poly_chromatic | [ 020 ] ♐ [ Video ]

[ There's some snuffling and a slight wet patch on the screen as the feed begins, shuffling around, and a light-hearted struggle between dog and man taking place while the image shakes around. ]

Hey, boy, stop that. Give it here.

[ Winning, Clint wipes off the device and turns it so that he's visibly lounging across the sofa in pyjama bottoms and a vest with blankets over his lap and two large dogs lying contently over his lower body. He's in high spirits in spite of the time of year and the fact that he'll be spending it alone, but the bottle of whiskey beside him isn't doing any harm. ]

Hey, City. Guess it's that time again, huh? Clocks about to strike midnight, so I figured I'd make the effort and wish you guys a Merry Christmas. Everyone got plans for tomorrow? Just me and these two idiots here, but I've had worse experiences. And if anyone wants to sneak in a quick drink or something? Let me know.

[ The camera starts shaking again, a white paw trying to reach something on his lap, which he picks up and throws off to the side. ]

Well, I hope the jolly guy brings you everything you want.

[ With that, and an audible bang in the background, Clint grins down the lens and ends the feed, clearly getting up as he does to rush off and pick up the tree for the third time. ]

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[Anya is trying not to laugh at the wet patch on the screen. Oh, dogs. So cute, so destructive and distracting.]

Merry Christmas, Clint. Wasn't exactly sure what to get you, so I got you some dog toys for the fuzzy troublemakers, if that's okay. I owe you a proper present, or a drink, or something.

Here's to hoping you get what you want from Santa, though.

[She grins and holds up a glass of eggnog. It wouldn't be Christmas without sweet, sweet eggnog.]

[ Somehow, watching her fight her amusement makes him smile, and he's happy to hear from her. ]

Nah, you don't owe me anything. Getting something for these guys is more than enough. But, hey, I'll never say no to a drink.

[ It's not that he doesn't celebrate Christmas, but getting gifts isn't something he's ever been accustomed to, so he doesn't mind going without; it's the people around him that matter more. ]

Forgot to write him a letter this year, so it's a long-shot.

[ Laughing at the eggnog, Clint grabs his bottle and uncaps it, holding it up with a grin and tipping it. ]

Merry Christmas, Stasia.

[She grins and nods.] Drinks it is, then, to celebrate!

[She's not used to getting presents. Heck, she's not really used to giving presents, either, but this is the first year she's had the money and the freedom to do so, so she's making the effort for everybody.]

If it makes you feel any better, I didn't write him a letter either. I forgot that that's a thing people do...

[She shrugs and grins at the nickname. She likes it.]

Merry Christmas, Clint.

Drinks gets me every time.

[ Back home, Clint didn't have many close friends to do the whole Christmas thing with, and even though this isn't his first one here, last time around he didn't have as many friends or the money.

Which is why, in the early hours of the morning when normal people are tucked up sleeping, he plans to leave a little something for her and a few others. ]

Guy wouldn't dare miss your chimney, letter or not.

[ With a lopsided grin. ] So, these drinks - you wanna come over or go out some place?

I always like a good drink. I think it's a Russian thing.

[Anya's a Soviet era orphan. Her views on Christmas have been sort of skewed by her experiences there, but it doesn't mean she doesn't like the holidays. And giving in a good thing to do during the holidays.
She shrugs a little, giving him a small smile.]

That's nice of you, but honestly? I sort of stopped believing in Santa when I was...9 or 10, I think. Orphanage life isn't exactly conductive to gift giving and all that, you know? It was good enough that the food got a little better around the holidays.

[Her smile grows a little at the mention of going out.]

Welll...I need to come by and give you your gifts, but why don't we go out someplace afterwards?

Tasha always claims it is, uses it as an excuse every time. And who am I to get in the way?

[ He does know, all too well, but somehow he's surprised he didn't already realise she was an orphan like himself. ]

You too, huh? Got to admit, though, the food always did get better around the holidays, and seemed to stretch further, too.

[ Perking up, Clint grins down the camera. ]

Works for me.

Exactly! It's an excellent excuse, because it's completely true.

[She shrugs and nods in agreement. She doesn't deny her orphan status, but she's been dressing a bit better since she got here, so it's a bit less obvious now.]

Yeah, it was always a little brighter...of course, it was still pretty grim. They weren't exactly huge on the whole 'religious holiday' thing in Russia at the time.

[But she nods and smiles.]

Cool, I'll be over soon.

Wouldn't dream of getting between you girls and your stereotype.

[ He tries to imagine how things would have been for her, but shrugs it off quickly; neither of them are there in the past any longer, so why dwell on it too much. ]

Guess we'll just have to make up for it this year, then, huh?

[ With a nod. ] Sounds good to me. While you're coming over, I'll try make the place look more presentable. [ Which means kicking things aside or covering them with things. ]

Wish she was still here, we could go out and prove to you how well we Russians hold our alcohol. Ah well...

[She liked Tasha. But the past is in the past, as it were. Better to try and live in the now.]

Exactly! Oh, but don't go overboard trying to tidy up for me. It's not like I'm any better, I promise.

Wouldn't surprise me if she found her way back, seems to be something she's good at. Not sure about witnessing the party, though, it's got potential danger written all over it.

[ He secretly wants to witness that party. From a safe distance. But until things pan out, they'll just have to have little parties of their own. ]

In that case, I'll make sure there's a path from the door to the sofa and leave the rest.

Oh, but isn't that the best kind of danger? Always a possibility, never a certain thing?

[Hey, they can have fun without Tasha! Little parties are still good.]

I appreciate that, thanks. Hey, speaking of...I should be at your place soon!

Nope. No plans.

[No work either. She at least has the decency to give her shop employees Christmas Eve and Christmas off.]

And does it have to be quick?

[ She's one of the best employers ever. ]

Not if you prefer to take your time. And there can be more than the one.

[Well, it's also a bit of selfishness at play. They don't have to work, she doesn't have to work either.]

I was leaning more towards the more than one angle. So where do I show up?

[ Everyone's a winner, though, so it's not technically selfish. Right? ]

A woman after my own heart. My place good enough for you? Or do you wanna go out somewhere?

I'm broke from too much Christmas shopping so your place. Yes, I'm not ashamed to sneak liquor off of you.

Not sure it's sneaking when I'm offering. Besides, I probably shouldn't be left alone with the amount of alcohol stashed here, so you're doing me a favour.

Well, put it that way, let me do my good deed for the day. I'll be there in fifteen minutes?

[ooc: action or handwave?]

Fifteen minutes is enough time for Operation: Hide the Mess.

[ OOC: I'm up for action if you are! :3 ]

[She laughs and closes the feed, already knowing that's an operation to be failed. And while she said fifteen minutes, it's really closer to forty minutes before she shows up, a plastic bag in her hand that's straining at the edges, and knocking on his door.]

Edited 2014-01-04 11:22 (UTC)

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