[Transplant] Ghost Hunting

[Moonstone Dazzle]

Of course they'd had to talk about ghosts. Of course they did. It was fall, after all- the spookiest season, the scariest nights. But these woods? Haunted? Certainly all woods had some spiritual resonance, yes, but so did the entire swamp. She wasn't really sure they were going to find any ghosts here. There were certainly a lot of barren trees- perhaps the ambience of this grove was right...

She pawed at a pomegranate on the ground. It burst, and worms crawled out. Ugh, this place was infested with the living. How were they supposed to hold a ghost tour here? 

--

At the very least, the grove was barren and dead of fruit. Devoid of life and rotting in a most beautiful way. These were the things he loved- death, decay. It would not be a complete waste- barren branches cast lovely shadows, and put kin on edge. It was an air of things that most kin dared not think about. Just the slightest shift in a breeze had them jumpy and jittery. Grim Grinning Ghosts drudged after his Ladyship, ears on alert and flickering to and fro as he glanced about the grove.

"I mean, grubs aren't terribly appealing, ma'am. Many kin don't like them," He replied, looking up to her with his glowing, unblinking eyes. "I think, given your talents, we could make this work. Particularly with all the intoxicated kin round these parts."

Not that he begrudged them their drink and revelry. His was different, odd from theirs, but he could appreciate the desire for pleasure. It was why he so often sought to please his mistress, after all!

--

"True, some find grubs to be unnerving- but look! Over here, see what I mean?" The acha swept a piece of hair out of her eyes as she gestured to some wind-fallen pears. "Look at these. If we're leading a ghost tour, these can't be here. Who gets startled by pears? Come here and help me eat them- and we'll take what we can't eat back. Otherwise we'll have kin wandering off and eating pears and THEN where will we be?" 

--

Those most certainly were ripe, lovely pears. Licking his chops, Grim trotted over, and began to help himself to the fruit. Perhaps his Lady was not thrilled by the fresh, living fruit, but it made a nice treat to his hungry belly. Perhaps he'd bring the little ones here sometime, get them some as well. Or... he could bring some back? That seemed a fair decision. With a quick snip, Grim hopped and grabbed a branch of pears for his children to enjoy by the fire. If he went so far to roast them... mhmm! Perhaps they'd even make Bloodsucker happy.

"Anything else?" He asked, turning back to his Mistress with a smile. "I thought... after we figure out what we're doing here, we might enjoy some fruit by the fire...?"

How romantic! Perhaps the young ones would be busy, and they would have time- just the two of them, alone! Unlike the nightmare he so hoped to create, this was a dream.  To better know his lady, to enjoy her company...! Maybe it would not be so bad after all!

--

Heading back might be a good idea. We can play up the "restless spirits" bit... yeah, that'll work." She stared up at the trees; a whithered apple hung from one; a dried husk of a thing. Perhaps there was something to this grove after all... she was getting ideas. 

--

"A-after you, my lady!" Grim called, turning to head back after his mistress. Thank goodness she agreed! While he was eager to scare his children, most certainly, his belly was also rumbling in a desire for food. Besides that, Lady Bloodsucker was more than clever enough to come up with a great plan of story within the day. Of that, he was certain. For now... maybe he could cook her something? What a wondrous opportunity!

Distracted by his own thoughts, his hoof crunched with a sick squelch against the pomegranate his lady had found earlier. Frowning severely, he looked down to the grub-infested fruit... and ooh. ooh. That was a horrifically disgusting sensation, grubs crawling on you. He was definitely going to need to remember that one! Perhaps a pit, filled with grubs??? It would be like being buried alive! Grim Grinning Ghosts squealed in delight at the thought.

"I'll give you a few of my thoughts at the fireside, Mistress, should you be so kind!"