#chubb munch

[doodgiee]

Character lineup of prominant kids in a Riddle School project I've been working on for a long time.

Think I'm going to start calling it Riddle Transferred? Because they're all grown up, they've made the transfer

There's much more to come, but you're allowed this taster.

Canon:

Phil Eggtree: The Phil Eggtree we all know and love, however the guilt and stress of his dream murdering and double abduction have been haunting him.

Phred Whistler: His a little worn and worse for wear, but ever since seeing Phil save the world he's been inspired to live life to the fullest instead of just letting life take him wherever. He's far more motivated than his younger self

Smiley Sundae: With increased pressure with her studies, Smiley's trademark Smile has faded slightly over the years. Her underlying but constant struggle in academic fields has made her question her path for the future, but she'll still lighten up anyone's day with that heart of gold

Zack Kelvin: Despite still learning to deal with his peculiar temperature issues, especially with puberty taking a toll on it, He's definitely become more social after having the opportunity to express himself more without freezing to death. But still lacks crucial social cues. His friends are still helping him with that.

Richy Stud: This pushover has joined the main gang and have been a part of it for a while, serving as the social bridge between the core 4 and the B team of the Riddle Elementary kids he doesn't know them quite as well but still serves as a friendly face. And yes, he collects buttons

Chubb Munch: A gentle giant with a heart of gold. He'll always be a bigger guy comapred to most people, and frankly it never bothered him anyway. But since he vowed to work on his diet his life has never been better

5 08: A little arrogant, but with how charismatic he is it's hard to blame him. His shirt sales have been steady and it serves as more of a hobby than anything else. On good terms with Richy and Phil specifically. He considers Phil his best customer.

Greg Sleep: He's always been a bit distant from his friends, but in all fairness, he's asleep 90% of the time. He remains a bit of an enigma

Joe Kerosene: With his history with the Riddle gang being a rocky middle school life, Joe's not exactly friendly with many of the people he grew up with. He and Phil don't get along at all. Phil considers him an idiot and Joe considers him a snarky prick. He's found company with other people, but he may have bit off more than he can chew

OCs:

Null Rooster-Lea: One of Joe's new 'friends' he's distant, and never seen without a scowl on his face. He's cold, and its better not to cross him

Rodrigo Cwesschyn: Another one of Joe's new friends. He's the son of ex elementary principle Mr. Cwesschyn. Ever since his father has been imprisoned for injuring students, Rodrigo has had to become the man of the house for his mother and siblings. He blames the students that attended Riddle Elementary for his unsteady life.

Cassie Pants: Another part of Joe's group, she's bratty and enjoys messing with people she's directed towards, but she doesn't hold any ill will unlike her friends. She's just a pest, not evil.

Franky Pants: The older brother of Cassie, he isn't interested in the antics and rivalries her little sister gets up to, that's her life to lead. He's pretty friendly, but remains neutral to our protagonists. He just wished his sister made some nicer friends

Kath Penilian : A university student, far removed from the happenings at Riddle High, She's good friends with Richy, meeting over the niche hobby of button collecting. She serves as a friendly, older friend of the Riddle gang, being able to offer an ear to listen and a bit of wisdom.

[berensteinsmonster]

imma be honest im not the biggest fan of chubb munch becuz of how hes treated in the games and also how hes designed. so heres a redesign where he's just a regular fat adolescent boy and not a literal roadblock.

i have always been a fan of mrs. munch tho ily fat old women sm omg big fan <3333333

mr. munch is also NOT gonna be included in the munch family becuz idc and i dont trust him to be near children so mrs. munch divorced him pre middle-school era of my riddle school story timeline and is now single and taking care of her grandson Charles "Chubb" Munch all by herself yay

i imagine chubbs to just this really friendly guy who likes to make you laugh and just has really slow metabolism. Him and Joe being friends is mainly spawned from thinking abt how they'd be outcasts in this american school and they decided to stick together to be stronger.

(reblogs help my posts be seen :)

[ambdgyt]

Fun with the quote generator *Mostly B side cause I love them

Some are so out of character and its funny

[halflitglowstick]

there is no fucking way chubb is bald in canon. Oh mygod. Thats the worst thibg ever I refuse to accept that!!!!

[bwessedookie]

Rs eye colour hcs because 👁️👅👁️:

• Phil: Blue (+shineless 😈😈)

• Smiley: Silly alien eyes (if not, gray!!)

• Phred: Idek ummhh brown perhaps!!

• Zack: Yummy orenj WITH BLUE SHINES (DONT @ ME IM RIGHT./j)(throws that one dream zack out of the window)

• 5🥰🥰: Red !!! Bc why not :p

• Richj: um??? Blonde?? I deekay how to describe ..

• Greg: Ack ummm nlue

• Chubb: Yellowish geeeen

• Joe: Also gray because

That’s it I’m done bye

[haebails]

Guys birthday headcanons,, GRAH

-phil is defenately a april baby, 20th….,, 4/20,,,, weed philip(4/20‼️)

-phred is liek a fall baby, october or November maybe. Id say on the 11th Oct or Nov(11/11)

-SMILEY IS SOOOO A SUMMER BABY, AUGUST 16th❤️❤️❤️(9/16)

-Zack is so a winter baby… december 3rd (heather by that one artist/j) he has to choose between his birthday or Christmas /J(12/3)

-richy is soo soososooosoo sept 19th (your welcome worm)

-chubb is licherally febuary 1st(2/1)

-greg is sooo may 9th(5/9)

-5 is so so so may 5th (5/5)

-wdym joe isnt march 6th?? YES HE IS!!!!! (3/6)

They were all born in 1995-1996 trust (i am riddle school creator)

[akitasimblr]

🌼previous | next🌼

transcript:

1 - and life goes on... 2 - new bonds... 3 - new loves... 4 - new hobbies... 5 - new realities... 6 - meeting new people... 7 -and a terrible weather :P

[haebails]

YOUR ART TASTES LIKE THOES MILK CHOCOLATE BARS

MORE... MORE..!!! I DREW MORE!! I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!

[brine-in-my-eyes]

i cant wait to post my art of mrs munch because she is literally the hottest character in riddle school omg 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

hello miss

[squigglewiggles]

First Contact

My first OC fic that I'm posting here! These alien clown and performer goobers are slowly invading my mind. I hope you enjoy!

Warning, this is a sfw tickle fic!

For context: Solia and Luna are aliens that traveled to earth in escape of the leader on their home planet (Satix). They crash on earth and find the circus and the crew inside, making new friends instantly. They get a job at the circus doing tricks, which also allows them to have clothes, sustenance, and shelter. They cannot speak, they can only make quiet noises.

“Okay, Break time! Everyone Scatter!” Temper yelled across the circus. The clock rang, showing the time 12 pm, which the girls now knew as ‘noon’, and also lunch time! Solia and Luna didn’t eat much, if at all, usually sticking around in the break room, observing the chatter and banter of the other performers.

Everyone walked to the break room together, all of them sitting down at their usual spots. Paprika sat on the crates near the right side of the room next to Topaz and Pepper, while Saltine sat somewhat isolated near the back of the room, yet still within talking distance in case he had some input. Chubbs sat on the left side of the room, munching on his food ever so loudly. Solia always sat next to Paprika while Luna sat next to Topaz. Those two were their respective people. They connected to the two like no other. 

“Blegh, did you guys see next week’s schedule for the carnival? Looks like we’ll be living here for those 7 days, ladies and gentlemen.” Topaz started the conversation. Everyone groaned in unison once she said those words. That always meant long days, barely any breaks, and lots and lots of crowds. 

Solia and Luna were just starting to learn how things worked around here. They didn’t mind long days, at least they had a place to sleep and eat, as well as friends to keep them company. The crowds, though? That was a whole new story. The cheering, clapping, laughing, booing, and other reactions made their jobs miserable. They loved doing as they did, but they didn’t like having to ‘wow’ the crowd with such mundane tricks. It bored them and almost humiliated them. The two of them sulked in their seats once they heard Topaz speak. 

On some days, they almost missed their days on Satix. Then they remembered their treatment from their leader and that feeling stopped. 

“D’awh, cheer up, you two! You girls are gonna do great! You always wow the crowd!” Paprika said with a fond smile as she saw Solia mope in her chair. She took a bite of her sandwich, always peanut butter and grape jelly, and patted the little alien on the head. If only Solia could explain why she was so down.

 “At least ya’ don’t gotta ruin your voice over the course ‘atta week!” She spoke with a mouth full of sandwich as she jokingly poked Solia in the side. This caused the little one to let out a soft, barely audible squeak.

Huh, that was weird.

Paprika picked up on it immediately. She swallowed her bite and tilted her head. “...What was that?” She wondered if she had hurt the poor thing! Clearly not, though, as Solia sat just as confused next to the dog.

“Whatever it was, it was adorable!” Topaz spoke up with a wide grin. “Do it again!” She encouraged Paprika.

“Like this?” Paprika poked Solia’s side again, causing the girl to squeak and flinch once more. “Oh my goodness! That was so cute! Wait, don’t tell me…” She grinned widely.

“Are they ticklish?” Sal piped up from his brooding corner.

“Awh! I think they are!” Topaz chuckled, taking another bite of their lunch.

Solia sat very confused. Ticklish? What does that mean? It was such a strange feeling, almost tingly… It didn’t hurt… She quite liked it, actually! She leaned over and put her head on Paprika’s arm. Why was she so hot all of a sudden?

“Oh dear, I think the poor thing is blushing!” Saltine spoke up once more, chuckling a rare, quiet huff of laughter.

“Are you ticklish, too, little one?” Topaz took the liberty of giving Luna’s side a gentle pinch, causing her to have the same reaction. “Oh, you are!” Topaz laughed. Luna had the same thoughts as Solia, only she felt more embarrassed. She was supposed to be tough! Not sensitive to these tingly feelings!

Paprika put her sandwich down and scooped Solia into her lap. She held one arm around the alien, using her other paw to poke and pinch all of the poor girl’s helpless tummy.

At this sensation, Solia broke into quiet, yet squeaky giggles. She couldn’t help but squirm in Paprika’s grasp, trying to push gently at the merciless paw, but to no avail. Upon seeing this, Luna tried to run away, only to be caught by Topaz.

“Not so fast, cutie! I have to try this for myself!” The tiger brought Luna up higher, holding her in one arm just like Solia. Instead of using her paw, though, Topaz bent down and used her maw to ever so gently bite at Luna's tummy. 

This was torturous for the poor aliens. Topaz’s dull rubber teeth made for a horrible tool against Luna’s sensitive torso! Paprika’s paws were also so unbearable, it was almost as if the wiggling digits were made for tickling! 

Both the girls wriggled and squirmed, trying to escape their attacker’s ticklish grasps. They laughed nearly in unison, their giggles of the same frequency and volume. Squeaky, quiet, and filled with squeals. Their tails wagged incredibly fast as they endured the treatment, pushing and squirming to try and stop the sensations. Their blush filled their faces and necks, Solia’s being orange and Luna’s being a deep blue-ish purple.

Paprika looked over at what Topaz was doing, smiling at Luna’s reaction. She decided to try it for herself, much to Solia’s dismay.

Solia’s reaction became more intense, as the feeling of Paprika’s strong gob chewing on her tender tummy sent the poor thing into hysterics. Her giggles became ten times louder as she squirmed even more viciously than before. She squealed more, too, as paprika continued to nibble on her belly. 

“I suppose that works better, hm? How adorable.” Sal chuckled over a cup of tea as he sat cross legged in his chair. 

Soon, the girls' laughter went silent and they barely had the energy to squirm. Both Topaz and Paprika let up, keeping them cradled in their arms as they went limp from exhaustion. Solia hid her face in Paprika’s stomach and Luna looked away, not daring to make eye contact with anyone, her expression somewhat grumpy as she blushed fiercely.

“You alright, there? Didn’t go too hard on ya’, hm?” Paprika rubbed Solia’s shoulder. The poor alien could only shake her head no.

“You okay, too, Luna?” Topaz asked. Luna very subtly nodded, still looking away. The tiger chuckled, patting her on the head. 

Soon, the circus’s major clock rang as their fifteen minute break was up. Paprika and Topaz stood up, Solia staying in Pap’s arms while Luna reached to get down. As soon as Topaz set her on the ground, Luna swiftly shuffled away, immediately going to continue practicing her trapeze routine.

“Y’know you gotta go back to practice sometime, right?” Paprika teased Solia, who nodded in her arms. She chuckled, setting the alien down. She went to start practicing, too.

Topaz walked over to Paprika, leaning in to say, “We gotta do that more often. That was adorable.” 

Paprika chuckled. “Yes, I agree. I think they liked it, too. At least Solia did.”

“Yeah, Luna didn’t mind it. She was flustered, though!” Topaz and Paprika laughed.

“Back to work, you two! No dilly-dallying, lollygagging, or horsing around! You know the rules!” Temper went to scold Topaz and Paprika. They both rolled their eyes.

“Yes, Temper.” They said in unison, both going their own ways to practice their routines for next week.

Next week would be a long one for all of the performers. That, as well as one filled with lots of laughter for Solia and Luna.

[incorrectriddleschool]

Richy: She was poetry, but he couldn’t read.

5: His name was Jared, he’s nineteen.

Chubb: When his parents built a very strange machine.

Zack: Watch that scene dig in the dancing queen.

Smiley: Aaaay Macarena.

[haebails]

THEM

warm up of chubb and zack in a grown up au im making :3c

[berensteinsmonster]

hey do you guys remember playing riddle school 2 and seeing these characters here? good times. totally for reals

Higher quality versions:

[ambdgyt]

Simple Truth lmao

If Chubb Munch does not sound like Soos from gravity falls my life is a lie

[missgwen]

🌘 Chapter 1 ( part two ) : The Uchiha Massacre

volume one masterlist

word count : 1.4k

a/n : a five year timeskip is set for chapter 2 !

"Thank you, sir!" A cheerful voice could be heard amongst the chatter of town as a young girl reached for the two bags of buns from the vendor, "Thank you, Reina-hime! Say hello to your parents for me will ya?" The kind vendor says, giving a minuscule bow to the three Lunarias who bowed respectfully back, genuine smiles on their faces. The older man amusedly waved them off, attending to the customers who were next in line.

"Those three," the customer—a pleasant old lady—stated with a warm smile, looking at the white-haired trio who walked away standing so close to one another that anyone who sees them couldn't help but wonder how they manage to walk normally without bumping into the other, "Always so humble and polite, Soichiro and Rio really did well in raising them.", she continued, to which the vendor hummed in agreement as he too watched the Lunaria heirs.

"We can't say the same for poor Mikoto's children though, bless her soul" a new voice interrupted, her words hushed with a condescending tone as she addressed the infamous Uchihas, "Did you hear about what their boy Itachi did last night? How horrible!"

Her shrill voice grew louder by each word. The nice old lady only sighed, shaking her head in disapproval at the woman's gossiping while the vendor ignored her words, asking what she would like.

Afterall, no decent person would bring the recent scandal up, knowing that the only surviving members of the once proud family was an innocent and defenseless boy and his older sister—who was still too young to provide for the both of them. Oh just how will they manage alone, especially with that trauma, they all wondered.

Meanwhile, as the trio walked through town with an oblivious Reina munching on her beloved maple cream buns, the elder two shared a dark look as they turned a corner, overhearing the gossiping woman. The purple wearing boy looked down in grief, head swirling with the thoughts of his dear friend and her younger brother who just lost their family, betrayed by their most adored nii-san. Sora couldn't imagine what they were feeling, especially Megumi, 'just how will she accept the fact that her twin, her other half, took everything dear to them', he wondered with worried eyes.

"You can go to her if you want," his older brother's whisper broke him out of his thoughts, making Sora look up in surprise. "I'll take care of mom's food, you go and be there for Megumi and Sasuke." Satoru smiled softly down at his younger brother, giving him a reassuring pat on the head before reaching for Reina's hand, telling her Sora has to 'go see his girlfriend'—an innocent enough excuse—to which she laughed teasingly at her second older brother.

As the dark-purple clad boy rushed to look for the Uchiha siblings, Satoru led Reina to the mooncake stall, chuckling as she happily skipped, blissfully unaware of the horrors that was currently plaguing their village. Satoru only wished that his beloved little sister could hold onto her innocence for as long as possible. But with the life of a shinobi, he knows it was just wishful thinking.

"Ohayō, Reina-chan!" The chirpy voice of Haruno Sakura called, waving Reina over to their shared seat as the white-haired girl entered the classroom. She waved back with a bright grin, running up the row of seats and taking her place in between the pinkette and the blonde. "Ohayō, how was your weekend?" Ino asked excitedly as she scooted over to make room for the white-haired girl.

"Oh, it was great!" Reina replied, equally as excited. Where the three girls found such energy so early in the morning, Umino Iruka did not know as he sat sleepily by his desk, waiting for the rest of his students to arrive.

"Satoru-niisan finally came home three days ago and he took us shopping! How were your weekends?" Reina asked her two friends, noticing how blushes spread on their chubby cheeks at the mention of Satoru's name. She only looked at them weirdly, wondering why they grew flustered. "What?" She asked, confused, making her friends' faces turn a darker shade of red.

"N-nothing," Sakura managed to stutter out, not wanting Reina to know about her and Ino's crush on the handsome Lunaria brother, "I had a great week! Mom and I went to the bathhouse and had a girl's day! We even went to Ino's and bought flowers for our house!" The pinkette continued, regaining her bearings as the white-head nodded eagerly to her story.

"I helped mom make their bouquets," Ino added into their conversation, smiling proudly, "She said I was old enough to help her run the shop, so I was there the whole weekend and it was so much f—".

Reina looked confusedly as her friend suddenly stopped talking. Glancing to whatever made her stop, her confusion grew when she caught sight of Uchiha Sasuke, dejectedly walking through the door and going up to his seat without a sound. Reina wondered why he looked so sad, seeing the dark bags under his eyes. The boy was absent from class last Friday, 'what could have happened?' She wondered.

The white haired girl was broken from her thoughts as squealing filled her ears. She sweatdropped knowing now that covering her ears was the best way to cope as her two best friends that flanked both her sides started fan-girling at the sight of their 'beloved'. Reina understood why so many girls raved about the Uchiha male, he was good looking—there was no denying that—, awfully mysterious, had good grades, and excelled the most on practical activities like ninjutsu or shuriken lessons, it was no surprise how popular he is amongst his peers. Reina however, never had a crush on said boy, perhaps it was her loyalty to her two friends who are head-over-heels in love with him, or perhaps he just wasn't her type. But Reina didn't mind him and his presence, often quite amused at his aloof attitude and his squabbles with the class' very own trouble maker, Naruto.

But thinking about it, he's all what her brothers told her to look for in a boy; handsome, strong—as strong as a seven year old can be—, and had good grades. She remembers being quite flustered when she imagined how dreamy a boy with those traits will be, but now that she knows someone of the sort, strangely she didn't feel the same as Ino and Sakura.

She wonders why.

She was, again, broken out of her thoughts when the door from the back of the room opened, revealing the troublemaker with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She saw his eyes light up with mischief when he caught sight of Sasuke sitting beside his 'Naruto-Reserved' seat.

Uzumaki Naruto was another boy she didn't mind the presence of, she actually finds most of his pranks hilarious but she was never able to try and befriend him as she was always with Ino and Sakura, and Naruto was always moving around, making it hard to actually approach him. Reina also noticed how the cute girl with indigo hair always seemed to stare at the blonde boy with a sheen of admiration on her beautiful lilac eyes.

Hyuga Hinata had a massive crush on the troublemaker, Reina was certain of it.

"Did you know?" Her and Naruto stopped what they were doing as they heard two of their classmates murmur to one another, "The Uchiha clan was wiped out last Thursday night, the only surviving members is him, and his sister!".

Reina managed to muffle her gasp of surprise, seeing Naruto briefly glance at her seemingly hearing her reaction. She watched the mischievous look in his eyes morph into understanding for the Uchiha boy. She quietly withdrew her eyes from the two boys, facing the front of her room to listen as Iruka-sensei started up the class. Reina, who was suddenly feeling down about the sudden news, only hoped that her classmate and his older sister would be able to move forward as time passed.

© all rights reserved.

[juicingbeetles]

The Ranger's Apprentice Holiday Special: Chapter Three. God Bless Thee, Merry Ranger Men, Let Nothing You Dismay

Baron Arald, master of Castle Redmont, felt very, very, swamped. Not that having the Sovereign of the Realm come to visit for Christmas wasn’t a great honor - oh no, he was very grateful. But the royal visit was putting more and more pressure upon the fief to make the holiday as big and fancy as possible. And, the king and his entourage were arriving today.

“Do we have the tree decorated?” he asked Lady Pauline, who had been a great help so far in the planning.

“Yes, Arald,” she said. “Alyss had some of the servants take care of it.”

“Good,” Arald sighed in relief. He glanced down at the plate of cookies on his desk, eating one. “Who made these?” he asked, munching appreciatively.

“Young Jenny, Master Chubb’s apprentice,” said Pauline. “She’s been baking up a storm lately.”

“If I’m being honest,” Arald said, whispering slightly, “I like them better than Chubb’s.” He glanced around furtively. One never knew when the cook might be just around the bend, ladle in hand.

“I agree,” said Pauline. “That young lady has a bright future ahead of her.”

Arald tore himself away from the cookies with an effort. “Anyway, let’s review the plans for King Duncan’s visit.”

“We’ll have the welcome feast,” Pauline said. “Chubb has outdone himself, I must say. I’ve never seen so many pies.”

“Then the play,” Arald said. “Young George is in charge of that, right? I heard Halt’s old apprentice Gilan is in it. Where is he?”

“He was given a room in the castle,” Pauline said. “I’m surprised he didn’t sleep in the Ranger cabin.”

“I expect a young cook has something to do with that,” said Arald jovially. He was feeling very warm feelings toward Jenny at the moment. She deserved an attractive Ranger boyfriend, he thought to himself.

“Then, on Christmas day, we’ll have the Yule dance,” Pauline said. “There’s been a good jongleur hired for the festivities. After that, another feast. I believe you planned a hunt as well?”

“Nothing like a good Christmas hunt!” Arald declared. He could feel his blood racing at the thought.

“Quite.” Pauline smiled.

“Pauline!” Alyss, looking slightly breathless, came into the room. “Oh, Baron Arald,” she added, curtseying. “The king is here.”

“He’s what?” Arald leaped from his chair. “I thought he was coming in the afternoon!” His heart was racing again.

“Well, he’s here,” Alyss said. “Horace and Will went out to greet the royal procession.”

“Well, I suppose we’d better go greet them,” Arald sighed, taking another cookie. Not too many, of course. The king should get a taste of young Jenny’s skill.

* * *

Horace and Will rushed out to the carriage, where a short girl was hopping out, her strawberry blond hair poking out of her fur cap. “Evanlyn!” Will shouted, giving her a big hug.

“You’re here!” Horace wrapped his arms around them both and somehow lifted them off the ground.

“Hey, Horace, how’ve you been?” Princess Cassandra asked, laughing a little. “I was lonely at Castle Araluen without you.”

“Did you miss me? Did you miss me?” Will asked excitedly.

“Gosh, you’re like an overactive puppy,” said Jenny, walking up to the group.

“Oh, this is Jenny,” Horace told Cassandra hastily. “She grew up with us. And Jenny, this is Evan - I mean, Princess Cassandra.”

“It’s an honor,” Jenny said, curtsying.

“Do I get an introduction?” King Duncan asked, emerging from the carriage.

“It’s the king,” Jenny whispered to Will. “What do I do?”

“Say hello,” he replied.

“Hi,” she said, looking oddly nervous.

“If it isn’t Will and Horace,” called a voice, as a cloaked figure dismounted from his horse. “I always love to spend Christmas at Redmont.”

“Hello, Crowley,” said Will, taking the sandy-haired ranger’s proffered hand.

“Now, where’s Halt?” Crowley asked, looking around. “I brought him some Arridan coffee as a Christmas gift.”

“He’s been staying at the cabin or out on missions lately,” Will explained. “He let me have the week off.”

“During the holidays? What a grump,” Crowley laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he shows up if I have to drag him kicking and screaming.”

“Your Grace!” Arald rushed into the courtyard, with Pauline following in his wake. “It is an honor to have your company in this festive season. To commemorate you momentous visit, one of my scribes has prepared a play depicting the Nativity, to perform this evening after the feast.”

“A play?” Duncan smiled. “That sounds wonderful. Who did you hire to play the roles?”

“Well…” Arald looked down. “We didn’t hire anyone. Instead, young members of our community shall perform.”

“Including me!” Gilan swept in, holding two enormous wings and a handful of feathers. “I shall be playing the role of the Angel Gabriel!” he swept out just as suddenly, occupied in sticking the feathers to the wings.

“Who’s playing everyone else?” Cassandra asked Horace.

“I’m going to be a shepherd,” Horace said, his face reddening.

“Really?” she squeezed his arm. “I didn’t know you could act.”

“Yeah, I can act,” Horace replied, his face turning the approximate shade of a tomato. “I love acting.”

“I’m playing the virgin Mary,” said Jenny. “I hope my performance meets your majesty’s approval.” she giggled, looking like she had regained all of her confidence.

“I’m sure it will,” said the king. “Now, shall we get inside? It’s freezing out here.”

* * *

“Halt, old boy, why so glum?” Crowley asked, striding into the cabin without knocking.

“Hello to you too,” Halt said dryly, rubbing his bowstring with beeswax.

“I heard from your apprentice that you haven’t exactly been in the Christmas spirit lately,” Crowley said, plopping himself down in front of the roaring fire.

“I’ve had plenty of spirit,” Halt snapped. “Look at the tree I set up! And decorated!” He gestured to the corner, where a small tree sat, festooned with several strings of popcorn.

Crowley raised one eyebrow.

“Don’t do the eyebrow at me,” Halt muttered. “I just don’t feel like getting into all the merriment. I didn’t keep Will from having fun. I’m going to give him his first longbow as a gift. I set up a tree. What more do you want?”

“Halt, you don’t have to pretend that you’re not bothered by this time of year,” Crowley said. “I was there, ok? I spent that new year’s eve in the tavern while you shed the first manly tears I’ve ever seen you cry. But your breakup with Pauline was years ago. You two are on good terms, right?”

“But this time of year…” Halt sighed. “All the memories come back. I thought it was going to be the perfect Christmas. And then…”

“Hey, these things happen,” Crowley said sympathetically. “But you shouldn't let it ruin your mood. Come to the castle with me. Say hello to the royal family, eat some food, and watch Will’s play. He and Gilan will be excited to see that you bothered to come.”

“Fine,” Halt grumbled. “Just this once.”