recolle | [SEMI-OPEN] i can't think of cute lyrics to use.

[ With things being as stressful as they have been in the past few months, it's high time to just do something fun with no clouds hanging over their heads for once. It's only mid-November, but holiday fervor is already in full swing thanks to cheery strings of lights, the season's first flurries, and of course, every store in the city already being 110% decked out in holiday decor and gifts.

There's a lighthearted feeling in the air as Yu, Anya, and Karkat stroll into the mall, shoppers bouncing between stores with bags full of gifts and an enormous Christmas tree at the mall's center surrounded by a cute "Santa's Wonderland" area. It's all very warm and fuzzy feeling, and Yu finds himself smiling as they start their meandering. ]

Santa's here. It's kind of him to come so early in the year.

[ Cheerful and slightly blasé in that way where you can't tell if he's being serious or not. ]

Somehow, I feel as if I'm walking into mortal danger...

[ He muses thoughtfully, rubbing his chin as he and Futaba walk into the arcade together. It's a strip mall arcade, nothing fancy, a relic from the 90s that's somehow managed to survive all this time. Maybe it's the impressive array of arcade machines, with immersive horror shooters and Mario Kart racers, coupled with cute carnival games plus basketball, skeeball, and even air hockey. It's full of lights and the bright happy sounds of video games. It honestly looks pretty kick ass.

But Yu is considering as he surveys their domain. He's never been much of a video game player, but Futaba is and it seemed like a fun thing to do together. But he has a sneaking suspicion she won't have any mercy on him...

Though his comment was made with no particular inflection, there's a smile hidden in the glance he gives her. ]

[ Yu is the kind of person who could be said to be a little too diligent with his studies. Though, really, that's true of anything he applies himself to; he always gives 110%, to the point of overwork. He's not the kind of person who can really allow himself to be idle.

Which is why he's still in the library as of Sunday afternoon, which is quickly fading into evening. He's had his course work done for days, of course. At this point he's just preparing in advance for some end-of-term projects and papers. Which is why he's got an armful of books from the library's extensive archives in his arms as he heads back to his little study burrow in a quiet, out-of-the way spot. He's actually got his nose in the book at the top of the pile, reading as he walks. There's no one really around this time of day, so it's probably--

WHAM!

He had absolutely no hope of not running into whoever he just ran into. With a cut off Yelp of surprise Yu loses his grip on all his books and they all go tumbling to the floor. Flustered beyond belief, Yu completely ignores them in favor of the poor person he just bulldozed. ]

Sorry! I'm so sorry, I--

[ Blink. ]

Ah, you're...? [ that girl from the network. ... the one who wrote a paper about sexy fruit ... ]

[Anya loves the holidays.

Anya loves them so much that her whole demeanor brightens up when they're in the mall. She tries to keep a lower profile when she's in crowded places but not working, her hood still up over her silver hair but it does absolutely nothing to detract from the stars in her eyes and the way that she's excitedly walking a little bit ahead just to admire all the decorations. She turns back to Yu and Karkat and beams.]

Santa is very busy! It is good for him to be here early. He is making time for us. Посещение? Can we visit?

[there's a chance she knows santa isn't real but

do you want to risk being the one to burst her bubble]

[Natalie, meanwhile, probably doesn't have much of a right to be here. At least, she can't take any of these books with her if she leaves, but she figured out in her sophomore year that nobody will ask her to leave if they don't realize she isn't actually a student here.

She's walking with her computer bag slung over her shoulder, looking down at a slip of paper held in her hand that lists a few titles of books she's wanted to read. That means she's entirely unprepared for when someone walks right into her, given that she also wasn't paying careful attention to where she's going.

She's light enough that's she's definitely going down. This is her life now.]

It's cool. Laying on the floor is a natural state.

[She says, as she starts to pick herself up.]

I'm what? I want to know how you were going to end that sentence.

[ karkat is definitely one of those people who complains about christmas decorations going up as early as october, so seeing santa around in november is definitely something he is scowling at. is he a killjoy? fuck yeah he is.

unfortunately.... yu and anya are like the two people in the world he is weakest to, so seeing them excited has karkat torn being going "fuck no" and "UGGGGGHHhhhhhfine" at them. you can practically see the battle raging on within him over this. ]

What, do you want to tell him what you want for Christmas this year?

[ How many times can he bump into people lately?

Quite a few, apparently. Yu is distracted, smiling down at his phone (he's texting Yosuke) on his way out of the house. He notices that the space before their front door is occupied a split second too late to actually do anything about it. So anyway, sorry Yu almost knocked you on your ass, Mako. ]

Sorry! I--

[ And then he registers who it is, and his expression blanks out. ]

... Mako.

Yes.

[ WITH UTTER SINCERITY as he grins at Anya. ]

And we can express our gratitude to him for all the work he does to keep the children of the world happy. It's important to give back to those who give to you, right?

[ is he enjoying the hell out of the fact that karkat is being a grouchy fuck?

yes.

yes he is. ]

[EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

Anya looks back at Karkat with expectant eyes because that's her best bro and her best bro should be at her side for all important things in life, including seeing Santa. It's why she automatically offers out her hand for him to hold so that they can all go see Santa together??]

Santa waits...!

[sorry katya]

[welp, knocked back he goes. But honestly, getting up is the easy part, actually saying something? That's harder. While he had made his peace with Souji, he hadn't talked to Yu since that day on the beach, and for good reason. He'd been doing his best to avoid him.

But when he stands now, he shoves his hands in his pockets and tries to play it cool, though his expression says it's not. It's actually slightly worrying.]

Don't worry about it.

[a pause, as he makes sure he's not blocking Yu in]

... You caught me right as I was going to ring the bell.

Never fear, for I am here!

[ She poses mid step flexing her skinny noodle arm and grins at Yu, bright and happy. ]

We’ll start super simple! Like… [hm. A crane game? Nah, she doesn’t wanna start carrying anything yet. Dance games will tire her out far too quickly and she doesn't want to beat up Yu in fighting games right off the bat sooo… ] Oh! The racing games!!

[ christmas shopping! it's a little early, yes, considering that it's still november and all but if there's one thing that the twins are good at, it's being overly prepared. especially when it comes to shopping for their boyfriends, they have to make sure that their christmas gifts are just perfect so here they are, standing in the mall, looking at all the wonderful things they can get when souji decides to ask a very important question ]

Have you ever considered getting a sexy fish costume for Yosuke?

[ is nonchalantly looking at idk plates or something ]

[ there is a long, thoughtful pause as Yu puts down the nice silverware set he'd just picked up for some reason. ]

... maybe if I wanted him to break up with me and never speak to me again.

But don't you think it'd help him get over his fear of fish? If he associates it with something positive...

[ souji's truly just being considerate ok ]

... he'd probably just make me sleep on the floor until I threw it out.

[ Picks up a set of plates, discussing this v casually like they're talking about the weather ]

That's a shame.

[ souji bends down a bit to take a closer look at the plates and the boxes they come in. he actually needs to get something for tatsuma's grandparents so ]

What are you thinking of getting him instead?

[ UGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and yet he still takes her hand, but there is a flurry of different facial expressions happening on his face right now and none of them are too pleasant. he is definitely the equivalent of an eight year old throwing a tantrum right now. ]

Shouldn't he be doing his job.

[ Grinning from ear to ear, Yu takes this opportunity to step in and hold Karkat's remaining free hand, a gentle, warm grip.

Karkat is now trapped between two very excited silver-haired teens who just want to see Santa. rip in pieces bud ]

I'm sure Santa has time to spare to see any child who wants to see him. Isn't that the magic of Santa, after all?

[ Gives Karkat's hand a subtle squeeze. ]

That's the magic of Santa, after all. Right, Anya?

[ That wins a more thoughtful silence. ]

I haven't decided yet. I'm not sure how I'm going to top the electric guitar I gave him for his birthday. [ A crooked smile. ] Maybe tickets to a concert? Or a nice pair of wireless headphones. At the same time...

[ Yu huffs through his nose, setting down the plates and staring down at them absentmindedly. ]

... I'd like to make something for him, I think. So his gift has a personal touch. I don't know what, though.

[ Yu tries very hard not to clench his jaw, but the way he swallows past it, while subtle, is probably still noticeable. He's otherwise completely expressionless.

Without a word Yu steps to the side to allow Mako entrance, but his gaze falls to one side. ]

... you're close with Souji, aren't you?

Crap. I really should have been paying better attention. Here, let me help you up.

[ He'll offer a hand for her to take, if she likes. Only once she's back on her feet and Yu has reassured himself she isn't actually injured does Yu bend over to start picking up his books. ]

Ah, I meant you're the one I spoke to ... about the sexy fruit paper.

[ just kind of oh so slightly cocks one eyebrow. ]

[ It's wonderful seeing Futaba happy. Every time he does something to make her smile at him it's like the world becomes just a little bit brighter.

While he can't match her sheer wattage, Yu does meet her grin with a proper smile of his own. ]

Racing games it is, then. Ready to eat my dust?

[ Said casually on the way over. Even if his chances of winning are nonexistent, what fun is a competition without a little trash talk? ]

[A pause at the question, since... it's not the one he was expecting to hear? But it's easy enough to answer.]

Yeah. He's... probably my best friend.

[even despite everything. And he was relieved that hadn't changed, in the wake of what happened.]

Да! It is one of many many magics that Santa has.

[LIKE FLYING REINDEER.

Anya's delighted though, humming happily some holiday jingle as she takes the hands of her friends and they wander close to Santa's Workshop.]

He is very busy, it is nice for him to see us all. We should say thank you.

[ karkat sure is now being hand held carried to santa. ]

We can tell him that he is a month early and he needs to stop shitting on the other holidays. Just because everyone cares more about December than November doesn't mean he can goddamn flaunt it.

[ AND YET HE IS still walking. to santa. while complaining about it. amazing. ]

[SEMI-OPEN] i can't think of cute lyrics to use.

➔ KARKAT, ANYA

➔ FUTABA

➔ NATALIE

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i keep looking at that icon and crying

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➔ MAKO

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➔ YA BOIIIIIIIIIIIII

why are you like this

because i love you, accept me

no 😾

why do you hurt me like this 😿

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:*

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