Gir!
"You're gonna love it! My dads love whenever I have friends over." Celeste happily led Aspen through weaving trees, holding her hand so she wouldn't get lost. Aspen grew more nervous as they neared Celeste's house. Although they weren't dating, it would still be an understatement to Aspen wasn't close to panic.
Aspen and Celeste had grown close in the last few months, growing from enemies to friends. Aspen had started to love Celeste (because they're besties of course) so she of course said yes to a lot of things Celeste asked of her. Even coming over to her house. After having learned Celeste was a vampire in hiding, (something to be explained in the actual book when I pick up the slack) she was initially excited to meet Celeste's family, but with every step they took, Aspen got shakier and shakier.
Aspen shifted nervously on her feet as she waited for Celeste to unlock the door. “Daddy, I’m home!!” Celeste yelled out for her dad. Aspen covered her ears, still surprised at the high levels Celeste’s shrill voice could reach. Aspen sniffed the air through the house as she walked in behind Celeste, taking in the decor.
The inside was grand, reminding Aspen of an authentic Victorian house. Aspen felt out of place, a lot of the furniture looking vintage or antique. Aspen noticed as a new scent wafted in the room, some type of men's cologne that she didn’t know the name of. Aspen peaked in front of celeste, watching an odd man step from around the corner of a hall (she assumed it was Celeste’s dad and not just some random dude) he was taller than Celeste. His skin was darker, being more passable as a human than Celeste with her paper skin.
“Sweetheart! Welcome home.” The man's voice was velvety, speaking as if he were from the 1800s. Celeste embraced him, quickly beginning to speak in some language Aspen had no chance of understanding.
Aspen froze up as Celeste’s presumed other dad walked in the room, his skin was identical to Celeste, as white as paper. She noticed the man's slick suit and shiny hair. She considered running right then and there. “Celeste.” The man wrapped her in a quick hug, almost immediately letting her go. “What is this?” Aspen’s eyes widened when the man motioned to her, and thoughts flooded her mind of what to do or say.
Celeste stepped away from her dad's, moving behind Aspen. She could’ve died on the spot, feeling Celeste’s cold hands on her shoulders. “Fathers, this is my new friend, Aspen!” Celeste pushed Aspen toward the two, obviously wanting her to talk. Aspen desperately looked anywhere but at the couple, too nervous to say anything or even so much as move a muscle. Celeste walked back up behind Aspen again, trying to lighten the mood. “I'm sorry, she’s not usually this shy. It must just be the nerves” Celeste offered them a shy smile.
The taller one squinted at Aspen, almost scowling. “What did I tell you about bringing wolves in here?” he almost yelled at the two. Aspen shrunk in on herself, slowly backing up more into Celeste. The other one set a gentle hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him.
“Vlad, Amica mea, calm down. They do not seem so harmful.” Vlad, turned to his husband harshly speaking toward him in another language. His husband returned his harsh tone with his velvety voice. The other one turned back to Celeste and Aspen, smiling softly. “It is so nice to meet you, Aspen, I'm Celeste’s dad, Augustus. This is her father, Vlad.” Augustus held his hand out to her, offering a handshake.
Aspen took his hand, letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Aspen could only nod her head, not trusting herself to form coherent sentences. She could hear Vlad mumble something under his breath, to which Augustus snapped his head back at him, reprimanding him
“Well, we’re gonna go to my room and study.” Celeste took Aspen's hand, not waiting for her dads to answer before quickly leading Aspen to her room. Celeste’s room was a mixture of black and bright hot pink. She took a quick survey of the room, a dresser full of makeup and products, and many pictures hanging on the wall (she almost gagged seeing Celeste’s pictures of her and Dexter). Aspen stopped at Celeste’s… casket... Aspen could understand why she would, (she thinks it's a bit fitting into the vampire stereotype) but could only imagine how uncomfortable it would be to sleep in it.
Celeste sat aspen down in a beanbag in the corner, sitting at the chair at her desk. “I don't think your father likes me..” Aspen spoke under her breath, looking down at her feet.
“He does, he’s just weary of the friends I make. Especially since you’re a wolf.” Celeste stood up and walked to Aspen, softly cupping her face in her hands, “you won’t die if he doesn’t like you, not everyone will like you.” Aspen hated how brutally honest Celeste could be, hypnotizing her with her soft voice.
Aspen decided she was determined to make good with Celeste’s family.
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Aspen and Celeste sat on the floor of Celeste’s room, cutting pictures for a project they’d been working on. Celeste’s dad, Augustus had brought them a tray of snacks and cups of tea, (is that a normal thing parents just do?!) the other one ended up standing in the doorway while glaring at Aspen.
Aspen had been over at Celeste’s house for hours at this point, losing track of time. Celeste’s head shot towards her door when she heard the front door opening, followed by the voice of a young woman. Celeste rolled her eyes, going back to the project. Aspen ignored the dismissal Celeste showed to the visitor.
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Celeste and Aspen were close to being done when they heard the steps. Sharp heels made their way toward Celeste’s room. Aspen shot her head up, a strong scent of strawberry perfume hitting her from outside the room. Aspen turned to Celeste who looked like she was about to bite the next living thing she saw.
The sound stopped before a soft knock on Celeste’s door. “Cel? Can I come in?” the person from beyond the door asked. Celeste huffed before yelling at them to enter. Celeste’s door swung open, and a young girl walked in after, her heels still clicking along the floor. She was shorter than Celeste, a brunette with neon pink and green highlights in her hair. Her outfit was a mash between scene and preppy, a white button shirt under a sweater vest, a short black skirt, matched with neon stockings and spiked bracelets. Aspen could respect her style choices along with an Invade Zim; Gir beanie fit snug over her head.
“What do you want Jan?” Celeste stared daggers at ‘Jan’
“Your possum is in my room, go get it.” Jan pointed out of the door to which Celeste angrily stood up, quickly walking out of the room. Jan turned to Celeste, squinting at the furry. “Who are you? Celeste’s new girlfriend?” Aspen’s eyes widened, beginning to stutter and trip over her words. “Shut up.” Aspen looked at her surprised, angry at the brat of a scene queen, “I'm just glad she’s finally over that Dexter kid..” Jan walked closer to Celeste, holding out a hand, “I’m Jan, Celeste’s little sister.”
Aspen hesitantly took her hand, Slowly shaking it. “I’m Aspen, her friend..” Jan nodded her head, obviously not caring that much about Aspen’s answer (she would still call Aspen her girlfriend, whether it was true or not) Aspen quickly turned back to the door, watching Celeste return with a large possum in her arms.
“Get out, now.”
Celeste set the possum next to Aspen, turning to push her sister out of the room. “I'm sorry about her.” Aspen shook her off, happy to have met more of Celeste’s family. Celeste sat back next to her, taking the possum back into her arms.
“Um.. why do you have a”
“This is squirt, my precious baby. Say anything bad about him or try to do anything to him and I and my dads will be having you for dinner.” Celeste rarely got angry, but when she did, Aspen could only freeze up, slowly nodding her head. “Here, you can hold him if you want.” Celeste held him out to Aspen to which she gently grabbed the possum.
Aspen was more than worried about contracting rabies from this thing (even if she was a wolf herself) to say the least, Squirt looked deranged. Large bloodshot eyes with probably sharper than normal teeth. She softly pet the thing, shyly smiling at Celeste, just to make her happy.
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Celeste walked Aspen to the door, looking sad that she had to leave so early (it was almost 12. She knew they were vampires but jeez) they had finished the project, happy with the outcome of it.
Augustus wished her goodnight, hoping she’d make it home safe, Vlad stared her in the eyes and just nodded before sipping wine, and Jan happily waved her bye. “I’ll see you on Monday! Are you sure you don't want me to walk you home?” Celeste seemed so caring, pouting as Aspen sadly denied her offer.
“Nah, I’ll be fine! I hope you all have a goodnight.” Aspen smiled at Celeste. Celeste pulled her into a hug. Aspen didn't take her as a physical touch person when she’d first seen her. But she was so happy when she found out, cherishing every hug Celeste gave her. Aspen breathed in Celeste’s strong flowery scented perfume, loving how almost intoxicating her perfume was. Aspen was devastated when Celeste finally pulled away from her. Celeste waved her off, softly smiling at her. Aspen had begun to walk out the door before celeste called her back again. Aspen was already out the door when she turned back to celeste, questioning her sudden yelp. Celeste quickly gave Aspen a peck on the cheek, before almost immediately slamming the door in her face.
Aspen stood out the door for a few extra minutes, trying to understand what happened. Deciding to ignore what just happened, she turned away from the door and slowly walked into the dark forest.