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

[catblog]

[It was one of those strange events that Molly wasn't sure what was going on. She was going out of her way to pretend that everything was normal since it seemed like the default thing to do. While everyone in the hufflepuff dorm was acting out, she decided to go to the courtyard to study some more.

There she noticed a boy playing around with his cat. Or rather, he was telling him to stop bothering him. Hm...]

It seems like he does and when cats wants to play, they won't stop until you do.

[allamericanreject]

[Alfred doesn't seem to realize anything's amiss with himself. How could he even notice, really?

He does look up at Molly when addressed, as does his cat. Ever the attention-getter, Tony hops from his vantage and moves closer to her because obviously he wants all of the pets.]

I'd play with him any other time, but I'm just kind of down right now and have no inclination. But I did bring him outside for a breath of fresh air, I thought it'd be a good idea.

[catblog]

Maybe he just wants to cheer you up! They can tell when you're feeling down so that's why.

[Don't mind Molly petting Tony now. So cute...]

[allamericanreject]

[He watches her pet the cat, smiling wanly.]

Yeah, you're probably right about that. He's not terribly smart, but he can always tell when I'm bothered, it seems. And that's usually when he tries to get something from me, but I think he means the best. Like he's trying to distract me, not be selfish. Or at least I would like to think that.

[catblog]

It's not selfish, I think it just means that he cares about you! Sometimes my cat does that too when he knows when I'm feeling down.

[And usually Toby wants a treat afterwards but hey, at least he cares!]

[allamericanreject]

[He nods, then looks away.]

You can play with him if you like.

[And Tony seems like this idea, if his pressing into Molly's fingers and purring like a motor mean anything.]

[catblog]

[Wait what]

But wouldn't it be better for you to play with him? You're his owner!

[allamericanreject]

Yeah I bet it would but...like I said, I'm not in the mood. Today's not a good day.

[It certainly doesn't look like a good day for Alfred, to say the least. He looks mildly upset at something or other.]

[catblog]

Then...can I ask what would cheer you up a bit?

[Yup]

[allamericanreject]

[Alfred sighs softly.]

I'm sorry, but I don't think anything could cheer me up today. I'm just thinking about my dad and it's uncomfortable...

[catblog]

[pause]

O-oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you even more uncomfortable...