[Kallile]

The stores were filled to the brim with shoppers of every race and size--from the smallest Maus to the largest Paragon and every anthro and humanoid shape in between. It was always nice to see so many species out and mingling together like this...even if more than a few tussles over would-be-prized gifts broke out amid the chaos. But this year hardly had her worried about any of that...she had bribed and even hired help this year.

"Come along, boys. This list isn't getting any shorter while we dally behind!" The feminine voice called out over the murmur of the crowds.

Devi held a thin but long list in her fingers, passing by names and items as she scanned for what they could get accomplished at the next store. She had done the Christmas shopping for the Estate since she could remember and her holiday goodies always brought about the best smiles.

"Come now, time's wasting!"

[Kallile]

"Coming, Devi. These bags aren't exactly light..." Roux called, each arm loaded down with no fewer than three bags a piece. It was hard to make out the contents through the thick plastic, but the way the material was stretched told that at least a few of the items held some weight to them. He was never really sure how Devi talked him into these things--he was nervous enough in a crowd and now here he was smack dab in the middle of one. One where everyone was selfishly driven and not all that nice.

For the umpteenth time (he'd lost count an hour ago), a stranger checked him in the shoulder and he nearly dropped the armful of bags. He could feel himself breaking into a nervous sweat as he moved to gather himself and rush back towards Devi.

"Are y-you sure we can't move this t-to online shopping?"

[Kallile]

Roux would soon find that a strong hand helped guide him through the crowd, bringing a rush of blood to the younger man's cheeks.

"Just so we're clear, Devi...this is not typically what I do when I say I'm..."

The woman turned around, giving the handsome fellow speaking to her a stern look. "Alonzo, is it? Darling, I know that you are new to the Estate and that you have a rather unusual job but may I remind you that there are no stipulations to your contract. I hire you for x amount of time, you fulfill whatever I need you to for that amount of time and get paid, correct?" There was no time to answer before she gave a confident smile and turned back around. "Well, you have been hired, and my need-to-be-fulfilled is a secondary set of strong arms to carry all of this. How am I expected to provide a memorable holiday if I have to lug around bags like a common brute? No offense, of course..."

She whirled towards her next target--a high end designer dress shop. Perfect for that little niece of hers who would surely be in her parents wedding soon. If she had anything to do with it...and she would.

[Kallile]

The two men exchanged a glance before Roux couldn't maintain the eye contact and looked quickly to the floor. He heard Alonzo smile (was that a thing? He swore he could just...hear the gesture...) and instantly felt as if he was going to pass out.

"Oh, um...don't mind her. She's always like this. She'll find a loophole if there's one to be found," Roux rattled off in a hushed voice, hoping to get this awkwardness over with. He was never good at socializing with the newcomers. Who was he kidding, he wasn't good at socializing period.

"I'm figuring that out. I've done a lot of thing but be someone's personal bag-boy is a first," Alonzo chuckled. He still had his hand on Roux's shoulder, the shyer of the two noted, until they were safely within the store. There were fewer people in here--being as pricey as it was--and there was no immediate threat of the meek man being run over. "So how did you get roped into this? You don't seem the type...to be in my line of work."

[Kallile]

"Oh, well...Devi is k-kinda my best friend. She's got enough personality for the both of us," Roux laughed nervously, shifting the bags on his arms where they were starting to leave deep indention marks. He wasn't even sure what had drawn the young diva to him as a friend...maybe because he didn't mind that she did most of the talking. "I um...I-I don't have many friends beside her...so how c-could I say no?"

The blue-haired Adonis looked at him and gave a shrug. "People will do strange things for those they care about. I don't think I've ever gotten to properly introduce myself, now that you mention it. I'm Alonzo--I've seen you around the Estate but never had a chance to say hello."

"Oh gentlemen, come hither please! I need someone to hold these lovely gifts while I continue the hunt." Alonzo gave a soft sigh and moved towards her.

"Is she always this demanding?"