bakerstreet | the cursed gift meme

the cursed gift meme

THE CURSED GIFT MEME

Everyone loves to give gifts, right? Whether it's for a birthday, Christmas, a wedding shower, or a housewarming gift, it's time to get caught up in the spirit of love, joy, and generosity. Not all gifts are very nice, though. Someone might make you brownies while you're on a diet, or you'll get a gift card to someplace you've never even heard of. And then there are these gifts, the gifts so horrible no one should ever give them...

But for some reason? You just received one. Good luck with that, and try to survive the occasion!

Rules:
1. Post your character and list any preferences you have
2. Use a random number generator to pick a scenario (1 - 5) and a gift (1 - 20) to decide what you're getting! Or...
3. ...Wait for someone to reply and just plot it out. Go nuts!
4. Play nice and have fun. Respect people's preferences and all that.
5. Consider rule 5 a trigger warning? Some of this stuff might be uncomfortable, so please be clear about what you do/don't want!

Possible Scenarios:
1. Someone is upset with you, and they either sent you the gift or delivered it personally. You know who the gift is from, though!
2. The cursed gift is anonymous. It's just a package left on your doorstep, or maybe it was already on your table? Creepy...but friendly! What could possibly go wrong?
3. The gift wasn't mean for you. Maybe you were supposed to deliver it yourself or it just ended up in the wrong hands...either way, you're using it.
4. You bought it for yourself/yourselves! There are some strange things on Ebay, right? And there's nothing wrong with spoiling yourself once in a while.
5. You found it! Finders keepers, losers...are probably better off. Who can resist free?
6. Make your own!

Cursed Gift:
1. Perfume/Cologne: Some people just want to be irresistible, don't they? Whoever uses this gift will find that they're suddenly just that. Only...it might not work well at all. You might only attract animals, or you might attract the opposite of your desired gender. Or maybe even worse, it will work on everyone...too much of a good thing, right?

2. Lingerie: Oh, these look nice. Silky and black, or maybe they're lacey and red? Either way, someone probably wants you to wear them...and it might not be your special someone. Wearing the gift (or maybe just touching it for too long) will make you fall head over heels for the person who gave them to you...even if you hated them before, even if they're disgusting. At least you'll be happy about it?

3. Dollhouse: You're never too old to play with dolls! It's even more fun collecting them, and you're just about to get another one: You! You could end up any kind of doll; porcelain, plastic, rag...you're about to have plenty of time on your hands. Maybe someone will play with you?

4. Board game: This one seems normal...at first. What's this card, though? Go to jail? Well, here come the police, and they just found that body you hid. Oh, this space says "In the jungle, you must wait, until the dice read 5 or 8." Better hope everyone keeps playing, because in this game, reality warps to match what the cards and spaces tell you they do!

5. Rings: Diamonds a girl's best friend, and they look pretty fly on your guy, too. Once you slip your new ring on, you won't be taking it off ever again. Why would you want to? As an added bonus, you're now linked to whoever wears the other ring! You can feel what they're feeling, hear what they're thinking, see what they're seeing...don't get too close, though. You might end up as one...permanently.

6. Cutlery: Everyone can use a good knife every now and then. For cooking, right? Right. Except when you pick up one of these knives, you start feeling extremely angry...extremely violent...they just have to pay for what they've done to you, right? Or maybe you'll take it out on the next person you see...

7. Leather collar: Well, getting gifts for your pet is certainly...normal. Who's to judge? Only, when you pick up this collar, you have the strangest feeling that it's for you instead. Wearing it will make you completely submissive. Maybe you'll gain a tail or two, or maybe you'll wake up the next morning as an alligator. In every scenario, though, you're no longer a person. You're a pet. Enjoy it.

8. Flash Drive: For the computer geek or student in your family! Just use it once, and all of your memories will be nicely stored on it. Good luck getting them off! Funny how some things only work once, huh? Maybe someone can get them off for you, or maybe they're all gone for good. Hopefully, you can trust the next person you see...

9. Camera: Perfect for a party! Everyone needs to upload these to Facebook, pronto. Only...this camera...was there a sixth person in this picture before? Whoever uses this camera will start seeing things they shouldn't. Are they ghosts or illusions? They seem to want you to join them...better be careful, because you're more accident prone than before, too.

10. Toy soldiers: Everyone loves the nutcracker! ...Or maybe not. How about those little green army men? Or those action figures? Play with one of these, and you'll finally have a perfectly sculpted body...of plastic! Complete with a duty to serve whoever owns you, these toys are perfect for those who don't want to play with the dollhouse.

11. Cigars: For the more refined gentlemen and madames on your Christmas list! Except...how odd, these seem to be handed out more often to the younger audience. No matter. Whoever smokes one of these cigars will find themselves aging. Maybe they'll gain a few years of weight, or lose twenty years of their life. It will show, though. Hopefully, being young was fun for you!

12. Pacifier: Haha, what a mature gift. Instead of growing older like the cigar, you're suddenly growing younger just for touching the thing. You won't become an infant (not unless you want to, at least) but you could become a young adult, a kid, a teenager...you might not want to try driving anytime soon.

13. Down Pillow: It's so soft! It's firm, too, somehow...just perfect for anyone. Why would you (yawn) ever want to sleep with anything else? For that matter...why would you ever want to wake up? (Yawn) Sleeping is just...too perfect...wake me never...

14. Red Wine: Everyone needs a drink, especially during the holiday season. It's a bit strange-tasting, though...and isn't that a bit too off-color? This gift is perfect for the blood-lovers, because there's a bit of blood in that glass you just drank. Enjoy the new fangs and the bloodlust, and try to hold onto your sanity. Some might say this is the best gift of all...!

15. Voodoo Doll: Now, this is a cute doll! Don't worry, you're not going to be played with. Just try to keep this doll in a safe place. I wouldn't throw it away if I were you. Ouch! Your cat's fangs are certainly painful, aren't they? Only, the cat is biting the doll, not you. ...Wait! No, Fluffy, no! Don't throw the doll into the fire! Can you be trusted with your own fate?

16. Monkey's paw: Your wishes will all come true, your wishes will all come true~! This thing may be gross, but that million dollars you wished for? Congratulations, you just had someone give you a million dollars...as a result of a money laundering scheme. Enjoy prison. You want to be fit and have people look at you? You might just "wake up" as a mannequin. All of your wishes will go horribly wrong, even the innocent ones.

17. Genie's lamp: It's all about the wishes, isn't it? Only...this lamp is empty. Oh well, guess whoever rubs this lamp will have to take care of that. People who receive this gift will become genies/djinn and serve their masters as best they can...and then the next master...and the master after that...won't anyone free you?

18. Wind Chimes: These are lovely. They make the sweetest sound when the wind jingles them just right...it's a good thing, because it's always stormy out. It's much safer inside, you'll start to realize. Hanging up these wind chimes will make you never want to leave your house again. You can tell what the weather's like just from opening your window and looking...right at those chimes...

19. Scarf: Hasn't it been extra snowy lately? This gift is extremely thoughtful! Wearing something like this will make the cold feel like nothing to you. And...it will make everything else feel like nothing, too. Your sense of taste and smell will slowly vanish, as will your ability to feel temperature or things you pick up with your own hands. Soon, you won't be angry or sad, either...but that's alright. Just let me know--is the coffee hot? Or is it cold?

20. Marionette: An old puppet doesn't make for the greatest gift, but it will certainly keep things lively...because it's alive! It moves when you aren't looking, and sometimes? It moves when you are. It won't be long before it's chasing you, trying to kill you, or turning you into a puppet like himself...puppets are never lonely when they come in a pair.

21. Make your own! There are plenty of awful gifts out there, right?

Original meme credit hateshumans

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Though Yue's expression is just as smooth as ever, giving little of his thoughts away, his posture, the set of his head, the slight lowering of his wings and the way he carefully avoids meeting Reyson's eyes— all of it shows a distinct lack of disdain and stubbornness. One might even say it displays submission, even, as would the hint of color that touches his cheeks at the compliment.

"You're right, of course," he agrees quietly, a small, delighted smile curving up the corners of his mouth. "You don't have to force anything, though. All you have to do is ask."

Okay, this is definitely strange..

Reyson doesn't like to use his ability to read thoughts freely, especially against his loved ones, because there is a certain level of privacy that he likes to grant, and even though some people think so loudly that he can't help but overhear, he does generally practice restraint. But in a situation like this, well -

He reaches out to touch Yue's mind, a gentle brush that dances only over his topmost psyche, but what he finds is - so soft, so yielding, so unlike anything Yue that he has ever felt that it's enough to give him a start. With a quick breath, he settles onto the mattress again, his hands coming to rest firmly on Yue's shoulders as he looks into his face. ".. are you feeling well, Yue?"

"I'm fine, of course."

It is a softer Yue, a Yue without his defenses and icy walls, hazards that must be braved or lowered before anyone can get at all close to him. This is a Yue who will not or can not push Reyson away, one who feels only affection and adoration untempered by pride.

He lifts a hand to trace a light fingernail against the back of Reyson's, wings curving forward and brushing against the edges of his. "Are you not feeling well?"

It's not that Reyson doesn't appreciate this sweetness, this openness - it's a thing he's been attempting to coax out of Yue for years (he is so stubborn, they are so stubborn, the both of them, stubborn and distrustful), and they have come a long way, but..

This smacks of uncertainty, of untruthfulness, and Reyson doesn't like it at all. There must be something with the collar, some - some charm, or curse, or - oh, blast it all, what has he done? Trying not to be distracted by the soft brush of Yue's wings and fingertips, he shakes his head.

"You aren't yourself, this - you're sure you feel all right? No lightheadedness? Dizziness? Perhaps I should take that blasted thing off of you.."

"No, truly, I feel quite well." Yue hesitates a breath before lowering his chin, looking up at Reyson almost coyly through his lashes. "Especially since you're here." And as emphasis, his wings slide against Reyson's in a light caress.

It is not so much a lie as it is a truth untouched, a revelation of his thoughts and feelings that Yue would normally never have allowed. Once he might have been so open, so undefended and entirely honest, perhaps in the place he came from, but never here. Not with Reyson, not even with Victoria would he have lowered his defenses so very thoroughly as he has now.

He's struck a little speechless by his words, and their obvious candor. The openness in Yue's eyes, the sweetness in his voice, his soft, gentle touch -- it's not as if Reyson isn't appreciative of it (the soft, rosy flush to his cheeks and his wide, bright eyes surely says otherwise), but it feels a little like.. cheating. Like he's exposing him unfairly and unjustly, for even if it's what is truly in his heart, these are not things he would have revealed were he in full control of his faculties.

And so Reyson shakes his head, huffing a breath through his nose. "That's it, I'm taking this silly thing off of you," he says in a rush, reaching to slip his hands behind Yue's neck to find the clasp, to squeeze and pull but - hm. It doesn't seem to be budging.

For a moment hurt flickers across Yue's expression, disappointment that Reyson might be taking back his gift, but he doesn't attempt to argue or pull away, only lowering his head to make it easier to reach the clasp. But then the collar doesn't come off— and it seems that it won't come off, for all the tugging and pulling that might be done, and Yue ventures a small, almost satisfied smile.

"I like it where it is," he replies, shy and diffident, tilting his head to rub his cheek against Reyson's arm like some great cat, wings resuming their gentle caress. And he rather does, too. Having it there, the light pressure of it and the softness of the fur lining against his throat, reminds him of Reyson and how much he cares, as well as how much he means to the guardian.

Well, this is a quandary. Reyson frowns in thought, huffing a frustrated breath through his nose as he sits back on his heels, eyeing the collar around Yue's neck as if it's a serpent rearing to strike.

What to do? Clearly, the thing is charmed, and Reyson feels a fool for not realizing it sooner, not thinking that this could happen. Luckily, such novelties sold at the faire are made only to last a certain amount of time - the charm should wear away eventually, but.. who knows how long it might take? And is he going to be able to stomach it? Well, what choice does he have, really? "I'm sure you do," he says at last, relenting, his words a slow sigh of defeat. "But you're going to have to stay here for the night, Yue. At least until this wears off.."

"And you're staying with me?" Yue brightens visibly at the idea, delighted that he might have time with Reyson; such nights are precious indeed, and he treasures each one, but something about this night seems even more so than usual. He leans forward, resting his weight against his hands on the coverlet, edging closer still with hope shining in his eyes.

"It's far too cold out there," he observes, his tone almost wheedling, wings brushing soft and slow against Reyson's feathers. "I don't know that I'd like the thought of you going out in that unless you're properly warm." And though Yue might not have one of the pleasant hearths that the lower rooms do, he does have a nice round stove (which, admittedly, sees use only very rarely, but it is there and ready).

It might be a curse, it might be a charm, but - goodness, it's cute. Despite himself, Reyson finds that he is smiling, warmly, softly, in a way that lights his eyes like soft candles.

".. yes, I'm staying with you," he says gently, through a soft chuckle, while reaching out to brush the hair from Yue's eyes, tucking it tenderly behind one ear. "Goddess forbid anyone else should get ahold of you while you're like this." No, better to play the babysitter. Reyson isn't certain whether or not this submission is centered around him, but it would be unwise indeed to let this impressionable Yue loose into the masses. "Besides, the moment you come to you're going to hate me for this, so it's best I take advantage of you while you're still sweet, hmm?"

Yue tilts his head at Reyson's touch, nuzzling lightly against his hand with a delighted smile. Being here, with him, is so pleasant that Yue simply can't imagine wanting to leave, wanting to find anyone else, even if it doesn't quite make sense what "like this" is suppose to mean. Like himself?

No, it doesn't matter. Not if Reyson doesn't want to explain. Best not to do anything that might spoil the mood, even if it simply involves asking questions.

He edges a little closer, head lowered as he peeks up, looking as though he feels shyly daring. "I couldn't hate you," Yue insists, with an almost mischievous little quirk to his smile that dares Reyson to take advantage all he wants.

Honestly. How is he meant to handle this?

Were he a worse sort of person, he would take advantage of this. He'd use Yue like a pretty little puppet, force him to do something embarrassing and oh, it's surely tempting, if only to have something to tease him about later, but - no. No, he cares for Yue too much to do such a thing, however smartly gratifying it might be to make a fool of him; though honestly, while he's like this it would hardly be gratifying at all. It's no fun if he isn't aware enough to pout about it.

"Oh, I don't know about that," he counters, with a sharply cocked brow, tapping the end of Yue's upturned nose with the tip of his index finger. "You've sure given me a fair argument to the contrary, on more than one occasion.." Oh, the arguments, the rows they have gotten into in the past; it's a wonder they never took the tents down with them, in their fits of temper. It makes him chuckle to think of now, while Yue looks at him with those eyes, so sweetly, so plaintive.

"Well, I couldn't." Yue wrinkles his nose slightly at the tap and works himself a little closer still, until there is no space between them at all. "No matter what I might act like."

And truly, he couldn't. There are very few people indeed within the Faire boundaries that Yue even cares to share the time of day with, and those he is close to...well, no matter how irritated he might become, no matter what kind of conflict the two stubborn birds might have, his feelings wouldn't, couldn't change. It is, after all, why he stays so distant from most— those he cares about are those most capable of hurting him, and had he not cared he would never have bothered to engage in such rows. Such behavior, though, seems so distant now, odd and inexplicable, as though the memories came from some half-remembered dream.

He shakes his head to dismiss those thoughts. "And I think I've given you even more evidence to support it. Wouldn't you say?"

"Of course you have, but --"

Reyson hesitates. There's no explaining it to him really, not while he's like this, and so at last he simply shakes his head. "Well, nevermind, it's no matter. I'm glad to know it, either way."

And goodness, but he's like a needy kitten, isn't he? Nudging in closer and closer until he's filling the space before him, until there is nothing else but Yue and that's - well of course, fundamentally speaking that isn't at all a bad thing but he still can't shake this .. guilt. But he smiles, at least, gently, and lifts his arms to pull him in close, a soft chuckle sounding in his throat like a silver bell.

"I could never hate you, either."

And just like the needy kitten he resembles, Yue immediately settles his head just under Reyson's chin, nuzzling contentedly at his throat with a sound that might even be described as resembling a quiet purr. He is entirely delighted to have Reyson with him, to be able to spend time together and enjoy the company, the comfort of his presence. It's so easy to become lonely in this place, surrounded by people who look, think, act in ways unlike his own, to drift into the dreamy half-doze in which he spends his time, but Reyson always challenges that, gives him focus and sufficient warmth to stave off the chill.

"No?" he murmurs, voice soft and entirely unguarded, the question lilting into a contented sigh. "I'm glad to hear that. But whyever do you think I could? Maybe if you decided you have to leave right now..."

He's teasing!

Probably.

Probably...

At any rate, Reyson only rolls his eyes, then lifts them skyward in thoughtfulness. Yue certainly is malleable this way, so sweet and warm and entirely different from the cold sharpness that Reyson is accustomed to. It's not as if he hasn't caught glimpses past his façade, it's not as if Yue has never let him in close before, but it's always been a fleeting thing, brief and sweet and even then, still guarded somehow. But this complete openness? This almost subservient sweetness?

He could never have expected it. And it's.. reminiscent, somehow, it reminds him of.. of something.. of an old memory, perhaps, the nostalgia of.. someone..

But it's no good, he can't remember, he can never remember. With a low hum, he rests his cheek against Yue's temple, carding his fingers listlessly through his hair. "Tell me, Yue.." he ventures, after a moment, almost afraid to ask, as if this is some betrayal - ".. what you truly think of me? Why do you keep me around, even when we do not get along?"

Why does he keep Reyson around? It seems more like the opposite, really— Yue is limited in his movements, after all, and Reyson is the one who chooses to come to him, time and time again. It is his choice to give the two of them time together, to bring his life to intersect with Yue's, who must accept whatever he is given.

After a slight pause to consider that, then discard the half-formed idea of arguing, instead closing his eyes comfortably at the feel of fingers sliding through his hair. "Because we do not always get along," he replies softly. "Because you are the most like me of anyone in this place, and yet so different. You have a fire to revive me, to remind me of life and warmth, when I might otherwise forget, or fade into loneliness. Because you are not so afraid of what I can do that you will not stand up to me."

He hesitates, sighs, and nestles a little closer as though seeking the warmth he had spoken of. "Because you are you, and you are beautiful, and the moments when we are together like this are worth any number of arguments."

It's.. more than he had been expecting, really. Especially from Yue. And the collar may have made him softer, and sweeter, but there is no lie in his voice, and Reyson can't help but be sure that this is the way he feels, genuinely, fully.

For a moment his fingers pause in Yue's hair, hovering as he loses himself in thought, in wonder. To think that anyone in this awful place could ever feel such fondness for him is.. well, wonderful, truly, but also a little jarring. How lucky they have been, to find one another. Reyson swallows thickly, then winds his finger around a pale lock of Yue's hair. ".. I'm glad to hear it. You're too good to me."

"No, it's only the truth." There is a hint of worry in Yue's voice, a plaintive sound not quite a whine, distress that Reyson might think he is exaggerating or speaking falsely. He had simply answered the question as best as he could, and the idea that it might be too good...well, that is patently ridiculous, for all the reasons given.

For all his distance Yue needs closeness, needs it even when he does not wish to, and in Reyson he has met a good match for himself— not someone exactly like him, but someone who complements him, gives him what he cannot provide for himself. The only question is whether or not Yue deserves to be around Reyson, in his mind, and he counts himself very fortunate indeed to have this relationship.

Even that silly little whine is enough to make Reyson feel a little guilty - Yue feels almost like glass right now, fragile and sweet and sensitive, and Reyson has always been such an abrasive thing, it's so easy for him to bruise feelings without really meaning to..

But he shakes his head, and sighs. "I know, I know," he complies at last, while winding both arms completely around him, to hug him close in an attempt to dispel any clinging worries. "You're being silly. Don't worry so much about how I feel; I won't ever leave you, so it doesn't matter."

The embrace is warm and comforting, and Yue immediately relaxes again with a sigh of contentment. Asking him to stop worrying is the next thing to impossible, but such a promise is worth enough to overwhelm his concerns, something to hold to when he's by himself. As long as he's never truly alone then he will be fine, and he will simply continue waiting until Reyson returns.

"I'm sorry if I upset you," he says quietly, nuzzling against the soft, pale skin of Reyson's throat as though seeking forgiveness for being so silly and insecure. "It was just so lonely here, before you came."

"You didn't upset me," he replies quickly, attempting to keep the impatience from his voice. But he is not impatient with Yue, he is impatient with himself for continuing to be so blasted clumsy. Is he truly so terrible at being kind, and reassuring?

But to hear Yue admit something so openly --

Reyson turns his head, presses a warm kiss to his temple. He knows what it feels like, to be lonely, to be left behind - or at least he thinks he does. It resonates within him, when Yue admits as much. "How long were you.. here? Before me?"

"A few years." Yue sighs, eyes closing at the press of lips against his skin. "I was so lost. Confused. Victoria...she adopted me, I suppose. She protected me until I could manage for myself. Without her I might have simply gone mad, alone as I was."

It had still been so strange for him, he had been so strange. So odd, amidst the humans who populated the Faire. And then...

"But then you arrived." Once again his wing brushes against Reyson's, illustrating his point. "You...were like me. At last, I wasn't alone."

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the cursed gift meme

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