citylogs | [closed] catch-all log for December

I am. Practically good as new.

[ That might be an over-estimate, but Hob is definitely getting there. ]

How is she doing?

Practically ... likely not.

She has improved, thankfully. Though ... I believe her recovery will take some time yet.

[ Hob frowns softly. ]

I don't really understand what happened to her.

[ Dream is quiet for a moment or two before he speaks again, his voice quieter. ]

I believe she was taken so that a punishment could be delivered upon her.

But why? What did she do wrong? Did she break a law of the city?

[ Ethan said he didn't hurt Vanessa, and Hob believes him, so what could it have been? ]

For actions she knowingly took upon another.

[ he doesn't elaborate beyond that, but Dream's usually not the type to engage in gossip or share about others. or himself, for that matter. ]

[ Actions she took upon another? Hob's expression becomes more grave. ]

Did she hurt someone?

Perhaps. I do not know of the details in full.

What?

[ That surprises Hob. ]

And if she did? That doesn't bother you?

[ he looks up from his partially eaten pancake to give Hob an curious expression. ]

We spoke of it, in part.

[ So Vanessa keeps things even from Dream? Hob tries not to worry, but his expression is full of it. No, he should put it out of his mind. This is not a conversation he should pursue today, of all days, and he knows Dream isn't going to give him any details.

He'll just frown at his Santa-cake instead. Dream didn't actually answer his question, did he. ]

[ not really, no. as much as he answers such direct questions.

he continues to look at Hob, watching his gaze drop down to the remains of his own breakfast. ]

... That does not satisfy you.

[ Hob looks up at the observation, which is accurate, but he can only smile in a melancholy sort of way. Satisfied or not, he'll get no answers, he thinks. ]

I have something for you. Wait here.

[ Hob leaves his plate and gets up to return to his bedroom. Might as well change the subject, right? When he returns, he's holding a garment sized box wrapped in festive paper and places it on the table. ]

Here. Happy Christmas.

[ his expression shifts to something more openly curious, at Hob's sudden change in subject as well as his apparent need to retrieve something. his eyebrows just rise further up his brow when Hob deposits the box near him. ]

... You procured a gift for me?

Yes, of course.

[ Why wouldn't he? Hob is certain he's not the only one to get Dream a gift. ]

You're very hard to shop for, you know, so you don't have to like it.

I am not one to typically receive gifts for the giving of them.

[ there's a pause as he eyes dart from the wrapped box up to Hob. ]

... I did not get you a gift.

[ Hob's smile widens. ]

I know. It's fine. That's just a small thing.

[ He didn't climb a mountain or battle a dragon to obtain it. Hob reaches for Dream's plate to remove it, as well as his own, since he's pretty sure they're both done with breakfast. ]

[ most of his pancakes remain uneaten, mainly the portions that had the whipped cream. with the area in front of him cleared though, he pulls the box closer, just staring down at it until Hob returns. ]

[ Hob does away with the leftovers and washes the plates. When he returns, he's holding another cup of coffee and leans against the table. Will Dream choose to open it? ]

... You wish for me to open this now?

Traditionally, you open gifts on Christmas day, but you can open it whenever you'd like.

[ Though Hob doesn't know what Dream might need to wait for. ]

Very well ...

[ he starts to open the gifts, not afraid to rip the paper of it but doing so very neatly. ]

[ Hob observes the careful motions as Dream unwraps his gift and sips at his coffee while he waits. He's not really sure what will come as a reaction. It being Dream, he doesn't really expect one.

Under the paper is, naturally, a box. When the box is lifted, there's some tissue paper to unfold, and underneath that is the gift. Hob said it wasn't much, and it's quite simple. It's a fleece throw blanket. Black, of course, and very soft and warm to the touch. It also has a sheen to it, like glossy feathers. ]

[ he takes his time and care in opening each layer, though his hands pause when he finally gets to the gift itself, just for a few seconds. then he reaches out to touch the blanket, lifting it to feel it and see the sheen in the flat's lightning. ]

A bedding cover?

[ Hob chuckles softly. ]

It's for comfort. I know you don't get cold.

[ It's not like Hob forgot. He gestures for Dream to stand, and if he doesn't mind, Hob will help remove the blanket from the box and unfold it. ]

I know you're not people, either, but when they read, people like to be... cozy. Now that we have books again, I thought this would add a bit of comfort to the couch for you.

[ And if Dream doesn't object, Hob will unfurl the blanket, then step closer to reach around Dream, an arm on each side, nearly an embrace as the blanket is opened behind him and the sides are pulled over his shoulders like a cape. ]

There. Like a warm hug, isn't it?

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