not_meatbuns | Rebel 29 [Voice/Action -- Forward-dated to tomorrow]

[Anybody walking past House 48 today is bound to smell the aroma of cookies. Tons of them. Litchi went a little overboard in preparing some holiday food - as per usual, since the woman never cooks in anything less than army proportions. The house itself is decorated rather nicely; lights, garland, mistletoe, holly, you name it, it's probably strung up somewhere. This may not be a holiday Litchi usually celebrates, but dammit if she's not getting into it anyway. She has her "family" to celebrate with and that's all that really matters.

But there's still the problem of just how many cookies she has here. There's definitely way too much for just her and Tsubaki and Thirteen... and although she knows Tao could eat all of them, she doesn't want to let the catgirl eat too much. And so, a very cheerful Litchi puts a call out over the journals:]

[Voice]

Would anybody like some cookies? I think I made a bit too much, and there's certainly more than enough to go around. If anybody would like some, just let me know and I can bring them by.

The snow really is beautiful today, isn't it...? Just be sure to keep warm, everyone. I'd hate for anyone to fall ill with all the festivities going on.

[[ooc: Anyone is welcome to cookies! Feel free to either come knocking on the door of the house or just ask even if Litchi doesn't know your character. :D Also, she has presents for friends. Go nuts!]]

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[She blushes a bit, obviously happy to hear it.]

...I'm so glad you like them.

[Thirteen's going to finish off that cookie. It sure didn't last long.]

Your cooking's always been great, Litchi. Heh, if you weren't also watching what we all eat, I'd probably get as fat as Santa.

[And this is why she's careful to make every meal as balanced as she can, but she's sure he's noticed that anyhow. Litchi gives him a teasing smile, leaning over just enough to give him a playful poke to the side.

She definitely hasn't forgotten that ticklish spot, Thirteen.]

Hmmm. I can't have that, now, can I?

[Dammit, she didn't forget. He still reacts a bit to it, though.]

Nope. And I wouldn't want to get too big to get grounded from flight either.

[Of course, that's not the only reason...]

[Satisfied with having just given him a poke, she settles back against the counter with a soft chuckle.] No, I couldn't take that away from you.

[Pause. She's suddenly feeling a little shy.] That reminds me, though... I have a gift for you.

[He looks over to her as she settles back.]

Oh? I have something for you as well, actually.

[After how much effort she put into this gift, she really shouldn't be feeling so self-conscious about it now. Hopefully he'll like it...]

It's back in my room, actually, but... I'll just go get it. Meet you in the living room?

[He nods.]

I'll go get yours as well. And that sounds good. I'll see you in a minute.

[And he'll make his way back toward his room.]

[And she heads off to her room as well, retrieving the gift she's been working on for some time -- a small model of the Su-37 plane she remembered from the draft so many months ago. It's not all that big, but it was definitely too awkward a shape to wrap, so here she is, just taking it to the living room as is.

Some of the finer details on the paint job aren't quite perfect -- her memory isn't quite that good -- but the little model is definitely very clearly based on Thirteen's own plane.

There's really no point in trying to hide it, so she just heads back into the living room, all too nervous about handing it over.]

[He heads back into the living room a moment later, a few wrapped gifts in his hands. He blinks and hesitates as he sees Litchi standing there, looking hesitant and shy.

It's about then he catches sight of what she's holding.

And he stops cold in his tracks. What do, Litchi?]

[She can feel the heat of an embarrassed blush searing across her face. Oh god she messed it up, didn't she.]

I... I'm not sure how well I remembered the details, but... I hope this is alright...?

[Thirteen carefully sets down the gifts meant for Litchi on a table next to them as he gently takes the model from her and looks it over.

No, the details aren't perfect. But... the look on his face? That look isn't of disappointment. No, no. Not at all. He looks closer to blown away. A smile, genuine in all senses slowly makes its way to his lips. ...He may actually be tearing up a little bit.

Thirteen sets it down next to him after a moment... and then quickly pulls Litchi into a hug.]

Thank you so much, Litchi.

[The hug does nothing for the shade of red on her face, but she still can't help but settle into it comfortably. After just a shade of a moment's hesitation, she wraps her arms around him as well, quietly relieved.]

I'm just glad it came out alright. I... really wanted to do something special for you.

[He doesn't let go, though he loosens his grip a bit.]

...Thank you. I really appreciate it. You must've worked very hard.

[She shifts just enough so that she can look up at him. That smile of his is terribly contagious... not that she can ever really resist it.]

It was worth it. [Weak laugh.] I'm just... so glad you like it.

Couldn't have asked for anything better.

[And looking back down to her. He wasn't talking about just the plane, either.]

[Litchi's eyes are locked on his for a moment, her heart beating ever faster. For a few seconds that seem to just stretch on into forever, she struggles against the urge to lean in closer... and then she realizes with a start that she's been staring for a while now.

All too aware of just how much she's blushing, she ducks her head shyly. Try to cover it up. Just act normal. ~~Ignore that faint guilt.~~]

S-should I open yours now...?

[Thirteen nods and releases her. ~~Maybe with a hint of reluctance.~~ But, without a problem, he hands over the three presents. The largest package contains two novels, the medium one has a couple of boxes of tea in them from Strangereal, though none of them are Erusian. And the last one is a bottle of perfume, with a mild floral scent.]

Yes. Merry Christmas, Litchi.

Oh, David... [And she can already see herself curling up on the couch with these novels and a nice cup of tea. He really does know her far too well.

Once she's given the perfume an experimental sniff -- and smiled that even that was a perfect choice -- she gives him another hug, nudging her head up beneath his chin. ~~Stop being comfortable, Thirteen.~~]

Thank you. This is perfect.

[And she doesn't just mean the gifts, either.]

[~~Nope, can't do that.~~ Thirteen rests his chin lightly against her head as he returns that hug. ~~He could get used to this...~~ Of course, he can't help but be happy with how she reacted to her presents.

...And he may be turning a little red himself at the comment. Right now he doesn't want to move from this spot, so content to remain standing here, holding her.]

You're welcome. ...I'm glad you're happy, Litchi.

[~~It's probably a good thing Tsubaki can't see this.~~ The returned hug just draws out a contented sigh from Litchi. Despite the nagging guilt at the back of her mind, she still doesn't want to move. At least not yet. Eventually, Tao will probably barge in, and it'll all be over...

If only it could always be this way...]

Hmm... Very happy, yes. Thank you... [For everything.]

Rebel 29 [Voice/Action -- Forward-dated to tomorrow]

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