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 Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 8:38 pm
Quote: Prompt 3 (Drink Yourself Silly): Pop up shops are a dime a dozen in Destiny City this time of year, and for as much weirdness as they cause, there’s still something alluring about them. Walking through the city, you happen to come across one that seems particularly cozy and is decorated in such a way that you just know they’re trustworthy. The menu only has a few items but there’s something for everyone. Maybe it’s hot chocolate, maybe it’s coffee, maybe it’s some chilly winter sweet--whatever it is, it’s delicious. And magic, but you didn’t know that when you ordered it. It started with an itch at the back of your throat, but what happened after that was anyone’s game. Some of the drinks turn into a tickle in your nose, and now you’re suddenly sneezing snowflakes for the next hour. Maybe you finish your drink and you suddenly feel warm--like you’re in the middle of summer. (Do you even need your coat? It’s so hot! --Or is that a fever?) Or, the itch turns into something else--and suddenly you feel the urge to sink. It’s compulsive, you can’t help yourself, you must sing. It’s like you’ve forgotten how to communicate in any other way. It fades an hour after you finish the drink, but still...
"I was thinking of geting my mother a fountain pen...something nice for work." Since his mother was a partner in the law firm she worked for, and had dedicated so many years to. He knew his mother had nice pens...but he thought one more nice one wouldn't go amiss.
"Any ideas? I mean everything on the baby shower registry was bought....so I don't know what else to get." Maybe books? But the baby certain couldn't read the mand wasn't about to understand tghem this young either...
"And I don't know about your parents..." He already had most people in his family with at least one gift, some more, but he wasn't sure one some at all and that was rather distressing. Maybe they should stop, take some time to regroup, and warm up somewhere - it was freezing. "I also have some things to pick up for Mason...." He had a few thigns on hold at various stores...he'd done a bit of online shopping with the option of picking up at the store but paying online. He wanted to make today the day he got everything done.
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Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2022 3:36 pm
Gifts were always something both easy and hard to shop for, depending on who said gift was for anyway. Some friends and family you could get them something simple while others you had to think more critically on. This can be even worse if you aren't particularly close to the person enough to know what their likes and dislikes were in the first place but Hux had a system when it came with dealing with those types of family members so he wasn't too worried. The person in question at the moment however didn't fall into that system.
Hux gave a small smile to his younger cousin then pulled out his phone for the list he had already prepared for this particular question just in case Alexandre had trouble deciding on a gift for their new cousin. "Well I have a few idea of what could work." He said then showed the screen to the other man. "I made a list of items that a baby could like to use that wasn't on the list for the first half then just general items that the parents would certainly welcome extra of for the second half." Not that their family was hurting for money but how many times had parents of his students like to talk about younger siblings of said students or just talk his ear off about their children when they were younger only to complain about not having enough of x item? He lost count.
The list itself wasn't terribly long but was organized with sub categories on top of the ones he had already listed such as toys, clothes, and more. "I myself plan on getting one of the teddy bears that when squeezed they give off the sound of a heartbeat. I hear they are quite soothing for babies." Hux added on, pointing briefly to the item that is highlighted on the first half of the list.
At mention of his Aunt, his parents, and Alexandre's partner, Hux paused for a moment with a thoughtful hum. As he thought he glanced around the semi-busy sidewalk at the stores around them as if to try and spark some ideas for gifts but instead his eyes landed on a small cafe. "Might be worth sitting down somewhere and brainstorming for a bit on those gifts." He shrugged and gestured towards the shop. "Getting out of the cold would help at least I'm sure."
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Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2022 8:37 pm
Looking up at the phone screen Hudsoin was holding, gray eyes scanning over the neatly done lists, he nodded his head slowly. "Somehow that gift fits coming from you." Considering his older cousin was rather like a giant teddy bear himself. It was fitting that he'd gift a teddy bear, especially such a special one. "Clothing might work....I don't think anything from brands I'd shop at." Though he knew luxary brands made childrens clothing as well as some baby clothing. He knew, from hearing family members in the past, that children and especially babies grew fast. So it would be a waste of money. "Maybe some normal clothing, winter things, and I did see Dior has some sweet plushies..." Was that a bit over the top and rediculous on his part? He had a feeling some would think so, and Mason would would tell ihm as much, but it was something he'd consider purchasing and something his family hsould expect from him.
"Books for the baby as well..." While the baby couldn't read, and so someone else would need to do the reading, it wasn't a bad idea...though the little one wouldn't understand a thing yet either. The idea was still a good one - right?
Blinking as he was brought out of his own thoguhts, of which books he could get, he nodded his head slowly. "Yeah, coffee would be nice." Something warm would be nice indeed. Despite being bundled up, more than most people on the side walk about them, Alexandre tended to get cold easily and was indeed cold. A warm drink would do him some good, and he was sure Hudson as well. "That sounds good, I can't think as well when I'm busy trying to keep warm and not shiver." And also try and still look good, that was no easy feat really.
"Come on, let's go, I wanna warm up and get some ideas." And he knew Hudson would help him. He was stillw ishing, somehow, that he could get out of the family holidays but he knew he'd not get so lucky, especially this year, but Mason wasn't much for holidays and he didn't want to ask him...but he also didn't want to leave him either. At least it wasn't on Christmas but rather Christmas eve was when everyone gathered, at the 'head of the families' house. At 96 years opld his great grandmother was still alive and met every new child born as soon as they were out of the hospital - they were brought to her. She still had some say in the family and people came to her...she never went to anyone else. She even had some say in the names of grand children and great grandchildren. She didn't have all the say...but she had some. She liked things proper...none of those hippy names, as he'd heard her say once or twice, nothing like Starr or Prince or anything else. Names were proper and all run by her. He wasn't too upset with all that...he just didn't like family gatherings in general and having to be social. He liked his own little hand picked section of the family...Hudson and himself, his parents, and Mason - that was it. He didn't need more family members and he needn't be so social. But he also knew he couldn't deny his great grandmother...she ran things, since her husband had died and really he'd married into the family...not the other way around.
This wasn't to say his family was some super wealth family, it wasn't, but it seemed like it really. Most of his aunts and uncles had money but weren't as wealthy as his own parents. That wasn't to say they were poor, they weren't, but they were all comfortabloe and could afford to indulge and enjoy the holidays - like now. Hudson and him talking about such gifts and a lot of shopping and spending.
"I think uncle George is going to get a bottle or Irish cream from me as well this year." Off handed as he held the door open for his cousin. "I'll figure out which brand later at a liquor store." Since there were a few brands...but he was unfamilar with it all, since he didn't drink.
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Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2022 9:24 pm
Hux couldn't help but grin at what Alex was listing off what he could get their new cousin. It wouldn't be surprising to him if Alexandre went out and just got a bunch of different items. The was honestly one of the reasons he had made the list as well so as to help him not go over board. When his cousin agreed that is sounded like a good idea to go get drinks and warm up Hux started to lead the shorter man to the cafe he had spotted.
"I'm sure Dad will enjoy that. I haven't figured out what I want to get him yet though I know I plan on getting Mom the new baking set from that famous chief she enjoys watching." He said with a small laugh, after all he had got his love of baking from his mother. If there was cooking to be done and catering wasn't planned, Rose Evans would be sure to have her hands in it when it came to the family gatherings. Hux gave a nod to his cousin as he walked in to the cafe and then moved aside so Alexandre could join him.
Looking around, the cafe was warm with inviting colors decorating the place, though the tables were a little over the top with the holiday decorations, and on one wall there was a large tv that was showing a fireplace to help with the atmosphere.
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Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2022 11:22 pm
"Let's go order." Nodding his head he pointed towards the line, only three people ahead of them, it wouldn't be a bad wait. At least his cousin understood that without a bit of help, someone to help him not go over the top, Alexandre would buy a bunch of different things for lack of self control and not really caring over the price of things. It also didn't help when he didn't know just what to get, it just made the issue of him over buying worse, but trust Hudson to have lists and ideas...as well as the ability to rein Alexandre in. By the time they were done talking it would surely be the case.
"Is there anything your mother needs? Anything you won't be getting her and that I can get her instead?" He questioned curiously as he stared up at the older blond.
"I know your father is fairly simple." So that made him easy to shop for, irish cream would be a lovely gift. "I found someone local who does crochet blankets and I was thinking of purchasing one for Great grandmother." It was likely something she'd like, she did crochet for every new family member. She made them a christmas stocking, special colors and designs for each child, and it remained the design they had for anyy future stockings they needed. She also made a blanketg for each child as well, also in special colors for each child, she liked to give out these special gifts and took pride in them. So buying her something crocheted would be nice - right? She wouldn't get insulted...he hoped anyway.
"Or do you think I should get her something else?" Trailing off, now unsure of the idea.
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Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 10:00 pm
He was glad there should be a short wait, barring none of the people in front had large and or complicated orders, Hux moved to stand in line. "Looks like while there isn't a large drink list they do have some pretty popular ones." He noted as he looked at the menu that was hanging above the counter, letters large enough that people waiting could read easily enough.
After lingering on the menu long enough to get an idea what he wanted he looked back to Alex and gave a small smile and a shrug. "I made a list for both her and Dad since I wasn't sure what to get him and didn't know if you had a plan for either of them yet. We can look over that too after the baby list." Granted his Father's list was shorter so he could hopefully narrow down what he wanted to get him soon enough, especially since Alexandre was right and his Dad did prefer simple gifts.
At the mention of their Great Grandma the smile got a bit larger. "I'm sure she will love it." He didn't think she would be insulted, at least so long as Alexandre made sure it didn't end up accidentally matching any of the colors for any one person. "I had an idea for a gift for her a good few months now, it just took me a bit to get it set up right. I got her a slideshow picture frame and gathered a lot of family photos, some I had professionally touched up because of age, and it's pretty simple to use while being large enough not to strain the eyes."
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Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 10:34 pm
Yeah, but none of those popular drinks were what he ever drank. His drink, or drinks, of choice were not exactly normal and rather was a request he always made as he knew what the cafes he frequented carried. Starbucks, the few times he went, he knew never had it so he settled for whatever they made...it wasn't akways the best.
"Pick something for me Hudson." Requesting that of his cousin, figuring the elder might know what he'd like. Normally an espresso, with cream, and cherry or pomagranate syrup was normal for him...and Hudson knew it. He'd figur eout what he could do instead - he hoped.
"I made sure to avoid the colors which have been taken, I didn't want to upset her." That was not a good idea, he most certainly knew that. The few times anyone in the family had incured her ire it had not been pretty. She ran the family, sort to speak, she was the head and everyone knew it. She had power.
"I was worried about insulting her by getting something she might think was competition for her skills...or somehting not good enough." Understandable really, as he was sure Hudson would get. "I'll go over the baby list first than I'll see what you have for your parents. I like your idea for great grandmother...she'll love it." She really would. She spent a lot of time alone, since her husband had passed away, and so to have everyone there, in a sense, would no doubt bring a smile to her face. She'd appreciate it without a doubt.
"Maybe for her birthday we should see if we can't find someone who actually paints portraits...I mean I know it's a dying art...but if we could do a few family members...I'd say everyone, in one big painting, but that would kill the detils and make it hard for her eyes." And he didn't want to do that, it would be a wasited gift on her. So something with less people and more detail...biugger people.
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Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2022 7:28 pm
Hux wasn't too surprised at the request Alex made and he gave a thoughtful hum, looking back at the menu for a moment. "Alright, I see something you might like." He said in return though he didn't say what it was just yet.
"I don't think she would find it competition, but it not being up to her standards might be the issue." The taller man put a hand on his own cheek as he thought about the issue for a moment. "How good of quality are these? I imagine they are good if you ere thinking about them. They might end up flattering for her even of a lesser skill then her own if you phrase it right." Such as suggesting that he could find no one better then her but he still wanted to honor the work she has done.
At the mention of paintings he gave a nod. "She would love that. Maybe we could plant that idea into some of our family members heads so that each core group can get a family painting done so it wouldn't end up crowded?" Then again maybe they should skip that idea, he knew of a few who would try to clam credit for the idea over Tink.
Their conversations had to come to a halt however when it was their turn. Hux gave the cashier a smile then started to order, not to fast to mess it up but not so slow as to waste anyone's time.
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Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2022 8:03 pm
"Mmm, of course they're good quality. I wouldn't even consider something subpar." He couldn't, she might just hand it right back or throw it out, worst case scenareo. He didn't like the idea of either thing happening, so he'd picked someone with talent. The way his cousin sppoke however, how he worded things, well he could do that if all else failed and she didn't like her gift.
"I could do that, it wouldn't be a lie." Because he didn't lie, as he was terrible at lying, he wouldn't even think to try and pull something with the head of their family. She knew he didn't lie and if he tried...she was sure t osee right through it. He wouldn't try and pass his first lie off on her - no chance.
Listening to Hudson order, trying to catch what his cousin was ordering for him, he waited till the women was giving a total amount before handing over his own credit card to pay.
"We could do all the core groups of the family...than the branches as well. Something regal perhaps...like you'd find in a royal family os sorts. Something that looks fitting and would show the importance of family?" Came the suggestion from the smaller blond. He knew some family members would try and take the credit, he knew just which family members, but he'd make sure they didn't get credit if they went for this idea as well. "I think it would be good if everyone was dressed up, nice and proper, and took them in the proper groupings." Family to family....each section and branch.
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Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2022 8:30 pm
As he knew that Alexandre knew better, he hadn't really expected a different answer but gave a nod anyway. It might be worth feeling out their Great Grandmother to see if she would like such a gift but he personally thought she would. "Exactly, it would be the truth and a stroke to her pride in her craft at the same time."
The taller blond had a small amused smile on his face when he caught Alexandre listening. He didn't try to hide what he was ordering and had even paused briefly to see if his cousin had wanted to make any changes or addons. The pause was long enough for Alex to jump in and pay which made Hux gave a small amused huff as well but didn't interfere. They were directed off to the side to wait for their orders.
"We could figure out a plan for that later, after figuring out the gifts for now, as t does sound like a good idea."
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Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2022 9:14 pm
"Yes, and it's always nice to stropke herr pride a bit...she appreciates that." More than even he did, which said a lot. Being her age, and head of the family, she had a lot of pride and he understood that. The family was large and most members had high enough standing that she felt pride in having a hand in helping to create that for everyone.
"Mmm, I think it's a good idea. We'd have no time to implament the idea now...but we can start talking to family members...get them to talk to everyone else and spread the word. We'll also need to find an artist who would take on such work, it's a lot." Which would also mean it would be expensive, not that he considered the cost really, he just wondered how many people still painted such works and could do it so well.
"We'll need time to find someone....it'll be best if we look online together for someone..." They might have to cast a large net and look all over the internet...and maybe find someone outside the country. "For now we go with what we have but we work towards the big picture." Litterally and figuratively of course.
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Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2022 7:04 pm
Hux nodded in agreement but didn't continue speaking right away as their drink orders were called. He picked them up with a smile and a polite thanks then lead the way over to a quiet table so they could drink and talk in peace. Once he sat down and placed Alexandre's cup in front of him he wrapped both hands around his own cup to feel the warmth but didn't drink any yet, figuring it would be too hot still. "Maybe it's an idea we should worry about more after the holidays and only do some cursory looking for artists before hand if we have the time?" He suggested.
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Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:08 pm
His own hands wraped about his cup, a habit the two of them shared in common, as he savored the warmth as he felt it flood his system and a tingle of pleasure going up his back. Shivering in pleasure he sighed, a smile in place.
"Mmmm." Humming an agreement to his cousins words. "We can look about online, it might take time. We might have to wander into a few galleries in the city as well." They had connections and it might be a good idea to see if they had any connections which could help them out with this idea.
"Perhaps aim for her birthday this year." As every year now with her was precious and celebrated bythe whole family, much ashe disliked spending time around most of his cousins - they lacked maturity in his opinion. Sipping hisdrink, in the process b urning his tongue, he nodded his head once in approval of the flavor before swallowing the hot liquid and speaking again.,
"Good, I like the choice." Though it had been hot.
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