[Delivery time! Although they've yet to meet, Ginger heard from a little birdie that another twisted boy arrived in Duplicity. A very pink package can be found at his doorstep, whenever Idia happens to open his door to discover it. Tucked into the ribbon is a note with a doodled, Santa-hat-wearing smiley face that reads as follows:]
I'm a friend of a friend who heard you just arrived recently. I wanted to make sure you don't miss out on all the cheer since it can be super duper hard adapting to the rules here in the city. :)
If you ever need anything, don't be shy! My username is gingersnap and I run Needle Little Love if you need any clothing repaired or feel like stopping by for tea or coffee and some conversation!
Merry Christmas and keep warm!
Ginger Hale
[Inside, wrapped delicately in a layer of pink tissue paper, he'll find twogifts.]
[...what? What? WTF? WTF is this? Who the fuck did this? Idia is so confused and perplexed at the random gift waiting for him, giving it a light tap with the toe of his shoe, as if to check it... before bringing it inside, curiosity getting to him and wanting to see what was inside. He did glance at the note, making sure it's not a trick from this world to... he doesn't know... something strange to happen to him.
Ready to dismiss this totally, Idia opens it up and...
He loves them. He loves them so much! They're so cool! Oh, and they feel really good too, Idia testing the fabric between his fingers, very pleased to find they were of good quality. After a few moments of geeking out, Idia picks up that note again and...
Ginger will get a text sent her way from Gloomurai.]
[Ginger wasn't particularly anticipating getting any kind of acknowledgment that her gift was received or appreciated, since she's not the kind of person who gives others things with any kind of expectation--but that doesn't mean that she isn't delighted to see the message in her inbox.]
OMG! Hi! :) I'm so happy you decided to reach out! You are so very welcome, sugar! Do you like them? I hope you're keeping cozy!
Oh good! I took a little bit of a gamble since we've never met, but from what I heard it sounded like something that you might like. It gets sooooo cold here during the winter, and like none of us arrive with more than one outfit so I really wanted to be sure that you'd be doing okay!
[She is certainly a talker. Poor Idia, no good deed goes unpunished.]
I've been here for awhile so if you need help with anything you just let me know! Oh, are you doing anything for New Years? You should come spend it with us!
[Since it's a little too late to make Christmas plans, she thinks. Not that she wouldn't also invite him over in an instant.]
Awww nobody should have to be totally alone for the new year...
[She doesn't realize just how antisocial he is...but it wouldn't really stop her all that much. Ginger respects peoples' privacy but she also worries about anyone getting lonely.]
But it's really good you have a job already! Where are you working? I totally get it because I'm such a workaholic. Like suddenly it's 4AM and I'm still up and at it--whoopsie! Lol!
Not like that. I mean I'm working on my own designs. Since I'm missing so many things from home. I haven't really found a place yet. Donno what will do for that. [Not like Idia's really had to look for a job before... though he has done commissions in the past for apps and stuff. And art... certain art... maybe he could do that, but, you know, under a different name... so no one knows its him.]
I get that, I'm like that too. [There's just so much to do!]
It's like, once you get started how can you possibly stop, you know? I really love seeing my projects come to life! :) What kind of designs are you working on? If it makes you feel more at home that's definitely important!
[She still might visit him...at least so he can say he saw someone for five minutes on the turning of the year. He says he doesn't care but she feels bad!]
Right?! Once you're in the mood you gotta keep going while it's there.
Working on some cleaning robots right now, so I don't have to deal with that so much. Means I can focus on other stuff more later. [Because Idia may be messy with bits and pieces all over the place and power cables running across the room, but he's not dirty. Cleanliness was important. Easier to keep healthy that way, as being sick just meant a waste of time when you couldn't do anything.]
[Because Idia has been such a trooper, Hypnos is hunting him down even if it means mercilessly pounding on his door until he answers. All smiles, he’s immediately thrusting an item forward into Idia’s face.]
Everybody is giving gifts to their favorite people today so I got you one too!
[It took so much restraint not to just open the door then slam it back in Hypnos' face. Hell, the only reason Idia opened it in the first place was because he was concerned what might happen if he didn't. He has no clue if Hypnos would just let himself in or break the door or something.
And it almost happens until that toy gets shoved at his face, Idia jumping back at the sudden invasion of his space and about to snap. Then seeing what it was. Was that...] Is... is that a Mort replacement? [After all, why else would it be a mouse? Did, did he do something for Hypnos to think he liked mice? Well, a different type of mouse, sure, but not the animal type.]
Yeah! You told me you missed Than and Mort--and well, I figured, you can see Than whenever you'd like to but it would be harder for you to see Mort, so...maybe you could have one of your own!
[And also, importantly:]
And this one has a special Hypnos touch, so you'll always remember we're buds!
[Ginger isn't really a social media user or she'd label this #relatable.]
OMG that's so amazing! I don't know much about robotics but I've seen those little round ones and they're sooo cute. I've always wanted to put little hats on them. I'm also really bad about cleaning LOL!!
[Oh. Oh, Hypnos... Idia looking to the toy, which no doubt is still shoved at his face... before reaching out to take it.] Ah... thanks. Really. [That was surprisingly wonderful. Idia had missed Thanatos and Mort. A lot. Ashamed to meet them again with what he had done back home, he hopes Thanatos wouldn't hate him for how much damage he had done. But... still missed them.
A light 'heh' from Idia at Hypnos' comment on 'a special Hypnos touch',] Because he's asleep? [Hmm... what's a good name for this little guy...] Hypnako. I think that's a good name for him.
[Wait... hold on...] 'Buds'? [That good mood instantly lost, Idia's lip turning up at that term.]
However her description of 'little round ones' does not help to narrow them down, but Idia can take a guess she's meaning an automatic vacuum one.]
My dorm used to duel them back at school. Put balloon or two on one side of them, some sort of point to pop them on the other end, and bet on who wins.
[It's official: she's never met Idia in person but if anything happened to him she'd be devastated. It's not a hard goal to reach, in all fairness. Ginger gets attached easily.]
awww! I'd love to see that it sounds so fun! Like a little tournament! :) I only design clothes myself but I'd love to see some of the things you come up with if you'd ever be okay with sharing!
[Idia's the first person she's ever really been able to gush with about creating things. She'll take it even if it's completely different fields.]
Oh yeah? Once I get the funds I'll commission you for stuff then. Want my old hoodie but it didn't come with me. Won't be the same since without magical threads to it, but good enough for the look. [He can just shield himself if he needs to.]
Eh I don't really got much to share right now. When I do more stuff maybe? I donno, I don't tend to show my design plans around. I haven't really worked out a lot of what I want to make yet. [Maybe some sort of security system next, to make sure no one can get in without him knowing it.]
Yeah, not dealing with this, Idia tucking Hypnako under his arm and moving to close the door on Hypnos. If it's successful or not will depend how my Hypnos wants to stop him. Idia's strength is non existent against humans, let alone gods. But he will still try to close the door, even if it means putting his full weight into closing it.]
That would be just wonderful! I'd be so happy to do that for you!
[Magical threads sound amazing! Whenever she hears about magic, it always sounds so wonderful...but she had no idea it could be incorporated into sewing! Ahhh, she wishes she could do something like that.]
And, like, totally! Whatever you're comfortable with. I've never really had someone to talk with about this kind of stuff so even if what we do is super different it's so nice to be able to relate. Just consider me a big ol' board to bounce ideas off of!
[Though Idia may regret this, as just over text she's already too cheerful for him, so Idia can only imagine how bad she would be irl. Maybe if they keep it purely professional, just to commissions, he can handle it. Minimal contact.]
[It's somewhere around 3:30 in the morning and Ginger's brain won't turn off long enough to let her sleep. This is generally when she's work on projects, but not being at her store and being too cozy to actually get out of bed, she turns to her device to see what she can get up to.
Ultimately, this is where she ends up.]
Hiya howdy hello, sugar! I wanted to wish you a belated HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you're settling in okay, making friends and all that! :)
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