Time passes much more quickly in Rohandor and many long and happy years have gone by since the characters retired to enjoy their respective 'happily ever afters,' their greatest foes were imprisoned in the Forever Stone, bound in an eternal sleep. Until Now.
Happily Ever Afters takes place in Rohandor, a mystical realm on another plane of existence from our own. Here our favorite Disney heroes and villains live in a world all their own; Alive, but far from well. Heroes and heroines fight to keep peace while newly freed villains seek their revenge. Come join us in an epic adventure as the characters you love clash in a struggle that will determine the fate of Rohandor!
HEA is an AU canon-only animated crossover Disney Play-By-Post Role Play with minimal word count.
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4/24/21: We've been on hiatus for a number of years now. I don't know that I'm entirely ready to return BUT I have been cleaning up the site and working to update everything since a number of movies have released. There is still A LOT of work to do but if you see this update and were an active member of the site prior to the hiatus, please send the Yen Sid account a DM to let me know you're still interested in playing and if you wish to retain your current roster. I hope you've all been doing well and staying safe!
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Post by Jack Skellington on Aug 22, 2017 15:45:50 GMT -5
Participating Characters:Sally , Jack Skellington Forum Location: Halloween Town Time of Day: Morning Weather: Overcast Thread Location: Jack's Manor Premise: Something's up with Jack (again)
Jack Skellington rubbed at his skull with his skeletal fingertips as he bowed his head forward over his desk. It’s surface was littered with papers, both drawings and notes as well as stacks of dusty old books. After a few moments, the empty socket’s of Jack’s eyes opened and he looked up at the massive chalkboard hanging on the wall.
He stood and crossed the room with one arm bent behind his back. He squinted at the notes he’d carefully written there before reaching for the chalk. With a few graceful turns of his wrist, Jack drew an apple. He stepped back to survey his work before reaching behind to the desk. He picked up a book, turned a few pages, and ran a bony finger along the text.
“…. Mummy dust. Black of night. Old Hag’s cackle. A scream of fright. Wind. Thunder. mhmm.” Jack turned the page. “The victim of the sleeping death can be revived only by Love’s First Kiss.” Jack’s eye sockets blinked, his wide skeletal smile shrinking down into a perplexed frown. “Love's first kiss?” He turned his head to peer out the window. Out across the square he could see the little house where Sally lived. He suddenly wanted to ask her if she knew that kisses could be magic.
In his bed by the hearth, Zero gave a little growl in his sleep. Jack turned away from the window and gave a weary sigh. It was late. Sally was sleeping. The entire town was sleeping, even the vampires. Only the Pumpkin King was awake now, pouring over his books. He snapped the book closed and brushed some dust off the cover, revealing faded gold lettering. Grimm’s Fairy Tales. The stories inside were familiar, like a half-remembered dream. Jack had gone forth through Rohandor for many Halloweens now but… this book made him curious.
He felt a familiar itching in the back of his skull, a nagging that he had not felt since he’d first found Christmas Town. There was more out there, beyond the pumpkin patch and the forest. New things. Things that Jack very much wanted to discover.
Jack put the book back on his desk and turned away, his hands clasped loosely behind his back. “Oh Zero. What am I doing? Didn’t I learn this lesson already?” The ghost dog twitched and woke up, his red nose glowing brightly. Jack shook his head and descended the stairs, his head bowed, his skeletal brow pinched in doubt.
~~~~~
The next morning, Jack Skellington stepped through his door which swung closed behind him with an eerie creak. Zero darted through the door and down the steps, his ears forward and eyes bright. Jack had told him they were going to see Sally and now the phantom canine was eager to go. Jack frowned down at the dog. "Mind your manners, Zero. I won't have you flying into Sally's house whenever you like."
The ghost dog darted down the narrow steps in front of Jack's manor and the Pumpkin King followed, his long legs taking the steps three at a time. As he crossed the town square, Jack cast a glance at the Town Hall. If he made it to Sally's without being ambushed by the Mayor he'd be lucky. Every day was one more day closer to Halloween and every day the Mayor seemed to panic about it.
When Jack stepped up to Sally's door Zero was waiting for him, though it was obvious the ghost-dog was eager to get inside. "Good boy, Zero!" The dog barked and zipped through Sally's door. Jack could hear him barking inside, the noise muffled by the thick wooden door. Jack sighed deeply, his brow furrowing over his deep eye sockets. They still had some work to do.
Jack raised his hand and rapped lightly on Sally's door before stepping back to wait, his hands on his narrow hips.
For it is plain as anyone can see. We're simply meant to be.
Post by Sally on Aug 22, 2017 16:34:54 GMT -5
Ordinarily Sally was quite a pleasant morning person, unlike the majority of the town (which wasn't a strange thought, taking into account that most of them were nocturnal creatures). The evening before, however, she'd stayed up much later than was usual for her, bent low over her needlework as she finished darning one of the witch's pointed hats. It was her newest job, and though Sally had warned her client it might take a few days, thanks to the other work she had waiting, the ragdoll had toiled after hours to ensure it was finished.
A witch wasn't a witch without her hat, after all. Sally would've been wracked by guilt if the poor thing had had to suffer through more than one night without it.
Sally knelt down to start the fire beneath the cauldron in her brewing alcove, covering a yawn that nearly split her seams, when a familiar sound started to reverberate through her boutique. The ragdoll perked up, eyes widening and alert. Her lips parted in a small ring of surprise and she turned just in time to see a phantasmal dog glide excitedly through the counter that separated her work areas from the front of the shop. "Oh! Good morning, Zero," she said fondly and reached out to run her small hand over his head.
She smiled and felt a kind of warm nervousness in her gut. Zero was never anywhere without his master, which meant- Sally stood and peered trough the display windows to a tall, slim shadow waiting for her. Moving a little more quickly to the door than she could have while a polite knocking rang out, Sally unlatched and opened it. "Jack!" she said, beaming up at the Pumpkin King. "You're up early," she remarked, tilting her head at the idle curiosity. "Come in," she added and stood aside to usher him through the door, though he'd have to duck to make it over the threshold. "I was just getting ready to open for the day."
Post by Jack Skellington on Aug 22, 2017 18:24:50 GMT -5
At the sound of the latch being drawn back, Jack dropped his hands and turned to face the door again, wondering too late if he should have brought her flowers. This doubt gave way to many more: what was he going to say, exactly? And how would she respond? Would she be upset?
Jack!
Jack’s skeleton grin grew unchecked to reach his empty black eye sockets. She was smiling at him, the gray morning light making her hair shine, and for a little while all of Jack’s worries were forgotten. “Good morning, Sally.”
Sally remarked on the time and Jack blinked, tilting his round head back to squint up at the sun. It was, as she said, much earlier than he usually came to visit. “Please accept my apologies. If you would like I can come back later.” Jack said this earnestly, hoping she believed that he had not meant to inconvenience her.
Instead of asking him to go, however, she invited him inside. Jack smiled again and ducked through the door. Inside the ceiling was high enough to accommodate him and he could stand without keeping his head bowed or knocking into things.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Jack looked about her shop with careful attention, noting what items had been added or sold since he’d been there last. Sally had done very well for herself with her shop, to the point where Jack was starting to wonder if she was taking on more work than she should. Jack was often up late in his tower, but these nights Sally’s light stayed on almost as long as his own.
With these thoughts in the back of his skull, Jack turned to Sally and gently took her small hands in his long boney ones. He looked down at her, the dark sockets of his skull intently studying her face. “Did you sleep well?”
For it is plain as anyone can see. We're simply meant to be.
Post by Sally on Aug 23, 2017 7:25:14 GMT -5
Sally thought, when Jack fretfully offered to come back later, how silly the idea was. If she had her way, they would never be apart. She was just latching the door behind Jack when he asked if there was anything he could to do help her open. "Keeping me company is more than enough," Sally said with a fond twist of her stitched lips. There were just a few items of daily maintenance to attend to and though she knew that Jack's offer was sincere and selfless Sally would've felt like an imposition putting any of them on the Pumpkin King.
Jack had enough on his plate, what with how much the townsfolk - and the Mayor especially - relied on him. Not just day-to-day, but on the topic of Halloween; its planning, preparation and execution. Sally was halfway across the shop to the counter when long, ivory fingers ghosted on her own, sending the best kind of shiver over her skin. Jack's hands caught hers and, eyes widening in intrigue, Sally turned to look up into dark sockets, devoid of eyes but full of tender worry.
Sally's expression twisted toward wryness when Jack asked how she had slept. The query was innocent and genuine enough in itself, but something about the way that Jack delivered it made Sally wary at what other things it hid. "I did," she said with a nod. That wasn't a lie. She had slept well. Sally just left out the amount of sleep she'd had (or lack thereof).
Then she paused and, now so fixated on Jack, scrutinized his round skull as much as he'd been scrutinizing her woven one. There was a familiar air to his bones that drove amusement from Sally's mind. "Did you?" Her eyes narrowed keenly, her lips pouted in thought. "Did you sleep at all?"
Post by Jack Skellington on Aug 23, 2017 14:43:56 GMT -5
When Jack took her hands Sally tipped her head back to look up into his empty black eyes. Jack’s worried frown softened at her reply. He couldn’t help but feel protective of her and hoped she knew that if she ever needed anything, she had only ask it of him.
Sally then turned his question around, her eyes studying him closely. Jack had been standing there with his head slightly bowed toward her, but now he stood up a little straighter, cocking his head to the side in an attempt to look innocent. Sally knew better than anyone else how often Jack stayed up all night, especially when he was working. He didn’t want her to fret over him, and yet he could not lie to her.
“Some.” He shrugged his narrow shoulders dismissively. “Enough.” Jack was still holding her hands and now he lifted them up to press a kiss to her knuckles. “The truth is… I had to speak with you. I couldn’t wait.”
Jack turned his head, noting that the little sign on Sally’s window was still turned to read ‘closed’ to all those who may pass by on the street. Good. He didn’t want anyone interrupting them. Jack then led Sally to an overstuffed patchwork couch and gestured for her to sit. Jack remained standing, his hands clasped behind his back. It was his way to pace about when he was in one of his restless moods.
“Sally… as you know, very strange things have happened outside our realm.” Jack paused and crossed his arms, tapping his chin with his boney finger thoughtfully. “Indeed it seems to have moved completely. Nevertheless, the world beyond is strange to us. Perhaps even more so than Christmas Town.”
Jack turned to face her. “What have you seen and heard of… Rohandor?” Jack had been so wrapped up in Halloween and running the town, he had yet to venture forth, but he head heard that others had slipped the boarders. Had Sally?
For it is plain as anyone can see. We're simply meant to be.
Post by Sally on Aug 23, 2017 15:30:13 GMT -5
Her lips flattened in a slightly weary line when Jack drew to his fuller height and tilted his head in response to her question. All telltale signs of an answer Sally already knew, and every mannerism more familiar to the ragdoll than the stitches on the back of her hand. He looked hesitant to respond, but Sally knew he would. He was too much a gentleman to ignore it.
As if his answers weren't evasive enough, Jack brought her petite hands to his skeletal mouth and pressed a kiss there. Sally smiled wistfully at the romantic act, but her adoration was quickly traded for curiosity. "What is it?" she asked, brow pinching together in a frown. Jack was certainly acting odd and troubled. Sally hoped she could help him not to be.
He guided her to a ratty fainting chair in the lobby of her shop and Sally dutifully perched on its edge. Her lower lip puckered fretfully, but her large eyes were expectant and encouraging. Jack's voice changed, then. Not quite becoming the grand version of it that he used when inspiring the townsfolk, but something similar.
When the topic of Jack's intrigue started to manifest Sally was both relieved and a little cross with herself for not seizing upon it earlier. That relief didn't last, though. Jack finished his explanation with a question, posed as he turned to look at her. Sally's back stiffened and she looked distinctly uncomfortable.
Evading Jack's stare, Sally's hands fidgeted on her lap. "Only a few things..." she said innocently, fighting a wince from pulling her lips. She stood more quickly than was natural and tip-toed away from Jack, pretending to be busy rearranging containers on a shelf. "Although there were those two times that I may have accidentally wandered into it?"
Sally coyly peeked over her shoulder, waiting to see Jack's reaction at having kept this information to herself.
Post by Jack Skellington on Aug 23, 2017 18:29:54 GMT -5
Sometimes Jack could be very bad at reading people, but with Sally he had more luck simply because she usually had his undivided attention, as she did now. He noted how she fidgeted and carefully looked away from him. Jack blinked, tilting his head to the side, watching her as she stood and moved away from him. "Although there were those two times that I may have accidentally wandered into it?"
Jack’s jaw fell open, his black mouth forming an ‘o’ in surprise. Two times! Two times his Sally had ventured beyond the pumpkin patch and the Hinterlands, into a world they knew next to nothing about, save for what they had seen during Halloween?
If he had known this while she was gone, his reaction would have been very different. If he had discovered she was missing and perhaps in danger, heads would have literally and figuratively rolled. However, because she was standing before him, obviously in one piece and quite well, looking at him with her face so carefully composed, Jack couldn’t help but laugh. He threw his head back and laughed deeply, his eyes closing, his hands grasping at his flat stomach.
Jack had admired Sally very much for her bravery since that Christmas Eve when she took it upon herself to save Sandy Claws. He had been courting her since then, looking for any opportunity or excuse to see her, and still she managed to surprise him. Yes, he wasn’t entirely thrilled that she had gone out there alone when all manner of things may have happened, but he trusted her.
Jack heaved a sigh, still smiling, and rubbed at the back of his skull. “Two times…” He shook his head and turned to sit on the couch where she had been only a moment before (careful to brush aside his coat tails, of course). “What was it like?” He rested a pointy elbow on his knee and leaned his cheek against his knuckles, looking at her expectantly.
For it is plain as anyone can see. We're simply meant to be.
Post by Sally on Aug 24, 2017 7:56:00 GMT -5
Sally was the picture of anxiousness while she waited to see in what way Jack would react to this unexpected news. The first step was shock, and maybe a little bit of awe, and the ragdoll prepared for what would come next. When Jack leaned back, groping at his abdomen and began to laugh, Sally was so surprised she forgot, for a moment, to be nervous.
When she remembered again, it was worse. Because had Jack been angry, or even visibly hurt about Sally not mentioning her little excursions, somehow that would've been better. Easier to handle for her guilt. As it was, him being tickled and not cross with her the slightest bit made her shame prick twice as deeply.
"Two times..." he repeated and turned to take her former seat.
Sally, finding her voice through all her regret, rushed closer with her typical, hardly-balanced walk. "I didn't mean to," she said swiftly. "The first time I was trying to find one of Finkelstein's creations - remember the commotion from last week when it escaped?" Sally hadn't taken credit for retrieving it. She'd simply pushed it into view of the doctor and Mayor so they thought it had wandered back by itself.
"Then the second I was trying to get to some ingredients when my raft was pulled somewhere... else." Sally's earnest, apologetic explanation was met with a question on Jack's part. His wonderfulness and complete lack of negativity made her frown and take a deep breath to dull the guilty ache in her chest.
She tried a smile, but it was more a small wince. Sally slowly sat down next to Jack and looked into the distance in front of her. "It was... strange. Both were very different from each other. One was a giant forest. The next was an ocean and a little island." She paused, frowned again and turned to look sideways at Jack, her sheet of auburn hair falling over her shoulder.
"I didn't mean to keep them from you. I'm sorry. They happened so recently, and we've both been so busy. I didn't want to trouble you. Besides," she smiled reassuringly, "I made it back just fine." She frowned again. This time it was her turn to draw Jack's long, narrow fingers into her own, turning slightly on the spot so she could hold them.
Post by Jack Skellington on Aug 24, 2017 10:18:49 GMT -5
Jack watched as his beloved crossed the room to stand before him, his amused smile fading when he realized how upset she was. He listened quietly as she explained her reasons for venturing outside their lands, a little concerned frown on his face. Sally was apologizing? Whatever for? Did she think he was angry with her? The ragdoll attempted to smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. Jack now grew quite alarmed. Had something happened? Had someone hurt her? That was something Jack had never fully considered. Everyone in Halloween Town, with the exception of Oogie Boogie, would never hurt anyone.
Before Jack could ask, Sally sat down beside him and began to speak again. She turned to face him and took his hands, stating that she had made it back to Halloween Town 'just fine.' Once Jack was certain she had said all she wanted to say, he lifted a long boney hand and tenderly brushed her hair back over her shoulder so he could better see her face. Then he tipped her chin up to look her in the eye.
"You have nothing to apologize for, Sally-mine. I made no declarations forbidding anyone from exploring... although, perhaps I should." He paused, considering just what trouble Lock, Shock, and Barrel could bring down on their new neighbors. He would have to discuss it with the Mayor. Focusing back on Sally, he smiled and returned his hand to hers. "I know there are no secrets between us... but I hope, should you feel like you must tell me something, you will do so. It doesn't matter what I may be doing, Sally, you are never a trouble." Jack said this firmly but warmly, wanting her to understand that she came first. Even before the town. Even before Halloween.
Hoping he had put her heart at ease, Jack shifted the conversation back to the reason he had come so early in the first place. "As for Rohandor... I have decided to leave Halloween Town and explore it for myself. I'm sure the Mayor will be... less than enthusiastic... about a trip this close to Halloween but I believe it is important that I go and see for myself."
Jack waited, anxious to see how she would respond.
For it is plain as anyone can see. We're simply meant to be.
Post by Sally on Aug 24, 2017 12:36:28 GMT -5
She hadn't thought it possible to feel more silly than she did when confessing what she'd kept from Jack. Not for the sake of secrecy, either, of course. What reasons Sally'd given were true ones. But it was Jack's confusion, then his reassurance that made the ragdoll feel even more foolish. This second time, it was for thinking that Jack was upset with her.
One long, spider-like hand of his reached up and tucked her hair back, then guided her chin up, forcing her to look at him directly. Sally looked gratefully to him when he tucked away her worries neatly. But she hadn't apologized for him, she'd apologized for herself, and that combined with his soothing words brought a pensive smile back to her lips while she drank in the shadows of his eyes.
With her inhibitions quieted Jack moved the focus of their conversation back to where it'd been before Sally's confession. This time it was Jack's turn to confess something. He spoke his plan and Sally's lips pursed thoughtfully. Exploring Rohandor wasn't a foolhardy venture, Sally thought. She didn't have the same instinctive misgivings as she had when Jack was so bent on taking Christmas, certainly.
Besides. Jack was an inherently curious person and Sally believed that sating it where he could was healthy and reasonable of him. After a pause Sally was aware that he was waiting expectantly for her council on this scheme. Breaking into a wider grin, Sally said, "Well, I think it's a fabulous idea." The way she spoke, closing her eyes and shrugging delicately, was as if this was an obvious thought.
"It makes sense for the Pumpkin King to know about the world we're supposed to terrorize every Halloween. And the Mayor may learn to be more decisive without you there to make his mind up for him." Sally took a pause from her matter-of-fact justification and stood, turning to face Jack still on the fainting chair. "When do we leave?"
Her eyes sparkled, half in delight, half in challenge.
Post by Jack Skellington on Aug 24, 2017 13:19:47 GMT -5
As he spoke, Sally's shy smile returned. Jack grinned back, so wide even his hallow eyes seemed to smile too. It just wouldn't do for Sally to be sad or anxious over this and Jack was very pleased that he had put her worries at ease. More than anything he wanted her to be happy.
Jack had debated with himself all night about leaving Halloween Town. Certainly he had countless responsibilities there that needed his attention... and he was also quite aware of the mess he'd made when he'd left the last time and stumbled upon Christmas Town. However, there was one distinct difference here in that Jack in no way felt that he was going out to find something. He was perfectly content right where he was, as the Pumpkin King. This time it was curiosity, not hopelessness, that was drawing him away. He had read Grimm's Fairy Tails (and what were fairies, and what did their tails have to do with anything?) and some of them were quite spooky and thrilled him to no end. They had something to do with some of Rohandor, he was sure of it, because some of it he recognized from when they'd gone about during Halloween. Before doing anything Jack wanted to run this by Sally. She had suspected from the start that Christmas was going to be a disaster and if she told him to stay now he probably would.
After considering his words for a moment, Sally's smile brightened and Jack lifted his head, his expression open and hopeful. At her words, Jack beamed. "Yes, I thought so too!"
Sally got to her feet and Jack assumed the conversation was at an end and Sally would simply continue through the process of opening her shop. Jack was in no hurry to be anywhere right away and in preparation of 'keeping her company' he leaned back, getting a bit more comfortable. Zero floated up and took Sally's spot on the fainting chair beside him.
Except Sally did none of this at all. She turned around to look at him and asked when they would leave.
"When the moon is--" Jack's hallow eyes blinked and he did a double take. "We? You want to go with me, Sally?" It had never occurred to him that she might be interested or that he should ask her to go. Now Jack took in the eager look on her face and realized how much better it would be if she did. One of the reasons he had wanted to stay was because he had not wanted to be away from her for so long. Jack got to his feet, barely containing his excitement. "We may be gone for several days and I cannot say for sure what we will do or what we will see." He said this as a gentle warning, wanting her to understand what she was signing up for.
For it is plain as anyone can see. We're simply meant to be.
Post by Sally on Aug 24, 2017 20:22:11 GMT -5
She could feel it. The tenseness to his bones and the shadow of questioning doubt that'd been lurking in his eyes that Sally had noticed since opening the door for him was draining away. Her opinion hadn't only eased his mind, it'd lightened his heart and hers soared at the realization.
Sally saw, too, that moment after her last question, that Jack hadn't picked it apart fully. He started to answer, then paused and she grinned, bright and sly at his double take. She was unable to help herself and giggled at his shock, screening her mouth with one hand. Configuring a serious expression again, Sally said, "Of course I do!" when he double-checked he'd taken her meaning correctly.
Mischief and delight danced in Jack, filling his bones and drawing him up so that he was standing excitedly. But he was trying to contain himself, she could see, and Sally felt a sense of warmth and rightness at all of this. Exactly the opposite of the feeling she'd had about Jack's plan to host Christmas years ago.
Sally leaned closer after Jack reminded her of the uncertainty that this adventure promised. "All the more reason to come along," she whispered in a conspiratorial way. Then, in a louder, more business-like way, she repeated, "Now. When do we leave?" Then she beamed at Jack. His excitement was contagious and the thought of venturing beyond the Hinterlands at his side, just the two of them, was like a dream.
Post by Jack Skellington on Aug 24, 2017 21:30:17 GMT -5
“Yes, of course! Whatever was I thinking?” Now that Jack had this idea in his head he was already making plans and dreaming up possibilities. Having Sally along changed what he had come up with the night before, but not much. He simply had to rethink their mode of transportation, and the more he thought about it the more he was convinced that this way was better by far.
Sally repeated her question and Jack lifted a skeletal hand to her cheek, his thumb ghosting across the blue cloth of her skin. “Tomorrow night. I have much to do before we leave. Everything has to be perfect!” He straightened up, business like and focused, and turned his head to the ghost-dog. “Come, Zero. We’re off to see the Mayor.”
The dog barked and glided down from the chair. Jack turned back to Sally and bowed his head to kiss her cheek. “Farewell my love. I’ll be back tonight with dinner! Zero!”
Jack let himself out of Sally’s shop, his long legs carrying him swiftly across the square toward the town hall. He’d gone to Sally’s fearing she would be upset or ask him to stay. Instead, the two of them were going together, which was better than anything Jack could have hoped for.
He couldn’t wait.
~~~~
The following evening, Jack carried a large trunk down the steps of his Manor and hefted it into the back of a black horse-drawn hearse. The sun had just set and the lamps on either side of the driver’s bench gave off an eerie glow. Hitched to the hearse was an invisible ghost-horse. It nickered impatiently when it saw Jack and stamped a phantom hoof on the ground.
Jack laughed happily. “Easy now, Bob. We can’t leave until Sally arrives.”
A few of the town’s children were gathered, curious about the horse. One of the children held up an old apple core and it vanished in a few slobbery bites.
The Mayor was nowhere to be seen. He had not endorsed this Royal trip, but as Jack was king there really wasn’t much he could do about it but sulk. Jack could do nothing but reassure the Mayor that they would return within the fortnight.
For it is plain as anyone can see. We're simply meant to be.
Post by Sally on Aug 25, 2017 7:40:54 GMT -5
Sally walked him to the door of her shop and stood there watching him stride off to his destination. She frowned, thinking about how Jack's talk with the Mayor would go, then cupped her hands around her mouth and called out a "Good luck!" for good measure.
The ragdoll stepped back, closed the door and flipped the sign hanging there to "Open." Sally paused and looked over her shop critically. She realized that she had much to do between then and the time of their departure, too. She moved deeper into the shop, contemplating which perishable ingredients to give away, what orders she'd need to delay and who she could enlist to feed the stray cat she'd taken such liking to...
- - - - -
The next night Sally exited her shop with a large patchwork suitcase held before her in both hands. While she picked her way down the steps into the square she was looking over her shoulder at the two witches, who followed after her with their brooms propped on their shoulders. "Now, just a shallow tray of milk every night, and a look over the shop twice a day or so. You have the key?"
One of the witches held up an ornate key whose turner was carved like a spider squatting spindly-legged in the center of her web. Sally smiled gratefully. "Really, I can't thank you enough," she started to say but one of them dismissed her with a wave of her warty hand. "The least we can do, my sweet, after the rush order you did for my hat. It's never looked more frightful!"
Sally bid the witches farewell and approached the hearse where Jack waited, watched by a curious clot of town children. "This is the last of my things!" Sally called out, hoisting the suitcase. She hadn't packed too much. The only other thing Sally had already in the hearse was her sewing basket. The suitcase itself was misleading, because it was actually a traveling potion kit with a sectioned interior.
She noticed that the Mayor, who was normally affixed to Jack's coattails, was nowhere in sight. She'd known that he wouldn't be happy about having to handle Halloween Town by himself for a while. Sally hoped that it would be good for him, and that he wouldn't let things run too far off the handle in their absence.
(OOC: Ohmyword. The horse's name is Bob. I love it!)
Post by Jack Skellington on Aug 25, 2017 8:37:08 GMT -5
Jack frowned, turning his head this way and that as he searched the ground. After a moment he bent and looked under the hearse for good measure. "Zero?" He called for his dog and stood there waiting for a moment, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Then, in one swift motion he unlatched his trunk and threw open the lid, revealing the ghost dog stowed away inside. "Ah ha!" Zero bowed his head and gave a pitiful little whine. Jack rested a hand on his hip and sighed heavily. "Now now. No crying. You must stay here in Halloween Town while we are away." The ghost dog drifted through the trunk and down to Jack's feet, his sheet-like body bowed as if he had a tail between his legs.
Jack crouched down, his sharp knees sticking out on either side of him, and gave Zero a thorough pet until the dog had rolled over for belly rubs and was again in good spirits. "You have to stay, Zero, because if anything happens while we are gone, you can find us and we'll hurry home. Do you understand?" Zero righted himself and floated up to give Jack's face a lick. "That's a good boy."
At the sound of Sally's voice, Jack looked up and a wide grin spread across his skull. He straightened to his full height and rushed to help Sally with her bag. He took it from her gently and lifted it easily into the hearse beside his trunk. "Well my dear, unless you can think of anything, I think we're ready to go!" For his part, Jack had filled his trunk with books and notes and a few essentials from his chemistry set. He had also carefully selected a few items to give as gifts to those they met on their journey. He reached out and tipped the lid closed.
A few of the children approached Jack and Sally. The mummy kid looked up at Jack with his one eye. "Will you bring us presents, Jack?" The corpse kid nodded vigorously at his side. The townsfolk of Halloween Town had not really taken to any of the Christmas traditions, but the children still very much liked the idea of presents.
Jack put his hands on his hips. "We'll see." He was considering bringing back things to show the others in the town (much like he had with the items he found in Christmas Town) anyway. It all hinged on what sort of world they found out there. If it was safe for his people, Jack would tell them what he saw and encourage them to explore too. They would just have to wait and see.
Jack turned to Sally, gave her a theatrical bow and offered her a hand up to the drivers seat of the carriage, where she would sit beside him. "Your chariot awaits, my lady."
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Shoutbox
Welcome to Happily Ever Afters!
Tony Dracon: Responded to your PM, Kat/Ratigan, incidentally.
Jun 27, 2018 20:25:02 GMT -5
David Xanatos: Kat's back. Hope the vacation was fun.
Jul 21, 2018 21:00:05 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: 'Twas a good trip! I'm sad it's over, but at the same time I'm glad to be back home so I can finish up my cosplays for a con next month and hang out with my cats
Jul 26, 2018 12:34:56 GMT -5
Basil of Baker Street: Hope the cosplay goes well. I'm putting away a little extra for a con in a few weeks. and yay cats, they're always good company. Except for that one who slaps me unprovoked XD. So what cosplays do you have in mind unless they're secret?
Jul 26, 2018 17:07:41 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: I'm cosplaying Pearl from Steven Universe and Joseph Joestar from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure!
Jul 26, 2018 23:16:41 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: I'm almost done both of them, I just have to finish styling Pearl's wig and fix up Joseph's gloves and wristbands
Jul 26, 2018 23:17:31 GMT -5
Basil of Baker Street: Awesome. Had to look up Jojo because I'm not hip with the modern pop culture but I hope they turn out well.
Jul 30, 2018 15:33:15 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: I only just started watching the anime last year and I haven't even touched the manga, so I'm barely hip with it lol. fortunately I have my cosplay buddy guiding me through the whole experience
Jul 30, 2018 22:29:38 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: also I finally finished the gloves! They were more of a pain to work with than I expected, but they'll hold together... I hope...
Jul 30, 2018 22:30:13 GMT -5
Basil of Baker Street: Niceness. Hoping they hold also. Got the Dublin comic con next Saturday here. Hoping to meet Karl Urban.
Aug 1, 2018 19:05:32 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: Cool! I think he's coming to my city in the fall, if I remember correctly. Hope you enjoy the con, Daryl!
Aug 2, 2018 19:10:23 GMT -5
Basil of Baker Street: I spoke too soon. Karl Urban had to cancel for schedule conflicts. They got Nick Frost though, I'm gonna ask him if he'll sign my Hot Fuzz.
Aug 3, 2018 18:08:47 GMT -5
Professor Ratigan: Dang! Nick Frost is great though, I love his character in Into the Badlands
Aug 4, 2018 22:54:36 GMT -5
Basil of Baker Street: Enjoy your weekend Kat, hope the costumes came out as you wanted.
Aug 10, 2018 16:49:31 GMT -5
Basil of Baker Street: Met Nick Frost and Michael Dorn at the weekend. Both very nice blokes.
Aug 13, 2018 15:22:59 GMT -5
Dodger: Happy 2019 everyone
Jan 1, 2019 10:54:04 GMT -5
Yen Sid: If anyone is passing by I posted a Hiatus update. Hope everyone is doing well!
Apr 18, 2021 11:31:09 GMT -5
Yen Sid: I've temporarily disabled account creation while I update the site. Sorry for the inconvenience and thanks for your patience!
May 9, 2021 18:31:45 GMT -5
Owen Burnett/Puck: Checked the site again and saw the update! Here's hoping to a revitalized 2022.
Dec 15, 2021 14:41:27 GMT -5