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]

"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.

[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."

[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.

[juststeverogers]

"I have. So far I've given her only pieces of real things." Steve licks at his lip before he takes a drink from his coffee. "When I gave her the picture of the Chrysler building, I told her I would help her get as many memories of her home back as I could. Once piece at a time. I'm hoping I can convince her to try to bring them out on her own, rather than getting them from me."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Ah? Good, good. How has she taken the suggestion of lessons?"

A little magic, a little coaxing, and the band of the ring starts to slowly contract.

[juststeverogers]

"She said she needed to think about it." Steve deflates a bit at that. "It's the last we've talked about it."

She seemed sad enough after he gave her the picture. A happy-sad? He's not sure, really.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Perhaps asking again, when her pain is not so fresh, will yield a more definite result," he suggests, before offering the ring back. "Here, try this."

[juststeverogers]

Steve gratefully accepts the ring back, inspecting it before he slips it onto his right thumb with a delighted hum when it doesn't immediately plop right off again.

"You're really handy to have around, you know? Thank you." He gives Schon a thankful smile. "That was the plan, yes."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"We all have our little talents," Schön demurs, quietly pleased at the gratitude. "Speaking of commissions, have they been keeping you busy?"

[juststeverogers]

"Verity helped me get a job with a Farmer's Market in the commercial district. I've got quite a few commissions from shopkeeps since. It's good to have money for groceries for a change."

Steve smiles brightly.

"My biggest expense is actually canvas and framing, which is an odd feeling. I enjoy the work."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"She is very kind," Schön observes, "and I'm not surprised your skill and talent have attracted eyes. Well done."

He chuckles, adding, "ironic, is it not, how the things we love most, the things that sustain us, are often what place the greatest demands upon us as well?"

[juststeverogers]

"Well, I knew that was a possibility when i agreed to my rent requirements." Steve laughs easily.

"...If I save up enough, I kind of want to get a motorcycle."