[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[It's a cold, overcast day when Richard steps outside the house this morning, but that doesn't deter him one bit from the errands he has planned for today, even if it does cause him to duck back inside for a scarf first. It doesn't matter how much he hates the cold; today is important, so he can't wait for it to get warmer.

His first stop is the item store in search of the perfect gift. He'll probably linger around this store for the longest, because he wants to find just the right thing. After that, he'll head over to All Passions, where he makes a beeline towards the suits.

Finally, he heads to the bakery to grab a cake. This stop on his little shopping trip requires the most self-control... or not, as he'll probably end up emerging with a few more things than just a cake. Oh well, his housemates will eat them, right?

Once all of this is accomplished, he heads back to House 28, looking both very pleased with himself and just a little bit mischievous too.

He can be found in any of these locations or on the journey between them. Feel free to stop him and say hi or ask what he's up to!]

Comments

[godbent]

What're you doing here?

[In All Passions - she tries to sound suspicious, but mostly it just sort of gets derailed by how quickly he's heading out to the suits. Oh well. She's really only here for Shiki...]

[ledbythewind]

I could ask the same thing about you, you know.

[In contrast, Richard just sounds more amused than anything else. He isn't even looking at really gaudy/ruffly/odd clothing this time, either!]

But in all seriousness, I'm here to find a suit for a friend of mine. It's something of a special occasion today, and I can't recall if he already has one of his own or not.

[winds_voice]

[Eley is actually hovering around the item shop himself right now. He's not really familiar with the act of gift-giving and sometimes just comes in here to look around at what's on offer. Lately however, he's started thinking about others and wondering what they might like from this store. Humans have many pretty and strange and interesting objects at their disposal.

He notices that Richard seems to be taking quite a long time in perusing the store himself though and remembering that he's supposed to be trying to talk to people, decides to try starting a conversation with him.]

...are you looking for anything in particular?

[lostinmyway]

[Grune is crossing the square as Richard is leaving the bakery, and her eyebrows lifted a little at the sight of so much food carried by someone so thin as Richard. She had not been under the impression he ate much, but perhaps you has been blessed with a truly fortunate metabolism.]

Good afternoon, Richard. You look as though you are feeling particularly hungry today.

[Is it a tease? It almost sounds like one--but she looks so serious.]

[theboywiththebook]

[Henry's outside making a snow man by himself, when he notices someone nearby looking like they've got a lot to carry.

Not bothering to finish said snow man he walks over towards Richard.]

Hey, do you need any help with that?

[halfnhalf]

[Teddy's in the bakery too, a hand on his chin as he looks down at the desserts with a little frown on his face. Hmm.

But when he notices someone come in and also look at the treats, he wipes the frown away by raising his eyebrows and lowering his hand a bit. Huh... He hasn't seen this guy before. Well, since they're here, he might as well speak up before they're trapped in awkward silence.]

They've got a nice selection here, don't they?

[godbent]

Oh! I was wondering why you weren't beelining for the magentas.

[casually, but with a forced sort of frustration. She's being difficult for the sake of it, honestly]

[ledbythewind]

[Good thing Richard is used to her being difficult-- this isn't out of the ordinary for him at all.]

I think he might throw me right back outside if I brought home anything in that shade.

[godbent]

Then you should go for lavender.

[WITH A BRIGHT SMILE]

[musubi]

[Isamu is aware that he hasn't been pulled into some large surprise party. For this he's grateful.

And also suspicious.

A part of him would be rather upset if Richard actually forgot, but that's just on principle. He doesn't actually want it all that celebrated. It just reminds him how long he's been in this place.

That said, Richard may find him lounging in the living room with a book. You know, somewhere he might be easily seen.

Just in case.]

[ledbythewind]

[At the sound of the man's voice, Richard glances up and offers a smile. He hasn't seen this man before, but that isn't about to stop him from making conversation.]

I'm looking for a birthday gift for a dear friend, but so far nothing I've seen has been quite right. He's somewhat... particular about his sense of style.

[forgetfulchime]

[Rhyme has been helping out part time at All Passions half because she likes working there and half to help Shiki out. Which also equals out to her enjoying herself because she's helping one of her friends. When she hears the door open, she perks up from her place at the counter and walks over to see Richard at the suits.]

Can I help you with something? [Smiling]

[ledbythewind]

[Her initial assessment would be the correct one, not that she would know this. He just happens to live with people who eat a lot more than he does-- not that he doesn't appreciate the food, he just eats less of it.

He has to peer around the various boxes and bags that he's carrying to see her, though, because something about her voice seems... different somehow.]

I'm afraid I can't claim ownership of all of these. I do have an entire household to feed, you know.

[Whether she's teasing or not, he'll just tease right back.]

[ledbythewind]

[Give him a moment, and then a blond head will peek out from behind the pile of boxes and bags in his arms to see just who it is who is speaking to him.]

That's very kind of you, but I couldn't ask a stranger to carry all of this.

[ledbythewind]

Isamu in lavender...

[Give him a moment while he tries to picture this.]

[ledbythewind]

[Fortunately Richard is quick to look over at Teddy and ease any risk of an awkward silence by meeting that question with a smile. While he's seen Teddy around in Seventh Heaven before, he's never had the chance to ask for his name-- meaning this is a perfect opportunity.]

Yes, I had no idea it was so large. It isn't often that I have a reason to stop by to investigate.

[ledbythewind]

[Isamu is more likely to notice the rather large pile of assorted boxes making its wobbly way through the living room before Richard spots him. Not that he's trying to be all that secretive; there's not much reason for it when Isamu no doubt already suspects that he's plotting something. At least that something isn't a surprise party.

He's behaving himself this year. Mostly.]

[halfnhalf]

[Teddy gives a half smile at that; in his humble opinion, you don't need a reason to check out sweets. But he can understand it, too.]

So now you do have a reason? [And before he goes on without introducing himself, he goes on to hold out a hand to shake.] I'm Teddy, by the way.

[winds_voice]

Birthday... Ah, yes. A human celebration of the day they were born. Is it common for them to buy each other gifts?

[He'd never really paid much attention to what people actually did on these days, and it certainly wasn't something he'd ever celebrated himself.]

I can see how he may be difficult to please then. Have you any ideas of the kind of object you would be looking for? Perhaps then you can look into the details of the thing and see if you can find one right for your friend.

[theboywiththebook]

[Couldn't help if he's a stranger?]

Well, my name's Henry and it really looks like you need some help. I don't mind helping anyways

[godbent]

Oh jeez, you're still cohabitating with that guy?

[ledbythewind]

We've been living together for almost two years now.

[godbent]

Huh. I didn't know that, but fair enough.

[ledbythewind]

Are you surprised? We've been good friends for quite a while.

[godbent]

Come to think of it, I have seen you with him before. [She taps her foot, thinking about that... but then gives up, it's irrelevant] So a suit for him, huh...