awashlogs | (catch-all, mostly closed)

[Okay, so the last time they met might have been a little awkward (mainly for Ryan), but it's fine! Everything is absolutely, completely normal. There's nothing out of the ordinary in his life right now.

Well, unless you count the fact that he's headed back into town, currently attempting to drag along what is probably the smallest tree he was able to find. It's just too heavy for him to left easily, and it's still kind of slow going; he's just pausing for a break when he spots Minato, giving him a little wave.]

Oh, hey-! D'you want to give me a hand with this? Pretty sure it'd be easier to carry with both of us.

[The tree's presence is, he assumes, self-explanatory.]

[It's clearly the season to be a little festive, so of course he's going to end up with more than one tree to decorate. The problem is getting it back-- and so it made perfect sense to actually drag someone along to come get a tree, this time.

Apparently there's a lot that goes into choosing one, though, or at least there is with Ryan.]

I don't know, this one's a good shape but it doesn't look like it's going to fit inside very well... you think it can go in a yard? Is a yard tree too weird?

[Knock knock, Guren, it's your resident nerd, here at the door with... well, it's actually not obvious what he's carrying. He's holding something behind his back after not quite managing to find something to put it in before heading over, looking a little apprehensive as he waits (but also maybe a bit pleased with himself. He has a good feeling about his decisions, here.)

And as soon as he shows up-]

I brought you something. This isn't a bad time, is it?

[He's really not the type for things like singing where literally anyone else can hear him, but... fine, fine, it's not like he's going to be doing it by himself in this case, right? So maybe it's not quite as embarrassing.

Still, he's not really prepared to just launch right into this whole caroling business, fiddling with the end of his scarf as he glances to Tsumugi.]

So, um... just how many songs do you know, actually? This is going to be kind of awkward if we don't even know the same ones.

[Ryan has, at least, been listening about not going too deep into the woods alone-- and who better to go with than someone he lives with who he knows is good at fending things off? Tonbokiri was a natural choice for a companion, but before they actually head out:]

Oh, I almost forgot-- since we don't know exactly how deep in the woods this is going to be or anything, and it's still pretty cold... maybe you should have this first.

[What he holds out is that sweater he'd mentioned a while back; he was a little limited in color choice and the amount of yarn both, so while it's mostly purple, it fades into blue at the bottom, and the dragonfly pattern around the collar and hem is done in yellow. Still, it's definitely warm-looking.]

Who knows when the holidays actually fall here, so I figure I may as well give it to you while it's useful, yeah?

[Okay, so most of the time Ryan doesn't wander off into the woods by himself. There are still times curiosity gets the better of him-- so instead of finding him hanging around outside the trees looking for a partner, you might come across him further in, doing his best not to slip and break his neck crossing an iced-over pond and only halfway succeeding.

He can make it a few steps at a time without slipping, but he inevitably loses his footing and ends up flailing a bit to stay upright... or just flailing as his feet slip from underneath him and he has to cautiously get back onto his feet.]

-oof. I swear I was doing better without anyone watching...

[Absolutely not true, but he has to try to preserve a little pride.]

This is the right way, isn't it? I'm going to give up on everything if it's not.

Uhhhhhh.

[ He'd offered to carry the axe for Ryan, and he bounces it in his hands as he looks at the tree. It is, indeed, a good shape. ]

I'm not sure. I don't think so? [ A contemplative tilt of the head. ] I mean, I only ever had trees indoor, but don't people set up big trees outside? Or maybe that's just at, like, parks and public areas ... But still, I think it'd be fine if it was outside?

Yard tree it is, then. Do you have roommates, is anyone else where you live already doing one of these for inside...? We can put it outside your place, if you want.

[His house is definitely going to have at least one inside and he won't be at all surprised if one of his roommates brings one home too, they probably do not need an additional tree.

He hums thoughtfully, surveying the area for a moment, before adding-]

Here, I think we should chop on this side, then it's got room to fall without hitting another one.

You mean Christmas songs? Everyone in my school is more than familiar with them and that includes singing them in English as well, so there's no need to be worried about.

[ tsumugi's beaming from ear to ear now, fixing his own scarf around his neck. ah, tis the season once more. ]

I can't believe it's already Christmas here though... The town says winter but my mind, heart, and body are still stuck in summer somehow. Maybe I just miss it.

[Tonbokiri's expression completely lights up when Farrow-dono presents him with the sweater. Taking it formally with both hands, he bows his head.]

My thanks! It does indeed look warm, and I shall certainly put it to good use.

[He smiles, fingering the line of dragonflies. He likes the way that the purple becomes blue as well. Farrow has good taste!
And without further ado, Tonbokiri puts it on. It's a bit difficult, considering he's wearing a yukata at the moment and the sleeves bunch up... but he manages somehow.
Soon enough, his head pops through and he checks the fit of it.
He feels a bit bad- it must have taken a tremendous amount of yarn to make this. But it fits well. Not tight at all, even with the yukata underneath. Even the sleeves are long enough, although the cuff goes a bit past his wrist.]

I feel warmer already. [In his heart, as well.] My deepest gratitude, Farrow-dono. I like it very much. [Words cannot even say.]

[It's fine!! Minato, as a cursed child, doesn't even notice the awkward... he's bad, why does Ryan hang out with him?

Anyway! Tree...? Tree. Of course, if Ryan needs help, Minato will come closer, tilting his head contemplatively.]

Oh... sure. Let me grab one end.

[They've got this!]

It's okay, I can figure out mine for myself! [ He sounds excitable about it, gripping the axe tight. His breath fogs around him when he gives an enthusiastic huff. ] I mean, to be honest, I didn't even ask my roommates, but I just wanna try doing the whole thing myself, since I've never done it properly before. So don't worry about me!

[ Not that that dampens his spirit regarding Ryan's tree at all; he trots after Ryan, then gives an energetic salute on being given the okay. ]

Yessir!

[ He's not terribly experienced at chopping down trees, but he makes up for it with gusto. It doesn't take him terribly long to start bringing the tree down, and he makes sure to back up a step, arm out to shield Ryan just in case. ]

[They hang out because Minato is nice to him, naturally? Also #deathsquad.

But they do have this-- with that extra bit of help, it's much easier to carry that tree along.]

Thanks for that. I was starting to think I'd be trying to get this home all day, you know?

[He probably would have been, tbh.]

If you have time, I wouldn't mind some help decorating it too.

Really? Not much of a thing where you're from, or did you just- not really get the chance to?

[He keeps an eye on the tree-chopping, seeing as he's most useful staying out of the way for the moment; Ryan's careful to step back as well, getting a safe distance from the tree.]

I'm sure your roommates won't mind, either way. It'd be kind of rude of them to say no to a tree.

It's a little weird that way, right? It was early in the year for me, so the season isn't so weird, but... it's strange to think about it being the holidays again.

[he hums to himself, quietly considering. it's not like it's been a year, so is he still going to be another year older...? hm.]

Can't say I mind it, though. It seems like they'll be a little nicer this time.

[ The falling tree kicks up a huge cloud of snow, and Jion shakes his head to get it out of his hair. ]

Oh, no, we did christmas trees! But I grew up in a desert area, and the lab people sure weren't going to get a real tree all the way out there, so we just had a plastic one. And then once I was deployed, we didn't have the luxury, so we just made one out of, like, tires if we weren't too tired. And decorated it with tin cans. It actually worked better than it sounds. [ A nostalgic laugh. ] Here, hold this?

[ He hands the axe over to Ryan, crouching down before the tree trunk to take a look. ] Think I can just drag it along the ground? Or maybe that'd damage the branches too much ...

Oh, you've never experienced pine needles absolutely everywhere, then. Fair warning, that's gonna happen, but I think it's pretty worth it to have a real tree-- here, how about if I just help you lift it and keep the branches off the ground?

[He doesn't have a lot of strength, but he thinks he can manage to assist! Probably! He will make an effort, anyway, looking for the best place to grab it to help out.]

What kind of places did you end up getting sent to? If you don't mind me asking, I mean. I know some folks don't really like talking about it.

Oh...? That sounds fun.

[Minato nods warmly at that, hefting the tree along as they walk.

Onwaaaards.]

I've never decorated a Christmas tree before.

Hm? Who are "they", exactly?

[ are they going to be judged for singing or something? uwah, this really is part of their student council president's plan after all...! ]

[This time of year... sucks. It's not like he has his friends here to cheer him up, either, and so he's left dealing with worried thoughts and guilt, wondering what to do. It's not very productive.

So really, he should be thankful for any distraction. No, he is thankful, but— but he's still the type of person to answer the door with a dull expression, eyes flicking from Ryan's face to his suspiciously held arms and then back again. Brought him something...?]

It's always a bad time. [So he says, but he's just being grumpy, and that's clear in how he moves easily aside to allow Ryan to step inside, if he wants.]

What'd you bring?

Then I guess you're gonna get a crash course.

[Ryan grins at him over the tree, tugging it along towards his house.]

Honestly, it's been a while since I decorated one this size? Usually I just have a small one and some other decorations, so... it'll be something a little different for both of us.

Do you just not really celebrate, or...?

[scratch what I said earlier because apparently he does have wrapping paper now! SO after stepping inside after Guren, carefully sidestepping so that he can't see what he's holding (and also ignoring his rude commentary, since he's being let in)... Ryan offers out a small and sort of lumpy-looking package wrapped in bright yellow paper. Once he takes it, it's clear that the lumpiness is because whatever's inside is soft.]

No idea when exactly the holidays fall here, but since there's tree decorating I figure it's close enough to them to count? So. It seemed like a good time to give you this. I've been working on it for a bit.

["It", for the record, is a pair of knitted black socks with a pattern of little grey cat heads on them. They're warm and winter-appropriate.]

So, um-- merry Christmas? Or happy whatever-you-celebrate. Or if you don't celebrate anything, then it's... just because, really.

Oh-! Just the holidays in general, you know? Usually they're pretty quiet, I don't see people very often, so... it'll be good to actually be around more people this time, I think.

[assuming said people don't judge them too hard for their singing, but he hopes that at least tsumugi is good at it.]

Oh, good, I was a little worried it wouldn't fit...

[Which he thinks is a reasonable enough worry? But he likes his own sweaters oversized, and he's tall, so at least he's used to expanding on patterns.

More than the fact that it fits, though, he's pleased with Tonbokiri's reaction to it; Ryan's smile is bright and warm, all too satisfied at how well it's gone over, and he's still smiling widely as he reaches out to help adjust it to sit a bit better over the clothing underneath.]

-I'm glad you like it. I kind of worry about you staying warm and all, you know.

Mmm...

[Minato just looks contemplative at that.]

Well, they usually put up a tree at the mall, or places like that... and lights and things. But I don't think we celebrate it the same way you do.

[...]

It's usually a date holiday, you know? In Japan, I mean.

(catch-all, mostly closed)

tree decorating (for Minato)

tree decoration 2, spider boogaloo (for Jion)

this one's not a quest (for Guren)

caroling (for Tsumugi)

wish bell (for Tonbokiri)

open (wish quest)

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