text; fleetwide

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

Who: Arthur and you!
Broadcast: Text, Fleetwide (minus one)
Action: On the Red Fish if you want
When: Now


( Filtered away from Syeira )

What makes a good gift for someone special to you? Is giving two gifts within a couple months of each other too much?

Comments

[bythewaves]

It depends on what you are trying to convey, I suppose? And I would not think so.

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

[He pauses for a minute, a bit embarrassed, but answers him with:] I'd like for it to be a treat. She hardly buys anything for herself that isn't practical. Something fun.

...text, which I forgot to mention orz

[bythewaves]

[ Oh ho? Maglor's eyes light up, although Arthur cannot see ]

Ahhh, a gift for a lady. [ Maglor bets he knows which lady ] But something fun... not just a pretty bauble, I assume! Then I would ask - what do you think she would enjoy most doing? I might gift Finrod's sister Galadriel a sword, for example, but she would find that both fun and practical. She was also rather unique in her temperament!

text; I figured c:

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

[Oh damn he probably knows it's Sye now.]

This lady is unique, too. She just got swords, I believe, but she would like that sort of thing. Maybe a small knife? Or I could go for something completely different. She likes books a lot.

<3 permatext

[bythewaves]

If swords she has but recently, I would suggest to go with the second - a good book is always a welcome gift.

<3!

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

That's what I was hoping. Thank you, Maglor. I get nervous about these sorts of things.

[bythewaves]

I am sure she will love anything you bring her, Arthur. But I wish you good fortune in your hunt for a suitable tome!

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

Thank you. I hope so. And I hope you're doing well!

[bythewaves]

Well enough. [ He's still not talking to his brother in a massive sulk, but he'll forgive him soon ]

Better, for knowing you and Syeira do well! I would offer to help, but I think this is something you need to sort yourself, eh?

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

Yeah, probably. To tell the truth, I've been kind of worried what you and Finrod would think of Syeira and me. I would hate it if you disliked the idea.

[bythewaves]

Why would we? You have known her longer than we, I think, and have shown yourself brave and kind and steadfast.

text

[monolike]

I don't think there's a moratorium on gift-giving. I mean, as long as it's not made out to be a big deal or anything. Maybe if it's just something small, like a journal or a trinket?

text

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

That makes sense. I just don't want to seem clingy. I don't know. I'm terrible at this.

That's a good idea, though. Maybe even a sketchpad? She's an artist.

Re: text

[monolike]

That'd be really nice! Especially since paper materials aren't always in ready supply here. Plus it's personal!

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

Yeah! I mean, she's so kind that she would happily accept any kind of gift, but I want it to be nice. Hey, thanks for your help! I haven't given gifts in a while, so this felt intimidating.

[monolike]

It's no problem! Honestly it's not like I go around giving people presents either, so it's not like expert advice or anything. Why haven't you given gifts in a while though? Just haven't had the means?

[revengeofthemordsith]

Why give gifts at all? Isn't your existence enough for this person?

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

Well, yes, I'd like to think so. But I think it's good to underscore your point now and then.

[Which... he totally left his point out of his answer.]

[revengeofthemordsith]

With gifts.

There is no other way to do it? A declaration perhaps?

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

[A pause and then:] Is that weird?

I don't know; I just made a pretty big declaration. It turned out well, but maybe this is me being nervous about it.

[revengeofthemordsith]

I wouldn't know. Mord'Sith don't give gifts.

What did you say?

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

[A longer pause.] What are Mord'Sith anyway?

I told her I love her.

[revengeofthemordsith]

That is usually enough for anyone.

Mord'Sith are trained assassins and fighters.

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[interstices]

Not if the first gift sucked.

Good gifts are ones you couldn't hand off to just anyone else.

text

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

It didn't suck!! It was nice!

So something personal? I was thinking about a book, because she likes to read so much. Or maybe art supplies since she's into art.

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[interstices]

[Such protests. Luckily, Asuka isn't much of a tease.]

This is for your girlfriend, right?

text

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

[Oh. Good job at trying to be vague, Arthur.]

Right. Should I be thinking more romantically?

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[interstices]

You'd know that better than I would.

What did you give her before?

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[dontthinkaboutelephants]

A small statuette of an elephant. I was thinking of strength and loyalty but maybe that was a bit too much symbolism and not enough heart.

text;

[stefanged]

Depends on the person, and no, not necessarily.

What kind of gift are you thinking about, and more importantly, who's it for? A sibling or partner?

text;

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

Partner. I was trying to decide if something pretty was the way to go, or something personal. She's happy about receiving even the smallest gift, so it's hard to tell what she appreciates more.

text;

[stefanged]

Hm. If she appreciates smaller things, then you could continue that trend.

Sometimes, it's the little details. My ex-girlfriend was an artist, so I used to bring sketch paper or colored pencils or whatever I could find planet-side. It wasn't big or romantic, but she loved it all the same because I knew what she liked, you know?

text;

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

Yeah, I think I do. That's great. My girlfriend's an artist, too.

I think you're right. Something small would be good. Something for art or music, or a book, maybe?

text;

[stefanged]

No kidding? If she hasn't been, you should take her to the art studio on the Iskaulit. I've heard it's great for letting all that creativity loose.

[It's what Alex would've wanted, too: for people to use the space long after she was gone.]

Right. It doesn't have to be grand to be thoughtful or appreciated.

text;

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

Oh, yeah! I went there the first day it was opened. I dabble in art, but my girlfriend's way better.

Thanks for the help. I know it seems like a silly thing, but I just want to make her happy. I'm Arthur, by the way.

text;

[stefanged]

My ex and I were the same way. She used to run the art studio, actually. If you feel like dropping by, it should be unlocked - and if it's not, let me know. I'll get the keys for you.

No problem! Your girlfriend's lucky to have you around.

My name's Stefan. Let me know how it goes!

[Because secretly, he's a big romantic sap, and dangit, he's gonna live vicariously through everyone else.]