17th Contract - [action]

[conesoldstober]

[Howl's actually attempting to buy Christmas present for the first time in years. He's never really bothered in the past, except for Mari and Neil, and children are far easier to shop for. Someone come help a slightly helpless looking blond man loitering in the jewelry section. And try to stay out from the mistletoe...]







[ooc: Howl is around and about shopping today. Come get your snogsies you know you want to.]

Comments

[steleheart]

[ She's trying to find Mae a present simply because the girl has been absolutely lovely to her so far. Jewelry seems like a good place to start. Of course that means that she bumps into Howl, looking apologetic for a second. ]

Sorry, I should start looking where I'm going.

[conesoldstober]

In your case I shall entirely accept the intrusion in my day.

[It doesn't matter that he's shopping for a Christmas present for the woman he's been living with for the better part of a year. Flirters gonna flirt.]

[steleheart]

[ With a faint blush and a smile. ]

Christmas shopping?

[unflagging]

[No, no, widowers don't look at jewelry. That's just not done, is it? (On the other hand, there are certain odds and ends in those cases that could be made useful. But another time.)

No, no, pay no attention to the other blond guy who looks distinctly not helpless as he passes by. He's just out and about, exploring again. Because it's what he does.]

[conesoldstober]

[He could be checking out fancy manly cufflinks. Theoretically.

Howl is trying very hard not to look hopeless because really, it's not like he hasn't done this before and he's almost 28 years old for god's sake, nothing to get hung up on.

Yes, he is mostly failing.]

[unflagging]

[He's wearing a hoodie with a denim jacket over it. I'm not sure he's checking out fancy manly cufflinks. Even theoretically.

Howl (or whatever your name is), you look rather hopeless and helpless.

So please don't mind if this stranger comes and stands over you and looks over your shoulder at what you're doing.]

[conesoldstober]

[Wow rude.]

Is there something you needed?

[unflagging]

[Did it for teh lulz.]

No, I just wondered what you'd found over here.

[conesoldstober]

Nothing of any interest to you, I believe.

[unflagging]

You looked so upset, what can I say? I got curious.

[conesoldstober]

There's hardly anything here worth getting upset over.

[unflagging]

Okay, so, you looked confused. How about that?

[conesoldstober]

I'll accept that one, perhaps. Being generous.

[unflagging]

You're too kind. It must be one of your few faults.

[Ur fun, Howl.]

[conesoldstober]

[Your mom is fun.]

I couldn't agree more, in fact.

[unflagging]

[My mom is the demon goddess Selena. U have fun with that.]

But you look lost. Let me help you.

[conesoldstober]

I appreciate the offer but I believe I shall survive the ordeal.

[srsly what's your problem dude.]

[unflagging]

[Boredom, actually.]

Are you certain?

[conesoldstober]

Extremely.

[unflagging]

[Shruuuuuuuuuuuug.]

All right. But don't say I didn't offer.

[conesoldstober]

I certainly won't.

[And now sealing the deal apparently by tugged the stranger over by the front of his shirt for a lip-crushing kiss. Whoops, guess there was some mistletoe around after all. Also damn, beards feel weird.]

[unflagging]

[It's not a beard!!! It's Double Stubble, okay???

Kissing was not anticipated. And it's not exactly welcome. But, if you're doing it, you should probably note that he feels colder than one might expect. Like, literally. Like temperature-wise. What's up with that?

Whatever. He extricates himself. He's grinning because that's what he does.]

Wow--if you're just gonna go and do that, you'd better buy me something nice. I didn't know you felt that way.

[Grinning yes, but... Ew. Seriously.]

[conesoldstober]

This must be your first Christmas here.

[unflagging]

How ever did you guess?

[universaltranslator]

[What a coincidence. Uhura is browsing the jewelry section herself -- for herself, just windowshopping. She doesn't notice Howl nearby. Or the sprig of mistletoe that looms threateningly above them both.]

[conesoldstober]

[Oh no, it's that lady. Howl is planning on making a surreptitious get away, but he's too late and the mistletoe has him in trawl. Uhura, very sorry in advance but you are being spun around and smooched. Whoops?]

[universaltranslator]

What the --

[Howl, she is this close to punching you in the face, except the mistletoe has a hold on her too. Instead of punching him, her hands grab his face to pull him even closer.

Fuck.

Her.

Life.]

action;

[bookbending]

[What is a ten year-old doing in the jewelry section? Spying on the going-ons under the mistletoe, of course.

But when she sees a very handsome man looking confused, she can't help but offer her help. Clearly he's agonizing over what to buy for his One True Love; someone needs to make sure he does it right.]

What're you looking for?

action;

[conesoldstober]

[Hello small human.]

A present for my friend, actually.

action;

[bookbending]

Your laaady friend? I can help.

Re: action;

[conesoldstober]

I don't think you will be able to, actually.

action;

[bookbending]

[She looks heartbroken.]

Why not?

[mrsnose]

[Excellent, Howl is out of the house. Time to do some sneaky holiday shopping! Sneaky sneak sneak, goes Sophie.]

[conesoldstober]

[Ah, what, what are you doing here Sophie? You're supposed to be in the castle! Hiding time...]

[mrsnose]

[It's a house, Howl, no matter how often you call it a castle - and she does what she wants!! Just so happens that she wants to head exactly towards the shop you're hiding near...]