FOUR // This tree is too small for climbing.

[wavewalker]

There's a tree in the house. Why is there a tree in the house?

Some sort of holiday, I assume, but I'm pretty certain that none of the holidays of this world are like the holidays of my own. I've tried my hardest to figure out what this particular one means, based on the decorations alone, but so far my best guess is that we're to give gifts to some kind of... tree spirit. Why else leave gifts beneath a tree, right?

Mm, I doubt that's the case, though.

Could someone explain what's really going on? Please?

Comments

[sting-like-a.livejournal.com]

Uh-huh! We don't have this holiday where I'm from, but I think I'm gonna give presents to my friends anyway. And, hey, receiving them is pretty nice too~

[wavewalker]

As much as I'd like to participate, I get tossed out of any shop I try to enter.

[sting-like-a.livejournal.com]

How very rude of those drones~ You could get someone to come with you, maybe! They might let you in then.

[wavewalker]

That's always a possibility.

[sting-like-a.livejournal.com]

You could always come with me, if you want! I haven't even started my gift shopping yet...

[wavewalker]

It's worth a try, at least. When did you want to go out and about?

[sting-like-a.livejournal.com]

Welllll, I have today off from my job here, so~! We could go right now if you really wanted!

[wavewalker]

Fine by me. Shall I head over to your house, then?

[sting-like-a.livejournal.com]

Sure! I'll be here~

[wavewalker]

I'll be there shortly.

[ And true to his word, he is there shortly, knocking on the door ]

[sting-like-a.livejournal.com]

[Miakis opens the door almost immediately, having expected Ian's arrival. Predictably enough, she has a big smile on her face.]

Well, then, I suppose we can say I'm taking you for a walk, if the drones give me any weird looks~

[wavewalker]

[ He raises an eyebrow, even if he can't help but grin ] There had better not be a leash involved in this walk.

[sting-like-a.livejournal.com]

[She giggles at that.] No, no. I suspect you're well-behaved enough that I can trust you!

[wavewalker]

Yes, yes. No chasing the neighbor's cat and all that.

Shall we?

[sting-like-a.livejournal.com]

We shall! I dunno if the shops around here will have anything really gift-worthy, though... Probably not, knowing this place! But I guess we'll have to make do with what we have.

[wavewalker]

We can always get creative.

[ steps aside from the door, sweeping into a bow ] Ladies first.

[sting-like-a.livejournal.com]

My, my, what a gentleman~ [Chuckling, she steps out of the house, the door clicking shut behind her, and she begins to stroll down the street.]

We're gonna need to be really creative, yes~ I dunno what to get anyone, still.

[wavewalker]

Don't let yourself be fooled. I can be quite the rogue as well.

[ He falls in-step beside her, looking thoughtful ] Honestly, I don't know that many people here well enough to give gifts. I know Cyuss would appreciate alcohol.

[sting-like-a.livejournal.com]

Some people find that charming, though~

Aah, a few people I know got droned recently, so my shopping list is a little shorter than I'd like... [frown] The ones who're still stuck here are gonna be hard to find stuff for, though. Except Cyuss, of course~

[wavewalker]

[ He laughs ] The life of a rogue is not all it's cracked up to be, I'm afraid.

Ah... I heard about the Major General.

[sting-like-a.livejournal.com]

[There's a brief flicker of sadness in her eyes at the mention of Olivier, but she shakes it off quickly. Contrary to popular belief, Miakis is capable of feeling emotions other than happiness. She just doesn't like that to happen very often :|]

Yeah. I think our little army will be okay without her, once we get more organized, but... I'll miss her. She was nice to have around.

[wavewalker]

I would have liked to meet her. [ a slight frown, and a twitch of his tail ] But do keep me posted on the rebellion, as it were. The sooner I can get out of here and back to my ship, the better.

[sting-like-a.livejournal.com]

Of course, of course~ We just need to... work things out, so our plans don't fall apart every time someone gets droned. [sigh] I've been stuck here long enough as it is.

[wavewalker]

Perhaps a group of leaders? A council of generals, as it were.

[sting-like-a.livejournal.com]

It sounds like that's the plan, yeah! The problem is just... figuring out who, exactly, is gonna lead.