Chapter Text
I.
Beau knows most people don’t expect her to put in the effort of gift wrapping. And yeah, they’re kinda right. She’s never understood the real purpose of putting fancy, overpriced paper around a fancy, overpriced gift when you’re just going to tear it all off. Beau’s loudly expressed this in the past, she’s sure.
But it had been Nott’s birthday two weeks ago, and she’d shown up with some whiskey half-wrapped in an old take-out bag. That had been a new low (even for her) and now she wants to make things sort-of-right. Beau didn’t think Nott had cared, but a look from Fjord really vacuum-sealed the guilt in.
She punches on the parking brake and hauls the bag of Winter’s Crest gifts out of the car. It’s a fair bit before the holiday, so the mall isn’t insufferably crowded. Still, Beau feels cornered as she ducks between people, a little on edge from the fluorescent lights and the manufactured cheer.
One of the larger department stores has exactly what she’d been hoping for. A small counter, white surface gleaming, with bolts of gift wrap affixed to the wall like a diner’s neon sign. There’s not even anyone around.
Beau had tried to wrap her own gifts, she really had. But no one had ever taught her how to fold the paper to get those ruler-sharp corners, or to use anything better than newspaper. And fuck it, she wants these gifts to look damn nice.
The problem is, there’s no one at the counter. A quick head swivel confirms there’s no employees in sight, either. Maybe it’s not open today?
Beau dumps her bag on the counter anyway. At the back wall there’s another polished workspace, with a tall glass vase balanced to the side. It’s filled with those little chalky candy hearts, making a cute decoration. Beau peers over to get a better look--
--and nearly collides with a bright blue head suddenly popping up from the floor. As it is Beau is just in time to not have her nose broken by sheep-like horns, a round freckled face, a pretty lacy dress.
The tiefling chirps a “Sorry!” and heaves the bolt of wrapping paper to the counter. She’s clearly a head shorter than Beau, but surprisingly buff. Beau is tongue-tied. Her emotions immediately start fleeing in different directions.
“Sorry to keep you waaaaiting,” the attendant drawls, because on further inspection she does have a small employee badge. It reads Jester! in loopy, dotted handwriting.
Beau is a goner before she even makes eye contact.
“Are these your gifts?” apparently-Jester asks, unperturbed by her silence. Her tail flicks out behind her and she points with it to a small sign listing prices. The tail has a pastel pink bow, and the tip is shaped like a heart that’s had its sides gently smushed. Beau is so glad she put the bag down, judging by the suspicious lack of strength in her arms.
“Oh! Yeah, I’m here for the, the payment. The gift wrapping service. That’s what you do, right?” Once her words are back they all come spilling out.
“Uh-huh!” Jester eyes the large bag sagging a little off the counter. “Are these all for Winter’s Crest?”
“Yeah, I’m trying to get a leg up on things.” Beau begins pulling the individual gifts out. Some of them are a little oddly shaped, she hopes that’s not a problem.
Jester honest-to-god winks at her. “Well you have definitely come to the right place! We have all these paper selections, and then some pretty bows, and if you want I can even write out the ‘to and from’ part all fancy.”
Beau nods, already deciding she’s going to stay here as long as she can get away with. Plus, she’s got some money to burn, it being the holidays and all. Might as well go all out on the only people remaining that she cares about.
Beau gnaws at her lip and slides over the first present, the one that looks easiest to wrap. It’s just a box of thick paper, nicked from the Cobalt Soul archives, but she knows Caleb will like it.
Jester guides her through the process of choosing wrapping paper. At first Beau thinks her level of cheer is an act, a nice face for the retail customers. But there are little moments of candor that slowly convince her that no, she really is just this peppy. Or she’s a good liar. Jester seems candid, even when deciphering how to wrap the whittling tools that are for Yasha. In the end they decide on a little envelope, Beau apologizing for not thinking of it beforehand.
“Oh no no, it’s fine!” says Jester. “It’s a good set, I’m sure she will be very happy. So who are these all from?” The last part is spoken a little quicker, a little less polished. There’s some gleam in those purple eyes.
“Beauregard,” Beau replies without thinking. “Or, or Beau, but I think I want to write those out… myself.”
Instead of replying, Jester just reaches into the pockets of her dress and pulls out several metallic pens. They’re pressed into Beau’s callused hands, her polished talons gently pressing against the thick skin.
“Those aren’t part of the charge,” says Jester. “But I have them so you can use them if you want.”
Beau ducks her head and begins to address the presents, trying to hide the faint blush that’s overtaking her face. Part of her is horrified that she’s blushing, part of her just wants to get this girl’s number.
Would that be alright? No, Beau decides. But maybe later. After all, she’s still got a couple presents left to buy.
Beau awkwardly slides the pens back and mumbles a “Thank you.” If she’s coming back here, she doesn’t want to fuck up now.
Jester is artfully arranging all of her presents in one giant gift bag, and tying a sparkly bow on top. Beau is also pretty sure that’s not part of the service.
As she takes the bag, Jester suddenly perks up again. “Oh, wait wait! These are complementary.” She turns to the back counter and sticks her whole hand in the small vase of candy hearts. “You can pay now,” she calls over her shoulder.
Beau goes through the ordeal of the chip reader while Jester rifles through the little sweets, apparently particular about this small thing.
She whirls back around with a flourish and tucks a candy heart, wrapped around a receipt, into Beau’s bag. She has to lean over the counter to do it, and her arm brushes’ Beau’s coat.
“All done!” Jester beams. Beau’s mind once again goes blank. She stands there stupidly. For too long.
Jester’s smile turns a tad forced. “This is like, the end of the transaction you know. I don’t have anything else to do unless you have more presents.”
“I will,” blurts Beau. “I mean, I’ll definitely see you again.” She catches the edge of that sentence and returns to her air of confidence with some mental effort. “I’ve got a couple more people I’ll be, uh, buying things for. So I’ll probably see you in a… week or two….”
This time Jester’s smile is different, less neon-sugar happy. It’s softer. Cotton candy, maybe. Beau manages a smile back, though she isn’t sure what it looks like.
“I will see you then, then!” Jester laughs. Beau nods and waves goodbye on her march out of the store.
-
There’s a little chain coffee shop next to the department store, out of sight of the gift counter. Beau darts in as soon as she can, pressing her back to the wall.
That was the cutest experience she’s ever had. What was that? Why did a random blue tiefling make her so tongue tied?
Almost of its own free will, her hand reaches in the bag and comes out with the tiny “complementary” candy heart. Amid the noise of the café, Beau stares at the blocky message printed on its surface.
CRAZY 4U
The blush rises high in her face. Next time.