it's beginning to look a lot like christmas. . .

[skincares]

Who: Carmilla and you!
Where: All around Shehui.
When: Days 161 - 167
Open/Closed: Open! Very open! HMU at goatsong if you want a prompt that's not here! You can never be late ;^)

Warning for potential NSFW.

(A) - COINS!

(1)
[In the end, Carmilla acquiesces to doing menial work. She's unhappy about it -- what noblewoman wouldn't be aghast at the situation? -- but she understands what she has to do. Money is power and money is what will keep her here. Even if she must submit to tasks she openly and spitefully disdains, she'll lose less face than if she were kicked out. Throughout the week she can be seen working some less labor-intensive jobs, though it's clear her heart isn't into it. She doesn't seem keen on paying close attention to detail. If anything, she seems to be taking a lot of breaks?! Hopefully you aren't her coworker.]


(2)
[--and, if you're lucky, you may catch her at Coins!

The casino isn't where you'd expect to find such a cranky woman, but she must find some other way to amuse herself, now that fighting and killing are options beyond her. She makes sure to dress up whenever she goes out. Carmilla doesn't have much choice in attire so she keeps it simple: a coat (most likely furred) with some manner of high heels that click loudly as she walks. Her favorite seems to be the poker. Classic. If you happen to be about and you pass by her table, you may catch her watching you. Meet her gaze and she'll only give a small smile before glancing at the seat beside her.

The invitation is clear.

Will you play?]

(B) - ANMUNG TOWER

[... someone is doing a little late Christmas shopping. Carmilla can be seen comparing gifts, though what she picks out looks more suited for an entourage of dancers than actual clothes...? There's no way someone would wear something so gaudy in real life! One of the stands is selling a polka-dotted clown costume. Carmilla pinches its sleeve, lifting it ever so slightly with a wrinkle of her nose.]

My. This is hideous. Yes, I think this will suit them just fine.

[... who exactly is she shopping for...? Shouldn't you put more care into gifts?!]

(C) - CAT CAFE? CAT CAFE.

[If you're visiting your local cat cafe, you'll notice that some weird, white-haired woman has been lingering outside like some pale ghost. She doesn't stand there. Of course not. That'd be too obvious. But she's definitely passed the premises at least three times in the past half hour. She fakes being interested in a pamphlet or in the scenery, but as she passes by she will always sneak a glance into the cafe.

... could it be that she wants to come in...?

Oh! It seems as though she's finally stopped in front of the cafe's menu. But judging by the look on her face, she's awfully conflicted. Why?]

(D) - SANTA, BABY - POSSIBLE NSFW OPTION

[Escorts were an overlooked population. Nobody liked to talk openly about sex work -- not unless you were crass or shameless or both. There's no law against it but Carmilla knows the shame frequently assigned to the communities. Those who recognize her may start to see her heading towards the red district-esque areas of Shehui. It's never for the company offered. If anything, she seems to take more interest in the shops. Particularly those selling BDSM gear. After some time, she's struck up some form of acquaintanceship with one of the shop owners. If you're in the area (for whatever reason), you'll spot her chatting freely with said owner, looking absolutely comfortable as they discuss this and--]

These decorations are heinous.

[So saying, she puts a hand on the large cutout Santa in front of the shop and gives it a push, just to show her disdain.

Better watch out for kinky Santa! Don't let him hit you!

ooc: if you want the nsfw option mention it in the comments and i'll pp you to work out the details!]

Comments

C

[ensorcel]

[ idc if our last threads not done cats are my life ok it's been scientifically proven that all nohrians are cat people, so once camilla made sure a cat cafe wasn't a place where cats were, well, you knnow, she penciled in a time to visit it on her day off. being a barista is...hard work... she doesn't hate it, but if she had the choice between eating a spoonful of dirt and going to work, the dirt would look very appealing.

so when she arrives at the cat cafe, she looks as happy as someone with half their face covered can. as she turns to look at the menu, the day only gets better because here's her wonderful new mentally stable friend!!! ]

Why, Lady Carmilla! What a wonderful surprise! Are you here to see the cats and kittens as well?

[ she hardly notices carmilla tsuning the heck out, and is doing that thing where people stand really close to you and kind of herd you into a place so you feel socially obligated to go with them because it'd just be weird and awkward if you didn't. into the cafe they go... ]

Come come, why don't we spend time together here? My treat, darling.

[ tl;dr they go inside im sorry this tag is a novel ]

c, Jumin→Hibiki→Carmilla

[yancat]

[Even the nerdiest of nerds know how to relax. It's no secret that Jumin and Hibiki go to the cat cafe every once in a while to spend time and recharge with their favorite sort of company. Jumin wears one of his rare, gentle smiles as he strokes the cat resting on his lap.]

Black velvet coat with speckles like stars—Midnight is a beautiful name for a cat like... [Okay, no. He was trying to have a good time here, but something is off and he can't ignore it anymore. He glances at the door before turning his attention to his companion.]

Hibiki. Do you know the woman who's been lurking around the entrance for the past five minutes? [He does, of course. But does Hibiki?]

b

[mesmerevenant]

[ Also out and about trying to figure out secret santa gifts now he's earned some money, plus finding some extra clothing for himself, Carmilla catches Jun's eye as a familiar (if not blurry) face.

Then he sees just what she's considering. ]

... does someone really have that bad taste?

b because their first meeting went so well

[teratias]

[This gift giving thing was really annoying. Waver didn't mind the concept, but buying for strangers? What the hell, why does a government want to make that happen?!

Still, Waver's shopping for his giftees mostly to avoid seeming like a giant dick. His bent is practical (winter goods, like scarves and gloves and hats), and he's about on his way to the register when he sees....

...her.]

Shit!

[He stops dead in his tracks, eyes wide and face pale. And then he realizes he just reacted out loud, and will probably draw the crazy lady's attention.

Crapcrapcrap.]

A2

[skiouros]

[Eizen remembers her face. The lingering look he gives her, as well as his approaching the table, is his acknowledgment of this fact.

Not one to back away from something resembling a challenge, he slides into the vacant seat beside Carmilla. He's used to losing where occidental cards are concerned, and losing or winning doesn't matter to him much. But who knows—maybe Shehui will surprise him again.]

I didn't peg you as the gambling type.

B

[reckoner]

[ Guard work at Anmung Tower tends to keep him just outside one of the entrances, or circling the floors. On occasion, however, the task is more targeted. With the gift exchange initiative, and the holiday approaching, concerns about theft in certain stores are on the rise. Or, they must be. Crime seems to remain more fable than reality in the city, but he's been assigned to this store.

It would be more dull work, but he's been able to divide his attention between looking for suspicious activity, and attempting to gauge the intended recipient for items selected. In particular, if they match what a teenaged girl might like. These days, he's far removed from those considerations, and it's a useful exercise to crosscheck his taste (or estimation of taste) against.

So, he's paying more attention than he might otherwise have to the woman picking at the costume. Beyond the initial start to see white hair, styled like that -- for a moment, a fleeting, deeply chilling shock, he'd thought he saw Carta.

Not Carta, but as strange, if in a different way. He shouldn't engage, given his position, but... ]

Are they a member of the circus?