Day 20: Chestnuts

Genre: Slice of Life
Universe: QuickSilver
Rating: G / TW: None
 

     The little campfire crackled and popped as it danced in the cool October air. Goose was particularly fond of the little fire pit she had designed - all the materials had been lovingly rescued from ending up in a landfill - and she had been more than excited to invite William and Chip by to try it out. There was a skip in her step as she made her way across the yard towards them, calling out. “Whatcha think?”

“Practical, pleasant, and pretty,” Chip motioned towards the fire. “Your aesthetic to a T.”

“It’s been quite lovely,” William confirmed before noting the canvas bag in Goose’s hand. “What do you have?”

“A treat!” Goose plopped down in one of the seats, bringing her feet up to sit cross-legged and placing the bag in her lap. From it she pulled a cast iron pan and a hot mitt, the later she used to place the pan into the fire. Next from the bag came a container, which she opened to reveal a collection of plump, round nuts lovingly slit with Xs across the top.

“Chestnuts!” William’s eyes widened in joyful surprise for a moment before his brows furrowed in scrutiny. “...But it’s October.”

“So?” Goose carefully placed a lid over the now roasting Chestnuts.

William crossed his arms over his chest. “Roasting Chestnuts is a Christmas activity. Halloween is still two weeks away.”

“So?”

“It’s the principle of the matter,” William motioned towards Goose’s bag. “Are you going to pull crackers out of there next?”

Goose looked confused. “I have crackers in the kitchen, if you want. And cheese!”

“Nono, not…” The Brit sighed and tried to regroup. “Christmas crackers, you pull them on the ends? They pop?”

“Oooooh…!” Goose grabbed her ankles and rocked back in her seat. “Nope. Don’t got those, but…” Her mind started to race ahead, wondering if she could make some herself with the wrapping paper scraps she had been hoarding.

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…!” Chip jokingly burst into the familiar tune, adding his own twist. “Will says autumn is imposed…!”

“Now I have nothing against Christmas,” William gave Chip’s shoulder a push, “And certainly I have no grudge against chestnuts, but really! We should be having s’mores or such.”

“These are healthier for you.” Goose insisted. “And they’re super fresh, I found them myself.”

William mulled over this a bit, his foot tapping. Chip leaned his head towards him, a pout on his face. “Come on, she found them fressssh..!”

“Alright, alright,” William conceded, “But only because they are delicious.”

“Yay!” Goose clapped her hands together.

“But!” William raised a finger. “To assure the universe remains balanced, I request a spooky story to be told as they cook.”

Goose and Chip exchanged glances, then leaned towards William expectantly. He looked between them both. “...is that a yes?”

“Well you don’t expect one of us to tell it, do you?” Chip asked.  

William sighed, this time with a smile. “I suppose not.” He straightened himself up and rubbed his hands together in excitement, the threads of a scary tale weaving themselves in his mind. “Once, on a night much like this…”