2019-12-08 - Annual Christmas Parade

August is bundled up for the evening in a black pea coat, red silk scarf, black leather gloves, and a dark gray, knit, Angora and fleece cap. He's got more layers under the coat that aren't visible, denim jeans, and brown suede boots. He's also carrying a large hot cocoa from Espresso Yourself, grabbed when he swung by to pick up Eleanor. They have a prime spot, thanks to Ully, who has no life (his words, not August's).

Eleanor is also bundled up with a beanie hat, brown, belted leather coat with a faux-fur lining and collar, a turtleneck sweater in merlot, and worn jeans with hiking boots. She has a coffee from her own shop as she huddles with August, sitting on a lawn chair she brought just for the occasion.

Apparently that sailor wasn't scared away by either the Murder Motel or the barfight, for he's also come to attend the parade. Joe's in an old navy greatcoat, faded jeans, white scarf tucked in, black watchcap, and gray wool half-fingered gloves. He's juggling a still-too-hot drink of some kind where he stands, comfortably hipshot. The blue eyes are bright, behind the lenses of his g lasses.

Some of the best seats in the house are afforded to the wealthy or the try-hards who wake up early to prepare for this sort of thing. Byron has the money and manpower to ensure that he and a group of friends have one of the best spots for viewing. That said, coming from a more working class background, he's used to doing things himself, so he'll, at the very least, scout out just the spot he wants reserved and eventually have a guy or three keep that section available for them. He's a busy man with things to do, but he'll eventually show up with some snack stuff and, you guessed it, coffee. Probably also from Espresso Yourself, for himself and his little group.

Dressed up in a festival green sweater and a pair of jeans with a scarf wrapped around his neck, he has a leather jacket thrown on to keep warm to go along with that hot cup of coffee. He'll show up early enough, relieving most of his paid assistants so that they can get on with their lives or watch the parade, he doesn't care. In his company is Lilith and Isabella, at the very least. "It's crowded as usual." He says almost blandly between sips of coffee. "For a small time, though, these things tend to be festival and I can't wait to see the faces on the kids carrying your banner." He says with a smile in Lilith's direction, though there's this cautious look in his eyes. Something else is definitely on his mind. His chin lifted, he looks over Reede, "Aren't you glad that I got this space reserved for the day. I remember as kids when we used to come here early just for the best spots."

The Branch & Bole / Out on a Limb 'float' is the largest of the three bucket trucks, Big Betty, decked out in a holiday themed plant arrangement a la the Rose Parade thanks to Juniper Wilson. The bucket arm has been wound in brilliant white, red, and gold lights, and a small forest has been set up flanking the arm along the back, complete with a Christmas tree decorated in harvest style: fruits, berries, acorn and chestnut ornaments, and a large pomegranate at the top. Wreathes on both doors and the front grill, and strands of wintercreeper and honeysuckle trail down from the top of the cab. Thomasina Howard, a familiar face in the shop, is tossing candy from the bucket, in a Mrs. Clause-inspired outfit. Ully, the procurer of August and Eleanor's spots (because he was getting them for his sister and her girlfriend as well), is driving; he's in 'ugly holiday sweater and garish elf cap' attire and tossing out the occasional treat.

August watches the package land at Eleanor's feet. "I'm sure Lucas didn't tell him to do that," he says, leaning over to fetch it and offer it to her.

Eleanor accepts the Snoopy-wrapped gift and grins, kissing August's cheek. "I never catch things at this parade, awesome!" she enthuses to him. She tucks the package under her arm, then whistles and waves to her younger brother, Lucas, on one of the GHFD trucks. The firefighter snorts at his sister and waves back, gives August a LOOK as per usual. "Big Betty looks amazing. Everyone did a great job on it," she adds, waving to Thomasina and Ully.

Lilith seems fine and festive, standing there at the chosen and desirable parade viewing spot that Byron ensured one way or another. She asked for a very participatory and festive Christmas this year, and she's damn well getting it and then some, turns out, a few complications aside. Her cheeks are ruddy from the chill, as they arrived to get settled a while ago, and she's clad and covered in a cream woolen coat with a cherry red wrap scarf, jeans and bootie heels visible with whatever else she has layered underneath there. She's also wearing gloves pulled up over her wrists, like it's the damn Arctic circle, which might be a little overblown for her given she's usually a jacket-and-tough-it kind of gal that favors the outfit instead of the outerwear comfort. Probably all that Miami time. But today, she's bundled and bright with smile over at Byron on mention of the kids.

To Isabella, she explains a hint proudly, "Met a little girl at the Angel tree, she's throwing candy, her brother is carrying the shop banner like it's the damn Old Dixie parade the way he marched for practice when we handed things. Other kids we took from the tree are carrying some dollar bills to flash around because... loans, you know. And they're the little ones, so it's cute."

Speaking of cute kids... they come around the corner between some floats, not actually on a float themselves, but marching like a bundled up collective of proud advertisement. The one boy is indeed marching like he's a damn patriot with that banner about Pawn and Loans for the Holiday, and it's a simple, but attention getting affair because... they're not only throwing candy, but the kids flashing money around are SO proud of that money and look like little ballers. That and none of them are above the age of five save for the flag bearer, so they're kind of wandering and tripping over their boots and bundles trying to show off and stay in a duckling herd. Loans for the holiday season, y'all, right there in your subconscious now.

She has certainly done her best to look as festive as possible and it shows; Isabella loves Christmas, as if determined to make up for how much she actually hates Halloween in Gray Harbor. Next to Byron and Lilith, the archaeologist is dressed in a red-and-green sweater with snowflakes and a proud display of Santa and all of his reindeer emblazoned on the front, with the words ARCHAEOLOGIST: WILL WORK FOR COOKIES (the O's in COOKIES are clearly chocolate chip) framing the top and bottom of the picture of the two sleighs and the banner that frame the entire picture. It's absolutely hideous, but in spite of a difficult early afternoon, she is in good spirits. She's even got a headband with plushie reindeer antlers on, and a scarf with tiny Christmas baubles and bells at the end of each tassel. There are small crystal snowflakes dangling from her ears, though the one piece of jewelry she doesn't take off remains; the moonstone gleams a faint, iridescent blue against a field of scarlet and emerald, and clashes utterly. The sweater is pulled over jeans and boots.

"You made a banner for the kids?" she wonders of Lilith, looking endeared, and Byron's remarks have her flashing him a grin. She's got a bag of roasted chestnuts cradled in a hand, which she offers to her companions. "I remember," she says with a laugh. "I think when we were around fourteen or fifteen, we swore up and down that we were too old and adult to come and watch, but we kept coming early anyway for said best spots." She cranes her neck around in hopes of catching sight of other familiar faces, and waves a hand when Eleanor's blazing red hair acts as a homing beacon for where she and August are standing.

Hardly wealthy or eager enough to get a great spot....but Joe's tall enough to see decently from near the back of the crowd. He's filming with a smartphone, at least a little clip, but for the most part, he's just observing. Small town life is fairly alien to him, outside the context of military bases....and this is charming.

August spots Isabella by virtue of her sweater. Benefits of no one in his family knitting or sewing: no ugly sweaters to feel obligated to wear. He grins, waves to her, Lilith, and Byron. Lucas gets a wave as well, and the most placid look possible.

He eyes the gift Eleanor got. "What do you think's in these. First Aid kits?" Well, it was thrown by GHPD, after all...

Seeing the excited faces as those children proudly carry the Harbor Mist Pawn Shop banner brings out a little grin on Byron's own face now. "It's great industrious work. They probably never dreamt in a million years that they would be walking in a parade like this, but there they are. And they are each getting paid for their services, so this will truly make them feel accomplished." This is coming from someone who started work at a young age too. He also donated a bit to each of their families for presents and Christmas dinner, but that's neither here nor there.

He then has to laugh a little at what Isabella reminds him of, "We were kids. What did we know about what adults like to do." Byron drags himself out to these events to offer support for the town and such, but he seems to enjoy getting into the holiday spirit as well. When he notices August, as well now, and his favorite barista, Eleanor, he'll flash over a smile and an acknowledging nod.

Eleanor sips her coffee and awwws softly at the kids. She gets that look on her face, you know the one, the one that women of her age tend to start to get around little ones when they do not yet have any of their own. That ticking clock look. Stupid ovaries trying to propagate the species whether you like it or not. Thankfully her attention is diverted by Isabella's wave, which she returns with a warm smile for the archaeologist and her companions. She murmurs to August, "I don't think so. I'd expect that more from the hospital or EMS. Byron and company got an excellent spot too."

The immediate impulse is to just hand it off to the nearest kid - he's barely got enough room on the Surprise for the stuff he does have, let alone whatever trinket the box contains. But curiosity's enough of a goad, and Joe tears the wrapping off and opens the box. The nutcracker's greeted with a grin.....but in moments he's frowning, faintly, turning it over in his hands. This is something odd.

August leans over and takes up the package that's landed in front of him. He turns it over in his hands, shrugs and sets it on his lap. It's from the librarians; he figures he can trust them. A book, maybe! (As if he needs more of those, but he'll never say no to a book or three.)

He leaves it as it is, figuring he can open it at home. Otherwise, he'll just lose it, whatever it is. He looks askance at Eleanor. "Opening yours?" he asks, one eyebrow going up.

"I'll open it at home," Eleanor replies to August. "Just in case it's a prank thing from my brother." Good point. It would not be beyond Lucas to do that to her. "Or you know...something else." Her brows go up to emphasize that, in the manner of "bad things".

Lilith waves over at August and Eleanor, then points proudly at her kid collective out there stumbling diligently and proudly along with candy slinging duties and advertisement like it's the cutest damn thing. Honestly, the dolla-bills make it, for her, because it's hilarious for Lilith to see a four year old with two twenties and a ten swinging them around like a sparkler on the 4th in a very come-get-your-money kind of fashion. Not that he actually wants people to take his money, this is for show, okay, he's also gripping the hell out of the bills with wadding at the bottom.

After looking over at Byron and Isabella reminiscing, though, she presses her lips, draws in a breath, silently notes fifteen to herself, then reaches to occupy herself with some of the other brunette's chestnuts. Cheerily and eventually, she informs the other woman after a squeeze of pride on Byron's hand for the kid-show on the shop's behalf, "Your sweater is the most hideous thing I've ever seen. Can you have one made that says oh, I don't know, dominatrix, instead of Archeologist? I feel like that's a fat ass dominatrix that will put the hurting on, working for cookies and all. Bet some guys in town would be into it." She deadpans the HELL out of that idea for kicks and keeps her eyes largely on the parade.

Then she says, "Oh man. Presents. Bet it's little drink branding koozies and duffle swag. Doesn't stop me from wanting to open one, though."

"There they are! They're really cute!" Isabella catches sight of the Pawn Shop sign, and points to where the children carrying them are. "Aw, Lil, that's adorable!" Curiosity flickers over her expression at the candy and gifts tossed out, and she grins when the St. Mary's choir arrives, bursting into their rendition of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, and even sings along, because she loves carols, too.

...and ultimately gets the lyrics wrong. Maybe she hit the special eggnog a little too early this year, because 'God and sinners reconciled' sounds very much like 'God and sinners dress in style' from the archaeologist's mouth. What? They do!

Lilith's remarks about the sweater has her grinning, and posing ridiculously. It's not very sexy. "I'm pretty sure you can have people custom make ugly Christmas sweaters now. I mean, I think it's a good thing? People have been getting them for decades, about time they leaned into it."

"The only place that you'll be wearing that 'ugly sweater'," Byron comments, listening to Lilith and Isabella, "Is at home and cookies as a reward might be just one option." This is all said in a mostly exasperated dead-pan, but he'll flash Lilith a charmed smile either way. As someone who's had dealings with the Mayor in the past, he has nothing against the man when he shows up in his own Christmas tree float.

Then the GHPD shows up and as the son of a cop, something that Byron's been in support of, well, his whole life, thanks to his father. That's when he notices the present landing right at his feet. Crouching down momentarily to pick it up, he gives it this curious look. "If none of the kids get a present, I'll just donate this to one of their families along with the rest."

Joseph tucks the nutcracker away in his coat pocket, looks up again. Still faintly dubious, but less distracted. He's idly sipping whatever it is in that cup, still entertained by the show before him. Maybe this will be a good place to ride out the rest of the Winter, rather than battling wind and wave up the Panhandle.

August glances down at his package. Well, he had been kind of avoiding thinking of that, but now that Eleanor's mentioned it... "Right." He clears his throat, tucks the gift into one of his large coat pockets. (Which is the other reason to wear the pea coat.) Has a sip of his hot cocoa, looks amused at Byron getting a gift. He can't help but laugh at the gingerbread jailhouse. "Okay...that's pretty cute," he allows.

"Oh, trust me, I was kidding, I wouldn't wear one at all. I was just trying to make Isabella ruffle or snort laugh or choke on a chestnut, but as par, she's witty and unflappable. And oh-so-much braver than I am. Be glad my idea of holiday spirit is limited and I didn't make a float full of tissue paper or..." Oh wow, that sure is a getup for the GHPD, speaking of, and Lilith breathes out a laugh and gestures outward a little bit with a gloved hand to finish her sentence. Then she flicks one of Isabella's belled antlers on the headband, like she's trying to prove a point of how much braver (tackier?) the woman is than her in the name of festive fun.

As Byron is gifted, though, she looks over at him and knocks a hand back through her hair, to nod benevolently, but secretly, she probably very much wants to open it and see what's inside. Despite knowing it's definitely probably koozies, a keychain, and a pamphlet on kids staying DRUG FREE knowing where it might have come from. But she can wait, and there's a slight smile on her lips as she takes to watching anew with a sort of distraction while floats and waving participants go by.

Eleanor sings along with Hark the Heralds, quietly, because she's shy about singing, and then chuckles at Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. "I swear to God if that happens to anyone in town this season, I'm just going to stay with my parents in Florida til spring," she jokes to August. "But the gingerbread is super cute. I have some gingerbread cookies coming in for the holidays at the shop, decorated gingerbread men and women."

"Oh my, Byron Thorne," she quips. "Not in front of the children." And there's so many of them right now. Her eyes light up as she watches the Branch & Bole float drift past.

"I think it's because I've long since accepted that I don't really fall in the Effortless Gorgeous category, like some people I know." She pokes at Lilith, and then Byron, in emphasis. "...and more likely to crash into the Ridiculous and Nonsensical category when it comes to that kind of thing," Isabella laughs. "So like all the other obligatory wearers of ugly Christmas sweaters before me, I've chosen to embrace my fate instead." She jiggles her antlers playfully at Lilith for her to flick, but her attention moves away from her companions to the parade and the GHPD. Tacky? Yes, very, but brave only in the sense that she is courageously risking a raid by the Fashion Police to scourge the planet of her current presence with napalm fire, or something similar, because good lord.

At Santa's arrival, her expression brightens and it's almost downright embarrassing to look at her face at the moment, because it looks like she just saw the cutest puppy in the universe. And it's worth it, because she gets a present. "Aw, thank you!" she says cheerfully to the elf that gives her one. She also peers at the one Lilith receives curiously. "You're donating yours?" she wonders of Byron, belatedly circling to his earlier comment. "Not even gonna peek at what's in it?"

"Ooo, those sound tasty. You know, you should do ginger-apple croissants, too. Seasonal, unique. Clear the sinuses right up." August gives Eleanor a sidelong smile, bobs his eyebrows. He spots Joseph in the crowd with his nutcracker, gives the toy a long, curious look before it's pocketed. Hm...

He tilts his head at this year's Santa. "Not that I expected it to be Thomas Addington, but...who is that?" he asks Eleanor. He glances at Isabella and Lilith as they receive gifts, attempts to mime the question to them by jerking his head at Santa and raising his eyebrows: who'd they get this year?

"I try to leave the croissants to Vydal. I don't want to tread on his French patisserie toes and all that," Eleanor murmurs to August. "But maybe a ginger-apple tea would be a nice seasonal addition?" She squints at Santa and shakes her head. "I don't know, it's not Thomas Addington though, that's for sure, way too sober."

This is some random gift tossed out to them from people in a parade. Byron doesn't expect that these boxes are filled with anything more than stocking fillers. From what it looks like, most everyone else has received something or other, which is surprising, seeing just how many people showed up for this. That's a lot of gifts to box! "The parade organizers went all out this year." He says, semi-examining his gift. "I'd hate to be the ones tasked to wrap all of these babies up."

A mildly curious look is given to the boxes that Isabella and Lilith now receive, something which makes him laugh, "They really didn't want anyone to go home empty handed." He then rolls his eyes at Isabella's modesty, "Let's not start that up, Bella. You're gorgeous even if you're afraid to admit it." When asked about his present, however, he breathes out a sigh, "Fine. I'm sure that the kids would prefer toys anyway and I doubt that's what they're packing in here." Reaching into his box now, he feels something flat and once it's pulled out in full, it's a pair of X-Ray glasses of all things.

"You know, maybe I'll keep these." It's said as a jest. He knows full well that they don't work, but he'll slip them on anyway.

Sailors are superstitious, even ones that are scientists by training. Divination by sign and symbol, if not by cards or runes. So Joseph's still looking somber, though it eases into a smile when Santa makes his appearance. Surely that's got to be a good omen even if an expected one.

August mmmmms, watching Santa disappear around the bend. His attention shifts to Byron with his X-ray goggles. "Ginger-apple...muffins?" Not a pastry! Fair game, right? "Yeah," he agrees, "too sober." Is he waiting to see if something weird and horrible happens to Byron? ...maybe. (Yes.)

So Lilith has a gift, and she not only has a gift, she has a Santa gift along with Isabella, delivered by elves! With a secret nose signal! Clearly, this is something good and the woman knows she should save it for a kid, but quality control, right? Plus Byron opened his and she's looking at his glasses to see what they do with a hint of envy and maybe the tiniest dose of paranoia since it's him wearing them and this is Gray Harbor. But it's fine. She has a present, anyway, "They picked an amazing Santa this year. I can't think of a time I actually stopped to wonder if he was real, but now, I'm tempted." She keeps her voice down with that last bit for the sake of the kids.

Anyway, the brunette woman can't help but shake her box after a roll of her eyes at Isabella's self-deprecation as far as good looks go, then she turns it over to look at the keyhole with a hum to herself, "You're so full of it. Men would still go Helen of Troy over you wearing that sweater. We just have very nice hair as a duo. That and Byron rubs his manly shine on me by inadvertently making me keep up with outfits to suit what he's wearing. It's a matter of principle."

After a beat, she reaches into Byron's pocket for his set of keys because she didn't bring hers and she starts trying to jimmy the thing open in half-ass fashion. It looks like a cheapo plastic treasure chest, really, instead of the jackpot she's sure that it is. But it won't open. Lilith can jimmy most things, honestly, and after a moment, she impatiently just starts trying to lever it without undoing the lock at the opening crack. Then she gives up and frowns to look at Isabella's box too, "... mine's stuck. I don't want to crack it like an acorn. Is yours stuck?"

Unspoken yet implied with the acorn cracking bit.

"I'll see if the muffin supplier has any holiday special ones. Maybe something with cranberry in it." Eleanor watches Byron don the gift glasses with a raised brow. "Well I need to mark today on the calendar. Nothing attacked people at the Christmas parade." Clearly this is unusual in her memory. Oh Gray Harbor.

He's close enough to overhear Lilith's dilemma....and Joe glances over and offers, "I gotta pocketknife, you need to get somethin' open that's stuck." His tone is mild, casual. The nutcracker is stowed in a coatpocket, its little face only half-visible. At least it doesn't seem malevolent or alive....for now.

"Are you kidding? Do you know how much effort it takes to actually make me presentable when I keep hanging out with you?" Isabella gestures up and down to Byron and the way he's dressed. He doesn't even look like he's trying, and he looks perfect. She might be biased, considering her very specific type, but it doesn't change the fact that she regularly hangs out with someone who constantly looks like he stepped out of GQ. This might also be a complex left over from high school at fourteen, when she was all long limbs and particularly ridiculous braces that caught in everything, including one horrifying incident involving the football team's mascot but let's not go there. Still with all her bellyaching, there's a glowing sort of grin directed at the investor, and she flashes him a quick wink.

There's a curious look as she peers at Byron and his new sunglasses. "Yeah, see? Even Santa knows you're stylish." She has absolutely no idea they're X-ray specs and past the ugly sweater and everything else, he'll realize that her underwear? Does not match. At least, not today. She was in a hurry! Not that she parses the special qualities of his accessory, because at August's nod, she shakes her head and lifts her shoulders, suggestive of the fact that she has absolutely no idea who Santa this year is. And her curious eyes are inevitably drawn to the wake of the float, expression contemplative.

Opening the small present in her hand, she retrieves....well. It looks like a cheap plastic coin, to those who don't shine. Those that do, though... "Whoa," she murmurs, showing it to her companions as it radiates...something. "Is that supposed to do that? It feels...blessed."

"Not yet," August says with a wry smile. He gets up, collapses his camp chair. "Let's go see if Byron's glasses are weird. You know, in the interest of science." He heads over towards the three, pausing to raise his cup of cocoa at Joseph in a hello. Once he's close enough to be heard, he says, "So those safe and boring?" he asks Byron. And then, Isabella is pulling out a cheap plastic coin that looks neither cheap nor plastic. "Ah...well." He looks down at his pea coat pocket, makes a face.

Ellie gets up and folds her lawn chair as well, lugging it, mercifully light aluminum, along with them as she and August head over to the others. "Happy Holidays!" she chimes to the group.

Okay, normally these X-Ray glasses are trash. That's why once they're on, Byron has to blink as everyone around him is suddenly in their skivvies. His eyes sweep over Eleanor and August first as he'd been looking in that direction for whatever reason, before moving over Joseph to view Isabella (which is awkward) and Lilith (not so much). And everyone and everything in between. He doesn't immediately take them off, turning towards the mystery Santa seeing that August had mentioned him.

"It's December, man." He murmurs, immediately diverting his gaze. "Freakin' freezing out here." As much fun or uncomfortable as it is to wear these, he quickly removes them, folding them up neatly and rubbing at his eyes. Thank God, everyone's wearing clothes again. "Yeah... not handing this one out to any kids." He then asks those looking at him curiously, lifting the glasses up as to show, "Have you ever had this work for you?" He just hopes the guy dressed as Santa doesn't work for an actual mall.

Watching Lilith as she fights with her box, he offers a hand, sticking his glasses into his jacket pocket, "Let me try." Though there's a curiosity now, wondering what everyone else got.

To Lilith, Isabella shakes her head. "Mine opened just fine. Is yours..." She peers at the lock box she has. "Do you want me to try and...?" She wiggles her fingers a little bit, to suggest another technique.

Eleanor checks her phone. "I need to get back to the shop to deal with a delivery discrepancy. See you at my house in a bit?" she asks August, leaning up to kiss him gently.

The key fell out of the keyhole into the wrapping, turns out, and Lilith makes an ah-hah! noise suddenly after shifting the little treasure chest over to Byron to hold or look over. When shaken, it sounds like there's nothing in there, and after a beat, she shakes her head at Isabella, brows knit down with thought before she takes the key over to gesture toward the box with so male company can give it the flip over, "No, I don't think it's a latch thing, otherwise it'd move. I mean, I could break it, but oh, wait wait wait wait."

Lilith gets the box open quite smoothly with the key despite all the fuss of trying to pry open a cheap plastic treasure chest that should easily crack. Then she narrows her eyes as she looks inside because she might have a little bit of phobia concerning boxes, but this one is from Santa, okay, it's fine. It's also empty. That or it contains multitudes given the confusion on her face with sudden perplexing and wariness. She reaches to close it. She locks it. She unlocks it. She opens it again. It's still empty.

Then after looking between Isabella and Byron, she decides, "It's for pirate booty. That or I just let fifteen pirate ghosts out." Also she has a hunch given the way she's looking at it and what it's made out of on a structural level to KNOW it should have cheap-popped easily with her prior jimmy-work... maybe it's a really sturdy box for some reason. Fascinated, she opens and closes it again to lock and unlock, which is starting to look a little strange given it's just a cute plastic (ok a little ugly) treasure chest, but she appears to be testing something with her eyes distracted.

Then for some reason, she looks over toward August and just kind of shrugs at him, as if she can feel his eyes on her considering how she's acting. Seems fine. No one's dead or cursed. Probably. Maybe. Anyway, she's looking at Isabella's coin while asking Byron, "Your glasses actually... work? With special vision?"

Problem solved. There's a shrug from Joe, and he raises his own coffee cup to August in salute, a nod to Eleanor. Seemingly ready to drift off with the dispersing crowd.....save that it seems he's not the only one who received a gift that's more than it seems.

August relaxes when Lilith's box does not spew forth ghosts, maledies, vicious elves, cursed jewelry, or just plain old fire. He's curious about it, but shrugs rather than ask to inspect it. He eyes Byron at the question about the glasses, but he and Eleanor need to get going. "I guess we should be careful with these." A last look for Joseph's nutcracker (...eugh) and Isabella's coin, then August says, "See y'all around," and turns to head back to his car.

Byron continues to watch Lilith as she tries to open the box, that is until she finds that key for it. Just as with everyone else, they watch with anticipation once it's unlocked. Then... nothing. Or nothing that they can see. Is that a sense of relief on his features. It's a... pretty cheap present though, as far as he can tell. Not that his looks anything other than cheap as well. "Yeah, I made the mistake of looking over at Santa Clause when that float passed. I wouldn't advise it." It's too late now either way! "They definitely feel different, strange. Or that's the feeling I got when worn." This is what makes him wary, seeing that /everyone/ here got a gift. "So... yeah. Keep an eye out for anything I guess." A free hand lifts in August's direction when the man takes his leave with Eleanor, "See you around. Happy Holidays." And stuff. That arm now falling to drape over Lilith's shoulder, his eyes looking at the box again, he says, "We have some decorating to do... among other obligations." This was just the festive start of a busy day.

Lilith says her farewells and seems absorbed with thought while turning her box over, then she tells Byron when they're leaving with a lash batting look upward, "I'm glad you didn't go blind. Do you have a hammer in the penthouse?"

Why is she asking for a hammer? Decorating, maybe?

Definitely science. She's absorbed with that box and seems to want to know how tough it is, truly.