[open] jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock.

[babbylon]

Who: Gilgamesh and everyone! A group holiday party for the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" job.
When: Forward dated to December 7th or so.
Where: Heaven's Feel, Caissa
What: Gilgamesh and friends are getting into the holiday spirit, and you're invited! Join for gifts, grog, mistletoe and more.
Rating: There will probably be drunken shenanigans going on, thus PG-13 to be safe.

Happy Holidays!



[The holidays are in full swing at Heaven's Feel! Brightly lit trees and ornaments litter the store, with warm fires blazing, gentle music playing and mistletoe strung from every available spot on the ceiling. The ostentatious host stands at the ready to attend every need and ensure everyone has a match of their very own this holiday season—including you!

Generous portions of hot chocolate, gingerbread cookies, and wine are being offered free of charge to all guests. These delights are enchanted to fill you with an extra dose of courage, so be bold! Go after your crush, engage a complete stranger, or just do something really crazy to celebrate the joyous occasion. 'tis the season to be jolly, after all.

The sprigs of mistletoe have been charmed by Gilgamesh to encourage smooching. The urge to pucker up beneath them will be strong, so watch where you stand! If you look beneath the big tree in the center of the store, you'll find a gift addressed to you. It could be an article of clothing, a ticket for free services, or even something more personal!

Naturally, Heaven's Feel matchmaking services are always available, so feel free to fill out a card while you're here or just get cozy by the fireplace. Merry Cherima, everyone!]

Comments

[hoasen]

[She didn't know if Archer will be coming. She did tell Gilgamesh that Archer seems to be troubled right now because of what happened, his body having reverted, and that he was seeking time alone to sort things out. Hopefully he'll look out for him too if he ever encounters him before her. But really, another reason why she didn't think he would come without an invite was because Archer is such a private person.

There were whispers around that Archer had arrived, and so she kept her eye out, looking for him. Sometimes duty stole her away for a moment, and so it was when he picked up the gift was when she was able to catch him. She moved quicker than she was thinking, and later she'll be relieved to know that no one else was really around at that time when they were busy partying.

Because before she knew it, she had wrapped her arms around him from the back.]

You came back. [He promised.]

[anti_altruisms]

[ Archer jerks a little in surprise at the sudden hug from behind. He wasn't prepared for it so, of course, he stiffens before he realizes who's behind him.

Some of the tension draining away when he realizes it's Vietnam, Archer lets out a soft, exasperated huff. ]

I told you I would.

[ He's not a liar, okay. ]

[hoasen]

[Now she's just embarrassed, so she keeps latched on, if only to hide her face?!

She was moving faster than she was thinking, after all.]

I knew you would. I just didn't expect you to be here.

[It's a party, after all?]

[anti_altruisms]

[ omg, Vietnam, he needs to breathe!!

Archer shifts awkwardly. ]

I was invited.

[ By a certain someone, of course.

Finally, after a moment- ]

I can't see you...?

[ He would like to talk to you face-to-face, ok. ]

[hoasen]

It was Gilgamesh, no?

[He got Archer's back, she knows this.

And after letting go (NOW HE CAN BREATHE), she awkwardly walks around him, trying to look like she's still cool (nope).]

[anti_altruisms]

Yes.

[ Really, it was more of a demand than an invitation, but he was planning on coming back to Caissa around this time anyway, so it all worked out, regardless.

Letting out a breath, he looks at her finally. ]

He contacted me a few days ago.

[hoasen]

[A few days ago...a bit later than after she let him go. And she could imagine how that went down.]

I'm glad you came though. [Considering that Gilgamesh is Gilgamesh and Archer doesn't really like that many people.]

I can even see that you found a gift for yourself.

[anti_altruisms]

[ It was...interesting. He isn't a party person, but he was sure he wouldn't hear the end of it if he didn't come so...he's here! ]

...it would appear so.

[ There's a bit of an awkward pause, then- ]

I brought you something.

[hoasen]

[It does help to see some people at least!

She was about to mention that her gift for him wasn't those cute gifts under the tree, since those were mostly organised by Gilgamesh, so she brought a little extra, when he mentioned he brought something?]

You ... did?

[anti_altruisms]

[ He did.

Archer pulls out a small box that has been neatly wrapped in turquoise paper and offers it to her without comment.

He doesn't know if she'll like it, but...he hopes so. ]

[hoasen]

[There's a little bit of wonderment as she takes the box, peels the paper carefully, lifts the lid and look at that!]

It's beautiful...

[She's normally pretty happy to put a necklace on herself, but at the same time, she wants to prove to Archer that his hands are perfectly capable of being gentle. So she pulls up her hair and holds the necklace out to him.]

Can you help me put it on, please?

[anti_altruisms]

[ ...well, he wasn't really expecting to be included in this part of the gift-giving, but-

Archer blinks once before taking the necklace, and after a moment of brief hesitation, he loops it carefully around her neck and fastens it.

Taking a step back to look, he thinks (hopefully) that it suits her. ]

You like it?

[hoasen]

[He is now! And he has to take responsibility. For a few seconds anyway.

She lets her hair down again once he's done, and turns so that he can see the necklace on her. Touching it lightly--]

I like it very much, Archer. Thank you. What do you think?

[The hue will suit a lot of clothes she wears.]

[anti_altruisms]

[ ...she likes it.

Archer isn't the best at formalities or giving gifts, but after their last chat he wanted to do something for her. She's looked after him several times when she didn't have to, and that means a great deal. ]

...it suits you.

[hoasen]

[Her smile grows after he says that, and she's trying her hardest to look cool about this. But he says it suits her...]

All thanks to your choice.

[Shifting on the spot, she holds out a tiny box.]

I have a tiny thing for you, along with the gift under the tree.

[anti_altruisms]

[ That's fine. He's trying to be cool, too. He hasn't actually tried to give anyone a present (especially one like this) in a long while so it...feels strange. But good.

He's surprised, though, when she offers him a box in return. After a moment of staring, he quietly starts to open it... ]

[hoasen]

[Guess who else is nervous when he's opening it up!! She spent ages (not that long but long enough for her) knitting this scarf. Gilgamesh suggested the colours.]

[anti_altruisms]

[ ...oh no, it's cute.

Archer takes out the scarf, looks it over, and...looks at her. ]

...did you make this?

[hoasen]

[She's nervous because does this mean he likes it or not?!]

Y-yes...it's getting colder, no? Gilgamesh also told me you like those colours...

[anti_altruisms]

[ He does like it. It's rare enough that he receives a gift, but he can imagine a great deal of thought and care went into this.

He smiles (just a tad) as if to assuage her unspoken nervousness and offers her the scarf. ]

Help me try it on?

[hoasen]

[She won a smile...protect it forever, even if it's little. He encourages her all the same. And here Archer judges himself, when he manages to calm Vietnam down enough for her to take the scarf.

To reach, she pushes on her toes, ready to wrap it around him.]

I hope it suits you, I relied on my imagination.

[anti_altruisms]

[ It's a tiny smile, more for her benefit than his, but it's there nonetheless -- or at least, for a brief moment.

The scarf settles around his neck, and he turns a little so she can get a better view of how it looks on him. Needless to say, red is definitely his color. ]

It does.

[ Again, there's that faint smile. ]

Thank you.

[hoasen]

[That's the best kind of smile, where he just...well, he tries. And he does it better than she ever would because she screwed up whenever she forces one!

But the one on her face now is natural and honest, because it suits him. She's relieved as she is happy. And perhaps a little more so the more he smiles. She straightens the scarf just a bit more.]

You're welcome. I'm glad we can do something like this. [Because he came back!]

[anti_altruisms]

[ Trying is the most and best he can do. He's long since mastered sneering or sardonic sorts of smiles, but genuine, heartfelt ones are rare.

In any event, he looks dashing in his scarf, and she looks lovely wearing her necklace, so they're both doing fairly well. ]

Perhaps, we will again.

[ They may or may not be here in another year, but there will be other opportunities, probably... ]

They seem to appreciate festivities here.

[hoasen]

[And here she thinks he needs to smile more. Because he's rather handsome when he does so. And he looks a little more...relaxed.

Granted he's looking very relaxed right now, dressed down and in his scarf. She's so pleased!]

Perhaps. It reminds me a bit of home, in a way, because of these festivities...oh, and food is also important during those times. Have you eaten yet?