Chapter One-Hundred Eighty-Two: The Old Koks Manor

Chapter 182

The Old Koks Manor

Deimos paused as he stood before Jaxon’s hotel room. He cleared his throat and knocked on the door. He waited a few minutes, and Jaxon answered. He wore his silk red dragon robe. He raised his eyebrows to see Deimos standing there.

Deimos: “Hey, Jax. Can I come in?”

Jaxon bowed his head and heaved a deep sigh. He stepped aside to let him in. Deimos entered and looked around.

Jaxon: “What do you want?”

He asked as he embraced himself—Deimos surveyed him.

Deimos: “Jaxon, I am sorry! I don’t know what has come over me lately or why I am doing this!”

He exclaimed.

Jaxon: “Doing what?”

Deimos: “Hurting you… Hurting Tristan… Why am I hurting the two men I love so much?”

He asked as his eyelids dipped.

Jaxon looked away as his bottom lip trembled. Deimos took his hands and kissed them. Jaxon shivered at his touch and smiled a bit.

Deimos: “I’m sorry, Jaxon… I’m sorry for everything.”

He said softly. Jaxon bowed his head.

Deimos: “My feelings for you haven’t dissipated, but…, I understand if you want to work things out with Celeste.”

He patted his hands. Jaxon sighed and knit his eyebrows.

Jaxon: “I do, and I still want to do RyuPhobos.”

He said gently. Deimos nodded and smiled tightly.

Deimos: “As do I, and I did enjoy our time as a couple.”

He admitted with a smile. Jaxon reddened.

Jaxon: “Me too.”

Deimos heaved a deep sigh.

Deimos: “Maybe in another lifetime… in less toxic circumstances this could have worked.”

He whispered. Jaxon nodded slowly and wiped his eyes. Deimos dried his eyes for him.

Deimos: “Do you want to work things out with Celeste?”

He cupped his face.

Jaxon: “I do and I don’t?”

He laughed a hollow laugh. Deimos pursed his lips.

Deimos: “And this is how I feel about Tristan. I don’t know if it’s possible…”

Jaxon leaned into his hand.

Jaxon: “You know, I was supposed to be engaged to Noriko. You don’t have to stay with your ‘first love’.”

He stated.

Deimos: “But you didn’t love Noriko.”

Jaxon nodded and sighed.

Jaxon: “I know.”

Deimos and Jaxon’s foreheads leaned together and touched. Deimos never felt more confused and conflicted in his life.

~

Narcisse sat in the restaurant at the Nobel Monarch Hotel, having a cup of tea. Amanda sat across from him and handed him pictures of Deimos greeting Jaxon at his hotel room. Narcisse grinned.

Narcisse: “Splendid. This is all he needs.”

He chuckled and sipped his tea.

~

That morning, Tristan was driving through Greamoom Hills. He wore a black Italian-cut suit, a light-blue pressed shirt, a blue tie, black wingtip Oxfords, and a long black overcoat. He drove past Jordi’s house and moved a block away.

He flicked on his signal and made a turn into the driveway.

He arrived at a house with Queen Anne Victorian architecture, characterized by its asymmetrical facade, turrets, decorative trim, and a variety of window shapes.

The siding was a deep, rich burgundy that contrasted sharply with the black trim, which was accented with gold details. Patches of moss grew on the siding. The dark, high-contrast palette is often called the “Painted Lady” style. Elaborate gingerbread trim—such as spindles, brackets, and turned elements—in contrasting colors decorated the eaves and around the windows.

The roof had steep pitches and multiple gables. On the left, a prominent turret with a conical roof and various windows was visible. The main part of the house boasted a large, distinctive ocular window on the second floor.

The main entrance was recessed and featured a large, round-arched portico over the front steps. Several complex bay windows and a small porch on the right contributed to the asymmetrical look.

The yard looked neglected, with bushes, beer cans, and garbage scattered around.

The combination of the house’s grand scale, complex detailing, and bold, dark color scheme gave it a dramatic and slightly imposing appearance.

He parked his car, shut off the engine, and climbed out with his briefcase in his hand.

He ascended the stairs and took a deep breath. He raised his hand to knock on the door and found the door slightly open. He pursed his lips and gave the door a slight push.

He entered a highly ornate interior and corridor. The walls were painted a deep, velvety oxblood red, creating a sense of drama, opulence, and intimacy. The wood trim, paneling, and architectural elements were in a dark, rich stain, complementing the walls. The lighting was low and warm, casting shadows that enhanced the moody atmosphere.

A magnificent, sweeping, curved staircase greeted him, leading up to the second floor through an arched doorway. A black carpet covered the stairs, creating a striking contrast against the red walls. The dark, ornate balustrade added to the grandeur.

Directly above the viewing area, there was a prominent rotunda for the second-floor landing. This space was heavily decorated with elaborate dark-wood carvings and friezes, featuring intricate scrolling and acanthus leaves.

The hallway was lined with elegant wall sconces with multiple electric lights, mounted on both the main walls and the curved walls of the staircase area. These fixtures emitted a warm, orange-yellow glow.

Above the staircase landing, a gilded oval mirror hung against the red wall, reflecting light and providing a vertical accent.

He entered the left room through an arch into the living room. The entire living room was dominated by a deep, matte black finish, applied to the built-in shelving, mantelpiece, and walls. The focal point was a magnificent, ornate fireplace, with a massive bloodstain on the floor in front of it. Tristan cupped his mouth.

The mantelpiece was deeply carved and highly decorative, made of cast iron painted black and featuring intricate Gothic Revival motifs.

Above the mantel, a Gothic-style mirror with a carved frame was positioned, and brass ornaments decorated the mantelpiece. Flanking the fireplace were a pair of matching, deep, black tufted leather armchairs.

The walls on either side of the fireplace were lined with floor-to-ceiling built-in bookshelves filled with books. The varying shades of the book spines—mostly brown, red, and gold—provided the only significant color break from the overwhelming black.

A small, dark, antique-style side table sat between the chairs. A richly patterned Oriental-style rug in muted tones of red, black, and brown covered the dark wood floor.

Two small table lamps with black shades and ornate gold bases were placed on the shelves near the chairs, providing focused task lighting.

Tristan: “Hello?”

He called out. A creak echoed through the walls as someone stood at the top of the stairs. He turned on his heel to see a petite Korean woman dressed in a black velvet gown. She resembled a ghost with her heavily exaggerated makeup and white face paint. Her crooked smile shifted into a frown when he turned around and saw that he was a man.

Woman: “What brings you to our humble abode?”

She tapped her fingernails on the stair railing. Tristan turned to her with a smile.

Tristan: “Hello, Madame. I’m Tristan Trémaux. I’m here to help place the house in your name.”

He put his hand out to her. The woman clasped her hands together.

Woman: “Wonderful! I want the name to be under my name as Abigail Choi.”

She stated. Tristan smiled and nodded.

Tristan: “Yes, Miss Choi, I am aware that the seller reached out to me to inform me of this. The lawyer before me, Jack Samsun, took care of the Koks’ affairs, and he handed that responsibility to me.”

He replied.

Abigail: “Oh, yes, the Koks case fascinated me… the dark history of this place was ever so enticing…”

She hummed and observed her surroundings, drinking them in as she inhaled. Tristan managed a strained smile.

Tristan: “I see. I know it took place in 1968, and if my math is correct, that was nineteen years ago. Tragic case, really.”

He said as he popped the latches on his briefcase open and got the documents out.

Abigail: “A murder AND a suicide…”

She pulled out her black fan and fanned her face with it. Tristan retained his forced smile.

Tristan: “Yes, that is correct.”

He cleared his throat and pointed to the signature line on the document.

Tristan: “Sign here.”

Abigail smiled widely, pulling out a quill pen with a black raven feather on it, dipping it in black ink.

Abigail: “Very well!”

She swished her pen and signed her name in a swirling cursive on the document. Tristan took the document and then notarized it. He then put the document back into his briefcase.

Tristan: “Thank you!”

He nodded.

Abigail: “No, thank you!”

She spread her arms out into a T-pose as her lantern sleeves flowed beside her.

Someone sauntered into the room, dressed in a paisley-blue blouse and jeans; her colourful clothes contrasted with Abigail’s black, gloomy attire. Her long crimson hair cascaded down her back with an orange headband around her head.

Juniper: "Oh, hey Abi! Why is there a hot guy in our house? I thought you only liked hot girls?"

She laughed and fiddled with her hair, locking her blue doe eyes onto Tristan with intrigue as if she had spotted something shiny. Her eyes resembled those of 1960s models like Twiggy, and her skin was porcelain. Something about her struck Tristan as familiar.

Tristan: “Oh, hello! Thank you!”

He reddened a bit.

Abigail: “He’s not my boy toy, Juniper! He’s the lawyer!”

She hissed.

Juniper plonked down next to Tristan.

Juniper: “Oh! Can I tickle him?”

She smiled at Tristan. Tristan turned white as a ghost.

Tristan: “You want to tickle me?”

He asked nervously. Juniper nodded.

Juniper: “Of course! Are you ticklish?”

She asked him. Tristan laughed nervously and fiddled with his ponytail.

Tristan: “Unbearably!”

He laughed nervously. Juniper’s face lit up with a laugh.

Juniper: “Unbearably! That’s funny! Unbearable as in bare feet!”

She chuckled and crouched down to his shoes to inspect his feet. Tristan laughed nervously.

Juniper: “I bet you are, Mister Lawyer man!”

She hummed and pulled off his shoes, laying her eyes on his black, sheer socks.

Tristan: “Call me Tristan.”

He said breathlessly.

Juniper: “Wow, I can see right through your socks, and your aura tells me you’re indeed ticklish!”

She exclaimed as she grabbed his feet and massaged them. Tristan fanned his toes out and heaved a deep sigh as his heart thundered in his chest. Abigail rolled her eyes.

Abigail: “What are you doing, Juniper?”

She huffed.

Juniper: “Tickling Tristan, duh.”

She stated as she trickled her fingers against his sheer-socked feet. Tristan jumped and shrieked.

Tristan: “AIYEEE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”

He laughed and jolted.

Juniper: “Whoa, he’s so loud!”

She remarked and laughed to herself.

Someone in a duck costume came rushing down the stairs like a kid on Christmas morning.

Duck: “I heaaar tickling!”

A high-pitched woman’s voice hollered from the costume. Juniper turned to the duck costume.

Juniper: “Oh, hey Madelyn, you’re just in time!”

She chirped. The woman removed the duck head to reveal a young woman with a blond wolf cut hairstyle, violet eyes, and tan skin.

Madelyn: “Ooh, he’s a hotty!”

She remarked, rubbing her feathered costume against Tristan. Tristan screamed with laughter.

Tristan: “NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”

He screamed through bouts of laughter. Abigail pouted and rolled her eyes as she watched the two women tickle Tristan’s feet.

Madelyn: “Wow, this one is so loud and ticklish!”

She snickered as she removed his sheer socks and tickled his feet with her feathered hands. Tristan screamed with laughter, and his laughter echoed through the house.

Tristan: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!! AHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!”

He clutched onto the arm of the chair as tears trickled down his cheeks.

Juniper sniffed his feet, which only further tickled him more.

Juniper: “His feet smell like a garden.”

She swooned. Tristan laughed so hard, he rasped and breathed ragged breaths in between laughing.

Tristan: “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH!!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA! OH GOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOD! AHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAA!!!”

He laughed and wheezed.

Abigail clapped her hands together.

Abigail: “I dare say that’s enough, ladies!”

She commanded. The two women ceased from tickling him.

Juniper: “Aww…”

She pouted. Tristan panted rapidly and clutched his hand to his chest. He tried to catch his breath and removed his glasses to wipe his eyes.

Tristan: “My God…”

He wheezed and started cleaning his glasses.

Juniper: “Don’t worry, Tristan, there will always be other times we can tickle you.”

She sighed softly, patting his head. Tristan heaved a deep sigh.

Tristan: “Hahahahaha, thank you, I do look forward to it.”

He said softly and put his glasses back on.

Madelyn: “Ooh, next time I will dress up as a pirate and tickle you with my tickle sword!”

She exclaimed and chuckled. Tristan laughed and nodded.

Tristan: “Sure, why not? I’ll let you know beforehand then.”

He said in a breathy voice, then slid his feet into his shoes and started tying them.

He rose, dusted himself off, and picked up his briefcase. He handed his business card to each of them. It was a black card with gold lettering that read “Tristan Trémaux, Esq.”, along with his office address, phone number, fax number, and email address.

To the left of his contact information were two stylized scales of justice. Rising between the two scales was a prominent quill pen. The scales of justice and quill were enclosed and supported by a laurel wreath. Below the wreath, in a stylized, metallic font, are the words “TRÉMAUX LAW OFFICE.”

Juniper: “Oh, so you’re a Libra, huh?”

She examined the scales on his card. Tristan laughed.

Tristan: “No, I’m a Leo, actually! My birthday is on July 23rd!”

He nodded.

Juniper: “Oh, so you’re a fire sign then!”

She remarked.

Tristan: “Yes, but ironically, I am an ice user.”

He said genially.

Juniper: “Oh, you wield ice majique?”

She smiled. Tristan blinked. It’s not magic, he thought.

Tristan: “Yes, sure, why not?”

He smiled tightly.

Juniper: “I’m a Sagittarius, so I’m a fire sign, too, but I read the Reona with my feet!”

She held up her foot and wiggled her toes. Tristan smiled and nodded.

Tristan: “I see now! Very fascinating. I reckon you will do very well in this city.”

He flipped his ponytail.

Madelyn: “I’m an Aries, and that’s a fire sign, too! I was born on the best day ever, being April Fool’s!”

Tristan: “I see now! Very fascinating.”

He laughed.

Abigail perked up.

Abigail: “Yes, I hear tell Pink Top is the tickling hot spot of the world!”

She beamed with glee, rubbing her hands together. Tristan turned to her.

Tristan: “That is correct. I draw up contracts for several ticklish fetish studios.”

He replied.

Abigail: “Really now? Do tell? Any beautiful women?”

She hummed. Tristan laughed.

Tristan: “I have a friend, but she doesn’t model for any of these studios.”

He told her.

Abigail: “Oh, is she a beautiful woman?”

She pressed him with curiosity.

Tristan: “I certainly think so, and others do as well.”

He nodded. Abigail beamed widely.

Abigail: “Ooh… I’d like to meet her.”

She smiled.

Tristan: “She’s at large, so I reckon you will meet her soon.”

He rubbed his hands together. Madelyn interjected with a laugh.

Madelyn: “Don’t be a weirdo, Abi.”

She teased.

Abigail: “I’m not being a weirdo.”

She harrumphed.

Madelyn: “So, you said you work with tickling fetish studious ey? Are they hiring?”

She stroked her chin with her feathered hands.

Tristan: “Yes, Tony the Tank Top Tickler is, and so is Sole Desire!”

He replied genially.

Madelyn: “Ooh, I’d love to do a thing like that!”

She beamed giddily.

Tristan: “They would be delighted to hear from you!”

He smiled and reached into his coat to look at his pocket watch.

Tristan: “Anyway, I must depart now. Contact me if you need me.”

He nodded.

Madelyn: “Okay, bye-bye! Nice to meet you!”

She smiled and waved.

Juniper: “Sure, we’ll contact you when we want to tickle you again!”

She smiled and waved.

Tristan: “Of course!”

He nodded and walked out the door.

He walked down the steps and to his car. He climbed inside, started the engine, and looked behind him as he reversed out of the driveway.

~

That evening, after Jordi came home from work, he was out walking in the chilly weather. He wore a black leather aviator bomber jacket with a gold fur collar, blue jeans, and his black zip-up boots. It was pitch dark out at an early hour. Jordi carried something wrapped in aluminum foil. He gazed at the eerie Gothic mansion that had been abandoned for nineteen years. Henrietta told him people had moved in, and he had to do the polite thing and welcome his new neighbors.

He walked down the path and up the steps on the porch. He grabbed the black ring on the door knocker and banged it. The porch light flickered, and he heard the whisper of the wind through the trees. He heard footsteps drawing nearer from inside the house and was greeted by Abigail, dressed in her robe and carrying a candle, as if it were 1887.

Abigail: “Oh, it’s just another man.”

She frowned with disappointment as she went to close the door on him again. Jordi blinked and stood there awkwardly.

Jordi: “S-Sorry…”

He murmured.

Juniper: “Oooh, is he another hot man?”

She rushed over to the door, shoving her aside to take in Jordi.

Juniper: “Ooh, he IS!”

She beamed as she admired his beauty.

Jordi: “Th-Thank you! Hello! I’m your neighbor, Jordi Vaquero! I brought some fruit cake my grandfather’s live-in caregiver made! It’s fruit cake with marzipan!”

He lifted it.

Madelyn interjected, sliding down the stair rail.

Madelyn: “Fruit cake?!”

She beamed.

Jordi: “Hello!”

Madelyn: “Neighbor?!”

She added as she observed Jordi.

Madelyn: “The perfect combination! I’m Madelyn!”

She greeted him with a wave.

Jordi: “I’m Jordi! May I come in?”

He smiled.

Jordi: “It’s really cold out here.”

He laughed.

Madelyn: “Oh no! You poor thing! Get in here!”

She exclaimed, rushing over to him and pulling him in for a hug in her fluffy duck costume. Jordi reddened and hugged her back.

Jordi: “...Thanks.”

He said softly and entered the house. He examined his surroundings. He heard the crackling of fire and saw a fire in the fireplace.

Madelyn: “Make yourself at home!”

She led him into the room and pulled out a chair for him. Jordi cleared his throat. He unzipped his jacket and took it off, revealing his vertical-striped, dark-purple, long-sleeved button-down shirt. He sat in the chair and looked around the place.

Juniper: “I’ll get your shoes!”

She exclaimed, crouching down, unzipping his boots, and pulling them off. Jordi fanned his toes out in his sheer socks.

Juniper: “Ooh, this one is wearing see-through socks, too!”

She gushed and admired his feet. Madelyn beamed.

Madelyn: “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

She winked at her. Abigail rolled her eyes. Here we go again, she thought. Jordi laughed nervously.

Jordi: “You want some of that cake?”

He teased. Madelyn perked up.

Madelyn: “Don’t mind if I do!”

She eagerly took the cake and nibbled on it.

Juniper: “I want this cake!”

She remarked at his feet and stroked her finger tip down his feet. Jordi jolted and laughed.

Jordi: “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”

Juniper: “I wonder if he’s as ticklish as the last one…”

She pondered and trailed her fingertips down his feet. Jordi caterwauled with laughter.

Jordi: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!”

He laughed and dug his fingertips into the armchair.

Madelyn: “Hey! Wait for me!”

She exclaimed as she rubbed her feathered hands against him while eating the cake. Jordi howled with laughter.

Jordi: “OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!”

He laughed hard and pounded on the arm of the sofa.

Juniper: “Let’s try without the socks!”

She pulled his sheer socks off his feet and ran her nails down the soles of his feet. Madelyn reached around his sides and tickled his sides. Jordi’s screams of laughter pervaded the downstairs and shook the chandelier that hung above.

Jordi: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!! OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO GOHOHOHOHOHOHOD!!! AIYEEEEEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!!”

He laughed as tears dripped down his cheeks.

Juniper: “Wow, he’s just as ticklish as the other one!”

She beamed.

Madelyn: “He looked sad and looked like he needed a good tickle!”

She teased him and tickled his tummy. Jordi laughed with joy and loved every moment of this.

Jordi: “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!”

He threw his head back as his face was red and tears streaked his cheeks.

Madelyn: “Wow, he looks so much happier than he did before!”

She smiled at him, rubbing her feathers up against his bare skin, while Juniper tickled the soles of his feet. Jordi screamed with laughter and wheezed in between laughing, as this was starting to exhaust him.

Jordi: “OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA OH GOHOHOHOHOHOHOD!”

He laughed hard and breathed raggedly between laughs. Abigail interjected with a clap of her hands.

Abigail: “That will be all! Enough!”

She commanded, and the two women ceased from tickling him. Madelyn nodded and sat down beside Jordi.

Jordi sat back as the tears dripped down his cheeks and he panted for air.

Jordi: “That was fun…!”

He said, panting.

Madelyn: “See! He likes it!”

She poked her tongue out at Abigail.

Jordi: “I did—thank you so much!”

He cleared his throat.

Madelyn: “The pleasure’s ours!”

She placed her feathered hand to her chest.

Jordi: “So what are your names? I don’t believe I asked, and I apologize for that!”

He took another deep breath.

Madelyn: “Oh! I got distracted, haha! I’m Madelyn! That’s Juniper, and the grouchy one is Abi!”

She explained, pointing at each of them.

Jordi: “Nice to meet you all! I’m your neighbor, and I live at 824 Orchard Street, so if you need me, I should be there after work or on the weekends.”

He smiled and crossed his legs.

Juniper: “Ooh, so we can come over and tickle you after work or on the weekends?”

She chuckled.

Jordi: “I’m fine with it, but you have to deal with my grandfather… and his live-in caregiver also tickles me.”

He laughed bitterly and waved his hand.

Juniper: “Whoa, so you must get tickled a loooot then!”

She gasped. Jordi turned ashen. That’s an understatement, he thought.

Madelyn: “Oh, then why are you so sad if you get tickled a lot?”

She pressed him.

Jordi: “Hahahahahaha, why do you ask if I am sad?”

He asked her.

Madelyn: “I dunno, you just seemed sad but seem happier now!”

She gazed up at the ceiling. Jordi looked away.

Jordi: “Oh, I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware of that.”

He smiled a bit.

Madelyn: “Why are you sorry? Why so glum, sugar plum?”

She pressed him, leaning closer to him. Jordi swallowed hard. He laughed and patted her arm.

Jordi: “I am not sad, I promise you. I hope you like the cake I brought.”

He said earnestly.

Madelyn: “Okay, if you say so! YES! It’s very yummy, thank you!”

She smiled at him and took another slice.

Jordi: “It’s fruit cake with marzipan. My grandfather’s caregiver made it. She makes it for Christmas, but since Thanksgiving is approaching…”

He said, his voice trailing off.

Madelyn: “Well, it’s very delish! Oh! Thanksgiving? Is that like Christmas, but without the gifts?”

She asked. Jordi snapped out of his daze.

Jordi: “It’s a holiday where families gather around and eat a grand turkey dinner, so I guess so.”

He shifted his eyes.

Madelyn: “Oh! Well, you’re welcome to eat turkey with us if you want!”

She offered with a smile.

Juniper: “Ooh, and we can tickle you with turkey feathers!”

She beamed. Jordi smiled.

Jordi: “I would love to do that, actually! That sounds fun!”

He beamed.

He then cleared his throat.

Jordi: “But I don’t know if I can…”

He said glumly.

Madelyn: “Oh, why not?”

She asked, noticing that he had grown glum again.

Jordi: “I…I… I don’t want to burden you with my trivial issues.”

He smiled sadly and waved his hand.

Madelyn: “Doesn’t seem trivial to me! I KNOW trivial issues like my ex whining about the Voyage Burger ice cream machine being broken or that blue-haired guy who cries a lot!”

She exclaimed. Jordi furrowed his eyebrows.

Jordi: “Yeah, Blair… He’s in a coma now, so it’s quiet.”

He grumbled.

Madelyn: “Damn. There goes my circus entertainment.”

She clicked her fingers.

Jordi: “I suppose you’re right.”

He admitted.

Jordi: “So, when I went on this business trip to Los Campos with my boss. While I was there, I ran into this girl I used to have a massive crush on in high school. …We made love and I thought we were going to have a relationship… My friends and I go to this haunted house with this girl, and this wolf guy tries to kill us all, along with some jester girl. Anyway, turns out this girl was cheating with me on the wolf guy, and this is what almost got us all killed.”

He sighed and rolled his eyes.

Jordi: “She comes back home and tells her family I am her boyfriend. We did not discuss this. I tell her this. She cries.”

He said with some agitation.

Jordi: “Her baby cousin has a crush on me. She’s a child, and this girl is jealous of her baby cousin.”

He furrowed his eyebrows.

Jordi: “Now, she wants me to come on her family’s private jet to view the Lacy’s Thanksgiving Parade, and I am not looking forward to it!”

He laughed bitterly. Madelyn took in everything he said.

Madelyn: “...Why are you still with this girl? Doesn’t sound like you even like her, and how could you when she cheats on you with some furry and gets jealous over a little girl? Like, what is wrong with her?!”

She exclaimed. Jordi raked his fingers through his hair.

Jordi: “Many people ask me that. Co-workers and friends alike. I don’t know. I struggle to leave people, and I don’t want to abandon her baby cousin.”

He explained.

Madelyn: “This chick sucks, dude. You deserve better than that! Why struggle to leave her? Why can’t you still be friends with her cousin when you dump her?”

She made a thumbs-down gesture.

Jordi: “It might be awkward. She comes from a family where her parents give her whatever she wants, kind of like Blair.”

He shrugged.

Madelyn: “Then they should give her Blair! He sounds perfect for her!”

She snorted. Jordi laughed a bit.

Jordi: “Well, he’s in a coma right now.”

He said wryly.

Madelyn: “Okay, so when he wakes up, do the ol’ switcheroo, dump her, and then she can date Blair! Problem solved!”

She laughed. Jordi laughed with her.

Madelyn: “The way I see it, if she doesn’t make you feel happy and makes you sad like this, then why stay?”

She added. Jordi bobbed his head in agreement.

Jordi: “It’s food for thought.”

He said jokingly. Madelyn took another bite of cake.

Madelyn: “Yes, it’s food for thought!”

Jordi withdrew a piece of paper and wrote his cell phone number and Bungle username. He handed it to her.

Someone knocked on the door using the door knocker. Abigail sauntered over to the door.

Abigail: “It better be a beautiful woman!”

She huffed and opened the door to see Celeste. Celeste was on their patio, eating the food that had been delivered. She wore a white tiger-stripe bustier, a black leather skirt, black nylons, black ankle-strap boots, and a leather jacket.

Abigail: “Well, well, my wish came true.”

She smiled and gave Celeste a half-lidded stare.

Celeste: “I paid for this, and it’s mine now. The guy who delivered the Chinese food got scared.”

She pouted. Abigail licked her lips.

Abigail: “Sure… you can have it…”

Her voice trailed off, mesmerized by her beauty.

Celeste: “Good, because I bought it and the guy who delivered it got scared of this place.”

She thrust a forkful of noodles into her mouth.

Abigail: “Please do come in.”

She held her arm out, gesturing to let her in. Celeste rose with the food in her arms.

Celeste: “Sure, it’s cold as fuck outside. You know, a lot of girls are afraid to walk alone at night and look at me weirdly when I say I am not. Only two told me this, but it’s more than enough, I guess!”

She rambled and drank the broth from the wonton soup.

Abigail: “Oh, you needn't be afraid…”

She smirked and clasped her hands together, eyeing her from head to toe.

Celeste: “I’m not afraid. I go to the store at three in the morning for Jaxon for his Marlboro Reds.”

She placed the empty containers on the table. Abigail gaped at her.

Abigail: “He sends you out to do that for him? How lazy!”

She huffed.

Celeste: “Oh, I offer! He always gets kidnapped, and it can be scary for him!”

She laughed and raised her hands.

Abigail: “Kidnapped, huh?”

She stroked her chin. Celeste bobbed her head.

Celeste: “Anyhoo, so you bought the haunted house! Any ghosts yet?”

She rubbed her hands together and stretched.

Abigail: “Indeed! We are now living in the haunted house of the notorious Koks family! I’m hoping to see their ghosts sometime!”

She said with excited glee.

Celeste: “Well, I hope you get to see them! The guy who delivered your food said he said one in the windows!”

Her smile spread to show her razor-sharp teeth. Abigail smiled widely.

Abigail: “Really now? I hope to catch a glimpse myself… but I have just caught a glimpse of something more remarkable…”

She eyed Celeste, intrigued by her sharp teeth. Celeste looked around.

Celeste: “Where?”

She asked as she looked around. Abigail chortled.

Abigail: “Ohoh, you funny girl.”

She placed her arm around Celeste and led her to the mirror to gaze upon her reflection. Celeste stared into the mirror.

Celeste: “Is there a ghost in the mirror?”

She asked. Abigail gaped at her and laughed.

Abigail: “No, no, silly, I am referring to you!”

She smiled at her. Celeste blinked.

Celeste: “What do you mean?”

She tilted her head. Abigail gaped at her.

Abigail: “You are the remarkable sight to gaze upon!”

She winked at her. Celeste gaped owlishly at her and reddened a bit.

Celeste: “OH! Oh, thank you!”

She smiled a bit. This one is naive, Abigail thought to herself. Even better! She mused.

Abigail: “Say… would you like to come and see something truly amazing?”

She nodded to the staircase leading down to the basement.

Celeste: “Yeah, sure! Is there a ghost down there?”

She asked.

Abigail: “Suuuure!”

She purred and placed her hand over her shoulder, leading her to the basement.

Celeste went down to the basement with her. Abigail led her into a dark room illuminated by a purple light. Various tapestries were hanging on the brick walls. There was a black canopy bed in the center of the room, with a bedside table. Sitting at the other end of the room was a pair of wooden stocks with a shelf full of what looked to be potion jars.

Abigail: “Okay, I will need to strap you down to see the ghost! It will only come out if you’re strapped in, you see!”

She gestured to the wooden stocks.

Celeste: “Okay, interesting!”

She set her cat purse on the table and sat in the chair, putting her feet up on the stocks. Abigail smirked at her and swiftly shut the lid over, locking her feet into place. Celeste moved her boots around.

Abigail: “Ohohoho!”

She chortled, holding her hand horizontally under her chin.

Abigail: “Now I can finally test my new potion!”

She exclaimed, holding up a bottle filled with a glittery purple substance.

Celeste: “What is that?”

She asked.

Abigail: “I dub it TICKLEMORE!”

She chortled. Celeste knit her eyebrows.

Celeste: “Ticklemore…?”

She said in a small voice.

Abigail: “Yes, allow me to demonstrate!”

She smirked, pulling off her boots and socks, revealing her small and soft feet in pantyhose. Celeste’s eyes widened.

Celeste: “NO!”

She thrashed around.

Celeste: “NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!”

She laughed and whined. Abigail blinked at her. She is an odd one, she thought.

Abigail: “I haven't even started yet!”

She unscrewed the cork lid and dripped the contents onto Celeste’s feet. Celeste gasped.

Celeste: “AH! COLD!”

She screamed.

Abigail: “Let the tickling commence!”

She chortled, picking up a raven feather. Celeste shook her head.

Celeste: “NO! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOOO!!”

She laughed and gasped.

Abigail: “Yeesssssss!”

She teased and stroked the raven feather across her toes. Celeste laughed loudly and thrashed around.

Celeste: “EEEEEEEEEEEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! AHAHHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!”

She laughed loudly, and her laughter filled the entire house.

Abigail: “YESSSSSSS! IT WORKED!”

She dramatically pulled out her fan and waved it at her face and against her feet. Celeste screamed and rasped with furious bouts of laughter.

Celeste: “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!! FUCK HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!! NOHOHOHOHOHWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!”

She laughed hard and mascara streaked her cheeks.

Abigail basked in her laughter and rested herself in between her feet, dragging her black fingernails across them.

Celeste: “STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”

She screamed with hysterical laughter, and the wooden stocks started to crack as she thrashed. Abigail’s eyes widened.

Abigail: “Oh my!”

She chortled as she tickled her feet with her fingernails. Celeste screamed with laughter, and her fury started to rise.

Celeste: “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHHAHAHAHAHA!!”

She laughed hard and snapped the wrought iron chains that shackled her wrists and slammed her feet down, breaking the wooden stocks in half. Abigail gasped with widened eyes. Who or what is she?! She pondered with awe. Celeste glared at her with rage. Abigail stepped back.

Abigail: “Oh dear!”

She fanned her face and awkwardly ran towards the door, but was intercepted by Jordi coming down.

Jordi: “Celeste!”

He clapped his hands.

Jordi: “Wanna walk me home?”

He asked her. She snapped out of her rage and ran to Jordi, hugging him.

Celeste: “Jordi!”

He hugged her back. Abigail pouted.

Abigail: “Until next time… I will just need to invest in steel stocks next time.”

She waved at her.

~

Celeste put her boots back on as she went upstairs, and Jordi put his jacket back on.

Jordi: “Okay, we’re off. I’ll see you all around.”

He said as he zipped his jacket.

Madelyn: “Okay, see you next time! Come around any time for some tickling!”

She waved her feathered hands at him.

Madelyn: “I hope your girlfriend stops sucking or runs off with Blair!”

She added.

Celeste: “Huh? I thought Blair had the hots for Ash.”

She scratched her head.

Madelyn: “Ashley Solegatti?!”

She asked. Jordi and Celeste nodded.

Celeste: “Yeah, it’s them. They live with Lazaros and are dating him now.”

She drawled.

Madelyn: “I always wondered what happened to them… at least they aren't with Makayla anymore, and there's no way they'd wanna be with a lame-o like Blair.”

She laughed.

Jordi: “Oh, Makayla works at Megalos Tower, where I work. I use the term ‘work’ loosely. She stays in the food court and feeds this fat blond guy Voyage Burger and other food.”

He laughed and waved his hand. Madelyn burst out laughing.

Madelyn: “Oh, her piggie came back to her again, huh?”

She laughed bitterly.

Jordi: “I guess so. He’s with her when she’s dressed as a hog farmer, and he has pig ears. She feeds him food from Voyage Burger all the time.”

He shrugged. Madelyn groused and laughed.

Celeste: “Yeah, Makayla tried to kill Jax because of that fat guy, and Jax saw them in Los Campos at the dollar buffet. And Makayla lives in the Megalos Tower, and I guess the fat guy does, too. I forgot his name. I think it was Barney.”

She drawled and laughed a bit.

Madelyn: “BARNEY?! He may as well be. Wait…, she tried to kill someone over Brad?!”

She gaped and laughed bitterly.

Celeste: “Yeah, so, uh, Brad was in a band with Jaxon when he had Steel Axe, and I think Makayla got jealous because Jaxon took him away for a few minutes. Makayla tried to kill him and didn’t, and then she turned Brad against Jaxon. There may be other deets I am forgetting. A lot happened, and Makayla also operated a giant pig robot that almost killed us. She called it Brashley, after Brad and Ashley.”

She explained and held her arms out.

Jordi: “...I can confirm.”

He sighed.

Madelyn: “I… have no words. It's like she got worse, but also hasn't changed either. Aww, she left my name out. Oh well.”

She shook her head.

The door swung open. The beams of headlights shone in, and Gina stood there in the doorway, glaring at Celeste with fury. She wore a strapless purple dress with a large black belt on her waist, a white blazer, purple leg warmers, and black heels.

Gina: “I KNEW IT! I KNEW YOU WERE CHEATING ON ME WITH HER!”

She screamed and pointed at Celeste.

Celeste: “No, we didn’t. I came to get the food, and this goth chick who thinks she’s a witch kidnapped me and tickled me.”

She pouted.

Jordi: “Gina, what are you doing here? How did you find me?”

He asked her with irritation in his tone.

Gina: “I had Martino drive me to your house, and your grandpa’s caregiver said you were here! I called you many times and you didn’t answer!”

She cried.

Jordi: “Yeah, I came to give the neighbors some fruit cake Henrietta made.”

He replied.

Gina: “WHY?! Because you want to sleep with her?!”

She stomped her feet. Jordi rubbed his temples. Madelyn reddened and laughed.

Madelyn: “Thanks, I'm flattered! Didn't you cheat on him with some furry guy?”

She pressed her.

Gina: “That was long ago, and Boris is dead now, so it doesn’t count!”

She fired back.

Madelyn: “Oh, you know who would be really great to date?! Blair Donati! You seem like you would get along great!”

She said to her.

Gina: “Pffft, he likes fat girls like that weird girl who thinks she’s a cat!”

She scoffed.

Madelyn: “Didn't your furry ex think he was a wolf?”

Gina: “Girl, he TURNED into a wolf.”

She waved her hand at her.

Jordi: “Yeah, he did. This is how he was able almost to kill us.”

He hung his head.

Jordi: “Anyway, Gina, I wasn’t doing anything malevolent here. I was doing a nice gesture. That’s all.”

He huffed.

Madelyn: “Yeah, girl, chill!”

She waved her hand at her. Gina glared at her with rage.

Gina: “Fine, Jordi! Have your weird girlfriend! I don’t need you to come to Lacy’s Thanksgiving Parade anyway!”

She snapped and stormed off the step.

Madelyn: “Girlfriend? I'm flattered, but we just met!”

Jordi’s eyelids dipped as he watched her go.

Celeste: “Trevor could teleport you there.”

Jordi: “It’s fine, Celeste. I can make other plans.”

He heaved a deep sigh.

Madelyn: “Wait, I thought you dreaded going with her? Isn't this a good thing?”

She asked him.

Jordi: “Yeah, but Priscilla is going to be hurt.”

He told her. He then smiled and put his hand on her shoulder. Madelyn reddened.

Jordi: “Look, don’t worry about it. Life goes on, right? I have work tomorrow, so I should get home and get to bed.”

He forced a smile and shot her a fingerbang. Madelyn smiled a bit.

Madelyn: “Yes, and life's too short! Okay, you do what you gotta do!”

She shot him a fingerbang back. Jordi smiled and waved as he walked down the path.

Celeste: “Wait up, Jords!”

She called out and ran up to him as they walked down the driveway.