A Multiverse Christmas Carol: Stave Twelve

[crossover_chick]

Stave Twelve:
What was she thinking? She couldn’t go in there. They didn’t really want her in there. This entire family hated her entire family. They were diametrically opposed on practically every area of life. The invitation had only been extended out of pity for the patriarch. Nobody expected her to come. Nobody wanted her to come.
Except Irving.
Edna forced herself to stop pacing and knock on the Tannens’ front door. “Hello, miss,” she greeted the servant who opened it. “I’m here to see Mr. Tannen. The elder.”
The woman frowned, clearly puzzled, but let Edna in regardless. “Shall I announce you, ma’am?” she asked as she helped Edna off with her coat.
“No, I – he knows me,” Edna said. “It’s a bit of a surprise. . .through here, yes? Thank you.” Without allowing herself to stop, lest she linger on her doubts, she strode forward confidently and opened the door.
The group was in the middle of the guessing game she’d seen before. In fact, as the door opened, Tiffany was already on her feet, laughing. “I know! I know, Dad! It’s--”
The teenager’s voice died as she caught sight of who was standing in their doorway. Jaws dropped all over the room as everyone turned to see what had struck the normally-boisterous teenager dumb. “Edna Strickland?” Irving said softly, getting up from his chair.
Edna did her best to smile. “H-hello,” he said, wishing her voice wouldn’t waver so. “I – I believe I was invited to lunch?”
“I thought you said you’d rather see us in Hell first,” Biff pointed out, staring at her.
Edna winced, but kept smiling. “A woman is allowed to change her mind, isn’t she?”
Irving snorted. “You change your mind enough for ten women,” he said, sidling up to her. “What’s the matter? Couldn’t bear the thought of us being happy for ten minutes?”
Edna was on the verge of apologizing and leaving when she caught sight of the playful smirk on Irving’s lips – and of the genuine gladness in his eyes. She smirked back. “Someone has got to keep your family of hooligans in check,” she retorted. “I wouldn’t be surprised if that granddaughter of yours hasn’t already gone around singing obscene carols.”
The granddaughter in question groaned. “Oh, this is going to be the worst Christmas ever!”
“Close enough to,” Irving said, gently nudging Edna’s side.
Edna nudged him back, a light, fluttery feeling in her chest. “I’ll do my best.”

-M: . . .What the hell, you actually made them kind of cute.-
*giggle* Somehow, it happens. Anyway, rewrite of the "Scrooge attends Christmas lunch after all" scene -- and guess what? I took a moment from the Carrey/Zemeckis version again! It's another moment I like, where Scrooge ends up coming in at the end of the guessing game. I thought it was a sweet way to put him into the scene, and adapted it for Edna. And yes, of course Kid and Edna are going to snark at each other all the night long. That's the best part of writing them. They're not a gushy couple -- well, at least not here. Who knows about the version we see at the end of the Telltale game. I just prefer them non-gushy. Funnier that way. XD
-D: I'm a little surprised the Tannens have a maid.-
I debated with myself on that, but I decided to keep her in, to keep the surprise of Edna showing up. Besides, Kid probably has enough money to hire one maidservant from all his alcohol dealings.
-M2: Yeah, point -- shit! You should have made it Trixie!-
Oh yeah! I should! Or one of his henchmen. . . Damn it. Pretend the girl answering the door is Trixie!
Anyway, that wraps up the Twelve Days of A Multiverse Christmas Carol! -- Almost. There's one other scene I wanted to write, so tomorrow you'll be getting a bonus mini-stave. A Baker's Dozen for the season. :p


In other news, most of the day was quiet. However, right before dinner, my parents let me open one of my presents -- in fact indicating which one I should open first.

I am now the proud owner of "Portal 2." :D

Honestly, though, it took a bit to get it installed. First it told me I would need a Steam account; then it seemed to be trying to do multiple installs (which failed); then it got me set up on Steam -- only for the steam application thing to freeze, forcing me to go to the Task Manage to get it to stop; then I had to install the actual game; then it apparently had to download something ELSE related to the game; then when I went to launch, it told me my video card drivers were woefully out of date; then I had to go hunting around and find drivers for my video card (if I'm allowed to call it that); then I had to restart TWICE in the process of updating my drivers --

Then, and only then, was I allowed into "Portal 2." Dear Lord, I don't think I've had so much trouble installing something since "Alice: Madness Returns" took fifteen years moving some files.

Fortunately, the end result has been worth it so far. I know where the game is going, but it's fun to actually PLAY it, you know? And to see Wheatley up-close, and to shoot portals, and to get stuck in really stupid ways (Chell gets caught on scenery very easily, and I can be really dumb about finding gaps I can walk through). However, so far I've managed to solve all the puzzles, and I've gotten to the point where you reactivate GLaDOS and start on the testing tracks again. Seeing Wheatley crushed close-up -- not fun. :( At least I know he's coming back.

Anyway, I got other fish to fry, so I'll see you tomorrow! Have a merry Christmas Eve! Listen to some Trans-Siberian Orchestra if you haven't already, since it's not Christmas without them!