the first occasion

[deepest_magic]

The house just northeast of Forks proper is very big, quite abandoned, and really easy to just walk right in if you're of a mind to. There are signs that people have been camping in it while hiking, but currently it is unoccupied by visitors, squatters, or any animals larger than a squirrel. There's been a fair amount of furniture but fewer small possessions left behind: couch, piano, dining table, wardrobe, armchair, kingsized bed. It's in extremely variable states of repair.

Comments

[alicornucopia]

"Oh, that's cheering, I suppose," says Tumnus. "At any rate, in this country, it is winter all of the time and we will soon catch cold if we stand out here in the snow. How would it be if you came and took tea with me?"

[neverbeatme]

"I think that sounds much better than standing out here in the snow," she says. "Can I help you carry any of your things?"

[alicornucopia]

"If you would be so disposed! But it's only just round the corner." He offers her a parcel to carry, and holds the umbrella over the both of them and leads the way.

[neverbeatme]

Elizabeth carries the thing, and follows along.

[alicornucopia]

Presently they come to a neatly hidden little cave equipped with a roaring fire and a teakettle, which Tumnus promptly sets about using to make tea.

[neverbeatme]

It's cute. Kind of disquieting, to have a moment to sit and think about what's going on, but - still cute.

[alicornucopia]

There are two chairs - Tumnus points them out, "one for me and one for a friend" - and a portrait of an elderly faun on the mantelpiece and a bookshelf full of odd-titled books.

Tumnus makes no objection to her looking around while he boils them each an egg and puts various condiments on toast.

[neverbeatme]

In that case, she reads the titles of the books.

[alicornucopia]

The Life and Letters of Silenus. Nymphs and Their Ways. Men, Monks, and Gamekeepers: a Study in Popular Legend. Is Man A Myth?

[neverbeatme]

Well, that fits the going story.

Rather than read one, she perches in one of the chairs.

[alicornucopia]

Presently there is food! And tea! It is tasty. Tumnus tells stories about dancing at midnight with nymphs, about going on hunts for the wish-granting white stag, about adventuring with dwarves in deep mines seeking treasure, about how there was summer once and beautiful holidays where the forest folk would be visited by this or that grand personage and the rivers ran purple with wine. The part about summer seems to make him sad. He then plays a little straw flute, to cheer himself.

[neverbeatme]

"It's summer right now where I'm from," offers Elizabeth. "But it isn't always. We have winter too, once a year."

[alicornucopia]

"Lucky daughter of Eve, to have summer at all. I suppose Christmas comes once a year too?"

[neverbeatme]

"Yeah. Doesn't it for you?"

[alicornucopia]

"No, no. Always winter and never Christmas," sighs Tumnus.

[neverbeatme]

"Why's that?"

[alicornucopia]

"Oh, it's the White Witch, ever since she came along it's been the same."

[neverbeatme]

"...Who is she?"

[alicornucopia]

"Well, she's the Queen, these days. Of Narnia."

[neverbeatme]

"Oh. She doesn't sound very nice," says Elizabeth. "What does she have against Christmas?"

[alicornucopia]

"I have never, er, asked."

Tumnus is looking increasingly depressed.

[neverbeatme]

"...Is everything okay?"

[alicornucopia]

"Oh, I'm a terrible Faun," exclaims Tumnus, bursting into tears.

[neverbeatme]

"What is it, what do you mean?" she asks, leaning forward concernedly and putting a hand on his shoulder.

[alicornucopia]

"Oh, you wouldn't be a bit worried over me if you knew," sniffs Tumnus. "I am certainly the worst Faun since the world began."