G is for Gifts. [OPEN]

[alastinglight]

Characters: Takasugi, all the people he's giving gifts to, and whoever wants in!
Location: All over the place. Feel free to choose where Takasugi meets you - I'll have him drop in on you. :3
Rating: G for now!
Time: December 24, during the day down to early evening or so
Description: He doesn't celebrate Christmas, but he knows it's important for

Comments

[ early evening, on the streets ]

[shinigamitayuu]

I guess Christmas will always be a big deal anywhere in the universe Tsukuyo thought as she walked towards the DOGS office with a small paper bag in hand. She figured she'd give the smaller gifts now and follow with the bigger ones afterwards. (She did not want to risk carrying 2 cake boxes while walking on snow-covered streets)

And she still didn't like the snow all that much, but it wasn't going to stop her from performing her duties. It made her stop by the mall first to buy a long, black trenchcoat though, and she had to admit that she was liking it very much. (Though it did very little to warm her, at least it kept the snow off her skin and kimono)

Tsukuyo smiled when she saw Takasugi with a markedly larger bag than hers just ahead. Turning the coat's collar up, she walked briskly towards where he was.

"Do you also moonlight as Father Christmas when the holidays arrive?"

/o/

[alastinglight]

That made Takasugi smile.

"I don't," he returned, "but I think I know somebody who wants to."

Not that he's going to spoil who it is, but well.

"Good thing we ran into each other, though. I have something for you."

[shinigamitayuu]

He wouldn't have to, she probably had a pretty good idea as to who it was, or were, remembering the ridiculously-disguised duo who stalked Takasugi and Aqua at the festival some weeks prior.

"Oh. It is fortunate, then. I have something for you as well" she said, drawing out a flat box from the bag, wrapped in black, orange, and gold washi paper.

[alastinglight]

Have a surprised look, Tskuyo, as the boy eyed the box.

"Oh... you didn't have to."

He was all for this gift giving thing, but had kind of forgotten about getting anything in return!

[shinigamitayuu]

She simply shrugs.

"I wanted to."

Granted, she was... a bit new to the whole gift-giving thing. It was Hinowa who took charge of those matters when it came to the holidays. Tsukuyo remembers being slightly amazed at how no two of the Hyakka's presents were ever alike and asking Hinowa on how she was able to manage it.

It took a lot of work, but I wanted to do it for all of you."

She now knew how that went.

"I... hope you are okay with it."

[alastinglight]

"I hope you're fine with what I got you also."

Takasugi smiled as he held his own gift out towards the woman.

"Merry Christmas to us both, I guess."

[shinigamitayuu]

"Merry Christmas." Tsukuyo smiled back.

So there they both were, holding out their gifts to each other. Tsukuyo being awkward at these sorts of social situations, she had no idea whether she'd hand him her gift first or accept his gift to her.

If both packages seemed suspiciously similar in shape and size, she did not seem to notice it.

Realizing how silly she looked, she laughed. "Do we need to open them both at the same time then?"

[alastinglight]

"Not necessarily. Something tells me that we were thinking exactly the same thing, though, when it came to what we'd both want."

If she hasn't noticed, he certainly has.

[shinigamitayuu]

"Oh?" she replied, having handed her gift to him and examining her box more closely now. Indeed, same shape, almost exactly the same size...

She now began to carefully peel the wrapping paper away from the box, taking care not to rip the beautiful paper the present was wrapped in. There already was a curious look on her face when she started, which now was transformed into one of pleasant surprise and delight, which she didn't bother hiding, when she finally opened the lid.

A kiseru. Almost eerily similar to the one she left in Yoshiwara. Slowly, almost reverently, she lifted it out of it's niche and carefully held it to the artificial light of the streetlamps, turning it this way and that.

Safe to say, she was rendered speechless because of Takasugi's gift.

"I..." she tried to start. "It..."

[alastinglight]

"Will serve you well, I hope."

He was quietly admiring the pipe she had bought for him in return. It was something close to home for him, as well.

"It's almost like we read each other's minds."

[shinigamitayuu]

"Indeed." Tsukuyo smiled. "I have nothing against cigarettes, truly," she started, having sufficiently recovered from the pleasant surprise, "but I thought it would fit you quite well."

She clutched the pipe carefully in her hand. "... thank you, Takasugi-san. I... I am honored by this gift. You've given me a great comfort."

[alastinglight]

"I could say the same thing to you." And he wasn't lying. He was being perfectly sincere. "You were the first person from our world who didn't... well..."

Didn't judge him? Didn't lie? Didn't make him feel like he was some sort of freak? The list could go on and on.

"Anyway. Thanks."

[shinigamitayuu]

She nods. While the boy's whole identity back in their world is still a mystery to her, it was clear from Gintoki that he was a friend. Whatever was bothering Takasugi, she will do her best to help.

"If you ever need help corralling those two idiot friends of yours, you need only ask, Takasugi-san."

[alastinglight]

That statement made Takasugi laugh.

"I could offer you the same thing, you know."

[shinigamitayuu]

"I fear for their health if they decide to double-team on me," Tsukuyo wryly replied. "But I shall remember to take you up on that."

"... it will be a good new year, I think."

[alastinglight]

It took Takasugi about a second too long to respond. Would it be a good one? Would everything work out? (Would he still--)

"I hope so."