Mask Or Menace - IC Contact Post

[helpdesk_hero]

This is David Alleyne, I'm not available at the moment.
Please leave your name, contact information, and what this is regarding after the beep.

Comments

[adamantlyardent]

Oh, David...!

[she covers her mouth before she can squeak another sound, eyes big as she stares at the dazzling little sight.

after a beat, the mitt withdraws.]

You made this? Yourself? Like--all by yourself, you-?

[helpdesk_hero]

Not all by myself. I am no good with metal like this. The tree I bought. The rest I made by hand. Including the little hooks to serve as anchors for the fruit. And of course the fruit.

[He does sound a bit disappointed in himself for not having made the tree.]

[adamantlyardent]

It's so elegant! Gods! [she hesitates, then peels off one of her mitts. those dragon claws are far less pronounced, but the nails are still sharp! she is very careful in cradling one of the dangling pieces between two fingers.]

How pretty...It looks too fancy to eat, you know!

[helpdesk_hero]

Perhaps it is. Perhaps it is not. But if you leave it TOO long then it will draw bugs.

[He carved apples out OF apple and candied the pieces. Please enjoy them.]

[adamantlyardent]

Oh.

[ew, bugs. okay, eat the ornaments. got it. she'll be sure to do that, bit by bit.

she lets out a puffed exhale, face still hot.]

Well. This--I mean... [gah.] Thank you, David. This is...far too sweet. [beat. blink.] Not like--I mean, it's candied fruit, but that's not what I meant, I meant...! Oh, you know what I meant.

[helpdesk_hero]

I know exactly what you meant, Cece. I just thought you deserved something for the season. In my culture we give gifts to friends, like you have given me. And you’re going to explain that soon. I wanted to make up for the first batch of less than great fruit. And I wanted something more lasting too and saw this at a market. Seemed right.

[adamantlyardent]

[gawds. stahp! she's already up in her feelings as it is!]

Well, you...you did quite well. Quite well. Yes. I'll treasure it.

[helpdesk_hero]

[Oh Cecelia, he isn't trying to work you up. He's just a friend and he cares about his friends. Hell, she could almost count as family if he didn't feel so very, very awkward around her so often.]

Good. Oh, and the grass around the base? That's candy as well. I tried out sugar spinning. It... didn't go as well. But the rest should be nice. I can restock the fruit on it in the future too if you want.

[adamantlyardent]

I can't tell if this is a result of your studies in alchemy or food chemistry, honestly...! You really are quite remarkable, aren't you. [bashful, she keeps her eyes down on the gift.]

[helpdesk_hero]

I actually lost my alchemical tutor so this is entirely food chemistry work. As for me... well, you DID remark on it.

[He smiles and chuckles because he definitely thinks he's made a good joke here.]

[adamantlyardent]

[she snorts.] Omigawwds, shut up! You know what I mean and you're just being-! Bah!

[she huffs, but in a good-natured way for a change. what -- being doted on makes her happy! even if she has a hard time taking happiness gracefully.]

[helpdesk_hero]

[Is he being bah? How is one bah? Clearly he is not very bah. But he keeps those jokes to himself.]

I know, Cece. But that's what friends do. Because we care.

[adamantlyardent]

R-right... [she presses her mouth into a thin line, quiet for a beat.

quieter:] Thank you. David.

[helpdesk_hero]

You're welcome. As for me... I believe I have a book to read and enjoy.