this is a state of grace;

Okay. Then maybe we should talk about… I dunno. Those silly hair bows Victoire used to wear. 

I dunno who let Vic out of the house like that. Mummy really let herself down.

How are you holding up?

I don’t want to talk about it.

Oh little Sciggle, I’m glad you agree with me.

I completely agree. I need at least a two week grace period between the holidays.

“You’re nicer than I am about this. I say December is when Christmas begins. Let November be November.”

And what would you rather converse about? Sincerely.

“Literally anything. The weather is far more fascinating.”

“Blasphemy.”

“My birthday wasn’t even a month ago. No Christmas until December.”

I haven’t heard anything so true in months.

Thank you? I guess. I don’t know how I’m meant to respond to this. I could...start dancing if you’d like.

Neil sat still while she drew on his face with her lipstick and blush. “Are you kiddin’? This looks incredible, Dom! You’re amazin’ have I told you that?”

“Aw, well thank you Wade Wilson. I’m pretty impressed with how well I just did there. I’m proud of you for not crying when I got close to your eye with lipstick either, Neillers. If I had a lolly, I’d give it to you.”

Louis Weasley, ‘course. Who else would I be talking ‘bout? It’s just so curly.

Uh... I mean his hair’s alright I guess. It’s not red like mine so, clearly he wasn’t that lucky.

“Mhm… I really want you to,” he grinned.

Dominique pulled away for a minute, sketching out odd shaped circles on his face with a pale, matte red lipstick before filling in each one with pink blush and blending out the red lipstick to make it seem far less obvious. “Now, if I had taken more time -- I could have done it 3D and made it look far cooler, but I think this does the job, right?” Dominique grinned, holding a compact mirror up to Neil’s face to show him her masterpiece. “It’s better than not having anything done, right?”

His hair is jus’ so mesmerizing, ya know?

“What’re you talkin’ about, mate?”

“Yeah? I’m sure it’d wash off just fine with soap and water. Thanks, Dom.”

“D’ya want me to do it? C’mere,” Dominique reached for her purse, grabbing at her lipstick and blush. “I will really do it if you want,” she teased.

“But that would be out of character because I didn’t go to the extent of doing the face makeup… Dammit… I should have asked you for help with that…” But of course he takes off his mask anyway. “Better?”

“I have some blush in my bag and some red lipstick. I can make you look all burned if you want, though I can’t guarantee how easy it will be to take off.”

“Yeah? Well, I’m glad you think so. I’m smiling in case you can’t tell with the mask on.”

“Take the mask off so I can see your pretty smile.”

“I don’t think I pull off this costume as well as Ryan Reynolds.”

“You don’t, but I mean, you’re not Ryan Reynolds, so it’s fine. You still look grand, Neil.”