2019-12-05 - Krampusnacht Festivities!

Diana is somewhere off to the side of the crowd, munching on some popcorn and occasionally fumbling with it to take notes in her little notebook. She looks pleasantly excited to see the Krampusi... Krampuses-- that'll be another note jotted down-- and she outright grins at the sound of the reeds on pavement. She even bounces on her tiptoes a little, making her way further into the crowd.

The redheaded waitress that works at the Grizzly Den Diner is seated on a bench on the sidewalk facing the street, gazing towards the ground. She's got on her usual sort of outfit - t-shirt, jeans, sneakers. The woman looks like she's just woken up, when in fact, she's just gotten off shift from work.

The sound of the drum starting up makes her lift her head from her downward reverie, her loose hair draping over her shoulders. Sounds like the parade? or whatever it is, is about to start.

Before the Event, Delvin has been helping with set up of various tents for vendors and those infamous last minute minor things that people need a spare set of hands for. Taking a moment to dust himself off, Devlin finds himself a place to sit on one of the benches. He looks over to where the drum sounds are coming from.

Standing under some shelter, the imposing figure that is Everett has his hands full. One with a large Christmas cookie and the other with a hot chocolate from which a little steam rises. In his usual garb of black and black with extra black, there's a little extra color on his head. None of these chances elevates his mood, still keeping to himself, taking a small nibble from the cookie and chewing thoughtfully while he scowls at other people.

It was a sound like nothing Lyric had heard before but she seemed incredibly interested in it. Currently she's wearing a pair of faded jeans and an old football jersey that used to be number 00. She's already had a cider but now she's got cotton candy and she's letting it melt on her tongue as she listens, waiting until she can actually see something, not seated, she's standing and even gets to the tip of her boot covered toes to peer further along.

Thew is here, in a crowded area! Why? Someone called and he's fixing their cart fixed, and then someone else saw the caretaker an he's been moving down the line, fixing things, head down not talking if he can help it, toolbelt cinched and reluctantly accepting the occasional snack. Finishing off cocoa, pretzels... some sort of combo gyro falafel... There might be a churro in the mix. He knows he's going to be overfull - but it keeps from having to talk as he keeps up the work. shuffling with a beat up old beanie gone slouchie on his head and a thick lined canvas jacket pulled around him.

Having made his way out and about, Jonathan comes to a stop where he can watch this happening now. He looks around, nodding to the familiar faces he can see, but otherwise keeping quiet at the moment.

Diana starts to take a seat, but she's honestly too interested to see it all, so she immediately stands up again. Popcorn is munched as she stares at the Krampusen as they approach, and she gives a seemingly involuntary shiver at the sound of the chains dragging against the ground. She grins at the Krampusi moving to try and catch the children, and the children themselves get fond looks.

Taking another bite from his cookie, Everett watches the parade of grumpy Krampii start to intimidate the bad kids through their horrible sounds of children's laughter. After the carb nibble, Everett holds his cup over his mouth, the drizzle the reason he was seeking shelter, his cup hiding his mouth and definitely not the smile caused by gleeful girls and boys whom he follows with his gaze. To be so young, so innocent. Just you wait for your first zit on date night, Jack. Leaning back, Everett leans against the building he's borrowing the overhang from, and lifts a leg to prop against the building as well.

There they were! Lyric was finally able to see the tall creature like.. things. Those horns though! "They kinda look evil," she tells the person who is closest to her. Hi Jonathan. Another bite of cotton candy and she glances over to see who it is and she grins, shoulder checking him. "I haven't seen you in forever." Or maybe several months. She leans over and kisses his cheek. "It's good to see you again. I missed your face!" It totally interrupts the silent solemnity of the moment, but that's Lyric for ya. Lifting the plastic bag of cotton candy she offers him some. "This is kinda scary."

Devlin chuckles seeing the kids having fun with the Krampus trying to collect them. "Fun for the kids.." He gets up from his seat and walks over to get something warm to drink. The drizzle does not seem to bother him as he walks while keeping an eye on what is happening. The closest vendor has hot coca and cookies. Devlin gets cup and one of the iced cookies. Seeing Thewlis fixing things, Devlin winks to the shy man and mouths, Thank you. to him. He then walks back to the route to stand for now. Hearing someone comment about it being scary, "Some scary can be fun though.. especially for the young."

Alison leans back in her seat on the bench, elbows on either side of her on the back of the bench, propping herself up. The procession of the Krampuses holds her attention, the young woman watching the playful interchange between the children and the Krampuses. Sounds of chief Krampus's chain dragging along the street unsettle somewhat, prompting her to distract herself from it. And she does so by digging her phone out of her crossbody bag and snapping a few pictures of the group as it drawers nearer to where she's sitting.

Apparently despite the crowds, and all the activity, Thew is keeping it together. Spotting familiar faces he actually raises a hand to wave to Devlin, Lyric is next. He approaches, lifting up a small basket from one of the other vendors, with food and treats of his 'payments' lifted. "They... I. They" he turns briefly, towards the Krampii and then back to the others. "Want some? They... I can't. Too much."

Jonathan smiles as he watches the Krampus and the children, sshaking his head a little as he does. "I think that is the meaning..." he begins, pausing at the shoulder check, and then the kiss to his cheek. "Wait... only my face?" It's asked a bit lightly, before he smiles, "I have been trying to take care of some things, so I haven't been out and about as much. How have you been?" Taking a little of the offered cotton candy, he nods again. "I think there's some kind of lesson for the kids, at least originally. Something about the importance of behaving well, I think." He knows some people from Eastern and Central Europe, probably some of them has spoken some about it.

"Being well behaved, well that makes sense. Scare them into submission. RAWR." Lyric teases back to Jonathan with a playful look in her expression. "I am great. Soo ready for Christmas.. I hope you're getting your things taken care of." That same look on her face greets Devlin, "I think so too, some scary can be fun. I saw you at trivia night, didn't I? I'm Lyric, it's good to see you again." As Thew approaches her expression changes to one of utter patience and tenderness. She knew his circumstances having lived in the trailer park the better part of her life. "Are you sure?" The question is given over as she looks at the small basket. She selects a cookie and smiles, "Thank you. I wonder if taking some home will put your parent in a better mood." She reaches out to gently touch his arm, just a bit of warmth to offer. She looks back at the parade then, hearing a crying kid and winces. Aww. She's not seen Minerva quiet yet.

Devlin chuckles seeing the one crying. He sips his coca and takes a bite of his cookie. "Well, Mind if a take one of the baskets to the people on duty tonight? A treat for their holiday duty shift," he asks of Thewlis. "Looks like the kids are having a blast." He smiles as he keeps an eye on things, seeing Minerva down the street he gives a her a wave with a cookie filled hand.

Devlin says, "Hello Lyric, good to meet you. Quite the event.. pretty cool really, exposes people to different traditions and ideas. That I love the most about this."

Diana also winces at the sound of the crying, but she doesn't exactly look too shocked. Krampusesen are freaky, after all! Even freakier than Santa. She munches on her popcorn, and pauses as she spots Everett, heading in his general direction as she picks through the crowd. "You look oddly familiar," she teases him, once she's close enough to be heard. "You're not stalking me, are you? I'll have you know, I won't stand for that sort of thing." But she smiles.

Shoulders shaking, Everett laughs silently at the crying, the way kids cry when they get their haircut for the first time or sometimes when seeing Santa. A little pleasure in the misfortune of others. A healthy, and pleased, exhale escapes his lips before he takes a sip from his hot chocolate and then bites off a larger piece than he wanted from his big sugar cookie, cramming it in his mouth, crumbs cascading down his green army tee-shirt.

His scrambling to shove the cookie piece in his mouth is made even faster when he spies Diana headed his way. "Yeash," Everett replies, spitting crumbles in her vicinity, then covers his mouth with his hand and cookie. "Totahfree." Exchanging hands, the goon takes a drink from his chocolate drink, and then speaks freely, pointing out, "You're standing now."

Jonathan smiles, nodding a bit. "So far, so good," he replies, before he looks to the others, offering them a smile and a nod for now. "Enjoying the happenings?" It's offered a bit quietly, as he adds, "It's a pleasure to meet you people. I'm Jonathan."

"No... Problem. Not a. It's" Thewlis nods, "Please, sure. That's fine." he offers the basket to Devlin, blinking at Lyric's comment. "Whu? Wait? Mom? Mom is. She's. No. Not in. She's?" apparently the idea of Maggie Moore being in huckleberry has his eyes wide, but he keeps himself in check, changing the subject quickly to look to Jonathan. "Thew... I'm... Thew... Thewli-hiii... The-ooo..." he's twitching, and the child crying, then the cheering has him turning about sharply, as if expecting attack.

Without missing a beat, Diana throws a bunch of popcorn into her mouth, covering her mouth to prevent spitting it at Everett as she says, "Yeff. Goo' eye! 'oo too!" She points to his legs, which presumably is a reference to him not sitting, either. She smiles closed-mouth as she chews her popcorn, then swallows and extends a hand. "I'm Diana, by the by. I don't think we ever got a chance to exchange names."

Devlin accepts a basket, "Thank you Thewlis, I am sure the people at the stations will appreciate." He continues to work on his cookie and coca. "Easy friend, just kids being spooked by new things. Nothing to worry about. Your a good man.. know it or not." he offers some comfort to Thewlis. He then smiles to Lyric, "Nothing like the unexpected to keep on on their toes."

"Oh good," Lyric tells Jonathan. "I am, it's been fun so far this whole season. Got to get a tree and all still, and maybe get lights on the house." He makes his introductions and she smiles at Devlin, "It's really nice to meet you too. I like learning other traditions too. Are you going to celebrate Christmas?" At Thew's explanation, she bobs her head. "I didn't mean she was there, I just meant.. I'm glad you're here," she changes course, not wanting to talk much about his mom. "This is Thewlis, Jonathan. He's a caretaker at the cemetery." Looking again to the parade, she recognizes the angel and gasps. "It's Minerva! Look!" Waving an arm, she looks cheerful to see her in the lineup. A smile back to Devlin, "It seems like most everyone is having a good time."

Straggler, that draws Devlin's eyes quickly. "Hope he had not pushed himself to hard." On going conversations falling by the way side for Devlin. His eyes then shift to take in what is around him..some old habits are hard to break after all. "Excuse me.." he says to the others as he moves to a vendor, "I want a large water.. not ice cold. Yeah.. thank you." He gets the bottle of water and then makes his way back to the edge of the parade route, his eyes now focused on the straggler.

Squinting an eye, Everett eyes down at Diana, through with a smirk rather than any malleolus. This time there isn't anything put in his mouth, but he commits to the bit. Daffy does it, why can't he. "Tthou making phan of ther way I tock?" She extends her hand, and Everett looks down to make sure it's not weaponized before he offers his cookie.

Literally.

"I'm just the Candyman." He lifts his head and makes a show of looking around, and not that he's not looking at kids like a perv, spies a person or two that he knows. Returning his gaze down to Diana, he nods his head up at her, "Where's that flighty guy? Isn't he your date? Cookie?" He's making an offer, or assigned her a new nickname.

Hera hates being late to fun times, and sadly, this occassion is one of them. She never knows when duties at her small gallery will call her away or detain her but she finally comes in, wearing her typical black dress she favors but this time she wears flats instead of heels. This is a parade of sorts after all. She continues to weave in and out of the crowd and tries to spot familiar faces for a bit. There's at least two, namely Devlin and Thewlis, and she offers a wave and a smile in their direction then the krampi steal her gaze for a moment. "Wow" she says, "To take those horns and make a vase out of them." Apparently, she's always thinking of her pottery and when an image comes to her mind, she reaches into her purse and starts to sketch something out. Hopefully she doesn't rush into any krampi as the artistic moment distracts her for a bit.

Jonathan nods a little, offering Thewlis a nod in sympathy as he sees his reaction. And then Lyric offers the introduction, and he smile. "A pleasure to meet you, Thewlis." As Minerva's waved to by Lyric, he adds a wave as well, before he pauses, looking at that straggler. "Never fun being stuck behind the others like that."

Accepting the cookie, Diana takes it and has a nice big bite with a grateful smile. "Fanks!" She brushes some crumbs from her mouth, and with it still full, she replies as to 'the way he talks,' "Ah woo' nevah!" She smiles cheerily, then swallows and adds, "We did actually go out on some dates, after. They were good. But he wasn't sure if he could make this, tonight. A bummer, for sure. And for your record, he's not flighty, he's cautious." She grins.

When Devlin suddenly moves off, Thewlis follows the motion. Trying to see what the other man has seen, but then he is also looking for his mother... The panic is real. He offers Hera a wave, and Jonathan's acknowledgement comes. Thew tries to keep his attention to all he can, but his hand is om the back of his neck, his phone is out and his thumb his moving.

When the big cookie is taken from his hand Everett wears an incredulous grin down at Diana, "Hey. I meant a piece. Now I'm going to have to take a bite out of yours." Covering his mouth with his one remaining treasure, the big man takes a sip from his drink, while rolling his eyes upwards and to his left while attempting to look as innocent as that comment was. And holds for a second. "Well, he's missing out," he turns his gaze back down, and nods his head towards the parade. "Screaming kids, angels throwing candy and boxes. Speaking of, want one?" Not waiting for an answer, Everett looks around once more to make sure the coast is clear and traverses to the nearest flung box and picks it up before some snot-nosed beautiful child gets their sticky hands all over it. Returning to his drizzle cover, Everett offers the box to Diana too. She might as well have the house and car next.

Following from the side lines, Devlin is keeping an eye on the straggler. He quickly scarfs down the rest of that cookie and his coca. It is almost an unconscious action in how he drops the cup in the trash. Once he sees the straggler is at the end, Devlin walks over with the water bottle in hand. "You ok?" he asks the Krampus as his tone turns authoritative in nature as he approaches.

Hera had finished sketching down her ideas for now and she pockets her little sketchpad. It seems as if the inspiration has hit, she wrote it down, and it's filed away for now. Being curious though, or maybe just wanting a familiar face to hang out with, she heads over toward Devlin's direction maybe offering some help or maybe trying to hit him up to use his jeep at a later date? Too soon to tell just yet.

Diana smiles brightly at Everett's incredulous look, and she shakes her head, saying, "As if I'd let you. Nope, this here cookie is MINE now." She finishes off the cookie right quick, just in case. Of course, that means her mouth is overly full as he asks if she'd like one of the presents, so all she can do is mutely shake her head 'no,' easily missed as he goes to nick the box anyway. She sighs, shaking her head at him, and swallows the cookie at last. "You're incorrigible, you know that?" she asks, one brow arched. Her attention is briefly stolen by the exchange between Devlin and the straggler, and she thumbs-ups Hank, even though they've never spoken a word to one another and she's not a Pourhouse regular.

Devlin nods and passes the water bottle he has in hand to Hank. "Here this will help. Just drink it slowly. It's actually possible to get a heat injury, like heat cramps or worse even in the winter. If you start feeling off, head over to the aide tent, ok?" He though keeps an eye on the man for signs of exhaustion and waits for the man to take a drink.

The authoritative tone draws Thew's attention as well, but the situation does not seem to warrant concern, at least for now. THere's a moment that he looks to Jonathan and Lyric again. "If... I. Nothing bad. I'm. It's I don't..." nothing bad is happening. What the hell.

"Tell me that's a bad thing, and I still won't believe you," Everett replies while he switches his cup with the box and then sinks down to one knee. "Diana, person I just met on the day of the dead thing, where you and your cowardly lion polished off the last of my ice cream. Will you do me the honor of taking whatever's in this box?" As the large man falls to one knee before Diana and lifts the box to her, softly smiling, the felt missile toe tip of his spring hat continues to wobble from his lazy jog to retrieve the box.

Hera doesn't crowd Devlin. Seems as if her cousin is ok so she pauses to look around a bit. Then she sees what she thinks is a man proposing. She smiles for a little bit and says, "Wow, lucky gal." But, she doesn't really know the couple so she assumes their business is their business. She does do a bit of a double take when she looks at Thewlis. There's a flash of concern on her face as she watches the handyman then, yup, there she goes, trying to tug at Devlin and she asks, "Is he ok? He's such a sweet guy but, he looks like he may be baffled? I don't know. He's come to my rescue multiple times. If he and his girlfriend are in need, I'm there." Hard to believe she's making friends in such a short time she's been here but yeah, gotta show some love for the people who come by her place.

Jonathan smiles as the parade has reached the end, looking around at the various people present. "Looks quite nice, all in all," he offers, rather thoughtfully. "And nothing bad is always a positive thing, right?"

Devlin is interrupted by the tugging by Hera, "Huh? Oh, Thewlis. He doesn't deal well with crowds, Hera." He turns his head to check on the bartender one more time. He then returns his attention to Hera. "Thewlis isn't panicking is he? Is Jade around?"

Absolutely deadpan, Diana replies to Everett, "It's a bad thing. And oh, you shouldn't have." Her tone never rises or falls, just plain and even. "For real. But I'll take it anyway." She smiles then, and opens the box to see what's inside. "Drumroll please," she says in her normal tone of voice, and lifts the lid to reveal-- a two dollar bill! "Come to mama," she says with a laugh, reaching for it without pause.

Hey! Little box! Gifties! Thewlis shuffles over to a box than landed and skidded where kids couldn't get to. Picking it up and tucking it away in his jacket to check on later once he is safely away from others. It's a great distraction. People are focusing elsewhere. He remains hunkered by the food cart he has picked up next to. Putting a few bills on it for the owner... no need for food. But space is at a premium.

Because he's four years old, "Yeah, you'll take it." And when she collects her cash, Everett rises to his feet, closing the box and pushing it into his black leather jacket. "And see," he gestures with his hands, "I still didn't believe you." Everett then looks over her head, not that hard a thing to do, and nods before looking back down at Diana. "Wanna go see if any of the kids taking pictures end up peeing on themselves or, better yet, on Krampus. Krampii. Kram...pusses? What's the plural, you know?"

It was Hank all along! Lyric grins at the MC but she mostly pays attention to those near her. There are a few things that come her way and she collects them when no one else does. A smile to Jonathan. "This was really fun. It's nice to see something scary that doesn't turn into something dangerous, isn't it?"

Jonathan is unable to hold back a bit of a gasp at Lyric's words. "Oh no, now we're in trouble... It's like dreaming about the goalie getting his shutout," he offers, lightly. "Once someone starts thinking about things going well, trouble happens..." It's said with a laugh, though.

Diana blinks at Everett's question about how to pronounce it, maneuvering her popcorn so she can flip open her pocket notebook. "So far, I've considered:" she says, and then lists off: "Krampi, Krampii," which she pronounces Krampy, "Krampuses, Kram*pusses*, Krampen, Krampus (like moose), or just 'a murder of Krampus,' because how can you go wrong with murder? Ooh, or maybe 'a daycare of Krampuses?'" She hmmmms and jots that one down. "Anyway, sounds fun, and let's hope there's no pee."