video @lightemup

[umbrastaff]

[The camera turns on, and shows these babies -


- before moving to show Lup's face.

She has a bit of flour on her nose.]

I call them 'Lupcakes'. This is prime Flour Up Desserts advertising, obviously.

[She grins and settles the phone at a good angle.]

Frosting's got some spice in it, like those red candies. I'm offering some taste-testing free of charge if you tell me a good story.

...or for any tips on really good napping spots. We elves might not need to sleep like you poor chums, but chagirl's got priorities next month and like half of it is gonna be naps.

[She's so into getting a real body, okay? This vessel was great but undeath is shit for snoozing.]

Comments

[umbrastaff]

[Kids are so cute when they're not screaming.]

Damn right I can! I'm a great wizard!

[Lup creates a bit of illusory fire around herself. Just because.]

...and yeah, it's cinnamon! Quick thinking. Y'got any stories to trade for one?

[thestoriesarereal]

[She will only scream if she's in terror......and on roller coasters.]

Whoa. That's so cool. Are you...[She's hesitant to ask this, but she would love to know.] Are you as great as Merlin?

[OH EM GEE, FIRE THAT ISN'T BURNING AND THAT IS AMAZING.

And now there's a bit of a smirk/grin on her face.]

Plenty! I know stories about Princesses, Heroes, Villains, and more. What kind would you like to hear?

[umbrastaff]

I don't think I know who Merlin is, sorry.

[Nobody told her Fantasy Arthurian Legends.

...that grin is nice, though, and she matches it with one of her own.]

How about princess-heroes?

[thestoriesarereal]

Merlin? He is like the most powerful sorcerer! He helps Arthur become King Arthur.

[Okay, she'll have to find more stories about him, considering her Dad's tales were different.]

Okay! Pick one: Snow White or Cinderella?

[Cause, one is her great-grandmother and the other is her mom.]

[umbrastaff]

Huh, remind me to look that up.

[Her nerd side is piqued, okay?]

Oh, um... I guess Cinderella? Sounds up my alley.

[thestoriesarereal]

I will! Or, I could look for a book in the library or bookstore for you to read. There are a lot of legends and tales about him--well, him and King Arthur.

[Book nerds unite!]

Great! That one is one of my favorites. Once Upon A Time...

[And she starts telling the tale of Cinderella, how the young woman came to have the name Cinderella. The name of her step-mother, and step-sister Drizella. How the young woman was going to a ball to kill a prince because he took her father's kingdom, but she was stopped by a young man using a horseless carriage--a motorcycle. How the pair fought against the evil step-mother, and joined a Resistance to take back more land from the evil step-mother and how in the end, True Love and justice won.]

What do you think?

[umbrastaff]

[Lup leans back in her chair and listens, curious as this kid tells her a story that sounds kind of familiar but still not.]

Man, that was some bad-ass stuff. Sounds like True Love is almost like a magic school in your world.

[She gets it, though. She really does.]

Definitely worth some Lupcakes.

[thestoriesarereal]

True love is the most powerful magic in my world. True love's kiss can break any spell.

I wish we had a magic school. [Cause Harry Potter is so freakin' cool.

And now she's grinning.]

Great! When can I get one? And....where should I be going to pick it up?

[umbrastaff]

[She's doing her best here to not look sad, because yeah. True love is what she partly anchored herself to, but her love isn't here.]

Ah.... is there a store or something near you? I can send one there.

[thestoriesarereal]

[Kids sometimes have a sixth sense to when an adult is hiding their feelings, and it's sort of happening here. It's the way the elf's demeanor changes. Concern comes across Lucy's eyes.]

Not really, I'm just at home with my grandma right now.

[Beat.]

Are you okay?

[umbrastaff]

Think your gran will be okay with you giving me your address so I can deliver one?

[...damn perceptive kids.]

Yeah, I'm good.

[thestoriesarereal]

I think she should be. Maybe you know her, Emma Swan?

[...Uh-huh.]

You sure?

[umbrastaff]

Can't say I do, sorry.

[She rolls her eyes a bit. What was it with kids and their perception checks?]

It just reminded me of my true love. He's a big nerd.

[thestoriesarereal]

That's okay! I'll send you the address, I'm sure she would be okay with it.

[Give her a moment to send it through the phone device thing.]

Oh....I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you upset. [Because she gets the feeling either things didn't end well or he's not here, or both.]

[umbrastaff]

Oh don't worry, I'm just a sucker for the true love shit, I'm telling him all about that magic when he gets here.

[She checks the address she´s given and sends an unseen servant to deliver the bakes goods. It's... pretty much an invisible force carrying a lupcake for Lucy about five minutes later.]

[thestoriesarereal]

There are a lot of people who enjoy the true love thing, and it runs strong in my family. Like, my great grand-parents have the most epic love story.

[Lucy's waiting those five minutes and then...FLOATING CUPCAKE?! She's in shock and in utter joy. Really, it's the simple things in life.]

THANK YOU!!!!

[umbrastaff]

Daaaamn, girl. Sounds like you have a nice family.

[She's looking a little smug at the girl's amazement, giving her a little wink and completely unnecessary finger guns.]

Try it and tell me what you think!

[thestoriesarereal]

I do! Well...I did? It's complicated.

[The grin is still on her face as she takes a bite of the cupcake.]

IT'S AMAZING!

[umbrastaff]

[That sounds... concerning, honestly.

...it's not her business, though.]

I'm glad you like it. Do you think it should be on the menu?

[thestoriesarereal]

[It's...confusing, considering the curse and all and she hasn't heard much of great-grandparents. Things should be fine, at least that's what she's telling herself.]

It so should be! I love the spice you used! I just wish there was more.

[Wait a moment...]

Can you make beignets?