"Well, compared to the guys getting the playing cards and getting put in video games, I just mean I would have gotten kicked out for misbehavior in a way others can't," he explained. That was a superstar thing, and he'd probably have disappointed his family by fucking up, anyway. "Maybe, but they'd still want to get me things instead, especially when there's so many kids in the family. Kids love to give you weird things, it turns out." Kellan smiled over at her. "But you can try it if you want, just not with me. I get people socks."

"Well, you don't really know what would have happened, you could have been one of those that end up on video game covers -- it's one of those what ifs we're not supposed to think about." Leaning forward she took a sip of her drink in her hand, enjoying the taste of champagne. "True, kids definitely love to pick out little things for their favorite people don't they?" she laughed, "So leave it to the parents, the older adults. Throw them out and see what sticks." Though she knew a lot of time people loved taking the time to pick out individual gifts for people. "Socks? I mean who doesn't love a pair of cute fuzzy socks."

Oh, don't sweat it! I'm glad that we could find you something and that you ended up getting good use out of it. Normally as long as you water them pretty well, they stick around as long as you need them to, but I tossed mine to the wildlife not long after Christmas, too. So far, so good. It's been a little slow at the garage, which is nice, since it's been busier at the center. Especially with this storm coming in. Hospital keeping you busy?

Me too, I really was going to give up but glad you had me check a few more out or I would have been absolutely gone with the fake trees. I'm just happy it made it as long as it did, my parents did all the taking care of the tree years ago, so the fact that I kept it going I'm pretty proud of. I was bunkered down at the hospital actually, packed a bag and stayed there on call. It was easier for me to stay there in case of emergencies than attempting to drive in. Will admit those cots don't hit the same way they did in medical school rounds.

It's winter! I find it appropriate until spring. I have not stopped by the studio. Once I got everyone's ornaments done for Christmas, I've been taking a break. I fully support that resolution.

That's what I figured, winter decor is just as good. Will admit after the snow storm I'm counting down till spring. Well, maybe I'll see you there some time, I'm going to try and go at least once a month. Basically in general it's a goal to do more crafty things. I got some of those diamond art paintings for Christmas and have been working on one in between watching shows I'm meant to catch up on, which has been a nice switch up. Cannot wait for this weekend to do some more, after being on call and living at the hospital during the storm. How did you fair with the snow?

How've things been going for you, Sloan? I hope your weeks haven't been all too busy. But I can only imagine your job is never too quiet. Do you have any big plans for the upcoming holiday season?

Things have been busy since getting back to work, taking nearly a month off to enjoy the holidays tends to make things back up and cause me to be scattered for a bit. Seems to be leveling out a little bit though. For the most part I just enjoyed all the different holiday things around town. Did you have a good start to the New Year?

"Well, when you're not all that good at soccer, you have to behave to stay on the team, and then when you injure yourself and have to move back home, you get even more boring." He chuckled. That was the truth, plain and a bit too simple. Though it was easier to admit than the fact that he never really was one for real trouble that wasn't tormenting a younger brother or staying out too late. "Santa knew who was on the good list, that's all, I'm sure it was a well deserved holiday. I kind of wish I got coal, or an electric bill paid, because that seems better than slippers, but my family is big enough to spoil each other rotten."

"Not all that good at soccer, the man that made a professional soccer team? Because that doesn't happen for just any body, but I would imagine that like anything you need to behave because people are always watching." she said, she had only ever played volleyball at the college level, and that had had other complications thanks to her relationship with her coach. Clearing her throat, "I don't know if it's boring or more so just deciding small town life fits." It wasn't something she had expected herself. "Paying an electric bill is an amazing Christmas present, maybe next time just drop your bills you would like paid and your family is big enough they can each pick on and you're good for a month or two." Chuckling because she had been spoiled with all things warm, cozy, and enough to make her a bit more of a homebody.

Joey did love seeing all the people in there club seeing everyone drink and have a good time was best for business but they always did make sure people do get home safe by having uber's outside of there club when they are need. "I said i'm glad the inventory i just did is in order for the week."

glancing at the woman Mavera took her drink off the counter and took a long sip from it. It was nice to take the edge off with a simple drink, she never over did it. “Ah inventory, haven’t heard those words in a long time. Not since I worked my job while going to medical school, think we all feared inventory.”

"I haven't gotten into anything crazy for at least a solid fifteen years," Kellan answered, tipping his own beer back in her direction. He was nursing it for a long while now, the brew a bit warmer than he necessarily liked it, but still drinkable. For now. "You look great tonight, so I'm assuming you didn't get into any bar fights or frost bite in the cold, cold winter?" he joked. "My holidays were busy, full of the whole family running about, but that's how I like it. How about yours, then? Hopefully Santa came to visit."

No? Not even a little bit of trouble in the span of fifteen years?” There was a raise to her eyebrow because even she had managed to get into some trouble in those years but relatively nothing so major that it was necessarily bad trouble? “Bar fights, no. No frost bite either. I do plan to do some outdoor hiking so I mean there’s still time and who better equipped to deal with it then me?” She joked but really she’d be fine. “I was very spoiled by Santa.” Aka her parents, perks of being the only child and with no children as of yet. “Now I’m ready to kick off a whole new year who doesn’t love the idea of a fresh start.” Did it work that way? Not really but the sentiment was nice.

WHO: Cage & OPEN.

If you were to ask her, Mavera was honestly bummed that the holidays had come and gone. It had been one of those blink of an eyes, suddenly the countdown to the days were getting faster and then it was over. Maybe she was struggling with a bit of the post-holiday blues, but she was managing prior to her going back to work on Monday. Today meant running errands, she had done a grocery run, brought everything back and unpacked before going out for a few other things. Now making her way in and out of stores, wanting to prolong the head home and tick down to back to work. Now she popped into Polished Brass not really sure she was looking for anything, as the familiar voice came from somewhere next to her. Turning to spot Cage, she laughed, "Not looking for really anything, also not really got the whole money burning a hole in my pocket, shockingly. I'm just more browsing because you can't really plan what you're going to find or want when coming in here."

Location: Vibrations

New Year, new sense of balance. That was one of the big goals on Mavera's list. Amongst things like bullet journaling, taking up a hobby again, working on a very dense TBR list, and just getting out and enjoying more of the town in general. Today was about getting drinks with a co-worker that she hadn't gotten to catch up with in forever. After ordering a drink she turned just as the woman spoke, "Sorry, what?"

"Smart move." Tyler nodded along with a small smile, allowing the other to order a drink before ordering himself another one. He was free for the night anyway, for the first time in a long time, and it felt awful having it go to a complete waste. The least he could do was get somewhat drunk and maybe make a new friend or two.

"I've been told I'm smart a time or two." The woman grinned towards the man before setting her purse down on the bar, shifting her weight on the seat so that she could speak with him a little better. If anything being more comfortable if he was going to tell her the happenings of what was going on that had him having what looked like a not-so-great night. But, glancing at the clock, the night was still early, there was plenty of time to turn it around, it was the holiday season after all. "Oof, the blind date situations." she grimaced, not because he was mentioning it but because they had all been there before, hadn't they? Or attempted to be. "Sorry, but clearly they are assholes." she shrugged not really holding back because at least drop a text, say you weren't coming, to not waste someone's time. Maybe that was more her issue, people wasting precious time.

Josh felt a small smile tug at the corner of his lips when Mavera admitted that she hadn't had a real tree in years, that she relied on an artificial tree, he knew that it was something a lot of people did. They wanted to avoid the smell, the mess, the potential for bringing… other, unsavory creatures into the house with the tree. But there was something about the classic tradition of going out into the woods to cut down a tree that Josh could not say no to. Even if he really didn't want to bring the creatures inside with him.

"I always had one growing up, but I was blessed that that was more my parents thing to do. They'd make a whole night of it, go pick out a tree, come back, set it up, and I'd be surprised in the morning with a gorgeous tree waiting to be decorated." It hadn't always been traditional, given she knew often kids went with their parents, but it had been their tradition. Given her parents had started with a date at a Christmas tree farm, it made sense that it was for them. "After awhile they all look the same and nothing is jumping out as the tree. Which does that just make me picky?"