TEXT; 001 - locked from laurent

[reticence]

[Faolan is definitely not the sort of person to use the network, not even to respond to it never mind to post to it. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and certainly this is a desperate time indeed.

How do people even usually address posts on this thing? He goes through the last month or so of them before giving up and just flying by the seat of his pants.

You don't even know how many times he rewrote this thing in the first place.]


Let's say, hypothetically speaking, that there was something quite expensive that you had wanted very much, and that someone purchased that something for you when they really didn't have to. Let's say that you could never hope to come up with the money to pay them back in full, but you would like to do something comparable for them for the holidays.

What would you do in such a situation?


[Help him, Retrospec, you're his only hope he desperately needs some advice here.]

Comments

[imaginex]

Hmmm. In that case, how about a gift that focuses on you two spending time together? Or something handmade?

[reticence]

Well. We're not exactly wont for spending time together, but. Perhaps focusing on the quality of that time could be different...

[Considering Faolan works for Laurent as his personal bodyguard. And lives with him. They spend a lot of time together. But that time is not always spent together intentionally.]

I'm just not certain anything I make by hand would be good enough to give as a gift. Not unless I was only looking to get a bit of a laugh from the whole thing...

[imaginex]

Are there any places you know that they enjoy going to? Just going there with the intention to make them happy can make all the difference.

And don't worry, I think your person would appreciate anything, though I'm sure that doesn't make the process easier.

[reticence]

Not off the top of my head but perhaps I can find something. They do like libraries and books and learning and that sort of thing, maybe if I can surprise them by stopping into somewhere like that...

And maybe you're right. If the roles were reversed I'm sure I'd appreciate anything they were to offer me. But it's the fact that this is coming from me that makes the process so difficult, I suppose.

[imaginex]

Maybe find one he's never been to yet, if you think there's any in the area? Make it an adventure. (๑˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ

Yes, I can understand that. It's much easier to receive a gift than give one you're not sure conveys what you want... But the fact you're thinking so hard about it means you'll be okay in the end.

[reticence]

An adventure. Yeah, he. Might like something like that. Especially if there's a book or something at the end of the journey. I suppose that there's really only one way to find out.

Honestly, if my agonizing over what to give him were to guarantee the quality of the gift, then he'd be getting the best present ever this holiday season. Unfortunately for both of us that isn't quite how these things work.

[imaginex]

Oh, he likes books? Is there a specific genre he prefers?

And that's true! But, um, what is that American saying

A for effort?

Something like that!

[reticence]

Crime novels, I think. At least, the only books I've ever seen him reading have been crime novels.

[Which isn't exactly the mood he's going for but you know. If Laurent likes them then he'll go for it.]

And yes, I believe it's something like that. Or at least I've heard Americans say something of the sort.

[imaginex]

[Even Sakura realizes how lacking in romance that sounds. This poor man.]

But what about yourself? I know you're doing this for him, but there should be something for you to enjoy, too.

[reticence]

[Yeah, a crime novel doesn't sound very... Yeah...]

That's why I'm hoping to come up with something good. The idea is that I find something he really appreciates, so that his appreciation of course is my reward.

It's easier said than done though of course. It means that I can't just settle on anything that might be 'good enough'.

[imaginex]

[But he's so obviously going to appreciate anything this man does... Never has Sakura been so confused and yet gotten someone on an empathetic level. The struggle]

Mm well, are there any foods that he likes? You could set up an evening together with his favorite book, foods, and drinks, plus your company.

[reticence]

[It's pretty obvious that by definition of how much effort Faolan is putting into this, Laurent is going to like whatever he gives him. Unless, of course, he gets things totally wrong and it's an utter disaster. Which, knowing Faolan, is entirely possible as well...]

Oh, well. There's an option, yeah. I mean, I don't really know his favorite books, but. Perhaps his favorite music? Music in general? Certainly an evening of good food and drink and music wouldn't go amiss.

[His self-esteem is far too meager to even think of mentioning his company as a positive as well so he lets it go, for now.]

[imaginex]

[Faolan she doesn't even know your name but she will break out the pom poms, don't sell yourself shoooooort]

Yes, that sounds lovely to me! Sometimes the best evenings are the ones where you get to relax with all your favorite things.

[reticence]

They can certainly be some of the most memorable occasions.

Let's just hope that this instance will be for the right reasons.

[And not because he's spilled wine down his front or set the house on fire.]

[imaginex]

I'll be hoping for your success! (๑˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ

You'll do fine, okay? Just be confident.