Fandom Post Office, December 1 (Tuesday)

[filleauloup]

"No, I don't know how it got to be December," Éponine told the person on the other end of the line, "and I'm not so fond of the fact myself. Something sneaks up on you that well, it's best you keep an eye on your things, I'll tell you that. Yes, that means you'd best get them posted soon as possible if they've got to get to people before Christmas. I won't have you coming in here to yell at me because you waited too long, you and everyone else."

When she finished that call, she hung up, shaking her head . . . and sighed when the phone rang again.

"Yes, it's December. Yes, already. That's hardly my fault . . ."

It was going to be a long day.

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[shapethecentury]

Bucky was also wondering how it got to be December already. He was bound to wonder that out loud, too, so sorry in advance about that.

But he had better manners than to just open with that, when he came by with a package under his arm. (Addressed to one S. Rogers, New York, New York, because who else?) "Afternoon, miss," was what he actually went with.

[filleauloup]

A customer coming in was a -- hopefully -- welcome distraction from glaring at the phone, which was what Éponine had been doing until just now.

"Afternoon, m'sieur," she greeted him with a nod (and one last baleful look in the phone's direction). "What can -- you look familiar, but I don't know that I've met you, but . . ."

She trailed off, shook her head, and hurried on, "Never mind that. I see you've got a parcel there, 's that something I can help you with?"

[shapethecentury]

Oh, Bucky knew exactly what that familiarity was for – he'd employed the kid for a while, after all. But he wasn't going to get hung up on that. He just smiled. "Yeah, supposed to send it back home," he said, as he put the parcel on the counter. "Care package. Can't believe it's December already."

Sorry.

[filleauloup]

Éponine burst out laughing. "You, me, and half the island, it seems like. Good lord! It isn't fair, it really isn't. It shouldn't be allowed. But you, at least, you're not waiting until the very last minute the night before Christmas, then getting cross when I say it might not arrive in time. That's clever of you, not like so many silly . . ."

She paused to take a breath, or maybe just to keep from distracting herself while she put the address into the computer. "Well, that isn't your problem, anyhow. Or mine, at least not just yet. Ah, New York! I know where that is now, I do. North of here, it is. How soon d'you need this to arrive?"

[shapethecentury]

Bucky shrugged. "Doesn't really matter." Wasn't really a Christmas gift or anything. He planned to deliver those in person. "I figure it's gotta be tough enough to make sure it ends up in the rigt year at all."

[filleauloup]

"That's good, then. It won't cost you nearly so much," Éponine nodded, set the package on the scale, and indicated the price and rate options when they came up on the computer screen. "I wouldn't use the cheapest one if I were you, though, unless you're really set on sending it by turtle. One can count on them to not eat the mail, at least."

Which said nothing about potential water damage.

"The right year, now, that's the trick, isn't it? We're good enough about that, even if I've no idea how it really works. I only deal with the stuff that comes in. So long's you write the address clear enough, they tell me, it should be fine." She shrugged. "Lord knows it makes as much sense as anything else in this place. The cookies, though! That's been a nice surprise."

Behind every mailbox door.

[shapethecentury]

Bucky couldn't help exhaling a little chuckle.

"Yeah, I packed some of those in there with the other stuff," he admitted, tone brushing against the border into sheepishness without actually fully getting there. "Think they'll keep? Not turn into... fairy dust on the way over?"

[filleauloup]

"When this island gives us cookies, who knows?" Éponine shrugged, then laughed. "Good lord, that could be what they're made of, for all we know, appearing out of nowhere they way they do. Though I don't recall that happening some of the other times food's just appeared, and I kept some of it back."

She considered for a moment. "You might say fairy dust seemed like an interesting gift, if it turns out that's what happens. As if you meant it all along."

[shapethecentury]

"Don't know if how that'd go over with folks back home," Bucky mused, his head tilting some to the side with the thought. "Honestly? I don't tell 'em much about this place as it is."

Because it was confusing.

"Just figured the cookies would be appreciated."

[filleauloup]

Éponine nodded in agreement. "Trying to explain this place's more trouble than it's worth, I'd think. I'm glad I don't have to worry about that. Well, let's hope the cookies stay cookies, then! Who wouldn't appreciate those?"