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

[immortelle]

[Somewhere, Erika hates Sei for not thinking Garry is a pedophile. SHE HAS A BET TO WIN, DAMN IT.

Garry is still checking the rose out JUST TO MAKE SURE. He doesn't care if Ib isn't a frostbitten corpse. This is like. Basic art gallery safety 101, geez.]

Oh, thank goodness! [Stroking Ib's head gently.] I'm sorry for overreacting...

[Oh right person.] Ah, yes, that's right! I'm Ib's caretaker! [He sounds like the proudest mama in the world.] I don't know you...

[leviathaned]

[HE'S MET TOO MANY PEDOPHILES, MADAM, HE KNOWS BETTER.

The rose is simply pretty, frosted glass with traces of magic on it but nothing about it screams 'harmful'. Just a pretty trinket made to last.]

...My name is Sei.

[JUST IGNORING WILL goddammit man how is he supposed to know shit like that?!]

[fleuri]

[She frowns slightly at the rose comment, but says nothing about it. Well, it is true... Garry probably told him about it.

In any case, she nods again.] It's okay, Garry. We still have to keep them safe.

[She then gestures at Sei, then back to Garry.] I told him to come over for Christmas.

[immortelle]

[Well, these things just come up when you spazz over roses enough. But he nods and turns a little friendlier. All right! Ib's friend! Who did not kill her rose! He's good with this.]

My name is Garry. Well, the more the merrier! If you're a friend of Ib's, you're a friend of mine.

[STAGE WHISPER.] Will is in a Christmas mood but I believe he's actually quite happy with his, ah, significant other and is celebrating by being more himself than usual.

[leviathaned]

I know. [Smiling a bit sheepishly.] He's my uncle. On my mother's side, we both only recently found out, so it's kind of awkward. It's nice to see him in a good mood, though.

[And hey, if you squint, there actually is something vaaaaguely like family resemblance there! ...Squint really hard.]

It's a pleasure to meet you. I hope I'm not interrupting anything.

[fleuri]

[Cue another set of giggles from her at that stage whisper.

She's still smiling after she quiets down, standing a little closer to Garry.] You're really family? Then you have to stay for Christmas. It's okay.

[immortelle]

[Garry gasps!] Family...? I didn't realise Will had any...

[Ffff and here he was, a little rude to the poor man.]

Please make yourself at home. Should I get us some drinks and treats? Ah, is Will going to join us for Christmas...?

[leviathaned]

Well, everyone has a family, right? [Neutral answer, neutral answer, not explaining anythiiiiing.]

Ah...I suppose that's up to him. As for me, um.

...Do you have any peppers?

[fleuri]

[Well, that answer's good enough for her!!]

Will's probably gonna come later, right?

[...But wait a minute. Well, they have a lot of sweets, but that's not exactly...] Peppers? [She frowns.] Garry, do we have peppers?