is this darkness of the dawn and your friends are gone

[bogwife]

[Everything keeps happening so much and the only real constants are death and parties.

Zerinda takes the initiative to plan things this time, with Della helping her deliver the invitations either being slipped under doors again.]



[It gives everyone an hour or two to settle down from the investigation and trial. By 6 on the dot the tables in the lounge are packed with miscellaneous vending machine snacks, a large pot of a thick and warm white stew, a plate stacked with biscuits and cupcakes. So many cupcakes. Mira has been coping well with her stress.

There's also several bottles of wine, hot coffee and hot chocolate waiting for anyone thirsty.

Welcome to the party, ya'll.]

Comments

[philoxenia]

Mm.

[ She gives Della a smile. ]

... Therion told me that I've changed a lot since coming here. I guess seeing it all laid out like this, how scared and... paranoid I was those first few weeks, he definitely wasn't wrong.

[nothingcanstop]

Good thing you're actually listening to him. [ God, she looks...so proud. ] It's a...record of your growth now.

[philoxenia]

It's kind of hard not to believe him. He had a lot to say about it. [ She laughs lightly. ] ... Mm. I think I've still got a way to go, but it's certainly a start.

[nothingcanstop]

Every little step, right? [ A small, almost sheepish smile. ] You can't force yourself to change at the drop of a hat. My... Uncle Scrooge taught me that.

[philoxenia]

Every little step, [ she agrees. ] You know... the more you talk about him, the more I like him.

[nothingcanstop]

I'm... I'm really glad. He's my uncle, but...well, he's the one who raised me.

[philoxenia]

Really? What's he like? ... Other than the fact that he fights gods.

[nothingcanstop]

He's [ cue a Scottish accent ] tougher than the toughies and smarter than the smarties. [ She chuckles. ] Uncle Scrooge, he's got...a thirst for adventure and a keen business sense. He's...frugal, allowance was always minimal. But he encouraged us to work for our own earnings. Something about...keeping us humble, giving us a good work ethic. Above all, he loves his family. That's... That's something I could never doubt.

[philoxenia]

[ She laughs a little, right along with Della. ]

Incredible... I bet he's lived an amazing, exciting life. So he's a businessman? Or... businessduck, I suppose. And an adventurer?

[nothingcanstop]

Yerp! You don't even know the half of it. I don't even know the half of it, he's had more adventures than...than years I've been alive. He's also the richest duck in the world. McDuck Enterprises helps to...well, keep the planet safe, explore the unknown, everything.

[philoxenia]

[ Huh. ]

The richest duck in the world who helps people, goes on adventures, tussles with gods... Are you sure he's real?

[nothingcanstop]

For as long as I've been alive, and longer.