In the eerie ambiance of a cold winter's night, amidst the sprawling expanse of a mostly unfurnished colonial living room, a group of friends gathered, their camaraderie undeterred by the freezing temperatures or the looming presence of a supposed haunted house. Amidst laughter and jest, Siofra, the host, entertained the idea of renovating a torture room, an amusing but macabre testament to her territorial feelings towards her new home. The mood was light, peppered with laughter and the peculiar consultations of an 8-ball, which seemed to elicit wide grins and skepticism in equal measure. Malcolm, Lark, Liesl, and Antoinette contributed their own quips and anecdotes, weaving a tapestry of friendship that seemed to momentarily push away the coldness outside.

The night unfurled with discussions that oscillated between light-hearted banter and the contemplation of everyday concerns like fashion and household arrangements, underpinned by the comforting notion of shared experiences and the magic of Christmas. As the conversation meandered from the household’s ghostly cohabitants to the thrill of finding affordable fashion, it was clear that the gathering was more than just a meeting of friends; it was a celebration of togetherness and newfound traditions. The evening concluded with warm Christmas wishes, plans for possible future sleepovers, and heartfelt thanks, as guests prepared to leave, their spirits lifted by the shared joy and the promise of a community, even within the haunted whispers of Siofra’s new home. Amidst farewells and laughter, the essence of Christmas—companionship and goodwill—echoed through the colonial house, a beacon of warmth against the frosty darkness outside.

---

(Siofra's Lisa and Friend's haunted house Christmas homewarming)

[Sun Feb 23 2025]

In the living room of a comfortable colonial home
This open space is led unto by steps leading down. Wide windows bring in natural light and showcase the greenery outside. It is, as of yet, mostly vacant of furnishings aside from the square of couches surrounding a single chair in the middle of the room.

It is night, about -6F(-21C) degrees, and the sky is covered by dark grey stormclouds. There is a waning crescent moon.

Lark says "Fuck. "
Antoinette laughs, "Of course."

"I've been gettin' real territorial about this place." Siofra remarks, looking over her shoulder back into the entry way. "Had a prick o'er this morning. Just about chewed his throat out."

"I do not usually get so ticked.." Siofra mutters

Siofra rolls her tongue along her teeth, blinking, "Is... Should I renovate our torture room?"

Lark gasps.

Siofra's eyes round in amusement, "Not so! I haven't put her on!"

Malcolm snicker-snerks at that, but opines of the previous topic: "Yeah, I don't mind y'all over at my places, but I'm a little more picky otherwise, now. Which reminds me -- I gotta get my locks changed so -some- keys don't work anymore."

Lark asks the 8-ball: "Should there be a room to eat dicks in, in this dungeon that Siofra will renovate?"

Siofra hums to that thought. "Wow- that's.. That's pure gas, that one. It's an awful story but it does give me a laugh."

Liesl says "That's probably a yes. In this context."
Malcolm just laaaaughs. "Wow."

The 8-ball never fails to bring Siofra 's smile to wider edges.

"Are you, like, not shaking it right?" Malcolm wonders of Lark, as though there's a proper way to shake it.

Liesl nods carefully, eyeing that 8-Ball with a squint.

Malcolm wonders of the ball, "Is Lark shaking you properly?"

Malcolm laaaaughs and underhand tosses the thing back.

Siofra says "I swear, 'tis alive."
Matter-of-factly," Malcolm informs, "Just my luck.""

Matter-of-factly, Malcolm informs, "Just my luck."

Liesl holds her hands up and shakes her head quickly. She appears to want to give the thing a wide berth, respectful of its attitude.

Lark holds out the 8-ball.

Siofra says, mockingly, "Hah. hah. hah. hah. hah."
"Even the ghosts are havin' a laugh," Malcolm agrees, peeking toward the hallway. Doesn't seem too perturbed. They're enjoying things.

Antoinette laughs, "Sorry. The 8-ball? I'll try it>."

Lark looks eagerly over at Antoinette.

"They're pretty alright roomies." Siofra remarks to the hallway, swirling a finger through her hair. "They stay downstairs and do not bother us."

Liesl says "The night lights keep them at bay."
Malcolm peeks up toward Antoinette at the toy's return, and nods to Siofra. "Ideal roommates. Keep to themselves, social when you need."

Antoinette holds the 8-ball, considering. "Uhh...Was buying affordable fashions a good idea?"

Antoinette shakes up the ball and peers at the answer, laughing, showing the others. "Positive and Ominous all at once."

Siofra sits up, "Oh did you? From that Frankie-Macy-shitehawk?"

"Ooh, yeah. Ominous-s-s," Malcolm agrees shifting to sit more upright and stretching his arms overhead. "But a clothing shop'll always pull decent cash. Everybody needs clothes."

"Tome." Siofra approves.

Siofra says "Mmm. It's either AF, Vow, or Spendid? Spendente- whatever it is."
Antoinette says "There's Harpers and Savage too"
Liesl says "I usually just go to Narnia."
Siofra says "Savage has nothing, and the bazaar-"
Siofra's head moves back and forth, "I take clothes from Narnia and have them stitched sometimes. Got a whole bag's worth from the men's changing room."

Liesl tugs at the neckline of her pajama tee for emphasis. It labels her as a mom.

Liesl says "Affordable Fashions is pretty close by. I'll visit."
Liesl likely never considered that, so she just stares at Siofra, spacing out.

"We're in a quality location." Siofra 's hand snaps in triplets around Liesl's face- anti-trance maneuver, "right in the middle of Franklin."

"I think I might need a nap," Malcolm decides after a few moments of silence, stretching his arms overhead again and getting a couple muted pops out of his double-sweater-clad back. "But -- how was Christmas?"

Antoinette nods in agreement some with Malcolm about needing a nap though, but seems curious to hear the answer.

Liesl blinks back to reality, and automagically nods along with what Siofra says, no questions asked.

"It was grand." Siofra admits, wrapping her legs up in her arms.

"More like this and I won't need these earrings to get high on others' hurt."

Liesl says "Christmas was everything that I was hoping for. And more."
Liesl swaddles herself more uniformly within her snazzy new blanket.

Malcolm smiles genuinely at that. "Good. Fuck yeah." Both hands slap to his knees and he pushes up. "Merry Christmas, gang."

Siofra forces herself up to stand. "It's about that time. Does anyone want out? We've two bedrooms worth sleepin' if anyone ever wants to stick around."

Antoinette grins, getting up as Malcolm does since he's her ride! "I'm really glad we got to share this with you all. "

Liesl rises from ther seat. "Thanks for coming. Everyone." Then for good measure," Merry Christmas."

Malcolm heads along to follow the way out, agreeing, "Was a right pleasure. I'll mosey on, but might crash some other time, for sure."

Lark says "I'm glad we all got to share this too, I'll start grabbing my things then."
Lark waves.

Siofra says "Ohhh, you too, ye wagon."
"Thanks for hav--" Malcolm nods along with Lark, graciously dipping a nod. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Krampus!" Siofra waves.

Liesl says "Happy New Year."
Antoinette chuckles

Antoinette says "Merry Christmas!"