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 Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 1:48 pm
The holidays were here and in full force. The library was decorated to fit, and the theme was a winter wonderland of sorts. Ice blue and white, snow flakes and drifts, white lights and fake ice in the windows. It was all very beautiful, especially as the sun went down and the lights began to glow.
It was getting darker, which didn't mean it was late, per se. It got dark earlier and earlier.
Tony was working on a display table, which had pamphlets and free books and posters about other community service efforts going on during the season. The library liked to be involved in things like that, which Tony was very happy about. He was setting up a display that was supposed to look like a winter tree of some sort, but he was not exactly the most artistic person in the library.
He took a step backwards and tilted his head at the tree, which was leaning precariously back. It reminded him of Charlie Brown's christmas tree, which was not what he was going for. He scratched the back of his neck, moving to adjust the plastic branches and paper leaves, shaking his head and murmuring to himself as he did so.
His corgi was nearby, curled asleep under the table he was working on, snoring lightly.
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Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 3:13 pm
The holiday season had swept through the city decorating it in red, green, silver, gold, blue and white. There wasn't a single store you could walk by and not see some sign of the holidays, at least he hadn't passed any stores that didn't show some holiday spirit.
The city was doing some major food drive, he's heard about it on the news and heard people talking about it. It wasn't something he'd normally do but this year he'd decided he would, he had a lot of reasons for it. He was fighting a war for these people, the civilians of the city, and he knew some didn't have food; the economy was how bad? So he felt it another way of helping the people of Destiny City by donating food. It was just another step down the path of helping the people of the city, it made sense.
Earlier in the day he'd spent his time shopping for things he thought important for holiday meals, things that were needed to make a holiday dinner or made an actual appearance on the table. Those foods were loaded in the back of the black Lexus he drove, and was currently driving to the library.
It wasn't a place he normally went, he could find anything he wanted in a book store or online, but he knew the library had a donation box . He'd heard about the library having a box set up from one of his mothers friends, he'd been visiting his mother to help her unload the Christmas decorations from the attic along with his father. He'd be going back this weekend to help his mother and father with hanging all the lights, and starting on the decorations; they wouldn't be getting a tree for another week or so.
Coming to a stand in front of the library he shifted the car into park and pulling the keys, they went into the pocket of his pea coat, he got out and went around back to open the trunk. Let's see if he couldn't get the groceries he'd gotten into the place and find the donation box. He had decided to purchase a lot, so a few families could have nearly complete meals.
"I really hope the donation box isn't already full."
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Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 10:58 am
Tony glanced out toward the street after taking another step back to examine his awful table display. It seemed to be getting worse, in his estimation, and he would have to keep fiddling with it until it was presentable. The other staffers would mock him endlessly if his display was pathetic.
Like he didn't get teased enough already.
In any case, he looked out toward the street and saw someone unloading groceries from their car. Considering there were no houses conveniently nearby enough to carry things to without parking closer, and he couldn't think of another reason for someone to pull up there save the donation box. So he went outside, Dogby waking up and toddling at his feet as she always did.
"Do you need any help?" he called as he moved down the stairs in the front of the library. "Are these for the donation drive, or am I badly trying to steal your dinner?" Dogby was still up a few steps, bouncing down them one at a time. Stairs were hard for corgis.
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Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 12:05 pm
"No, they are not for my dinner." Laughing the blond shook his head and flashed a smile toward the older man. The dog was given even more of a smile, he couldn't deny his liking for animals; dogs and cats (though he preferred his cats talking). "These-" Motioning to his suv's trunk and what he'd already unloaded. "Are for the donation box. I heard two of my mothers friends talking and they mentioned it." So he was unaware of just where other boxes were, though he was sure there were many in the city.Alexandre just wasn't in the mood to drive around like an idiot, lost, and searching for a donation box.
"A little help would be nice, if you can spare it, otherwise I'm sure I can get everything in on my own." It just might take a few trips, he didn't like the idea of carrying too many bags and risk one giving out or dropping one. "I hope there is no limit, or this isn't an unusual amount. But I thought it best to get enough for several families to have all the normal things on the table, birds aside." Those he hadn't gotten - this time. He had at least one or two more trips to the store planned for later this week, or early next week. He didn't want to try fitting several turkey's and everything else into his car, it might be too much to fit in the trunk, on the back seats, and the floor in the back passenger area.
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 5:53 pm
"Ah, you've come to the right place, then," Tony said with a nod, chuckling. He was more than happy to see people bringing things around for the donations. It was not directly tied to the library, the community space just being used as a house for the drop off boxes, but it was still refreshing to see people giving of themselves.
Tony gave back in what small ways he could.
"I'm more than happy to help," he said with a nod, chuckling. He was surprised by how much the younger man had brought, and wondered what he had cleared out to get so much together. Not that he could really argue with it: stuff accumulated. He had his own house to go through, and some stuff he hadn't even unpacked from when he moved.
He was probably going to end up donating a lot, too.
"No, no, no limit as far as I know. it's very kind of you, in fact, to think about those in need so much. This will really help make a lot of people happy." He smiled and moved to pick up what was closest to him, in his effort to help. Dogby was tugging on one of the bags, but it was not likely that she was trying to help bring it inside.
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 6:41 pm
Well, giving of his parents. He just took the time to do the shopping, it was mom and dad's money. But they wouldn't mind, it was for a good cause. It wouldn't be hard to explain, and get them to see his reasoning, only a few words and he could have his parents seeing why he was doing it, they were both understanding like that. Really, no manipulations needed.
"I don't know how many people will donate, or what, so it's best to pick things which can be made into a complete meal...rather than find out in the end some people won't get certain normal table items..." A shrug of his shoulders and a smile.
Seeing the dog's antics Alexandre found himself laughing while he bent to scoop up the shopping bag. The bag was carried inside, with two others. He'd have to make a few runs in and out to get everything inside.
"With everything going on in the city, as of late, a good, compleate, meal can really make a difference to some people...especially those living in the worst hit areas." The ones the city hadn't gotten around to fixing. Really he was sure the city simply didn't care about those areas, they weren't such high class parts of the city and so got less love and less repairs from the war going on. "Maybe a good holiday meal will mean a big difference to a family...bring them together where they hadn't been." Hopeful, and always wanting to help others. Some things would really never change, his warmth and kindness to others...even as a member of the Negaverse he believed it was for the good of the general populace. He went in to things wanting to help people, even those he generally looked down on as beneath him.
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 11:00 pm
Tony smiled and nodded his head, understanding the young man's reasoning. Still, he felt it showed some character to even want to go out and do shopping. Nathan, for example, would never put so much effort into something like that. He didn't care enough.
It was always nice to be reminded that most people were not like Nate.
"I think you're right. It might be nice to give people a taste of normal. On whatever level. Something special to remind them that things can be good, and do get better. It's not all strange happenings and death around here."
He smiled, somewhat distantly.
Carrying the bags he had chosen, he brought them in to the donation box just inside the doors. He didn't put them in, though, looking at Alex to make sure he had everything right, that he wasn't about to donate some precious bag of heirlooms that had also been in the car. Dogby was still at his heals, though she was carrying something she had taken out of one of the bags. A package of some kind.
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 11:10 pm
"Exactly my reasoning. I come from a well off family and have extended family. For some they may have neither and living in the city with all this happening...it might help and such." For a child who could at times look down on others, like they were beneath him, and was honestly a snobbish jerk he did care. Maybe it was this war, and joining it, which had been changing him for both better and worse. He had killed but he was seeing a need to help people instead of just glide through life ignoring such things. Last year he had walked past countless donation boxes, completely unfazed. He wasn't anymore, he couldn't be unmoved and unwilling to help his fellow man. He was fighting for their rights and felt the need to help in a way they'd see and would gain some pleasure in the short term, rather than long term pleasure that was unseen and unknown of to them.
If he sat and thought about it he'd admit, after much time thinking, that the Negaverse was changing him in both ways and somehow it worked. But what in the end he would become he hadn't a clue, and he feared that unknown.
"Do you need me to lift them?" Inquiring as he set bags into the box, each one carefully. He didn't know just what was in each bag and he didn't want to dent cars or break any plastic container. Noting Dogby he blinked once. "It would seem your dogs decided to help as well...or perhaps he's just hungry." Laughing softly as he watched the dog, it was rather endearing.
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Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 1:09 pm
Tony nodded his head as he listened, interested. It must have been nice, growing up in a family that was well off. And not, as he imagined that set him apart from his peers in a place like this. Still, there were enough affluent people that he felt it was probably more common a situation than he was giving it credit.
Even so, his own childhood had been middle class at best. His family did their best, until his father left, and his mother tried. He had left home at a very young age, though, so his teenage years had not been spent in a particularly stable situation. Still, he wouldn't change it, save for the way he treated his parents and some people around him. The trouble was bad, but the way he had lived, the lessons he learned and the man he had become, were not things he could or would change.
He wondered why he was letting his mind wander so far, and focused back on the young man.
"Oh, no, I just didn't want to ah..." he didn't share his fear, thinking it was silly as he tried to sound it out loud. He shook his head and laughed, putting the bags he had brought over into the box as well.
he looked down at Dogby when she was mentioned and saw the box she was chewing on.
"Dogby, no!" He said, though his tone was clearly that of a pet parent who could never be angry at his pet. He moved to try and get the box from the small corgi, but she bounded off on her short legs, box in her mouth. Tony sighed, watching as she skittered under a chair in the sitting area near the front desk. It was an alcove with an electric fireplace and shelves for new books.
he sighed.
"I'm sorry, she can be a little playful some times... I'll replace that for you," he said, looking sheepish.
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Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 1:26 pm
It was common enough, after all they had private schools int he city like Crystal and than Valley. It was perhaps hard given he went to Meadowview, which was for the normal middle class; in his opinion. So in that way it was hard but it was more tolerable than living on campus and not having the time to tend to his hobbies, especially his plants. But he found some things difficult in school to relate to, when listening to his fellow classmates talk over problems and issues. But he'd long since gotten to accepting such things.
"Didn't want to...." Venturing to question, curious, even as he watched the man start to laugh before he noted what his dog was up to.
"It's fine, it seems she was hungry. I can always pick up another box when I go out next." A simple wave of his hand as he spoke. It really wasn't any hassle, the point was to get food out to those who could use it, so something so simple didn't bother him all that much.
"I'm getting used to living in a house with a dog, so I'm learning how they can be." Since he'd moved in with Lily he was getting the hang of dealing with barking, walks, and other such things...such as keeping certain things out of reach and his bedroom door shut. It was a learning experience, living away from his parents even if he wasn't living on his own. He was still in school and living without his parents, something his classmates certainly were not doing. At least he had his parents approval and monetary support, if he didn't he knew Lily would somehow support him and his hobbies; she really was too kind and too much like an older sibling.
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Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 11:13 am
Tony nodded his head, though he wasn't convinced. He would have to get some extra stuff when he went shopping, just to make up for it. He smiled though, noting that at least Dogby was happy with her ill gotten gains.
Little thief.
She returned later, no trace of the box with her, which meant Tony would have to find it and clean it from under the chairs in the alcove. He looked at the corgi as she sat by his feet as if nothing had happened. She looked up at him and gave him her doggy smile, oblivious and happy and he sighed. There was never really any hope in being angry with her.
He helped Alex bring things in for the donation box until they had completed the task, nodding his head in approval once everything was in its place.
"I think that's everything," he said, looking at Alex for confirmation.
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Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 5:45 pm
"It is, and it seems your dog's finished what she's gotten. I hope she didn't make a huge mess." He said, offering the older man a smile.
"I do plan to do a little more shopping, not today, but assuming this box will be here till the holidays are over I'll be back with more." He was planning later in the week or early next week, but there really was no telling given his obligations to other things.
"I hope, if I don't see you next time, that you have a good holiday." A smile and a nod of his blond head. Maybe he'd even get a bone for the man's dog...and for the box, how many of the homeless had pets perhaps? Maybe dog or cat food as well....he hadn't thought of that till now.
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 12:29 pm
Tony sighed.
"I'll clean it up if she did. She's usually very good, but sometimes her energy gets the better of her... and things like this happen." He shook his head. More than he would like to admit, though he was still adamant that Dogby was good girl, and no one would tell her otherwise.
He nodded his head.
"It should be here through the end of the month, from what I know," he said, scratching his goatee thoughtfully. He was pretty sure that was right, but he had been pretty sure about many things in the past that had turned out to be incorrect.
He chuckled, offering his hand.
"I hope you have a good holiday, too! I'm sure you'll see me again: I'm always here, as it were." At least when he wasn't out defending the innocent, "so I'm sure you'll bump into me here. Either way, thank you for your donations. I'm sure you'll be making a lot of people very happy."
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:06 pm
Shaking the older males hand he nodded his head, smile in place. "I hope I do, I'd like to know I have." It would be something he'd very much like to know, knowing he'd done some good and that there was no way to deny it. He had done good, was doing good.
"Alright then, I'll see you when I come back with more for the box." He said laughing softly as he shook his head slowly. "And I'm sure I'll have a good holiday, if I by some chance don't see you again I wish you a good holiday as well."
The walk out of the library he was smiling to himself the whole time, he felt good about this. Another way to help the people of Destiny City. Brushing his loose hair from his face he made it to his waiting car, suv, and hopped in. A new idea for something to buy firmly in his mind. Even those in need had pets...and someone had to insure they didn't go hungry and even had a treat for the holidays. Hmmmm....maybe he could see if his mother could get something going at her firm and get people to donate during the firm's holiday office party.
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Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 1:33 pm
Tony smiled and chuckled. He liked that the young male really did seem to just want to do good. Some people tended to donate things just for tax write offs, or to look good in front of someone else, or fill some sort of requirement or standard.
Honest people were becoming more rare, or so it sometimes felt. The holidays, this drive in particular, though, seemed to be pulling all those people from the wood works. And Tony was honored enough to get to see it.
It certainly lifted the spirits.
"Happy holidays!" Tony called, waving as Alex left. he couldn't help but look into the donation box, to look at how much had been donated. It was just very good, and he hummed as he returned to his desk, leaving Dogby to whatever it was she was doing.
He'd clean it up later.
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