everything.

[insuffera6les9n9rus]

[Kankri gives a resigned little sigh and a wry smile.]

I'm learning that, as I get older.

[He starts walking that way, and as he walks more little differences between him and Sal become apparent in little things like his stride and how straight he stands.]

I've been perfectly well. A few weeks ago, I had a terrible cold and lost my voice for a day or so. I'm good as new now, but it was unfortunate that I had to take a day off of work while I was contagious.

My division has received reports of unsettled ghosts in the castle recently, and decided to send someone to investigate and perhaps conduct interviews of the has-beens - since that is the term that some prefer to be called - in question. You wouldn't happen to have heard of any disturbances, would you? While the influence that spirits can exert over the living world is actually quite minimal - much less than that of poltergeists, for instance - it is owed to them out of respect for the witches and wizards that they once were that we do what we can to appease them when they become unsettled.

[wavesofjade]

[She has to keep herself from staring at him. It's cruel, she thinks, to keep dangling life in front of Kankri in this way. Hasn't this dratted castle ever heard of respect for the dead?]

The castle has seemed restless of late..

[That is, if its antics are anything to go by.]

But I'm not sure if the restlessness of the ghosts is a cause or a symptom.