Merry Christmas!

[juststeverogers]

It took an awful lot of work to track down everyone and get their gifts in order, but Steve's going to be running around the Nexus giving out presents to all of his friends. Or inviting them over to his apartment. Whatever works for them!




((Stealing verity's setup--please go to the top level for your character and begin commenting as you like. Feel free to make Steve work to find you, he's got gifts for you all!))

Comments

[juststeverogers]

It's true, Steve doesn't look like he could protect much of anything, but Blaze will be hard pressed to find a person more stubborn than he can be.

"That must have been scary." Steve makes a face. "How'd you two meet?"

[rekindledtitan]

She hasn't seen how determined he can be yet, but no doubt she'll learn. She's had enough lessons from Ghost in how much protection the small can offer.

"Heh. Usual kinda story. The short version goes, I was collecting moss on some old battlefield when Ghost found me. He dug me out of the scrap and resurrected me for the first time, all new and reforged. After that it was just about getting past our enemies and home to the City." She's told the long version before, and doesn't seem to mind talking about it, but she's got other things on her mind.

"Anyway, ready to see your present?"

[juststeverogers]

Resurrected? What is it with the Nexus and undead? Steve decides it's best not to ask. he doesn't want to step on any toes. And maybe it's not the same thing for robot people.

"Partners till the end, right?" Steve nods. "I would, sure. Thank you very much."

Knew I missed one somewhere.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

But of course, Mr. Rogers. I shall be by forthwith.

Ever a man of his (technical) word, Schön soon arrives, knocking at Steve's door politely.

He would have gotten his with rent, if nothing else ;)

[juststeverogers]

The apartment smells like Christmas--there's a pine scented candle burning softly to his right in the kitchenette area. And Steve has a piece of raisin cinnamon swirl toast popped out of the toaster in hand when he opens the door.

"Come in, please. It's chilly out there." It's much warmer inside. Warm enough that Steve doesn't have to shiver and walk around wrapped in blankets all the time. "Would you like anything to drink? I was just getting food."

The apartment has been modestly decorated--it now sports a large charcoal picture of Brooklyn circa 1941 hanging above the couch. Hand me downs from Verity are intermingled with new things, such as the Hulk themed Coat that is hanging next to the open rack where Schon is free to hang his.

True, very true.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Please," Schön confirms, stepping quickly inside as Steve asks. He shall shed his coat, his hat, and even hang his precious cane on the coatrack, before taking a proper look around. "Whatever you are having will be fine."

"You seem to have settled in nicely, I see. Ah, a touch of home?"

[juststeverogers]

"Yeah. It....helps. I can't sleep sometimes, so I sit in the chair there and look at it."

Steve rummages around in the kitchen for a moment or two longer. Schon will get a cup of coffee with a bit of cream in it and a slice of the raisin-cinnamon toast with a little pat of butter smeared on it. Since that's what Steve's having.

"I gave Verity one of a building in her Manhattan for Christmas. The Chrysler tower, I think it was. Miss Siri helped me find it." Steve takes a seat on the couch, tucking his feet up to keep them warm before he takes a bite of toast. "Oh! I nearly forgot."

Toast and coffee are abandoned while Steve rushes to fetch a box from his windowsill. There's only one left aside from that one, sitting alone under the tiny fake tree Steve got for the apartment.

"You don't have t'open it right away, but I didn't want to forget."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"It is good to have such a memento," the thin man observes, accepting his coffee and toast with a murmured, "thank you."

"Ah, the Chrysler building, an exquisite piece of art deco design, and a very good choice. Its distinctive roof was the product of a competition with another building to be the tallest skyscraper in New York, at the time. An exquisite last-minute surprise."

Watching Steve retrieve the present, he adds, "speaking of surprises... thank you, again, Mr. Rogers." He'll set down his own coffee (sipped) and toast (nibbled) to receive the package, tracing his fingers over it.

"No, no, I think I shall open it here, if you don't mind." And unless Steve objects, he fits deed to word.

[juststeverogers]

The box is weighty for it's size, and books shaped. It's so hard to disguise a book present. But underneath the twine and brown wrapping paper is a leather bound tome . It's well cared for, but quite old.

"It's a book about a famous Magic city from Skyrim mythology called Labrynthian. I..I thought you might like it."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Schön is struck speechless for a moment, lips parted in awe as his fingers trace the leather of the cover. "I... I find myself without words, Mr. Rogers. A simple 'thank you' seems woefully inadequate, but... thank you."

[juststeverogers]

"Well, I'm always making you things for rent, so I wanted to do something a bit different." Steve seems genuinely thrilled that Schon likes the book, and takes a moment to sip at his coffee.

"Plus, it's Christmas. Wouldn't have been right if I didn't do something for you, after how much you've helped me."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Schön looks up from the book to favor Steve with a smile. "Sometimes helping leads to its own reward--but I shan't quarrel over this, certainly. And, in the spirit of the season, allow me to offer you something as well."

Reaching into his jacket, he draws out a braided copper chain, on which hangs a fossilized ammonite edged and backed with copper. Engraved into the copper backing is a single rune. Offering it to Steve, the thin man suggests, "wear it in good health."

(He thinks he is funny. It's an amulet of health +2.)

[juststeverogers]

"Oh!" Steve peers at it for a long moment, cupping the ammonite in both hands. "It's so pretty..." He fumbled with his collar before drawing out a cheap simple chain and taking it off. He unclasps the back and removes a ring--too large for his hand--and goes to thread it onto the copper chain so he can wear both at the same time.

"I'll wear it along with the protection ring Harrowheart gave me. I try to always have it on me, so." Steve smiles down at it. "Hopefully the ring will protect this thing too."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Sensible," he concedes, but can't resist asking, "have you considered having the ring resized?"

[juststeverogers]

"I.." Steve looks down and gives a small shrug. "I didn't know if the magic would be broken if I did. I didn't want to accidentally break the gift Harrow gave me."

Steve rubs at the back of his neck.

"I guess I don't know anything about magic..."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Quite alright," Schön soothes, "it's sensible to be a little cautious with the unfamiliar, unfamiliar magic especially. It would be doubly tragic to ruin a gift."

Pausing thoughtfully, he adds, "I've encountered some magic rings that size themselves to their wearer, and some that do not. Have you tried this one on, to see if it is the former?"

Read: Didn't know D&D ring rules, now I'm living with it.

[juststeverogers]

"Well, I out it on when he gave it to me, but it was too big for even my thumb. So I pocketed it, and then I've worn it on this chain ever since."

"Maybe I can take it to a magic jeweler and ask?"

Maybe it was unusual in that regard. Nexus is full of unusual stuff.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Ah, a sensible experiment," he concedes. "A magic jeweler should certainly be able to resize a ring for you. Or I could have a look at it, if you like, and see if all it needs is a little coaxing."

I just knew nothing that fit Harrowheart's Azeroth truckasaurus hands would fit Steve. I played WoW

[juststeverogers]

"Sure." Off comes the copper chain and Steve carefully removes the ring--supposedly a ring of protection-- and gently drops it into Schon's hand.

"The gift you have me..is it a shell?" Someone doesn't know his fossils. There's a joke there somewhere.

Perfectly reasonable.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Schön cups the ring in his hand, the other passing back and forth above it as he studies it. "Hm? Indeed. The shell of a creature called an ammonite, ancestor to the chambered nautili of today. Their fossils have a tendency to house fascinating crystals, or to turn in part to opal. The rune on the back is a sign for good health." Does he feel any different, wearing it? Schön is trying to keep an eye on Steve's reaction and condition, even as he negotiates with the ring.

[rekindledtitan]

Perhaps it's some kind of statistical law: the longer you're around, the more likely you'll wind up in a place like the Nexus. Or the Nexus has odd tastes. Either way.

"Right!" they both say together, one with fierce gusto and the other with quiet determination. Then they exchange a look, Blaze letting out a laugh.

"I've got the parcel." It materializes just above the table in front of Ghost; from the shape and sound as it hits the polished wood, it's a book, large but not particularly thick or heavy. The wrapping paper is brightly patterned in rainbow colors. The book inside is bound with sturdy leather and contains pencil-and-watercolor images of volcanic Venusian jungles, dune-swept Martian skyscrapers, gently overgrown Earth ruins.

Blaze gives Steve a whole minute to unwrap it and peek at the pictures inside before she explains. "It's a book of prints. The artist is- was? - a Warlock who likes painting the places he travels. There's some note at the start about it helping him focus. Anyway, you seemed kinda interested in the other planets, so we figured it'd fit."

[juststeverogers]

"They make jewelry out of shells like this? Well, this is technically jewelry, but Steve's talking about the opal.

How does one feel when they suddenly gain more blood? Anti-anemic? Full? It's a conundrum for another day, perhaps. Steve smiles down at the fossil.

"It gives off a faint warmth. I think, anyway. I'm more awake? but that might be the coffee."

[juststeverogers]

Steve is quite literally knocked speechless by the gift. Strange jungles, alien metropoli, and familiar places now covered in ruin. His fingers touch the pages gently, reverently, as Steve looks at each piece, breath caught in his throat.

It isn't until Madam Spider brings back their drinks and sets them down that Steve snaps out of it, looking up again.

"This is...wonderful. Thank you both, so much!"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Mr. Rogers, I think you will find that creative souls can make jewelry from almost anything," the thin man replies, chuckling quietly.

Turning his attention back to the ring, he strokes a finger over it, probing gently with his magic to see if he can coax it down to a more suitable size for its owner.

"Have you had a chance to consider that commission of mine?" he asks, as he works, leaving the amulet's magic unexplained.

[rekindledtitan]

Ghost glows brighter blue, lighting up his woolen hat so the little unicorn horn looks almost like the real thing. Blaze gives him a satisfied nod - good work, team!

"I'm glad you like it," Ghost says happily. "We weren't really sure what to get for you." And so they combined the two most obvious hints they had. The artist seems to favor painted color and vibrant scenes overlying sketched visions of what lies beneath the surface. Hopefully none of the scenes are too familiar, because Blaze hasn't figured out how to tactfully bring up the Manhattan Nuclear Zone and therefore decided there was no need to.

"Me too. They're not the kind of places we get to take visitors - well, most visitors - but at least this way we can share the views." She's busy adjusting the contacts on her powerpack with her fingers. It looks sort of like a metal hip-flask the way she handles it, but with more warning labels.