♕ |[55]| two blushing pilgrims ready stand

[had_not_lived]

[Even if he had noticed today's curse-- which he hasn't, not yet-- Neil would still be out and about, because really it isn't so bad to have a little Christmas cheer and a peck on the cheek is hardly the end of the world. But Neil hasn't been a victim yet, as he leaves his building and heads for the bookstore, and he's too preoccupied and sulky to

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[adamantined]

[Leaving Christmas shopping until the very last minute usually means that Claire has little to no say in finding herself on the streets when this particular curse hits. It's no different than it was last year around this time, but fortunately she's managed to make it into the bookstore without having to risk contracting herpes - so to speak - from some random passerby. If there is a bell, it chimes when she steps in, and before Claire can get to browsing, she spots Neil at the counter just across the floor.]

Hey - [The enthusiastic greeting becomes decidedly less so as she gets close enough to realize bruises are not shadows, and Claire's face falls into concern rather than enthusiasm.] Oh my God, what happened?

[had_not_lived]

Does it really look that awful? [He laughs a little, though without much humor. He's thought about going home but Neil's not much good at convalescence, he'd rather keep working.]

I got run over by a magical forest creature.

[adamantined]

[It takes a beat for that to sink in, and in the time it does take, Claire manages to quirk an eyebrow, mouth opening just enough that when the laugh comes it's got nothing to quiet it.]

It wasn't a reindeer, was it?

[had_not_lived]

A unicorn.

[He smiles back sheepishly. It's kind of ridiculous, yeah, and as embarrassed as he is he can't help but laugh too, leaning on the countertop.]

[adamantined]

[Claire starts to say something about the reputed preferences of unicorns and then stops, pressing her lips together and nodding. She's seen some of the posts on the Network and spoke to Edmund about a unicorn getting out of the zoo, but it takes this long for the pieces to actually line up and solidify. Call it Christmas distraction.]

If it makes you feel better, I don't think you're the only one. [She leans forward, on her elbows, to get a seemingly better look.] You could always go around telling people you got into a bar fight. I think there's 'you should see the other guy' comment potential.

[had_not_lived]

The 'other guy' was a blur of hooves and horn and angry eyes, I'm not sure I could back my story up.

[He shrugs, which of course inclines him a little closer. He doesn't stop coming closer, though thankfully he doesn't stumble, just leans to kiss her gently.]

[adamantined]

Oh.

[Oh. Surprise. Normally she's better at looking around in order to get a good sense of location when it comes to mistletoe in the City, but with Neil's face looking the way that it does, her initial instincts are little less than on par. So it is a surprise to suddenly be kissing him, though it's with a sort of resigned embarrassment: eyes open, eyebrows raising, mouth twisted into a small smile while it's pressed to his and once she's pulled back.]

Well. [There's a pause, and then Claire continues on without missing much of a beat, though she does push her hair back from her face.] In this place you could just be talking about someone's neighbor.

[had_not_lived]

[Neil's face is kind of a distraction. The City must love that. He's embarrassed, but thankfully it doesn't really show, beyond the silly grin. He's a little too bruised to blush.]

Honestly I'm not sure the thing even noticed it was trampling me.

[adamantined]

[Claire still wants to take the opportunity to point out, for whatever reason, what this means regarding Neil's state as a virgin, but she's a little too nice for that. Instead, she just laughs again, softer this time, looking down at the counter as she does.]

At least you know it wasn't personal, if he wouldn't even look at you.

[had_not_lived]

Mostly I'm glad he didn't break anything, I'd hate to spend Christmas in the hospital. Or a cast.

[Or dead, for that matter. If Neil knew how much Deeply Personal Information he was giving up by admitting to this incident, he'd probably try to find an excuse. Luckily (or unluckily,) he's blissfully ignorant.]

[adamantined]

Well, knock on wood. [And she does, three times, aware of how ridiculous this makes her look.] It's not Christmas just yet.

[And that's enough of a reminder of what she really came here to get for Claire to straighten up and lean back, tucking a bit more hair behind her ear and under the lining of her hat. She takes a breath and lets it out, pressing her lips together to ease out the smile creasing her face.]

I should probably actually do some shopping. If I stand here any longer, the mistletoe'll probably get the wrong idea and come back.

[had_not_lived]

And there's not much shopping time left, either.

[He's brightened up considerably, bruises and all.]

[adamantined]

Tell me about it.

[This accompanied with an eyeroll, albeit a warm one. She throws a glance over her shoulder, back into the stacks, then looks at Neil for just a moment longer.]

Any recommendations?

[had_not_lived]

Of course. [He stands a little straighter, resting the heels of his hands on the counter.] But it kind of depends on who you're shopping for.

[adamantined]

Anyone. [She offers this with a shrug.] I just thought I'd come in and see if anything reminded me of anyone in particular. Probably not the best answer to give you.

[had_not_lived]

[He laughs.]

You might be better off browsing, then.