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 Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 1:16 pm
The little gray kitten hadn't wanted to go into the box, even though there was padding in the box and a pillow. He'd put holes into the box's sides so the little kitten could breath, he didn't think Gently would appreciate opening the box to see a dead kitten. It wasn't something he wanted to have happen either, he didn't like the idea of dead animals. So once the little mewing ball of fluff was in the box he strapped it into the passenger seat of his car. Already in the trunk was a scratching post, litter box, food, bag of litter, and other toys and items.
He'd even gone and gotten a cat n** plant, just in case Gently wanted to make her own little cat n** filled toys, like he did for Dahlia.
Climbing into the truck he headed toward Gently's, he'd already called and told her he was coming over that he had her Christmas gift for her; and no he wouldn't tell her what it was.
When he had found a parking spot, and parked, he got out and went around to the passenger side. This was when it tied the bow around the box, it was already wrapped with holes in the box and wrapping paper that was rather loud and bright, festive. Lifting the box gently he used a hip to shut the door and headed for her door where he knocked and stood waiting.
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Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 1:59 pm
Gently had a lot more free time, since quitting her job at the newspaper. It hadn't been a hard decision. She wanted to focus on her work with the Negaverse and, more than that, she hadn't been happy there. Writing was one thing. She could do that on the computer, and had a blog just for that.
But going to work, and filling what little time she had to herself, to have fun, with something she wasn't enjoying? That was just a stupid thing for her, she felt, and made the decision to change.
As a result, she had spent a lot of time building Alex's present.
For a long time, Gently had been interested in technology. Getting things, breaking them down, learning how they worked so she could build them again. These were her hobbies, and she had put that to good use by getting her hands on a multitude of coffee makers and deconstructing them.
She had built him what she felt was the master of all coffee machines. She had tested it and felt it made a spectacular cup of coffee, and had dedicated quite a lot of time to make it look as presentable as it was skilled. It was one of the finest things she had ever made, in her steam punk themed way.
Or so she felt.
When she heard the knock at the door she hurried to open it. Her present was sitting on the living room table for him, everything cleared off for it.
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Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 2:54 pm
It wasn't hard to tell he had a love for espresso, had for well over a year now. Those who knew him, and spent time with him, saw him with a cup of espresso in his hand often. The odd thing was, though perhaps it was well thought out, was he had no machine at home. He hadn't at his pants home nor at home with Lily. It was a plan, a way to get himself to drink healthy juices and water; flavored as it may be. With the gift Gently had made him he'd ben having to fight his love for the caffeinated drink.
Smiling when the door opened, he had the holes in the back facing backward so she hopefully wouldn't see and realize she had something living as a gift. Unaware that she'd left her job, and might be lonely at home, Alexandre offered the box to her. "Merry Christmas Gently." Oh, he hoped she liked it. He didn't know if she had a preference in colors or anything else, so he'd gone for his own likes when deciding and he'd picked one which was a survivor. He'd found out that this little one had been dumped, in a sack, into a pool by an old lady who had managed, with traps, to capture the mother and kittens that were under her porch. They had come from not far from where his parents lived, where there were houses with big lawns. She apparently, the old lady, had a thing against cats. This little kitten had been the only one to survive, curled up in the dead mothers body. The little one almost hadn't made it, they'd thought she was dead in fact.
"This is just one part of the gift I have for you....if you like this part."
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Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 1:24 pm
Gently looked at the box and grinned broadly, taking it gleefully. She walked with it to the sofa before she investigated it. She noticed the holes before she tried to shake it to see what it was, and was glad she hadn't done that when she realized there was something making soft sounds of displeasure inside.
Being closed up in a box was not a fun experience.
She opened the box and saw the small, gray kitten and let out a squeal of pleasure and excitement. She picked it up and it tremble in her hands, which prompted cuddling. Being as gentle with it as her name could imply, she comforted it until a timid purr began to rumble from its tiny body.
"Oh, it's so cute! Alex, this is amazing!" Now she felt like her gift was suddenly not the coolest one in the room. She had been so confident that she would totally win this gifting war, but now she had a kitten and was so over joyed about it she could hardly focus.
She'd wanted a cat, more now that she had been alone, but hadn't thought to get herself one. Alex must have noticed better than Gently had, and had picked the perfect gift for her. She kissed the kitten on the head, then got up to do the same to Alex and catch him in a one armed hug.
"Does if have a name? Is it a boy or a girl? Where did you get it?!" She almost forgot she had a present for him to open, though she saw it sitting in the middle of the room and motioned to it immediately. "That one is for you... but it's not a kitten."
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Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 1:52 pm
Standing there he watched Gently, smiling brightly as he knew he'd picked the perfect gift for her. She seemed so delighted he felt as happy as she seemed to be. He had done well, she'd do well with the little one and he knew it. It would be a pampered kitten, he was sure of it.
"I'm glad you like her, cute little one isn't she. I found her at the shelter, almost didn't make it for adoption; or anything else. I have a friend, the one I'm living with, who volunteers at the shelter so I had her help." A small shrug of his shoulders. It wasn't that much, not in his mind, to get a kitten for Gently or everything else he'd gotten to go along with the kitten.
"No name, I thought I'd leave that to you, I have my trunk loaded up with things for her, since it is a bit of a pinch to put you in with a kitten and no supplies. It would be rude of me to leave you with nothing and having to run out." And he was not rude, at least when he didn't want to be.
Laughing he kissed her cheek gently while glancing over her shoulder. "You are evil, but it looks amazing. I take it you hand made it?" He asked, already leaning back so he could smile brightly at her. "I have a dog already, or rather my room mate does, so while it's not a kitten that's fine. A coffee maker is amazing." And it was, especially the self style she put to it, it was certainly one of a kind and that he liked most of all.
"Shall I run out real quick and bring her things in? She's been living with me for a week or so, so I had to buy her some things other than food, a littler box and litter." He'd bought toys, a bed, scratching post. Alexandre did go all out when he wanted to do something, he went to do it right.
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Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 1:04 pm
Gently cuddled the kitten, who meowed pitifully at all the strange things going on. It had been in a box and now there was a new person holding it and it was wondering what happened with the boy that had been holding her before.
It very much preferred being held to being in the box, though, so that was a relief.
"You brought her things too? You're really good at this gifting war. I've been outclassed!" She laughed, shaking her head and looking at her now very pitiful looking coffee machine. She nodded her head.
"I did make it, at least. I did put thought and effort in! I just... fell short to this," she cuddled the kitten again, listening to its soft purrs. "Do you need help with the things?" She was a little stunned still, and she couldn't imagine how much time and effort was put in, on top of money, to get a kitten for her. He had saved its life, and had been taking care of it.
He was a very good friend to her. She would have to do something else, post Christmas, a surprise and a half for him. She was not going to lose this war gracefully.
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Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 1:57 pm
"I had to, I've had her living with me so she needed enough things to not decide to ruin my room." Or displace things, he didn't like being disorganized and a kitten could easily cause a mess. Small as that little kitten was he knew the sort of messes animals could make of their owners things.
"Don't be upset about that, you didn't fall short. I just happen to notice, while I was stuck as a cat, that you seem rather a feline sort of person and you did mention family being so far away. I thought you could use someone to keep you company while your home." Laughing softly he did go to inspect his own gift, eyeing it over. It really did scream of Gently's taste, different and quirky but altogether very nice.
"No, I can get it all. I'll just need a few trips in and out. I think she could use your company and arms." And he wasn't about to ask Gently to put the kitten down in order to help him. "I also have her medical papers and adoption papers. Everything has been taken care of, she's up to date on everything and has had a bath as well - needed to get the smell of the shelter off her." That said as he got up and went to head out to start bringing her things in, litter box and food bowls, with food, first. The second trip was the bed, litter and scoop. The third trip was the scratching post and a bag of toys, a few catnip filled. The last was the catnip plant.
"In case you want to make your own catnip toys for her, or just let her enjoy the plant. I made a few toys for Dahlia myself." He spoke once the plant was set by his own gift, which he again inspected. "This really is special, quite the nice coffee maker. It'll surely gain attention from anyone who visits Lily and my place." A home made gift took time, thought, and other qualities which his gift had not taken, and he knew it. "Perhaps we can call this a draw, for this round at least."
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Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 12:20 pm
Gently could not stop cuddling the kitten, and she did not mind either. The purring was strong, and it looked relaxed now, very glad to be out of the box and the bigger, moving box. The kitten mewed but Gently wasn't sure what it wanted just yet.
She would learn all its quirks, and what each meow meant, she was sure. Damn certain, in fact.
Gently grinned at Alex. Like she would be upset! No, she was just determined now. She would win this: Christmas did not mean the war was over just because it had passed. Still, she was touched by his thought, and the fact that he knew her well enough to realize that a cat was the perfect gift for her.
She nodded as Alex went to go and get the stuff, sitting on the couch with the kitten and trying to think up a good name for her. She smiled, very thankful to have a friend like him. She did feel guilty for not helping, though, by the third trip he had to make.
"You really did go all out!" She shook her head. "No draw. I can admit when I am defeated, but it only makes me work harder. Next time, I'll get you." She grinned. It was a friendly threat, at least.
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Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 12:48 pm
Finished with bringing everything in he finally shut her door, his car already locked up, and shook his head at his friend. "I still call it a tie. I went for the emotional, a need I saw. While you went and made something, it's more personal in a way what you did. I went out and bought something. So that's why I'd say it's a tie." For him it made sense, how long had she worked on her gift to him? Where as he'd taken little time to pick which kitten was the right one for his friend, and the needed items were quickly procured as well.
"But I did go all out, as I said I thought it would be rude if I bought you a kitten and nothing for it. I can't presume that you would have the money or not have things already planned which would keep you from going out shopping. So, in the interest of minding my manners I decided it best if I did the shopping." A smile was flashed at Gently while he took note of how content the kitten seemed, and Gently certainly seemed happy as well.
"Somehow I know you will, your not the sort to just let me win - though I still don't see myself as having won now that I think about it." He had gone into this thinking he had won but now saw a tie.
"Ideas on a name yet?" He asked while finding himself a seat and watching the two.
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Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:47 am
"You and your worrying about being rude," Gently said with a broad grin. She looked at her kitten, kissing it on its fluffy little head. "Isn't he a silly guy? But a very thoughtful and nice one."
She laughed.
If they had tied in their gift war there was just more reason for her to work harder to win next time. She would not settle for ties or losing: neither were her cup of tea.
Or coffee, as the pun would more accurately be.
"I don't know! I usually don't have so much trouble naming things. I mean, even my weapon has a name. Let's see." She held the kitten up carefully, inspecting her. "What is your name, little squishy?" Chances were high that she would just call it a thousand nicknames anyway, so it would never know what its real name was.
The kitten mewed at her, and batted Gently's nose with its paw.
"Adorable, that's what your name is."
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Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 8:57 pm
Shaking his head at Gently's words he smiled at the adorable sight her and the kitten made. "I wasn't aware your weapon had a name, what do you call it?" He'd never been the sort to name an inanimate object, it simply wasn't his thing, but somehow for some reason it seemed to fit Gently's personality. It was a rather nice trait to see, and hear about, in her.
"I'd say that's what she is, but it works for a name...or nickname." A small shrug of his shoulders. He was well aware of the fact the gifting war would continue. The question was - was there ever to be an end? AAlexandrewasn't sure an end would ever be. Both were not the sort to give up, or in. So what could he do next, and what would the next round gift him with?
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Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 1:21 pm
"Well, when I first got it, it was a hobby horse. Little horse head on a stick. I named it Mister Saddles. But then it turned into a spear and I called it the Spirit of Mister Saddles. Or the Spirit. Now it's gotten a rank upgrade, like myself, so I call it Staff Corporal Saddles."
She laughed at herself. She knew it was silly, but what harm did it do? She knew how to use her weapon: trained extensively in it, and it was an extension of herself. It was not like naming it or being silly sometimes harmed her or made her any less of the General she was capable of being.
Always one to have fun, with everything she could.
She liked the idea of naming the kitten Adorable, if only because when she had people over and they inevitably said 'aren't you adorable!' she would be able to tell them that they were right.
"Then Adorable will be her new name. I'll probably call her Addy. Or fluff butt. Or anything else that comes to mind... but Adorable is her real name. Isn't it? Do you like that, Adorable?" She cuddled the kitten, who had no answer for the question but didn't mind the cuddles. She smiled at Alex, who was welcomed to stay as long as he wanted to, and play with the kitten or his coffee maker.
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Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:02 pm
"Hobby horse?" He'd never heard of one of them, and once she explained it he'd know why - he'd never owned one. They were something he deemed of a time before his, a old fashioned toy that his mother or, more likely, his father may have had as a child. "Interesting names, fitting." He spoke with a nodding of his head to affirm his words. His brush, the tiny one or the present one, would never have a name nor whatever weapon he would come to have whenever he made General; if he ever made General.
"I like that, it works." The name and the nickname, actually the nickname was cute; he wouldn't say adorable as that would be...odd really. "I think, if she could speak and had the intelligence of a person, would like her name. Now, would you like some coffee? I believe I have a coffee maker to try out and think it fitting to do so here and allow you the first cup from it." Assuming she hadn't tested it and had whatever it had produced then.
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Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 2:48 pm
If given half a chance, Gently would name his paintbrush for him. In fact, she was eying him now, since he hadn't introduced it and didn't seem to be intending to.
She was the kind of person who named her car, as well as her weapon and her pets. She loved nicknames for her friends, even when sometimes they did not make a lot of sense.
That was half the fun.
To her, nicknames were personal. They were small little ways of letting someone know she cared for them. She wanted them to be happy, and she wanted them to be connected to her. Nicknames were the easiest way to be intimate, without crossing any lines beyond maybe annoying someone a little. and that could easily be worked out.
She cuddled Addy, who mewed but didn't seem to be too aware of the conversation, or what a 'name' might be. She'd come to recognize it eventually. Maybe. If she felt like it. One could never be too sure with cats.
"I would love some coffee!" Gently laughed, nodding her head a few times. She had to make sure the thing worked, but she was sure not to taste any of the coffee it made. Call her sentimental, but she wanted him to have the first official cup. Even if it did taste horrible because of something she hadn't tweaked. But she was fairly certain everything was in proper working order, and it would be the best cup of coffee ever made.
She was nothing, after all, if not confident.
"But you have to have the first. I'll have the second. And maybe Addy would like some cream!"
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Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 4:13 pm
Nope, he wasn't about to name his brush. He also wasn't going to let someone else name it. But if he knew about Gently's thing for nicknames he'd see to it she never met Lily, or his family, and found out the nickname he'd carried with him since he was a toddler. He didn't need her calling him Tink, even though he was sure she'd never call him that while in uniform. It was still a nickname he blushed over.
"I never did ask, but now I'm curious. Do you prefer tea, coffee, espresso, or what?" Picking up the gear decorated coffee maker, a smile in place. He really did like the machine, Lily was sure to ask where he got it and look it over. Now was the time to put it to work though, see how the cup came out.
"You have coffee...where?" And in what form, beans or already ground up? After a moment he thought to ask about that as well. Even as he wondered if she liked tea if he should surprise her with a tin of some blend he'd personally make. It would be special, something he worked on himself and didn't just buy. It was a good idea, something to think on if she did like tea.
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