I feel like Saint Nicholas is pulling my leg

[cloistre]

[So. THE DAY HAS FINALLY ARRIVED, LONDON. It is Christmas. A light snow falls upon the city, and even the Old Ones seem quiet and non-existent against the hustle and bustle of people giving gifts or doing emergency shopping despite the chances that literally nothing is actually open right now.

But that's probably just wishful thinking. You could pretend, if you tried hard enough.

What are you doing?]

Comments

[fleuri]

[...And, somehow, Ib can only think that he looks even more scared than when paintings or statues are chasing them. Oh no... That's probably not a good sign.

She trails after him to the door though, making sure to smile at Sakuya as soon as she sees her. Maybe that'll make Garry less nervous. Right? Right?]

Merry Christmas, Sakuya.

[zenithrewinder]

[She actually jumps a bit, barely noticeable, when Garry opens the door. And she's still stuck looking spaced-out and lost until Garry offers to let her enter. Something about it means she snaps right back into the Perfect and Elegant mai--shit. maiden. No, no puns. Just woman. Ugh, this is going terribly, try again-

She actually does snap back when Ib speaks. Which is when she finally walks in and smiles, warm and friendly.] It's a pleasure to meet you, Ib. Merry Christmas to you as well.

[immortelle]

[Garry does manage to relax a little since Ib being, well, her sweet self is naturally relaxing. And once Sakuya relaxes, it's easier. But he's still nervous with the weight of the gift in his coat.

Better get that out of the way first!

NO WAIT.

Let Ib and Sakuya get to know each other first?! Maybe?!]

Well! Now that we're all together, why don't we get nice and cozy!

[He ushers them to the nice chairs HE ISN'T JUST. SITTING THEM ON THE COUCH.]

So! [Clapping his hands together.] Shall I get us tea? Miss Sakuya is the head of a great manor's servants, you know, but I much prefer serving my friends on a day like today!

[When he's nervous, go with CHEER!!!]

[fleuri]

[Grownups are weird.

Really, really weird.

She can't really say she understands how Garry's acting, but at least he looks a little less nervous already. And Sakuya is nice so far. That's good. That's very good.]

Tea and snacks for all of us?

[zenithrewinder]

[At least Ib's not the only one confused by exactly how nervous Garry is. There's a short 'Ah-' when she's first shooed off to the fancy chairs, and a 'But I-' when he mentions the tea, but dies when he runs off.

Blink once. Twice. Set down the boxes next to her chair and back to sitting perfectly straight. It's hard to stay if the stiffness is from awkward or from being in a corset. Mix of both, lean to the latter.]

Is he always this... excitable at home?

[immortelle]

[Garry comes back with TEA!!! And juice for Ib in case she'd rather have that he isn't sure!!!]

I thought... well! Since your gifts are treats, I thought I would get us drinks to match them!

[fleuri]

A little. But he's acting really nervous today...

[She promptly trails off when Garry comes back. With a smile, she nods again.] That's good. We can drink that.