49. Prose (s-sorry guys!) Backdated to Christmas Eve. (action)

[foolishwren]

Christmas Eve

Comments

[action- earlier in de day]

[restardom]

[ okay, Rise didn't expect Heather to suddenly barge in - and might have almost fallen off her chair in surprise - but she's happily returning that hug. ]

-- Wait, hold on, I've got something for you--

[action- earlier in de day]

[foolishwren]

[Apparently, Heather was taking a leaf out of the Kool-Aid man's book. Thankfully, she wasn't busting through any walls.]

Whaaat? Wait, c'mon, open yours first!

[Still giving the hug with one arm, she waves a messily-wrapped box in front of Rise's nose with the other.]

[action]

[restardom]

Okay, okay-- don't hit me with it!

[ it's a playful scold, though, and Rise leans back just enough to accept the box-- also with one hand. ]

[action]

[foolishwren]

[Heather beams and moves to the side slightly, arm still around Rise's shoulders, to give the idol a little more room to open the gift, although it's a fairly small box.]

[Inside, there's a couple of stylized tropical Butterfree hair ornaments-- along with a couple of hand-written coupons. One promises a shopping spree at the Goldenrod Department Store during which Heather is allowed only minimal complaining-- the other promises that 'Girls' Night' with ice cream that she'd brought up earlier.]

[action]

[restardom]

[ Rise stares down at the presents for a moment, eyes wide. Truthfully, Japan has never been as intense about gift-giving as America has, so presents were usually from significant others and family, with the idol agency having more flashy Christmas events. This is the first year she decided to do something for all of her friends, and all of this from Heather has her seriously touched.

She slides the ornaments into her hair without any prompting, shooting Heather a bright smile. Oh, she'll be collecting on both of these coupons VERY SOON. ] How do they look?

[action]

[foolishwren]

[Heather grins and gives a thumbs-up.]

They look awesome!

I thought of you when I saw 'em. It was either those or Slowpokes. I figured the butterflies'd fit ya better.

[action]

[restardom]

Yeah, Slowpokes aren't really things you should wear in your hair. [ Yosuke has enough Slowpoke-induced trauma as it is-- and Rise beams, going back into that hug. ]

Thanks so much, Heather! Now I'll get to find a outfit these'll go great with.

[action]

[foolishwren]

Unless you've got a REALLY weird sense of style, yeah. [She returns the hug heartily.]

I bet you'll find something awesome. They have, like, everything at that store, I swear.

[action]

[restardom]

I know-- I still haven't seen it all!

[ ... mostly because she's rarely left Ven's side, and it'll almost be two weeks in a few days. At least she got her Christmas shopping done before he decided to pull a Sleeping Beauty.

But right now, she's trying not to think about that. In fact, she's bouncing in her seat. ] Can I give you your present now?

[action]

[foolishwren]

You'll get a chance to! ... I'm sure it's not going anywhere. [Well, except for the holiday decorations, which would probably be going down soon.]

[At the question, Heather's face suddenly goes serious and she folds her arms.]

No, Rise.

You can't.

[She folds her arms.]

[.... Aaand then starts snerking about three seconds later.]

Of course you can, dummy.

[action]

[restardom]

[ for just a split second, Rise seems to be gearing up for an ABSOLUTE POUT-- but then she grins and releases Heather to reach into a humongous bag by the bed and extract a neatly-wrapped package.

... Never mind that wrapping attempts took three tries to make things look pretty, but here you go, home slice. ]

[action]

[foolishwren]

[IT'S OKAY RISE Heather can't wrap things to save her life either. Except that she didn't even try to make it look pretty.]

[Heather flops down into one of the chairs once released, taking the package and holding it up to her ear briefly with a gentle shake.]

Is it something totally awesome?

[action]

[restardom]

[ Rise gives her an indignant huff in response. ]

Would I give you anything not?

[ and when Heather opens it, she'll find a travel-sized first-aid kit, a box of hair dye, and a hand-carved bangle bracelet with a ribbon-like design running throughout it. ]

[action] My aunt is one of the people Heather is talking about

[foolishwren]

Well HEY, you never know... You might secretly be one of those people who thinks tacky snowman sculptures that are normally only found in the homes of grandmas make good Christmas gif-- oooooh!

[And that was a happy Heather noise!]

Wow, this is gorgeous-- did you make this??

[The bracelet's the first thing to get her attention, of course-- although the first-aid kit and hair dye do NOT go unnoticed. Rise, you know Heather well.]

[action] ... I'm so sorry

[restardom]

... Ew, no.

[ and that is all Rise will say (quite firmly) on the matter. She nods a few seconds later, though, back to beaming with quiet pride. Why yes, of course she knows Heather, it's been about a half-year. ]

Yeah-- I took a few carving classes back home while I was on hiatus, so I thought I might as well put them to good use. Does it fit okay?

[action] so many snowman sculptures

[foolishwren]

[Heather's already slipping it onto her wrist-- she's got wide hands so it's loose around, but it doesn't fall off.]

Yeah! It's gorgeous, too-- thanks, man! I love it!