o18. it came without ribbons;

[mademestranger]

Memo to Orestes: do not take a detour through the perfume department on your lunch break because it's the fastest route to Starbucks. I swear sales assistants actually prepare to ambush people, and the word 'no seems to mean nothing regardless of tone or volume.

Just--... Blessed ancestors. Having to buy a new suit (and tie, because the previous

Comments

[pennywaits]

It appears to be a time of family togetherness and letting those you love know you care for them. Naturally, this is something one should do anyways, but it doesn't hurt to have time set aside to do so. Though I am sorry about the perfume situation. Perhaps you should wear an overcoat when you cross through there? Then they would get the perfume on the coat rather than your clothes.

[mademestranger]

... I thought it had something to do with a saviour. That said, I--I hardly need all these stores and their advertising to tell me to spend time with my family... Though I do need to. This was easier in Mycenae. That is an idea, but--I'm just going to avoid them. I think.

[Filter: Penelope]

It is probably rather odd, for--for me to ask this--I'm not very personable, but--... Do you happen to know how... significant a part of this Christmas the present-giving part plays? I think... I am rather out of my league.

[pennywaits]

A saviour? A saviour of what? How odd. That's not what the movie seemed to imply. But perhaps it's more than what a simple movie would be able to tell me. I guess I should research further. I think the stores are simply trying to make extra profits from the holiday with their advertising. I don't pay much attention to them myself. I don't really care much for the stores around here. Far too crowded.

[Filter: Orestes]
It is all right. I don't know if I'll always have answers, but you are more than welcome to come to me with your questions. We are family, after all. What good is family if they are not there to support one another?

The gift giving seems to be a symbol of your feelings for someone. At least that's how I see it. It shows them that you find the person special enough to think about during the holidays, so it does seem to be rather important, I think. Are you needing help Christmas shopping for someone?

[mademestranger]

I haven't got a clue, I wasn't really listening. When it comes to religious jargon, I stick to what I know. Which movie?

[Filter: Penelope]

We're good at revenge, should you need help in that department. Also good for general murder. But that's a conversation for another time, perhaps.

... Everyone.

[pennywaits]

The movie was called Christmas Carol I believe, about a man named Scrooge. He was a pretty miserly sort of man.

[Filter: Orestes]
Oh if only I were still in Ithica. I could find plenty of uses for such services

Everyone being?

[mademestranger]

... The Muppets' Christmas Carol was on the television. I have no idea if it is the same story. But the... it was strange.

[Filter: Penelope]

Father, Electra, Hermione, Chrysothemis and Tisamenus... I think. Yes.

[pennywaits]

What is a muppet?

[Filter: Orestes]

Well I think we should be able to manage that. Do you have some inclination of what they like at all?

[mademestranger]

Sort of... controlled cuddly toys...

[Filter: Penelope]

... Not really. My son and father least of all.

[pennywaits]

They sound...interesting...

[Filter: Orestes]

Well, why not go through their journals and see if they mention anything that interests them. Or, you could ask them if there is anything they want for christmas.

After that, whether you come up with ideas or not, we'll go shopping together. I'm not sure I'll be of much help, but two heads are better than one, are they not?

If nothing else, I can at least protect you from the evil perfume counters.