not just for Christmas ((compy post))

[braveexplorer]

Coraline's Secret Santa present had been a lot more surprising than she expected. The baby Acromantula was currently living in a box in her room, being fed by very nervous house elves. Coraline had named her Berry, in the vague hope that giving her a name would make her seem more like a pet and less like a really big spider. It wasn't helping much

Comments

winged_wonder

[pixie_jenks]

Maybe ask one of the elves? They seem to know a lot about nature. And keep it away from that albino with the sword. He's cracked.

Jenks sat down on the spacebar, resting for a moment. It took a lot of work to jump on every single key when he used the computer. A bit of a pain in the ass, but it kept him amused while he was stuck inside all winter.

Coraline

[braveexplorer]

I think I'll talk to Mr Hagrid first. But then I might ask them. Thank you.

And I'll try not to let her scare people.

winged_wonder

[pixie_jenks]

If it was a normal spider, I'd be able to help. They come into my garden all the time. Since that one is big to you, it might just think I was a snack.

Coraline

[braveexplorer]

Can you talk to normal spiders?

Re: Coraline

[pixie_jenks]

Sure can, they're pretty useful in a garden if you can cut a deal with them. But I make deals with most bugs in the garden. Us small types gotta stick together.

Coraline

[braveexplorer]

I don't know if Berry understands me yet. She just makes click noises.

Re: winged_wonder

[pixie_jenks]

Regular ones click too. I don't know if giant spiders speak the same language, but I could try and help.

Coraline

[braveexplorer]

Please? It would help lots.

Re: Coraline

[pixie_jenks]

Ok, as long as it's not outside. My stump is over in Gryffindor, near the fire. Or just ask one of the house elves for Jenks.

It wouldn't be difficult to find the mossy stump in a cozy corner of the common room, near enough to keep the pixie warm, but not near enough to set his house on fire.

Coraline

[braveexplorer]

Thank you. I'm in Gryffindor too, I know where that is.

---

And so, a short while later, Coraline came to find him, carrying a large cardboard box, which she held as far away from herself as possible without risking dropping it.

Re: Coraline

[pixie_jenks]

"Coraline, right? I'm Jenks." The four inch pixie landed on the top of the box. "So, she's in here?"

[braveexplorer]

"She's in here." Coraline put the box down, very carefully. There were already clicking sounds from inside. "I haven't carried her around very much."

[pixie_jenks]

Jenks stood on top of the box, scratching his head as he listened intently. "Hm. Her language is a little different, but I think I can get the gist of it. Let me try.."

He chattered at the box, his wings clicking and clacking in a fairly decent imitation of the acromantula. The two seemed to go back and forth for a few minutes before he laughed and looked up at Coraline.

"Turn me, but she's quick! I think we understand each other now."

[braveexplorer]

"You do?" Coraline sat down on the floor beside the box, to talk to Jenks more easily. "What does she say? I can open the box if she's not going to run off," she added, not sure how a spider would feel about that.

[pixie_jenks]

He spoke into the box for a moment, his wings scattering dust everywhere as they clattered. "Nope, she's not going to go anywhere. Just move it back a little from the fire."

Jenks fluttered to land on Coraline's shoulder so she could open the box.

[braveexplorer]

Coraline moved the box, then folded back the lid, carefully. Inside was a kind of nest, formed from blanket and web, with the large, black spider in the centre. Berry looked up at them both and chittered. Coraline shivered a little.