Here comes santa claus!

[callmeemily]

The holiday this year is so incredibly different than the last.

Last year? Raleigh was holed up in the boarding house, no one in 300 miles but her shitty boss knew her name, and she was so poor that she was eating rice, beans, and leftovers from the Seaside bakery.

This year, everything's changed. Orchard House is chugging along astoundingly well; Raleigh puts in long hours, but it's paying off. She's been able to hire somebody else to work the register, she's getting custom orders - the whole thing. She has friends. Honest to god friends, and she's got enough money that she's actually got presents for people. For a lot of people - it's a mix of cookies and things, but there's a little something for everybody piled on the table in the back corner, and one mass-text later she's humming through the bakery, music playing from the speakers, warm cider in a carafe, and everything's warm and cozy.

She looks at it, at this business that she's made with the help of this whole town, and she can't help but smile. Tonight? Spending tonight with friends and found-family? That's what this whole thing's about.

Gathering post! Raleigh will tag everyone who tags in, but feel free to tag one another, too. :) It's up to you if they have gotten a text, or just heard the music and seen the crowd. Everyone'll get something!

Comments

[goesdownsmooth]

Jameson lets out a surprised laughs as he reaches out to grip the girl's shoulders, momentarily steadying her before either of them are gifted with wine stains on their clothes tonight before offering a wide smile. "You don't say?" he retorts, a playful look apparent in his eyes as they crease at the corner. "Not a problem, if anything was on my wishlist this Christmas Eve, it was to get trampled by a stranger."

He's only teasing, and he hopes that's obvious as he releases her and takes a small step back to give her some space. Jameson thinks he's maybe seen her around before, but he's not sure where and definitely doesn't know her name, so he holds a hand out for her to take with his amused smile firmly intact. "I'm Jameson, by the way. In case you like to know the names of the guys you nearly demolish during the holiday season."

[remotecontrol]

If Charlotte is skilled at anything, it's recognizing sarcasm. She uses it herself on a daily basis, after all. Even if she didn't, though, the smile her would-be victim is wearing is enough to clue her in to the fact that he isn't actually that upset. Which is great, because the last thing she needs is to get a reputation for antagonizing men at Christmas parties.

"I do actually keep a list of all my victims, so that's very helpful of you, thank you." She extends her hand to shake. "I'm Charlotte."