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I see…
[ He's quiet for a moment, lost in thought, as they adjust the shelving unit until it's standing upright once more. ]
More often than not, I suspect that the human population are left to clean up after us.
[ In more ways than one — Marco saw Abbacchio's post on the network, so it's a reasonable assumption that that's where his mind is. There's nothing in his tone to indicate that he's judging Marco or his propensity for keeping hold of trinkets, or that he'd simply wanted to seek closure. ]
It's easy to imagine that it's become the accepted norm, that the people who live here don't expect our help and that others of our kind don't expect each other to step up, either. I can't speak for how things have been historically on the peninsula as well as you, probably, but it still bears thinking about.
[ He's quiet for a moment, lost in thought, as they adjust the shelving unit until it's standing upright once more. ]
More often than not, I suspect that the human population are left to clean up after us.
[ In more ways than one — Marco saw Abbacchio's post on the network, so it's a reasonable assumption that that's where his mind is. There's nothing in his tone to indicate that he's judging Marco or his propensity for keeping hold of trinkets, or that he'd simply wanted to seek closure. ]
It's easy to imagine that it's become the accepted norm, that the people who live here don't expect our help and that others of our kind don't expect each other to step up, either. I can't speak for how things have been historically on the peninsula as well as you, probably, but it still bears thinking about.
[The nervous edge in Marco's expression dulls into something more pensive. Once again, he's not sure how to feel about the fact that these aren't things he's given much thought to before... but he can tell Abbacchio isn't judging him. That's something.]
Save for the odd bad year, Bavan is relatively peaceful when it comes to human-monster relationships. I'm sure there's still a good chunk of Vandare that would outright refuse help from us.
[A small, thoughtful headtilt.]
But there's no reason that can't change with time.
Save for the odd bad year, Bavan is relatively peaceful when it comes to human-monster relationships. I'm sure there's still a good chunk of Vandare that would outright refuse help from us.
[A small, thoughtful headtilt.]
But there's no reason that can't change with time.
Well, the human-monster relations may not be the worst here in Bavan, but I'd hardly call it peaceful. There's more than killings at play here — my second month, we had those doubles exploding everywhere, then there was that sinkhole — who cleaned up after that? That's the sort of thing I mean. The things that happen each month, they don't skip over Bavan because they're more tolerant of us.
[ If all the humans had to worry about was the fact that monsters need to eat them, then Abbacchio can't help but imagine it would be a smaller issue, one no different to the fear of living in a city with a particularly high rate of crime. ]
[ If all the humans had to worry about was the fact that monsters need to eat them, then Abbacchio can't help but imagine it would be a smaller issue, one no different to the fear of living in a city with a particularly high rate of crime. ]
Right.
[Marco's apologetic smile leans much more heavily on the "apologetic" than the "smile," even though Abbacchio isn't judging him. Truth be told, Marco doesn't need anybody else to judge him; he's more than capable of putting himself on trial over things like this.]
I think I've been here for so long these things barely cross my mind anymore. [A tired laugh.] But there's no reason that... ah. I just said that, didn't I? I think-- My point is...
[The shelves are well in place by now, but Marco focuses for a moment on the solid surface beneath his hands. It's grounding.]
I'm glad you're pointing these things out. Genuinely.
[Marco's apologetic smile leans much more heavily on the "apologetic" than the "smile," even though Abbacchio isn't judging him. Truth be told, Marco doesn't need anybody else to judge him; he's more than capable of putting himself on trial over things like this.]
I think I've been here for so long these things barely cross my mind anymore. [A tired laugh.] But there's no reason that... ah. I just said that, didn't I? I think-- My point is...
[The shelves are well in place by now, but Marco focuses for a moment on the solid surface beneath his hands. It's grounding.]
I'm glad you're pointing these things out. Genuinely.
Ho ho ho! Your Secret Santa giftee is STEVE HARRINGTON. You know him, right? Rabbit boy, way too enthusiastic, you just wanna pinch his cheeks?
Buy or make Steve a gift by December 26, or Santa will come down your chimney and box your ears.
If you need more information, contact me C/O Hawkeye Pierce at Crowe Clinic, and I'll delegate him to tell you to do your own research. (But also, he said to tell you you and Fidds should come round for non-alcoholic Christmas drinks sometime.)
Buy or make Steve a gift by December 26, or Santa will come down your chimney and box your ears.
If you need more information, contact me C/O Hawkeye Pierce at Crowe Clinic, and I'll delegate him to tell you to do your own research. (But also, he said to tell you you and Fidds should come round for non-alcoholic Christmas drinks sometime.)
I don't recall signing up for this, but at this point I suppose it's par for the course.
I haven't met this Steve, actually, but I'll be sure to do my "research."
Send my regards to Hawkeye.
:)
I haven't met this Steve, actually, but I'll be sure to do my "research."
Send my regards to Hawkeye.
:)
What's Christmas without a few surprise gifts?
I have nothing but faith in you.
I have nothing but faith in you.
Your husband.
Fiddleford McGucket.
[This level of specificity is not necessary. He is stalling.]
Is there anything he desires?
Fiddleford McGucket.
[This level of specificity is not necessary. He is stalling.]
Is there anything he desires?
Material goods, perhaps? Is there anything he lacks? Does he have any favorite foods? Failing that, any allergies? Are you aware of his clothing sizes?
Edited 2022-12-11 22:23 (UTC)
Be inconspicuous.
I am not as familiar with him as I am with you. I did not at all intend to gift him anything in particular.
[...]
It seems I was signed up for this year's "Secret Santa". Somebody's idea of a joke, I imagine. I would have ignored the message entirely if I had been paired with an unfamiliar name.
But ... he was kind to me last year, asking nothing in return. I can at least attempt to repay that favor now.
I am not as familiar with him as I am with you. I did not at all intend to gift him anything in particular.
[...]
It seems I was signed up for this year's "Secret Santa". Somebody's idea of a joke, I imagine. I would have ignored the message entirely if I had been paired with an unfamiliar name.
But ... he was kind to me last year, asking nothing in return. I can at least attempt to repay that favor now.
Have you been to that market in Bavan? I usually wouldn't go somewhere so [...] noisy, but I was intrigued.
[Doppio came home once with his wings coated in flakes of tinsel. Diavolo's only choice was to personally investigate how such a disaster occurred.]
The goods they sell there are absolutely hideous.
I have seen the inside of your house. I can only assume your husband would enjoy many of the things to be found there. Unless you are the one who handles the decor...?
[Doppio came home once with his wings coated in flakes of tinsel. Diavolo's only choice was to personally investigate how such a disaster occurred.]
The goods they sell there are absolutely hideous.
I have seen the inside of your house. I can only assume your husband would enjoy many of the things to be found there. Unless you are the one who handles the decor...?
Busy. Far too many people, and they are far too ... eager, in their dealings. I did not bring much money with me to buy their wares; they assured me it was not a problem. The vendor I spoke to most, it seemed, was enraptured by my wings, and was willing to make a trade. A slightly-less-garish sweater than most in exchange for a fistful of feathers, plucked straight from the source.
I, of course, refused. I know my value. I have sold feathers before, and I have gotten a thousand times more in return than a mere sweater.
I, of course, refused. I know my value. I have sold feathers before, and I have gotten a thousand times more in return than a mere sweater.
It does sound suspect, doesn't it? Truth be told, now that I think about it, I had some concerns about the goods there. They were selling sweaters allegedly imbued with "protective magic" ... I can't help but wonder if there's something malicious afoot.
I did not.
I take it that buying a gift for your husband there may be a poor idea.
I take it that buying a gift for your husband there may be a poor idea.
Soooo...
where your office at?
So I can leave your gift there.
I mean, you seem like an office kinda guy. Maybe you aren't? Maybe you work in a traveling caravan full of singing rats or on a ship along the coast full of hippos? Who knows.
where your office at?
So I can leave your gift there.
I mean, you seem like an office kinda guy. Maybe you aren't? Maybe you work in a traveling caravan full of singing rats or on a ship along the coast full of hippos? Who knows.
You know, your secret Santa! Can't reveal my truest of nature without ruining the secret!
I live in Bavan, so who knows. I just wanted to know where I can plonk the gift and hope you enjoy it.
I live in Bavan, so who knows. I just wanted to know where I can plonk the gift and hope you enjoy it.
Ah, got it.
:)
In that case, like I said, either McGucket Labs or my house will do. Pick whichever you prefer.
[Two addresses follow: one to a workshop in the business district of Bavan, and one to a house by a "Clipperhead Lake," about 30 minutes away from Bavan.]
:)
In that case, like I said, either McGucket Labs or my house will do. Pick whichever you prefer.
[Two addresses follow: one to a workshop in the business district of Bavan, and one to a house by a "Clipperhead Lake," about 30 minutes away from Bavan.]
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