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 Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 8:54 pm
_______Description
The shop was completely transformed for the holiday season. The usual hub-bub of displays and constant eye catchers was gone and replaced with candles and garland and lovely Christmas decor. Olivia had taken great care to transform the shop from it's usual business-like demeanor to something that was inviting for both parent and child, friend and stranger. After all she had practically invited most of the city to her little party, though she definitely didn't expect all of them to come. It was Ment's idea to have a Christmas celebration after all. And with it being Ment's only Christmas wish, she made sure to do her best to fulfill it.
The first thing that stood out when you entered the shop was the tree in the far right corner. Decorated from top to bottom with red bows, some gold bells and tea lights. Unfortunately Olivia didn't get that electricity licence as she had hoped and had to substitute the little lights she had paid so much money for, for little ball tea lights that burned brightly. It was enough for her, because the tree still looked pretty.
On the far left corner was several small tables laid out with wines, eggnog, punch, cookies and other assortments of little snacks for everyone to eat. She spared no expense to make sure there was enough for everyone who came. Small porcelain plates with gold trimming was set out to be used for food and sparkling glass champagne flutes sat there for use with drink.
The rest of the room was decorated with candles, bells and red ribbons, such as the tree. Candle lanterns hung from the ceiling glistening like stars in the night sky that casted a beautiful glow amongst the floor of the shop. One could barely tell that only hours before this little shop had been nothing but dusty and a little shabby looking.
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Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:56 am
"When are people getting here~" Ment whined, looking out the candle lit windows for any sign of life he could possibly see. Sure, there were the other christmas parties going on around him, but those were for those families and their friends. None of which were them. He only hoped his friends and their families would come join him and Olivia at their party.
"Patience Ment." Olivia muttered, lighting some fregrant oil thoughtlessly before going back to quickly wrapping the rest of the packages she was going to tuck underneath the tree. She had made sure there was a gift for everyone who was invited, even if it was a very small gift, it was still there and she intended to give them out.
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Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:16 am
A small, delicate hand was all that connected the small Scent and the somewhat reluctant woman that was being dragged by the former. Kaoru wore a full-length dress and matching slippers of white as pristine as the small patches of snow, wine-stained chestnut curls tied up with festive green holly and bells. Despite the child's movement, the bells didn't seem to make too much noise, unless it was consciously attempted to do so. Dainty shoulders were covered by a half-jacket as lively red as those ruby eyes, which were currently squinting forward with excitement and impatience.
Crystal was slightly less brightly attired. She wore a gown of deep plum, a long-sleeved dress that was worn just off her slender shoulders. It was cinched at her waist with a lighter shade of purple, which laced down the front of the garment to the hem. Her large curls were pulled away from her face with strategically placed bobby-pins that made it look as though it naturally flowed away from her porcelain skin, giving the illusion of constant movement. Clutching a black shawl to her shoulders, she sighed quietly, "Kay, sweetie, there's no hurry..."
"We're almost there." The child was eager to return to the shop, where the flower girl had first chosen the pomegranate scent from the plethora of others. Kaoru also remembered the spiced apple child mentioning a child that smelled of mint...and for some reason, the Scent knew who he was talking about, but didn't know why. Now was as good a chance as any to discover a few things, wasn't it?
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Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:31 am
"I hear something..." Ment muttered, toddling his way over to another window in which the direction of the noise was. The traditional red and white child had gone with just being plain white this year, as he had dressed himself up in a little white bear suit with a scarf. He had protested against it at first because he wanted to wear something pretty and frilly that matched Olivia's attire, but quickly quieted his protests when he realized he looked pretty cool as a bear-cub. He was happy with it, and Olivia was just glad he wasn't complaining.
"Someone's here?" Olivia muttered, her golden bell earrings jingling and she hastily finished wrapping the last package and stuffed it underneath the tree. She was dressed up in an odd sense of festivities. Red, white and purple. with a candled wreath around her head. It was rather pretty despite the fact she looked somewhat like a dork, but it was Ment's wish and so she'd stick to it. Even if she did want to ring the little buggers neck.
Ment was quick to skitter to the door, flinging it open, a cold draft quickly escaping in, as their guests closed near to it, "HI!!"
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Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:38 am
Keppit walked briskly up the walk to the front of the shop, and watched as her breath didn't fog like everyone elses. The partial zombie woman tucked her hands down deeper into her pockets as if she were trying to keep them warm, but the motion was made more from habit than from actual chill. A few days ago, a friend of hers had recomended the Solace scent shop as a good place to get strange scents in candle form. Keppit had been into the shop once, and hadn't really had time to look around but did get a chance to get invited to a christmas party. She'd debated comming, but in the end she'd put special effort into combing her usually tangled hair and made the neccessary motions to drown out her normal rotting odor with things slightly more pleasant. She glanced down at her fingers, covered in new bandages that were much cleaner than her normal ones and sighed to herself. She really hoped that she wasn't going to be in the way of friends and family.
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Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:43 am
The two neared, a little surprised as the door was pulled open before their arrival. In the swirl of air and snow caused by the motion, Kaoru caught a whiff of peppermint...
"YOU!" the Scent squealed with thrill and a strange sense of familiarity, releasing the flower girl's hand and bounding towards the store. A few quick steps took Kaoru to the door and Ment, to whom delicate arms were flung around in an adoring embrace. "I know you!" the soft voice breathed in amazement.
The woman stared in shock, momentarily caught off guard by her daughter's affectionate rampage on..."Ment?" Crystal took the door from the child's grasp, starting to close it before catching sight of another approaching silouette. Keeping the door ajar, she turned back to the two, a bewildered smile on seashell lips as she glanced up at motion near the decorative tree. "Do you remember--oh!" she exclaimed quietly as she looked over the festive woman near by, "Hello...please pardon her enthusiasm--"
Kaoru quite loved the smell from the boy, expression one of a cat with milk. "I'm so happy to meet you," the Scent greeted the other, although they hadn't exchanged names. "I'm Kaoru. You smell sweet!"
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Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:24 pm
It was only moments before Karou's arms were flung around Ment and Ment doing the same to Kaoru. His face beamed with happiness as Kaoru told him how happy shi was to met him. Ment gave Kaoru an affectionate nuzzle and sighed, "My name's Ment, Kaoru. And I remember you too."
It was sickeningly heartfelt as Olivia watched from the the middle of the store. Like little siblings having been apart for years and finally finding each other once again. She needed to stop reading so many novels...
"It's quite alright," Olivia smiled, ushering all to come inside. "Children seem to have quite a bit of it around this season." As Olivia hurried everyone in she noticed someone in the near distance and gave a wave to the approaching Keppit, "Hello! And Welcome!"
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Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:32 pm
Keppit grinned a yellow toothy smile and jogged up the rest of the path so as to not make Olivia let out any more heat. She passed through the door as it was held open and noted the two small children hugging in the room. She smiled again and glanced up at Olivia. "Nice to see so much love in one place, enh?" She looked around the room quickly. "Very nice decorations."
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Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 1:13 pm
The child practically snuggled up to Ment, content. "You're the third I've met," Kaoru confided, thoughtful. Ironically, all three that the Scent had met were male. Not that the child was very far off from that... "Are there any girls? Or am I the best we've got?" A large, knowing grin dominated those childish features, finally lowering ruby eyes to take in Ment's attire. "Ooh, are you a peppermint bear? I like white on you!"
Crystal was torn between watching her daughter in wonder and trying to be polite. She didn't remember Kaoru being so gleeful with Amahte or Orpheus, but then, those two weren't the type to be receptive of the girl's affections. Her training finally won the war, and she turned towards Olivia and the new-comer, closing the door behind her. "I'm Crystal Beckett...I work just down the street," she introduced herself to the festive woman and the one who had just joined them. "Kay insisted on coming. You've made her holiday very special."
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Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:14 pm
Olivia smiled as the two entered and took the time to answer both accordingly, starting with the new-commer. "It is indeed nice to see and thank you. Ment and I took great care in putting them together."
She quickly turned to answer Crystal, introducing herself, "I'm Olivia Solace. It's nice to meet you, Ms. Beckett. I remember you from the Ball several months back. I believe Ment was to dance with you."
"Only the third?" Ment asked. The Scents must have been more scattered about than he had realized, but than again, in a world with so many people only less than fifty of them in existence really didn't compare. He would think on that later, and bask in the comfort of one he had hoped he'd get to see again soon.
"There are some girls, I know for fact." He murmured in Kaoru's ear, so not to disturb the grown-ups. "I've only seen a few though." He spoke a little louder to answer her other remark. "Yep! I'm a peppermint bear. I bring bear hugs!"
Kaoru was the first in the little Scent reunion, but would surely not be the last.
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Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:50 pm
Han-Hui hesitated at the door of the Solace Scents shop. Although the invitation card she'd been handed stated that the party was open to all, newcomers and old friends alike, it looked more like a private engagement from the subtle lighting and relatively quiet atmosphere. She stepped closer to the glass window and peered inward, pressing her scarf and her wavy black hair carefully toward her chest with a hand so as to avoid trailing in the snow on the outside sill. There didn't seem to be too many people in the shop yet, but on the other hand, Han-Hui was a little early. It was easier to plan to be early than on time, and she hated to be late. "Well, I am already dressed for a party... would be a shame to turn back now." Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open and walked in quickly, closing the door behind her against the cold.
Her eyes drew upward and across the store, and her mouth opened in wonder at the beautiful decorations and the sparkling refreshment tables. She continued to stare as she absentmindedly pulled off her red gloves and stuffed them into the pockets of her leather coat. Lips turning up in a delighted smile, Han-Hui sniffed appreciatively at the festive scents in the room and removed her coat, revealing the rest of her red-white-and-green outfit, and draped it over her arm as she stepped slowly farther into the little shop. She stopped beside the large Christmas tree, admiring the classic ornaments and the effect of the candlelight.
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:58 am
So, apparently, there was some Christmas Party these scent-children were supposed to be going to. It was an excuse to give Celyn free food and not have to worry about what he would eat, so naturally, Carwyn went even though he had no idea who anyone else there was. Frankly, it would give Celyn some free socialization and they could eat whatever they saw. Even if it was junk food, it was nourishment in a way. He guessed, after all. After all, it was a bit hard to live from performance to performance when one wasn't superbly popular.
"So, here we are, Celyn."
"Okay, Papa. May I go visiting?"
Carwyn decided not to bother questioning who his son would visit. "Go right ahead." It got Celyn out of his hair. Now where was the eggnog? Was it spiked? Hm...
Celyn trotted away from his father and into the crowd of scents that was forming. Perhaps he could actually get to meet someone. Carwyn refused to take him anywhere that would even hint at the slightest expensive, so he hardly got to go to any place where he could socialize. The seemingly shy boy slipped himself near the group of Scents and Scent-Owners that were conversing with each other and wondered how he could make himself noticed. Perhaps he should say something?
What time of year did these people say it was? Oh yeah. "Happy Christmas!," declared he, hoping they would at least acknowledge him.
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Codebreaking Conversationalist
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 12:23 pm
A Christmas party, huh... Kier paused at the door, folding the corners of her invitation card absently. Though the card did say all were welcome, she would have felt better about it if one of her brothers had come too--but ah well. She had already come all this way, so in with it. Right?
Quickly moving inside, Kier removed the cap that covered her short black hair, tugging at the rattail with her free hand. Tucking the cap and card into her coat pocket, Kier shuffled along through the shop, gaping appreciatively at the decorations. Coming to a stop in front of the tree, Kier folded her hands behind her back and looked up at it, clicking her tongue as her eyes moved from ornament to ornament.
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 2:05 pm
"It's nice to finally meet you, Ms. Solace," the flower girl smiled warmly at the namesake of the store, "and please, call me Crystal." The young woman would never get used to formalities, least of all a title before her name. And during the holidays of all things! "You have a wonderful store." Blue-grey eyes swept over the decorations and glass cups, moving towards the counter to get out of the doorway as people came in.
Kaoru laughed delightedly. "Best type of bear, huh?" The Scent's attention shifted as the two were greeted, turning bright eyes onto an adorable child that smelled curiously like cinnamon. "Happy Christmas," the child quipped back cheerfully, extending a dainty hand, "and all that jazz! I'm Kaoru." Ooooh, this was going to be so much better than the Scent originally anticipated; the prospect of meeting others - or perhaps seeing the familiar - made the child all but bounce with glee.
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 6:16 pm
She half-turned at the sound of someone coming up from behind, and her gaze followed the person as she stopped to look at the Christmas tree. Han-Hui smiled politely at the other young woman and also turned back to the gorgeous evergreen. "Remarkably pretty, isn't it?" she offered in an attempt at casual conversation. "I just love candlelight."
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