ioduanlogs | And the snow it was falling

Entry tags:

And the snow it was falling | December Catch-all

Characters: Pepper Potts, Devin Parker, and you!
Date: Throughout December
Location: Holiday markets, cafes, and parks. Around Aifaran, basically
Situation: Pepper is going whole hog on the holidays, and Devin is gentle dipping a toe into both celebration and learning his Talent.
Warnings/Rating: None yet, will add as needed.

A. [Pepper] Early Dec | Holiday markets | Gene

Gene does not like shopping. Pepper knows this well. She also knows that she has successfully dragged him out in the past, and that the end of the year brings with it a special sort of shopping that no other season can: holiday shopping. Although Aifaran doesn't have a big investment in Christmas, per se, the variety of traditions comes with just as many varieties of gift-giving opportunities.

"We're getting ugly sweaters," she announces, hooking an arm around his elbow and marching forth.

B. [Pepper] Before the storm/Meta 3| Around Keeliai | Open

Pepper is a huge fan of this holiday season. There are so many new fun traditions to learn, and she's engaging in a lot of them on some level or another. She can be found in the stands watching the Shuyul Bay regatta, although on one day she decides to watch it from the sky in her power armor. Meet her in the air if you can fly - or, she can carry you! There will be pictures going up on Xa Xa for sure.

Although she can't knit, Pepper is serious into the crazy fashion trend of ugly sweaters. She attends a couple of the competitions and will be dragging anyone she can convince/tug/bribe to join her in voting for the Fan Favorite. Careful, though; she'll wheedle and argue (genially) you into trying on at least one knitted atrocity even if it doesn't get purchased. (This will also go up on Xa Xa.)

At one point during the month, Pepper is walking through one of the parks when some Igheeri children race up to her to ask her to stop moving. Apparently, something about her in this one very, very specific spot has bolstered the miniature snowstorm created for the purpose of sledding. She is… not the best at standing still, but she promises to do her best so long as she gets a chance to go sledding at the end, when there's enough snow that it doesn't melt immediately. It's possible to see her fidgeting, kept company by her ka until it's her turn to go racing down the small hill.

The Yule-like traditions are closest to home. Despite her enthusiasm for shopping, the warmth of fire and good company gets her to slow down. She misses her father most at this time of year. There's a wistful ache of homesickness in her smiles that eases some amid this companionship. If she spots someone she knows, she will hold out a cup of hot cocoa and wave them over.

C. [Devin] Early Dec | X's Apartment/Gift market | X

Devin does not celebrate Christmas. He doesn't really celebrate anything, in truth. He has participated in a few gatherings or events over the course of his life, but most of the time he finds a way to do literally anything that is free of song and lights and presents. The fact that his birthday is around the corner is also distantly on his mind, although the story there is the same: the date is acknowledged for coming and going, but not more than that.

This year is different. This year, he has a partner. And the Fool is definitely the kind of person to delight in what the holidays have to offer. Devin is 90% certain he will be half-coaxed/half-coerced into an ugly sweater, among other activities. That's all fine. The problem he's encountering is that he does not know what etiquette, if anything, there is around Christmas and relationships and gift-giving. Tours through the marketplaces only muddle things further. So, he decides to text someone who not only knows about their relationship but has intimate knowledge of Devin's opinions about this time of year for some advice: X.

I don't suppose you know how to do Christmas, do you?

D. [Devin] Before the storm | Die Rosa Tulpe/Apartment | The Fool

Although Devin is filling the role of curmudgeon this holiday season, he's also trying to stretch a little out of his comfort zone. At some point early in the month, he'll arrive with Luthien perched on his shoulder - wearing a tiny scarf designed to drape down her back and provide some added warmth. It has nothing to do with holiday cheer, of course. He's not been precisely nervous lately, but there are definitely Things On His Mind about celebrations and gifts and relationships and how those all come together. It looks like eighth-dimensional origami at the start.

But there is one event that catches his attention, and not for reasons of seasonal spirit. "I heard the Ban Om are holding an open ceremony for Tu Vishan and the other turtles," Devin says one morning, watching their two pets entertain each other. "I thought… perhaps it might be worth attending, given the link you have."

E. [Devin] Before the storm/Meta 4 | Academy Library/Seitura Park | Open

In his restoration work at the library, Devin comes across an exceptionally old book containing information on a Talent remarkably similar to his. He's been reticent to explore the depth of his abilities thus far. His destructive potential is significant without being able to speed up the decaying force of time. But if he has an instruction manual… well, the guideposts are laid out at least part of the way, and that satisfies enough of his concerns to pursue the knowledge and put it into practice.

Devin spends a few days copying out the book so it won't be damaged further, and then heads to Seitura Park. Turning leaves brown and rotten will at least fit in there. It's less populous this month, and he can be found in a secluded corner a few hours a week creating a growing pile of brown leaves. These are then separated into smaller piles for further experimentation. The piles are in varying stages of decay as he plays around with volume and extent and whether he's preventing natural processes from taking hold by speeding too quickly past them, and taking copious notes.

(OOC note: Let me know if you want a specific starter, or write a wildcard of your own!)

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It's hard to tell whether Luthien is entertained by Holly making repeated attempts at pouncing upon her tail--but Holly is entertained, at any rate. The Fool is seated in front of his mirror in the bedroom, half dressed and artlessly pinning the long fall of his golden hair up and away from his neck when Devin makes his observation. Inquisitive, he catches his lover's eye in the mirror and smiles.

(His own amber eyes, it should be noted, have developed some dark shadows about them of late. Though his dreams hardly could be considered nightmares, it seems that his compulsion to wake in the middle of the night to write down the contents of those dreams leaves him sleep deprived.)

"I thought I had heard something about that," he muses aloud pensively, gives his hair an elegant little twist, before pinning it into place with--aptly enough--a turtle pin. "Is that today? I should like to attend."

If Luthien is not entertained, she is, at the very least, patient.

"Yes, around sundown," he confirms, shifting his weight over his feet. The Ban Om are one of the most organized religious groups in the archipelago, and Devin is not a big fan of religion. There are some things more important than the bones he has to pick with the faithful, and one of those things is the Fool. "I don't know how wise it would be to tell them everything, but attending could provide some other avenue for insight," Devin reasons. "Or assistance," he adds a moment later. "If it proves needed."

It hasn't thus far. Aside from not getting enough sleep, his partner is doing alright.

Glibly, the Fool demurs, "I have never been wise." After all, he is a Fool.

He gets up from his seat in front of the mirror and takes a moment to put away various bits of cosmetic and other accoutrements he'd been fiddling with throughout the morning, then slips behind the partition in his bedroom to finish dressing himself. "I don't intend to share my secrets with the Ban Om lightly," he says; there's the sound of fabric shifting and rustling. "I assume it isn't a common experience, the turtles choosing to commune with us little folk."

"You've said that before," Devin says towards the partition, a little wryly. "I'm not convinced it's true."

His partner might have earned the name and title of the Fool for good reason as much as the court position, but Devin also knows he is not truly foolish in all things.

"It isn't, no," he confirms, looking back to their pets. Luthien seems to be attempting to engage Holly in playing with a toy, but thus far her own tail is still more interesting. "Part of that is simply the difficulty of it, I think. Our minds and theirs are so vastly different. And from what you've described and what I saw, it also sounds a bit like these turtles are young enough that they haven't quite gotten the hang of using communicating across that gulf - Tu Vishan spoke to us in addition to imparting clear impressions of non-verbal meaning."

Devin smiles to himself when Luthien gently drops her entire fluffy tail (gently) atop Holly. "You may be teaching him how to do that," Devin posits.

"...Tu Vishan spoke to us in addition to imparting clear impressions of non-verbal meaning."

"Like the Skill," the Fool muses more to himself than to Devin, though he doesn't intentionally exclude his lover from the thought. But there is much more to mull over on that topic before he will feel confident in divulging more of his thoughts on the matter, and so he shifts his focus to instead making himself presentable before he comes out from behind the partition.

When he does at last make his appearance, he might look almost subdued in mostly black--if it weren't for the streaks of brilliant turquoise rippling through the fabric and accentuated by bits of glittering cosmetic near his eyes. He detours past both Luthien and Holly to give the pair of them affectionate pats upon their respective heads, then steps over to Devin to insert himself familiarly between his lover's arms. (Rather like a cat who knows that this is where he's supposed to be, thank you very much.)

"You may be teaching him how to do that."

"Well I must be a poor instructor, in that case," the Fool replies, smiling wryly, "if I haven't yet learned my pupil's name."

It has not yet ceased to impress Devin how easily having the Fool near him sweeps away other concerns. He can sit through a ceremony for that; he could sit through a lot of them, in fact, and even be respectful about it. Mostly.

"They've probably been given more than one name over time," Devin points out, just as wry as he slips his arms around his lover. "Maybe they've even named themselves in a way that can't be shared verbally," he adds, teasing.

Given that he is willingly going to walk into a temple and let someone expatiate for who knows how long about the turtle he once lived on, and also because he can, Devin kisses the Fool's forehead. "Besides, by that logic I'm a poor partner for not knowing your name," he remarks, quirking a smile. Devin's tone is intentionally light and still a little teasing; he's not trying to guilt the Fool into telling him, just point out that relationships can develop just fine without knowing each other's names. And if there's a request in there, well... it's a patient one, rather than demanding.

He bends like a reed into Devin's arms and smiles, eyes closed, when he receives that kiss to his forehead; he'd stand up on his toes to follow it up with a warmer one if that wouldn't defeat the purpose leaving the apartment today.

"Besides, by that logic I'm a poor partner for not knowing your name."

"A sound point," the Fool rejoins with a rather enigmatic smile that suggests he's heard that request quite clearly. He allows a moment of considering silence to settle between them as he regards his lover with thoughtful fondness; how to answer that unvoiced question, when he has carried so many names over the course of his life? But he knows the one that Devin would know.

He lifts his chin, and a hand, so that he can thread some of Devin's hair back from his eyes. "Would you call me by my name, if I told it to you?" he asks... and there's something almost sly in his eyes, as though he finds this discussion amusing for some private reason.

Given the artful dodge the Fool made when he first told Devin what to call him, the vampire has wondered what story lay behind concealing it. They've been careful about where and how they share their pasts, and in any case 'the Fool' has ended up as much a name as anything else - though clearly not entirely, or Devin might not still be curious.

He's not sure what to make of that sly glint. Better to take amusement from confounding him again than a flicker of pain, he supposes. "If you wanted me to, yes," Devin answers, faintly confused.

...There's very little he wouldn't do if the Fool wanted it of him, Devin realizes, and while that doesn't come as a surprise (vampire territoriality extends somewhat to interpersonal relationships) he hadn't noticed that development before. Huh.

"If you wanted me to, yes."

For the briefest of moments, the Fool's smile seems to falter; a bit of the light flickers in his gaze. Devin can't know what that small qualifier means. Though perhaps he will, sooner rather than later.

He lets his fingers curl against Devin's cheek, silent for a moment longer. Then his smile warms and a glimmer of his cheeky humour kindles itself in his eyes again.

"Beloved," he says. "That is what my mother called me, when I was a child."

Ah.

For a moment or five, Devin isn't sure how to respond. His name both explains and does not explain why he uses 'the Fool' - Devin can guess there are numerous reasons aside from potential awkwardness. Apprehension twists in his gut; without context, were he to use that name in public it might read to people as something else, something he doesn't yet mean (does he?) and isn't even sure he can mean, despite X's assurances. If Devin is going to be disingenuous, he'll do it on purpose and not by virtue of a technicality.

But he meant what he promised: no matter if it makes him uncomfortable, if the Fool-- if Beloved wishes to be called by the name his mother gave him, Devin will. He can get over himself and grow comfortable with using a new moniker if it makes his lover happy.

"Thank you," is what Devin says first, quiet and appreciative. Even if it's not such a big secret, he knows Devin well enough to anticipate some of the thought process he's just had, and trusts that Devin will keep his word regardless.

The vampire hums thoughtfully, an uncertain smile tugging at his lips. "Beloved," he echoes, as if testing the sound of it rolling off his tongue - and so his lover can hear it, and decide if he likes the sound, too. (Maybe he's stumbled across an ideal Christmas gift after all.) "Well, that does seem an appropriate way to make sure one's child knows their parent loves them, even after they're gone."

Assuming it was not meant for narcissistic reasons, but Devin gets the feeling that the Fool wouldn't be quite so amused about the whole thing if his mother hadn't given him that name truthfully. They haven't talked much about parents and family.

Ah, indeed. The Fool doesn't intend to read Devin's expressions like an open book, but his impish smile spreads just a fraction as he discerns at least some of the thoughts going through that analytical mind. Then, "Beloved," Devin says softly, and though the Fool cherishes his candour, he cannot help but flinch.

(It is too soon. Will it always be too soon?)

He takes a breath and lets his fingers settle against Devin's chest, eyes following the path they trace over his shirt. "Yes," he says almost absently, "I was loved dearly, for a time." And as with so many things, there exists significance in what he doesn't say, as much as in what he does--he was loved, until he wasn't, and somehow through the process that followed he came to be known as the Fool. Somehow, he carried that title with him into Aifaran, and hasn't let go of it.

"Not yet," he decides quietly. Then, anticipating guilt or an apology, he insists in a gentle voice, "You did nothing wrong. 'Fool' shall suffice for now--and you cannot deny that it is an apt name for me." This he adds rather dryly, recalling his every foolish choice and action since his arrival here.

The reassurance is appreciated after seeing that flinch. He was loved-- the use of past tense makes Devin's heart tight. I've never been wanted before, either. He remembers those words too clearly. Would that his lover had never experienced such a harrowing journey, but it isn't within Devin's power to change the past. Clearly there is a story, and not an altogether pleasant one. He'll find out or he won't, and that's up to the Fool.

"It does suit you," Devin agrees warmly, holding his lover more tightly for a moment. "Though, to quote Shakespeare, 'a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.' What you're called matters less than who you are, which also applies to our turtle acquaintance. You're not strangers to each other. He trusts you enough to keep coming back," he reasons, gently steering them towards the previous topic.

The Fool doesn't object to Devin's attempt to gently steer the conversation back towards the topic of the turtles--but he does delay it, just long enough to lean up and kiss his lover fondly on the mouth. I mean, really, if you compare him to a rose, what other reaction do you expect? He is at least mindful enough of their schedule to not get too wrapped up in the embrace, and so draws back after a moment with a look on his face rather like the cat who got the cream.

"Then I should not be late to this ceremony held in his honour, at least in part," he replies, then takes hold of Devin's hand and takes a few steps back towards the front door.

Devin makes a mental note to quote more Shakespeare in the future.

He knows a gentle nudge when he sees one, and he goes with the Fool's pull easily. Even in the darker-than-average garb, the Fool will garner more attention than him. Arm candy works well as a guise, and practice makes up the rest.

"I thought being fashionably late was key to making an entrance," Devin needles gently, smiling.

The ceremony starts at sundown which allows them to take their time getting there, though not enough time to go through one of the holiday markets, which would be just as distracting as staying in the apartment. The central temple is growing crowded already by the time they arrive, with streams of Ban Om followers trailing along the garden paths. It is by no means packed, thank goodness, and though the spirit of the crowd is subdued, it isn't somber. There is a focused intent here as everyone turns their attention to the great turtles at once.

Since they're no longer hiding their relationship, he hasn't put distance between them. The instincts of his past do take up space in his mind, however; the last time he'd been near a large Ban Om event, there had been an attack. He doesn't think that's likely to happen now, but Devin has always had half his focus reserved for tactical analysis.

"I wonder what they think of all this," Devin remarks in an undertone for the Fool's hearing only.

"I wonder what they think of all this," comes Devin's quiet commentary as they stand just outside the gathered participants; even spoken so softly, the words startle the Fool from his contemplative silence, and he looks from the devotees back to his partner with a distant, far away look in his eyes for a moment. Whatever intense focus has overtaken the participants in the ceremony, some of it seems to have touched him, too.

It takes him a moment to recall the question, a small furl forming between his brows. The Fool lifts his hand and curls it around Devin's elbow. "Do you mean the turtles?" he asks just as softly.

The contrast in their reactions is, as ever, worth noting: his partner is able to engage in a way that Devin cannot (or perhaps will not allow himself to). He'd rather the Fool be able to remain present, and he can be the one keeping an eye out for trouble.

He nods, a faintly wry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I suppose they'd appreciate the respect for their protection of us," Devin murmurs. "But I don't think they would want veneration to turn into worship. No doubt they are forces of nature," he grants, glancing upwards to the shimmering barrier miles above them. "We would all be in a great deal of trouble if either they or us began to consider them gods."

In the entirety of his tenure in Aifaran, Bakura has yet to seriously pursue his own Talent, though that's more out of not feeling the need to rather than any misgivings about its scope or scale. Shadow magic does nearly everything he needs, though he does admit that he can't heal the way Restoration Talents supposedly can. Thinking about it too much often leads his thoughts to Raine, so he doesn't very often.

But seeing another Dreamfolk practicing theirs is cause for interest. He doesn't know Devin that well, having only interacted with him a handful of times and not having cause to more than that, but he does recognize the reclusive dark-haired one from the network.

He watches for a bit, trying to get a sense of what exactly Devin's Talent is, before making himself known while Devin is writing his notes. "Taking the scholar's approach, I see."

This corner of the park was chosen for being out of the way of most foot traffic, but Devin isn't attempting to hide what he's doing. Bakura's presence doesn't startle him, and he's easily recognizable from their few interactions. It's been a while since they saw each other in person, however.

"I prefer not to take unnecessary risks," he replies wryly, glancing up from his notes. He tucks the pen between pages and closes the journal so it won't escape. "Especially with something destructive. This," he gestures to the decaying leaves, "could be dangerous if I don't know what I'm doing. Which is why I haven't used the skill much until now."

"Everything about these Talents is unnecessary," Bakura answers with an airy shake of his head. "But I see why people would want to learn it. And it's no more dangerous than other types of magic one can pick up in this world. What I'm truly curious about is whether those types stick with Dreamfolk when they leave this world, or whether they lose that along with their memories."

Devin hums thoughtfully. "Given that those gems back in Keeliai didn't come with us, I would hazard a 'no'. But it would be hard to tell unless someone has made a point of asking returnees that question, or starts to," he considers, glancing over the piles.

As cautious as the school of his Talent has made him, this could have some uses back in his world. And now he's wondering what would happen if he paired the Talent with Enochian. Devin is going to have to try that outside the city.

"Hoping to smuggle magic back through inter-planar customs?" he queries, quirking a smile at the thief.

"Then it makes learning my own continue to be a low priority for myself," Bakura decides, though he grins at Devin's question and smile.

"No, mine goes where I go without my needing to do anything special for it," he answered.

The piles have also attracted someone else's attention, and Diabound appears to begin nosing through the leaves.

"Convenient. That doesn't seem consistent among Dreamfolk; often our magic only applies to ourselves," Devin comments. "Some people learn things just to learn them, even if it's a low priority. You might find something interesting if not immediately practical."

The rustling of leaves attracts his attention, and the source is... not at all what he expects. White snakes, sure, fine, those can happen but snakes in general aren't exactly common in a city. The wings, though, are another story entirely. He can only guess that it goes with the white-haired thief.

Devin arches his eyebrows at Bakura. "Friend of yours?"

"Whereas mine is apparently teachable, and a few have picked it up here," Bakura agreed. But that might have been because the Shadow Realm continued to exist as an alternate layer to more levels of reality than his own world, even echoing on a different level than the Planes. If that connection were to be utterly removed, Bakura wasn't sure if he would be able to continue using Shadow magic, Ring or not.

He glances at Diabound and nodded. The serpent had been scarce lately, not liking the trending cooler temperatures as much, but still appeared when curiosity beckoned.

"Diabound; my kaa." And then, proactively offering the explanation as he'd gotten into the habit of: "An aspect of the soul given form."

X doesn't celebrate Christmas either, but that's more because he had no idea the holiday existed until he visited earth for the first time. He likes celebrations in general, particularly birthdays, and he feels right at home in festivals full of song and lights and presents. Goodwill is an emotion he takes every possible opportunity to immerse himself in, because it's depressingly difficult to find otherwise.

Which is why, when he receives the text and his instinctive reaction is to groan, he knows immediately that Devin is the one who sent it.

I know a large man in a red suit delivers presents through fireplaces. I'm not clear on specifics.

With his initial reaction worked through and ascribed to its proper source -- i.e., not him -- X follows up with what he should have realised right away.

I take it the Fool's enamoured with it? ;)

Well, Devin may know a little bit more about the trappings of Christmas than X might, but that's not his trouble. A vast ocean lies between trees and ornaments and songs, and the fine details of interpersonal relationships.

Quite. Figures I had to fall for a social butterfly.

Devin can enjoy that the Fool is enjoying himself more easily than Devin can enjoy holidays directly. It'll take time for that to shift, but he's sure the Fool will continue to nudge him into engaging with festivities.

I'm not sure what's appropriately significant to get him as a gift. You'd mentioned you had a partner - any insight would be appreciated.

Look at him asking for help, X.

Privately, X thinks a social butterfly might well be exactly the thing Devin needs. He doesn't express this thought to Devin in any way.

2, actually. Are you asking me for help getting a present for the Fool?

Look, he needs to be sure. The last X remembers of Devin's mindset, asking for help is hard, and being as straightforward about it as this, even harder. Then again, maybe X shouldn't be surprised. When Devin commits to something, he goes all in.

What do you mean, 'appropriately significant'?

The Fool is definitely good for Devin, regardless of his social inclinations. Devin is content enough if he can be on the sidelines rather than in the spotlight.

Yes, if you're willing.

It's not that he doesn't know what his partner likes by now, or that he's unfamiliar with shopping. But there is weight to these events, to spending holidays together and engaging in traditions. The fact that neither of them have shared traditions means they might end up with an interesting mix - or get to build their own, though this last idea hasn't quite occurred to Devin.

The response to X's second questions comes after a longer pause than the first.

It's been over three months.

He and Bobby had been together for two. Quietly, remarkably, this has become the longest intimate relationship in Devin's life - and in the Fool's, but for different reasons.

I don't know how to frame what that means - or even a fraction of what that means - into a gift, be it material or otherwise.

~~You could just tell him, you dummy.~~

~~You could just tell him, you dummy.~~

The only reason X doesn't lead off with this is that Devin never would, and Devin's blindness becomes X's bias. Pity, really. He still takes a while to work out how to reply, because Devin's right -- three months is significant. Three months is an achievement. Three months is the sort of milestone Devin would want to mark, somehow, the sort of milestone he would want to express the importance of to someone else.

You think the Fool doesn't already know?

The reason Devin finds this so important isn't because he thinks the Fool somehow doesn't know, it's because in order to make it real to himself, he has to do it himself. Solidifying how he feels with a gift significant to the Fool is how Devin can prove, to himself, that he's committed.

If you want my help putting together a gift that says everything you want it to say, I'm sorry, I can't help. That's far too much of a burden to put on one gift alone. But if you want someone to come shopping with you, to help you find something the Fool would love, then just tell me where to meet you.

... Maybe that's not conveying the right tone here.

Just to be clear, I would LOVE to help you find a gift! :D

Being able to someday purchase a gift for his partner without getting tied in knots would be a step towards becoming a socially functional person again, too. For now, though, a physical gift can be a starting point for verbalizing deeper meaning, regardless of how well or not it embodies what Devin is after - grudgingly, he realizes X has a point about putting too much responsibility on one item. He has a tongue and a broad vocabulary and a heart, and a stocking stuffer does not.

He is simultaneously exasperated and amused with X's replies. The exasperation is probably, mostly, for himself. Surely this cannot be that hard.

Fair enough.

This is dry, even over text. He sends his location: an intersection at the edge of one of the larger holiday markets in Malimo. The Fool is creative and whimsical and loves color - his Talent is literally about making things colorful - so it seemed like a good place to start.

If you're free now, that is. If not, I'll just scope out what's here.

Edited (because manners are in fact a thing that Devin occasionally has and I forgot) 2018-12-11 06:34 (UTC)

For you, I'm free now.

It's not a casual or simple declaration, that regard. And yet, for X, it comes as easily as any other declaration he's ever made.

Malimo is precisely the sort of place he'd have suggested they start with, and X is delighted that it's the meeting place Devin texts him. The district is even more colourful than it usually is with all the festivals coming up, and the markets are full of lights, smells, sound, and laughter. It's nearly overwhelming, with X still recovering from his month-long sleep, but it also means Devin is easy to spot. He's the market-goer who isn't laughing, isn't talking, isn't part of a group, isn't wearing bright colours, and all-in-all still seems tense and uncomfortable when out of his element.

X comes up beside him and taps him on the shoulder. "Fancy meeting you here," he says with a warm smile.

It shouldn't be as much a surprise as it is that X would be willing to drop everything to help Devin do Christmas shopping for his partner. He's still wrapping his head around the fact that X knows him inside and out, and maybe in return X is trying to make it up to him.

If he wanted, Devin could blend into the crowds better, but there's no need and not much point, either. A pretense would only shield him, and X knows better. "What a coincidence," he returns dryly, but not unkindly. A moment later, and he gestures vaguely to their surroundings. "I figured this area is the right mix of artistic and ostentatious that it'd be strange to not find something he'd like here."

Even if it's small. The Fool likes his trinkets, after all, and Devin has noticed that as much as her penchant for color and flair.

"It almost sounds like you don't need my help at all," X noted, humour in his voice. "In fact, it almost sounds like you already have some ideas of which merchants to start with. Lead the way."

X's tone is such that even if he's wrong, and Devin doesn't have the first idea where to start, that this is how to start. Make a wild guess, and pretend you know what you're doing. They have all day, after all -- or at least, X does -- and can take all the time they need.

"What? No, Pepper, no. That's a bridge too far," Gene says, trying to dig his heels in - both figuratively and literally. "Why is that even a thing? It's not Halloween, there's no need to dress up like an idiot, and proudly so."

Vain? Him? No...well, maybe a little.

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And the snow it was falling | December Catch-all

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