fandomtownies | The Magpie Emporium, Thursday (12/14)

Did it count as a second home because Steph spent so much time here, or was it because Saffron and Little Bot and the gremlins lived here? Not that Steph was aware either way of the rationale of why there was a giant jelly donut in the game lounge, like the one she'd found taking up most of her living room area this morning; she just knew that it was there, the gremlins were gathered around it making awed noises, and Little Bot was in a minor frenzy of rolling around constantly trying to vacuum up the drifts of powdered sugar that kept coming off of it. Saffron was staying well clear of the whole thing, having found the perfect patch of sunlight to sleep in.

In any case, Steph decided it was best to put a NOT FOR EATING sign on the wall over the donut, less an actual food safety type warning and more a diplomatic hint of "do you want to get gremlin bitten?"

And with that done she went back downstairs and got to work on a display of party games, including one in particular that got a Hope Your Neighbors Are Cool! disclaimer on its info card.

[OOC: Open! I make no guarantees as to my availability though.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

“Good afternoon, Steph!” Watts called out as he made his way into the shop, hat going on its usual beholder tentacle.

Steph might notice there were a couple of brightly-wrapped parcels peeking out of the tote bag he had slung over his shoulder today.

[also on massive SP, but PRESENTS.]

"Mr. Llewelyn, sir!" Steph proclaimed brightly (and dramatically) as she hopped down from the countertop where she'd been hanging ornaments from the ceiling above the register.

... okay, they were festively painted monster minis, but close enough.

"What's up, m'dude?"

“It is the second to last night of Hanukkah tonight, and your birthday next week,” Watts declared. “And thus, I come bearing gifts.”

"You remembered," Steph said, genuinely touched (and a little surprised too, actually). Her face lit up with a broad smile. "Wow, I mean, thank you. Has it been a good Hanukkah so far?"

“It has been,” Watts nodded. “Steven and I exchanged our own gifts last night ~~though that’s still being played out as the boys got distracted by Feelings~~.”

He set his tote bag on the counter Steph had recently vacated and pulled out a wrapped parcel, followed by another.

“From Steven and I. The first one is your holiday present, the second for your birthday,” Watts explained. “Though I suppose it doesn’t really matter which is which, we only wanted to ensure your birthday didn’t get pushed aside in the midst of holiday celebrations.”

There was one last package he then took out of his bag.

“For Saffron,” he said, indicating the cat. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she had some of these already, but I saw it while shopping for Raphael and could not resist.” ~~And yes of course it’s the rainbow one for obvious reasons~~.

Saffron raised her head at the sound of her name and peered through one half open eye, then went back to sleep with an air of profound indifference.

"Did Raphael enjoy his presents too?" Steph had to ask, grinning as she reached for the first package and opened it.

"Oh. Oh wow. This is gorgeous."

“Between Steven and I he was spoiled shamelessly,” Watts reported.

“It’s a crokinole board,” Watts said. “I don’t know if you’ve ever played? But it was quite popular back in Toronto. This particular board- the person who crafted it named all their different designs. And this one- this one is ‘Kindred’.”

"As he should be," Steph said with the firm conviction of someone who thought cats should always be spoiled shamelessly.

She ran her fingers over the wood of the board.

"It's definitely not one I've ever heard of before," she began, but she trailed off with a look of mild surprise that turned into a grin. "Thank you. Seriously. Thank you so much."

"You're very welcome, Steph," Watts said with a pleased smile. "Perhaps I might challenge you to a match sometime."

"I would love that," Steph replied, her tone warm and genuine. "It's always way more fun to learn to play a game that way than it is from reading the rules, anyway."

"I've no doubt you'll pick it up quickly," Watts said.

Steph chuckled. "Which is a whole different thing from whether I'm any good at it, but we'll find out about that."

She ran her finger over the wrapping paper on the other present.

"Should I open this one now, or wait until next week?"

"That is wholly up to you," Watts said. His body language made it clear that he was interested in knowing what she thought of it, but he wasn't going to push if she wanted to save it for her actual birthday.

Steph scrunched her face up, her hand hovering over the present, and she made a wordless noise of indecision.

"No, okay, I really want to know," she finally blurted out, and attacked the wrapping paper.

Well... only if you considered enthusiastically, but carefully picking apart the tape without tearing the paper 'attacking.'

"This. Is. Amazing."

Watts beamed at her, pleased by the reaction. "I had a feeling it would be the sort of thing you'd enjoy."

And of course, despite being a 'vintage' game were one to look it up on the google, it looked very new. Advantages of time travel.

The Magpie Emporium, Thursday (12/14)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject