(47) Little Drummer Boy
[Private to Ginia//Text]
I'll be sure everything is locked up tight when I'm gone, I promise. And I took the bottle, too, since Wyatt's here, so please don't worry when you come back and it's not there. Thank you so much for watching it for me...and even though you don't remember, thanks for your help in picking it out. I'm sure you've exquisite taste.
[End Private]
[A video feed comes on. Oliver's dressed up in his best clothes (the black-trimmed-in-gold jacket and matching everything else Lelouch made him for the Masquerade, if you were wondering). His hair, usually simply brushed, except for the one braid, is now worn up, with three little golden ornaments (a crane in flight, a very stylized musical note, and a Chinese character which means Joy) hanging from his hair, occasionally visible swinging as his head moves around. He dips his head and smiles as his hands come back into view from activating the PCD.]
Good afternoon, my friends, and Merry Christmas. The music has finally stopped, and even I'm glad for that, but I have one more song for you all.
For the past few months, I have been working on a very special project, and although there is a lot I have left to do, this short little thing comes from that project.
Er.
It en't complete, and I'm hoping to eventually have a violin accompany this, as well as an aria, but this is the bit I do have written.
Er.
Right.
[He closes his eyes and starts to play on the piano, which must be invisible, down below the camera view of the PCD, meaning the PCD is on top of the piano. This makes for good acoustics, though. Even those intimately familiar with classical music will not recognize this piece, though the influence of Beethoven and Mozart are both quite obvious. It only lasts for a few minutes, but it is a very sad and haunting thing, if music touches you like that. For a while after he's done, Oliver is still, then he looks up and swallows.]
I've presents for a lot of you, almost everyone I know, actually. Even if I was coming to the party, it'd be too much to carry, so let's all talk about how to get it to you, alright?
If I don't hear from you before the new year, I'll have Miss Unohana help me find you!
[He smiles]
One last thing, I'll not be available for New Year's Eve. I've got a date!
Wyatt, don't try to get out of it, either.
((OOC: Gift Listing! If you were left out and Oliver knows you, please say so! Also, if you're newer, say, since Thanksgiving, say something here, if you'd like...Ollie tried to get little things for most of the newbs, but since I fail as a player knowing who is who, well. &hearts
**Note: This list is Alphabetical; by series. I went down the Taken page so I didn't miss anyone...so if I missed you, SAY SO, PLEASE**
**Note 2: Oliver just chose things. No mun input was given; if there is something that DESPERATLY needs changed, please let know; otherwise, Oliver just chose poorly.**
Londo: A simple (purple) scarf, with a note offering help if he needs it.
Rukia: A small, crystal goblet, with an attached note thanking her for the various times she's helped him or his friends at the clinic.
Mayuri: A book he found on Exobiology, or the study of aliens. He isn't sure if it's fake or not; that's up to the mun. There is no note.
Yachiru: A (smallish) box, full of Pixie Sticks. JUST pixie sticks. Note is a simple "To Yachi"
Unohana: She will receive two hair ornaments. The first is similar to his own golden crane, though it is a silver heron, instead, a difference he couldn't say on his own observation, but only because of the shop owner. The other is a crystal oak leaf. The note reads, "In thanks for kindness, grace, and wisdom. The first cannot be return in wrappings; the second is shown in the flight of the heron, and the last embodied in the oak. Thanks for everything, Miss Unohana. -Oliver"
Kenpachi: Two things. The first is a little GPS navigation system which prolly won't work, but that wasn't the point. The other is a children's book with a collection of tales much like Grimm's; however, all of these fully illustrated stories are about fighting dragons and besting minotaurs, stuff like that. The note says, "Voices never leave us, and for long nights snowed in with Yachi -Oliver"
Carmen: A box, wood, lacquered, inlaid with a nice, elegant, and simple gold pattern. Inside, there are tiny models of the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids, the Stature of Liberty, Parliament, the Sydney Opera House, and about a dozen other sites of historical importance and note on Earth. The note reads, "For the Best". It is unsigned.
Kotoko: A (small, literally) book of philosophy regarding the rights of "thinking machines" that quotes notable SciFi icons like Data of Star Trek and the Cylons of Battlestar Galactica, etc. Note quotes Dr. Suess, "A person's a person, no matter how small"
Suzaku: Three large books that detail chess strategy and the history of chess in Europe. There is a note that reads "To the best mate I've been honoured to ever have; good luck -Oliver"
Lelouch: A sewing kit, with ten colours of thred (up to mun) and three kinds of ribbon, too (also up to mun), plus, of course, the needles, thimble, etc. Also, a single, small book of recipies and baking ideas. This one, however, is dedicated to things one might find in an "erotic" bakery kind of setting; not naughty perhaps, but certainly not on Santa's nice list. The note is hastily scrawled, "I figured you'd get a bunch of boring cookbooks, so here's one that's not" It's unsigned.
girl!Ed: This was tricky, and she can point out what he did wrong at her leisure, however. He did his best to leave a long note to her buried deep in the network and flagged in connection to some of the music he played while a 70's Rocker. The note thanks her for eveything, and asks if there's anything he can do for her properly.
L: A small box of sweets, even though the note says "I doubt you need them at this point -Oliver"
Matt: A collection of porn of various qualities, but all in mint condition, ie, completly unopened at all. The note reads, "Figured you should get something you might like this year" and is unsigned. In the middle of the stack, however, Matt might find a small, thin book with some decidedly esoteric and pseudo-sen title. If Matt looks inside, however, it'll be full of "Your Momma" jokes and other, similar apocrypha.
Mello: A small box of chocolates and an empty journal, leather bound in black leather. Note reads "Since you lost your last one, killer. Enjoy the treats -Oliver"
Near: A small, stuffed kitty; white. There is no note.
Dr. Horrible: A book detailing the various mad scientists in comics from 1945-1970, with a heavy focus on DC and Marvel, of course. The note reads "Since you like your lab so much, I thought I'd show you what not to do. Merry Christmas! -Oliver"
Vincent/Chaos: A note mentioned something about merry christmas and telling Vinny to not hesitate to ask if there's anything Ollie can do to help him or Rinoa.
Rinoa: A stuff puppy; unfortunately, this one does not look like Angelo, but is a 'cute' little black lab. The note reads "I'm glad you came back -Oliver"
Ed and Al: A box full of books like "A Brief History of Time" that he thought they might enjoy reading. The note is a simple, "To the Elric Brothers -Oliver"
Trisha: A very nice, elegant, and simple dress, mostly blue and purple, and a note that reads "A beautiful gown for a real Lady. -Oliver"
Maes: A bunch of picture frames. The note reads, "You and I need to sit down and look at pictures of your little girl sometime. -Oliver" Perhaps only he knows that was the real gift he wanted to give.
Roy: A collection of things like Troll Dolls, Lawn Gnomes, and other "small" things. The note? "I thought you might like to decorate your place for 'company', and don't you dare tell him I had anything to do with this. -Oliver"
Winry: A rather nice tool kit, designed for precision work, and including a pair of goggles that have a set of lenses to drop down over the right eye to increase magnification as needed by several steps. The note says, "Since my brother'd like it, I think you might, too! -Oliver"
Russel: A small plant with no name or anything, though his note makes sure to point out, "If the shop keepers are at all honest, I've reason to believe this thing might talk, some day -Oliver"
Brooklyn: A small, 'weatherproof' safe with instructions how to set up the lock and everything. The note itself reads, "Since you can't always watch things yourself, I thought you might as well have the chance to keep them safe -Oliver"
Dearka: A large comforter that has pictures of space on it. No note.
Yzak: A set of pillows that somewhat match Dearka's comforter. No note.
Murrue: A collection of insignia that span hundreds of years; all were worn as marks of Rank by captains in the English or British navies. The note reads, "Captains have been needed on ships since ships were invented. Sometimes, the ship doesn't even have to move -Oliver"
Duo: A sweater (mun choice of colour) No Note
Heero: A sweater (also mun choice) No Note
Dobby: Three pairs of socks, all as eccentric and odd as he could find. The note offers help as needed and wishes Dobby a happy Christmas.
Daxter: A book about sidekicks, from an author who argues they're often as important to the quest as the hero himself, if not more so. No Note.
JoJo: A new hat. (Mun Choice, BUT: -It is not identical to the old one. -It will have some kind of pin or patch or something 'special'; while Ollie had it put there, he won't admit to it. -It is either similar to the old had, or radically different (and possibly a touch silly). That's up to you. &hearts) The Note reads, "Family sticks together, mate, and blood's not the only kind of family there is. It's not your old hat, but I thought of you when I saw it, so it's yours, now. Thanks for coming back -Oliver"
Gong-gil: A sewing kit that is, alas, slightly less elaborate than Lelouch's. This one has five colours of thread (mun choice) and no ribbon. However, there is also a small book in Korean. Oliver doesn't know what it is about or even the title, simply that is is Korean. There is no note.
Galadriel: A silver necklace that has several leaf pendants of various (mun choice) trees. There is no note.
Asuna: Two dresses (mun choice of colour and style). The note is, "I thought you might like them -Oliver"
Sakura: A last minute gift of several crystal 'Sakura' flowers, as well as the general Newbie note offering help with anything and a merry Christmas.
Kakashi: A pile of porn; his lacks anything extra, however. Again, no note.
Neji: A handwritten note, unsigned, with the recipe for several dishes, all slightly different from the normal cookbook recipies, due to his Gramms's influence: Chikken Tikka Masala, Cottage Pie, Bangers and Mash, and Christmas Pudding.
Itachi: A black scarf with a little, embroidered, white kitty in a corner on either end. No note.
Sasuke: A scarf identical to his brother's. Also no note.
Naruto: A box of Ramen with as many different flavours as he could find. Note reads, "Don't eat them all at once"
Kaworu: A small book that, though it has Catholic overtones, is more of a simply 'spiritual' book all about angels. It is of special note because, in every picture and illistration showing a person, there are animal ears. The note is, "The only thing I've seen from my world or one like it. I thought of you, mate. -Oliver"
Wyatt: This is a secret, and will come late. Until then, there is simply a note saying "I'm glad you're here."
Milo: An uncooked Turkey.
Ginia: A carefully wrapped box with seven bottle (empty, alas) that are quite unique: Curved, twisted, with little passages and tubes and bubbles and what-not, of a make possibly impossible on Earth, and if not impossible, then very, very, very difficult. The note, "I know they are empty, but look at them! I couldn't pass them up once I saw them -Oliver"
Juke: A book about robots in popular fiction, from 1950-2050
Ryoji: A promise of dinner in the note, and a red-and-yellow scarf. It is signed, but without any further thoughts.
Tia: A large coffee-table book of pictures of the Great Barrier Reef
Grovyle: A luminous orb and a Pierce Band.
Skyler: A tambourine, and a picture book that shows what 'dinosaurs' would be alive today, if the dinos hadn't died off. There is simply a to/from tag with them.
Layton: A book of puzzles, from math problems to logic problems to mazes, etc, etc. The note offers help, if it's needed, and wishes him a merry Christmas.
Harumi: Three very nice sketchbooks, and a note, "I want to see what you manage! You're really good -Oliver"
Tails: A tool kit similar to that given to Winry; no goggles.
Threepio: An R2-D2 action figure. Also, a note offering help and everything like that.
Fai: A set of nice china plates for special occasions at the Cafe. No note.
Tsubasa!Kamui: Nice, leather gloves and a dark blue scarf. There is no note, because it will be delivered in person. This is non-negotiable.
Hige and Kiba: Each one gets an uncooked turkey.
x!Kamui: A slightly larger fishbowl with rainbow gravel, a nice castle, etc, etc, and a note saying "The goldfish won't remember moving after three seconds, anyway! Merry Christmas, and when would you like to get together for dinner again? -Oliver"
Jun: A gray scarf, a pair of leather gloves, and a note that says, "We'll try some more Japanese food sometime, if you'd like! -Oliver"))
I'll be sure everything is locked up tight when I'm gone, I promise. And I took the bottle, too, since Wyatt's here, so please don't worry when you come back and it's not there. Thank you so much for watching it for me...and even though you don't remember, thanks for your help in picking it out. I'm sure you've exquisite taste.
[End Private]
[A video feed comes on. Oliver's dressed up in his best clothes (the black-trimmed-in-gold jacket and matching everything else Lelouch made him for the Masquerade, if you were wondering). His hair, usually simply brushed, except for the one braid, is now worn up, with three little golden ornaments (a crane in flight, a very stylized musical note, and a Chinese character which means Joy) hanging from his hair, occasionally visible swinging as his head moves around. He dips his head and smiles as his hands come back into view from activating the PCD.]
Good afternoon, my friends, and Merry Christmas. The music has finally stopped, and even I'm glad for that, but I have one more song for you all.
For the past few months, I have been working on a very special project, and although there is a lot I have left to do, this short little thing comes from that project.
Er.
It en't complete, and I'm hoping to eventually have a violin accompany this, as well as an aria, but this is the bit I do have written.
Er.
Right.
[He closes his eyes and starts to play on the piano, which must be invisible, down below the camera view of the PCD, meaning the PCD is on top of the piano. This makes for good acoustics, though. Even those intimately familiar with classical music will not recognize this piece, though the influence of Beethoven and Mozart are both quite obvious. It only lasts for a few minutes, but it is a very sad and haunting thing, if music touches you like that. For a while after he's done, Oliver is still, then he looks up and swallows.]
I've presents for a lot of you, almost everyone I know, actually. Even if I was coming to the party, it'd be too much to carry, so let's all talk about how to get it to you, alright?
If I don't hear from you before the new year, I'll have Miss Unohana help me find you!
[He smiles]
One last thing, I'll not be available for New Year's Eve. I've got a date!
Wyatt, don't try to get out of it, either.
((OOC: Gift Listing! If you were left out and Oliver knows you, please say so! Also, if you're newer, say, since Thanksgiving, say something here, if you'd like...Ollie tried to get little things for most of the newbs, but since I fail as a player knowing who is who, well. &hearts
**Note: This list is Alphabetical; by series. I went down the Taken page so I didn't miss anyone...so if I missed you, SAY SO, PLEASE**
**Note 2: Oliver just chose things. No mun input was given; if there is something that DESPERATLY needs changed, please let know; otherwise, Oliver just chose poorly.**
Londo: A simple (purple) scarf, with a note offering help if he needs it.
Rukia: A small, crystal goblet, with an attached note thanking her for the various times she's helped him or his friends at the clinic.
Mayuri: A book he found on Exobiology, or the study of aliens. He isn't sure if it's fake or not; that's up to the mun. There is no note.
Yachiru: A (smallish) box, full of Pixie Sticks. JUST pixie sticks. Note is a simple "To Yachi"
Unohana: She will receive two hair ornaments. The first is similar to his own golden crane, though it is a silver heron, instead, a difference he couldn't say on his own observation, but only because of the shop owner. The other is a crystal oak leaf. The note reads, "In thanks for kindness, grace, and wisdom. The first cannot be return in wrappings; the second is shown in the flight of the heron, and the last embodied in the oak. Thanks for everything, Miss Unohana. -Oliver"
Kenpachi: Two things. The first is a little GPS navigation system which prolly won't work, but that wasn't the point. The other is a children's book with a collection of tales much like Grimm's; however, all of these fully illustrated stories are about fighting dragons and besting minotaurs, stuff like that. The note says, "Voices never leave us, and for long nights snowed in with Yachi -Oliver"
Carmen: A box, wood, lacquered, inlaid with a nice, elegant, and simple gold pattern. Inside, there are tiny models of the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids, the Stature of Liberty, Parliament, the Sydney Opera House, and about a dozen other sites of historical importance and note on Earth. The note reads, "For the Best". It is unsigned.
Kotoko: A (small, literally) book of philosophy regarding the rights of "thinking machines" that quotes notable SciFi icons like Data of Star Trek and the Cylons of Battlestar Galactica, etc. Note quotes Dr. Suess, "A person's a person, no matter how small"
Suzaku: Three large books that detail chess strategy and the history of chess in Europe. There is a note that reads "To the best mate I've been honoured to ever have; good luck -Oliver"
Lelouch: A sewing kit, with ten colours of thred (up to mun) and three kinds of ribbon, too (also up to mun), plus, of course, the needles, thimble, etc. Also, a single, small book of recipies and baking ideas. This one, however, is dedicated to things one might find in an "erotic" bakery kind of setting; not naughty perhaps, but certainly not on Santa's nice list. The note is hastily scrawled, "I figured you'd get a bunch of boring cookbooks, so here's one that's not" It's unsigned.
girl!Ed: This was tricky, and she can point out what he did wrong at her leisure, however. He did his best to leave a long note to her buried deep in the network and flagged in connection to some of the music he played while a 70's Rocker. The note thanks her for eveything, and asks if there's anything he can do for her properly.
L: A small box of sweets, even though the note says "I doubt you need them at this point -Oliver"
Matt: A collection of porn of various qualities, but all in mint condition, ie, completly unopened at all. The note reads, "Figured you should get something you might like this year" and is unsigned. In the middle of the stack, however, Matt might find a small, thin book with some decidedly esoteric and pseudo-sen title. If Matt looks inside, however, it'll be full of "Your Momma" jokes and other, similar apocrypha.
Mello: A small box of chocolates and an empty journal, leather bound in black leather. Note reads "Since you lost your last one, killer. Enjoy the treats -Oliver"
Near: A small, stuffed kitty; white. There is no note.
Dr. Horrible: A book detailing the various mad scientists in comics from 1945-1970, with a heavy focus on DC and Marvel, of course. The note reads "Since you like your lab so much, I thought I'd show you what not to do. Merry Christmas! -Oliver"
Vincent/Chaos: A note mentioned something about merry christmas and telling Vinny to not hesitate to ask if there's anything Ollie can do to help him or Rinoa.
Rinoa: A stuff puppy; unfortunately, this one does not look like Angelo, but is a 'cute' little black lab. The note reads "I'm glad you came back -Oliver"
Ed and Al: A box full of books like "A Brief History of Time" that he thought they might enjoy reading. The note is a simple, "To the Elric Brothers -Oliver"
Trisha: A very nice, elegant, and simple dress, mostly blue and purple, and a note that reads "A beautiful gown for a real Lady. -Oliver"
Maes: A bunch of picture frames. The note reads, "You and I need to sit down and look at pictures of your little girl sometime. -Oliver" Perhaps only he knows that was the real gift he wanted to give.
Roy: A collection of things like Troll Dolls, Lawn Gnomes, and other "small" things. The note? "I thought you might like to decorate your place for 'company', and don't you dare tell him I had anything to do with this. -Oliver"
Winry: A rather nice tool kit, designed for precision work, and including a pair of goggles that have a set of lenses to drop down over the right eye to increase magnification as needed by several steps. The note says, "Since my brother'd like it, I think you might, too! -Oliver"
Russel: A small plant with no name or anything, though his note makes sure to point out, "If the shop keepers are at all honest, I've reason to believe this thing might talk, some day -Oliver"
Brooklyn: A small, 'weatherproof' safe with instructions how to set up the lock and everything. The note itself reads, "Since you can't always watch things yourself, I thought you might as well have the chance to keep them safe -Oliver"
Dearka: A large comforter that has pictures of space on it. No note.
Yzak: A set of pillows that somewhat match Dearka's comforter. No note.
Murrue: A collection of insignia that span hundreds of years; all were worn as marks of Rank by captains in the English or British navies. The note reads, "Captains have been needed on ships since ships were invented. Sometimes, the ship doesn't even have to move -Oliver"
Duo: A sweater (mun choice of colour) No Note
Heero: A sweater (also mun choice) No Note
Dobby: Three pairs of socks, all as eccentric and odd as he could find. The note offers help as needed and wishes Dobby a happy Christmas.
Daxter: A book about sidekicks, from an author who argues they're often as important to the quest as the hero himself, if not more so. No Note.
JoJo: A new hat. (Mun Choice, BUT: -It is not identical to the old one. -It will have some kind of pin or patch or something 'special'; while Ollie had it put there, he won't admit to it. -It is either similar to the old had, or radically different (and possibly a touch silly). That's up to you. &hearts) The Note reads, "Family sticks together, mate, and blood's not the only kind of family there is. It's not your old hat, but I thought of you when I saw it, so it's yours, now. Thanks for coming back -Oliver"
Gong-gil: A sewing kit that is, alas, slightly less elaborate than Lelouch's. This one has five colours of thread (mun choice) and no ribbon. However, there is also a small book in Korean. Oliver doesn't know what it is about or even the title, simply that is is Korean. There is no note.
Galadriel: A silver necklace that has several leaf pendants of various (mun choice) trees. There is no note.
Asuna: Two dresses (mun choice of colour and style). The note is, "I thought you might like them -Oliver"
Sakura: A last minute gift of several crystal 'Sakura' flowers, as well as the general Newbie note offering help with anything and a merry Christmas.
Kakashi: A pile of porn; his lacks anything extra, however. Again, no note.
Neji: A handwritten note, unsigned, with the recipe for several dishes, all slightly different from the normal cookbook recipies, due to his Gramms's influence: Chikken Tikka Masala, Cottage Pie, Bangers and Mash, and Christmas Pudding.
Itachi: A black scarf with a little, embroidered, white kitty in a corner on either end. No note.
Sasuke: A scarf identical to his brother's. Also no note.
Naruto: A box of Ramen with as many different flavours as he could find. Note reads, "Don't eat them all at once"
Kaworu: A small book that, though it has Catholic overtones, is more of a simply 'spiritual' book all about angels. It is of special note because, in every picture and illistration showing a person, there are animal ears. The note is, "The only thing I've seen from my world or one like it. I thought of you, mate. -Oliver"
Wyatt: This is a secret, and will come late. Until then, there is simply a note saying "I'm glad you're here."
Milo: An uncooked Turkey.
Ginia: A carefully wrapped box with seven bottle (empty, alas) that are quite unique: Curved, twisted, with little passages and tubes and bubbles and what-not, of a make possibly impossible on Earth, and if not impossible, then very, very, very difficult. The note, "I know they are empty, but look at them! I couldn't pass them up once I saw them -Oliver"
Juke: A book about robots in popular fiction, from 1950-2050
Ryoji: A promise of dinner in the note, and a red-and-yellow scarf. It is signed, but without any further thoughts.
Tia: A large coffee-table book of pictures of the Great Barrier Reef
Grovyle: A luminous orb and a Pierce Band.
Skyler: A tambourine, and a picture book that shows what 'dinosaurs' would be alive today, if the dinos hadn't died off. There is simply a to/from tag with them.
Layton: A book of puzzles, from math problems to logic problems to mazes, etc, etc. The note offers help, if it's needed, and wishes him a merry Christmas.
Harumi: Three very nice sketchbooks, and a note, "I want to see what you manage! You're really good -Oliver"
Tails: A tool kit similar to that given to Winry; no goggles.
Threepio: An R2-D2 action figure. Also, a note offering help and everything like that.
Fai: A set of nice china plates for special occasions at the Cafe. No note.
Tsubasa!Kamui: Nice, leather gloves and a dark blue scarf. There is no note, because it will be delivered in person. This is non-negotiable.
Hige and Kiba: Each one gets an uncooked turkey.
x!Kamui: A slightly larger fishbowl with rainbow gravel, a nice castle, etc, etc, and a note saying "The goldfish won't remember moving after three seconds, anyway! Merry Christmas, and when would you like to get together for dinner again? -Oliver"
Jun: A gray scarf, a pair of leather gloves, and a note that says, "We'll try some more Japanese food sometime, if you'd like! -Oliver"))