002 | Text

[heliophilic]

ImPorts are on here saying they can't find places open today. Some of the locals want you to know that's not the case. Here's a list of locally-owned businesses that are open today and would love your money:

[He includes a list of various places open in each porter city, including at least one movie theater, one bookstore, one place to hang out, one bar, and five restaurants, though in most cases it's more.]

Research is your friend, kids.

Comments

[sidecars]

Gosh, you're a convenient sort

[heliophilic]

More like I asked a bartender if he happened to be open today, and after he found out ImPorts were looking for places still open, next thing I knew I got several dozen texts from other owners looking for free advertising.

[sidecars]

Ah so this isn't exactly a project forged out of the kidness of your heart
Well still! Thanks
Where are you going for Christmas?

[heliophilic]

I didn't say that
I could have just ignored them and not compiled them into a neat list for you
I'm just saying I didn't exactly go door-to-door here

Nothing. Don't celebrate Christmas

[sidecars]

Uh huh

Oh
That's a bit of a downer
Not even going to crash a party?
Good fooooood!

[heliophilic]

I have takeout in my apartment
All is merry and bright


That's how the song goes, right?

[sidecars]

You know what's merrier and brighter though?
Eating someone else's food

[performance]

Nice holiday advertising.
Which one are you hanging out at?

[heliophilic]

None of the above

It's just me and my apartment today

[performance]

Well that's boring.
Where do you live, anyway?
I got you presents.

[heliophilic]

That's a complicated question
The short answer is anywhere
You really didn't have to

[performance]

I know I didn't!
That's what makes it a gift and not taxes or human sacrifice.
And that's very unhelpful.

[heliophilic]

But human sacrifice is my favorite

Where are you again?

I want to send something to you

[rathercommon]

Good list. And remember to leave GOOD tips, everyone. Speaking as someone working today.

[heliophilic]

Not a Christmas person, Kitty Jones?

[rathercommon]

Not much of one. It's all terribly gooey and sentimental for my tastes. You don't seem so much of one yourself, either.

[heliophilic]

It's much too normal and out of my wheelhouse for my tastes

[rathercommon]

I think that's about how I feel, too. Nothing WRONG with it. Just a bit too normal. So why not work, so that people it matters to can have the day off?

[heliophilic]

No judgement here
I'd much rather work than celebrate a holiday myself

[alcheregis]

Aren't you just a saving grace! I'll do my best to visit them all. Who should I let them know is their gracious patron?

[heliophilic]

I just put out the word imPorts were bored and the list came to me

Name's M

[alcheregis]

Goodness, if only everything came to us so easily! But I'm glad that you didn't go out of your way for it, and I'm sure people will appreciate the information.

Nice to meet you, M! My name's Haen. Not quite as abbreviated as your name, but not lengthy either! Did you choose yours?

[ She can literally make conversation out of anything. ]

[heliophilic]

[...."Goodness?" Did this woman escape from a Disney cartoon? Do people actually talk like this? M is intrigued.]

It's just a matter of knowing who to ask.

Most people don't feel like calling me "Midnighter" when I'm out of the outfit, so I just shortened it.

[alcheregis]

[ Haen typically tailors her speech to whomever she's talking to, beyond the general rambling style that's her hallmark, but she'd find M's thoughts humorous if she'd known. ]

And that's a skill all in itself!

Why not? Midnighter is so striking! Which do you prefer to be called? And... outfit?

[heliophilic]

I suppose.

Saying "costume" seems like I'm talking about halloween.

[Rather than try to explain it further, he just sends her a picture of him in costume. (Sadly he's not quite as acrobatic in the actual picture, just kind of standing there.)]