ARADIA!

Holy fucking shit.

SPIRIT GUN! ! !

[Aradia doesn't really-- wanna talk about it, but she knows she can trust Hank. A sigh, as she gives a nod.]

Yeah, maybe tea and talking about it would help. . . I just. I'm emotionally strung out, more-so than physically.

[She ditches the cold coffee down the drain of the sink.]

The Naruto stuff. Watch even better anime, dawg.

[She's none the wiser.]

[She checks any for being tampered with or any with bites taken out.]

...Thanks, Victor. For returning them. Genuinely.

I'm. . . surviving. Yeah. That's a good way to put it. Luce put himself to sleep by eating all the Hostess Cupcakes again. So, an addendum to my previous statement of burgers putting to sleep. A lot of food in general does.

[She quietly slams back her 3rd cup of coffee this evening.]

Of course, Hank. . . I just-- it's hard to do a lot of food based thing without Luce eating things. It's-- hard.

[Voice cracks like she's about to burst into tears, but she keeps herself together.]

I'm glad you like it. Since it's basically strawberry season, I bought a bunch of strawberry snacks.

Ben, Jesus CHRIST.

[Luce sleepily waves a tentacle, and an always-exasperated Aradia offers a weak smile.]

Good evening, Hank. . . How are you tonight?

[Warbling to Luce, just to see if he'd respond.]

Luce'll probably spit acid on you if you bite his tentacles, so I wouldn't advise it.

[A TENTACLE OR TWO COME OUT TO RESTRAIN HIM, MAKING HIM DROP THE BOXES. They tighten hard.]

VICTOR.

With the halo and the wings and the eye on it, yes.

[She feels instantly like a chimney sweep or a paperboy from the 20s.]

Peepaw-- can you get my hat back from Victor?

Hank, can you get Victor to give back the chocolate I got for everyone, not just him? I just tried to give him one and he stole four.

ONE, VICTOR.

[Takes three out of his hands.]

He's stronger than he appears. He drags me places in my sleep sometimes. . .

[She shrugs, scratching her surprisingly hatless head. Victor stole her hat.]

It saves me the trip from bed to the kitchen, so I guess it's fine.

[Takes TWO out of his hand.]

One, Victor.

Yeah, I've been eating. So has Luce, but he's been kinda sleepy today. Think he got into some sweets when I fell asleep. I woke up in the kitchen, so... y'know.

You literally cannot steal one, I got you one just for you.

[. . . Adapting is a way to put it. She slides him a small easter chick made of chocolate and full of peanutbutter creme.]

Here, happy late easter, Peepaw.

Oh, uh-- that'd be great, but you don't have to. . . I feel bad that I was only able to manage store bought stuff this year. I wanted to bake, but Luce kept eating the pastry dough.

So I just got something that would flummox Luce; stuff in simple boxes or bags. He hates boxes and bags.

((waddles in and trips.))

Wait, Hank. I got you a big one.

[Slides over one milk chocolate egg with strawberry creme.]

I hope you like strawberry...

Happy Easter, guys. I bought everyone a chocolate egg. Grab 'em before Luce gets to 'em.

𝙄𝙉𝘿𝙄𝘼𝙉𝘼 𝙅𝙊𝙉𝙀𝙎. . .