That time of year again (Gianna)

It was december already. He’d only noticed because the elves had put up garlands of greenery remenicient of home around the entryway and up the winding stairs and balconies that worked their way through the center of the house. That had been the first week of course, which the children had come to realize meant it was nearly christmas. Their little squeals of delight as they ran down the halls, brought a faint smile to his lips while he was in his office, where the elves had not bothered to decorate at all. In some ways he wondered if the only reason he bothered with the holiday was for the kids, but guiltily the welsh wizard couldn't help but wonder if he was also trying to fake some semblance of normalcy for the outside world.

By the second week, there were firefly-like glittering lights inside the garlands, and other decor around his home had started changing. It was at this point, that Iago realized he should probably stop procrastinating and actually get presents for his children, sisters, and he supposed, Gabriella’s step daughter, though he couldn’t really remember her name. But she was a 3rd year at hogwarts. And a slytherin. But he should hopefully be able to figure something out… unfortunately the Costellos had agreed to take the twins today, and he wouldn’t have time to write Isabella’s cousin begging for help finding a gift for a thirteen year old girl.

Getting the twins ready was easier today than usual, which for him was strange, because Lara wasn’t there to help. She’d gone to the Vineyard for some much needed rest, and so she could work on her painting. The abstract style she’d been developing despite her shaking hands was doing wonders for her self esteem, and Iago was glad to see both of his sister’s improving. “No Fin… thats her left shoe.” Iago smiled as he pulled his own shoes on, watching his young son trying to help his sister buckle her shoes. Of course, that meant getting them on the correct feet. That was an issue they were still working on. But the three of them managed to get their shoes on in a timely fashion, and Iago helped button their little coats, before offering them each a hand.

It wasn’t a far walk to the bookstore, but the twins enjoyed it. Particularly because their favorite Gelato place was right on the way. Today however, Iago had gotten them out of the house early enough that it hadn’t opened up yet. “It will be open later. Maybe Silvano will take you after lunch.” he smirked a little to himself, throwing his cousin under the bus quite readily.  Seeing how quickly the twins agreed to this, and took it almost as a promise, the father started to feel a little guilty. Though not enough that he didn’t hand them each a few sickles before they got to the door, and explained that those were for Gelato, and ONLY if they ate all their lunch first. Not that iago’s grandmother would actually listen to that…

He stopped and held the door open for a pretty dark haired witch to pass through before him, nodding politely with both children held in one hand to keep them from pushing past her. He couldn’t help but notice the striking blue of her eyes as she passed, musing to himself that she was precisely the sort of woman he might have flirted with if he hadn’t had his children in tow. But of course, the moment they passed through the doorway, all bets were off and they took off running towards the back, which would lead to the actual home where part of the Costello family lived. “Be careful! No running! Do NOT trip your sister to get there first!” he called after them in english, wincing a little. Lovely first impression he’d made, not that he was trying to impress the woman He gave her a faint smile, as she was apparently the only customer in here at the moment, and his children had nearly run her down. he gave a bit of a shrug, looking around for whichever cousin was supposed to be minding the front.

Christmastime was always a combination of something she liked, and something she didn't like as much– shopping, and shopping for other people.

Gianna wasn't selfish, not by a long shot, but it's still rather sad to see her hard-earned money go to pretty things that she couldn't take home for herself. Well, it was her hard-earned money this year. Previously it'd been her parents' easily-inherited money. Focus, Gia, she said firmly to herself, just think of all the happy faces when they receive their presents! That'll make all this trouble and effort you're going to in making sure everyone gets a thoughtful, personal gift, completely worth it! She passed another shop window with impossibly cute boots on display and sighed. Almost completely worth it.

She wasn't going to skimp out on presents though! This year, more than anything, she was going to make A Point. Yeah, sure, Christmas was about being selfless and giving, blah blah blah, but this was also the year she could prove everyone wrong! She's been the 'charity case' of the Regan family for ages, the spoiled one without any means to take care of herself. Well, no more. Gianna was financially independent now, and she was going to buy everyone presents with her own money. There was just one problem.

Everyone in her family had ridiculously expensive taste.

Ok that wasn't entirely fair. Her siblings probably didn't need a nice gift at all. But sadly, she didn't really know where to find something for Nessa to kill, and she didn't have any friends she hated enough to introduce to Torr. But she'd worry about those later. She actually owled one of her/her boss's clients, someone with impeccable taste and didn't mind throwing her a bone now and then, for advice, because everything in London was getting dreadfully dull. That's how she ended up here, in Neroli, looking for a... bookstore? She was told she might find rare first edition or out of print book for one of her aunts (she's decided she's not getting presents for all of her cousins, there's just too many of them), which would be amazing.

Neroli was impossibly sophisticated and lovely though, and so was the Costello's bookstore she eventually managed to locate. She instantly felt more grown up for some reason, as if the city's culture is rubbing off on her, and she even felt cute even though she'd been out shopping the whole day. But even though she worked in the publishing industry, or rather, for someone in the publishing industry, she never really knew what to do in a bookstore when she wasn't chasing after clients. Did she ask for help? Did she just browse for an inappropriately long period of time until someone approached her? She may have Italian blood in her, but her Italian was honestly quite awful.

Gianna hesitated, lurking by the door and unsure of what to do next. Suddenly she felt two tiny figures brush past her, making the tiniest bit of contact, and heard instructions called out after them. And she could understand those instructions?

English.

Turning to the man who also seemed to notice her presence in the store, which, how could he not by the way she was gawking around the place, she smiled and made her request as politely as she could, "Um, hi! So I noticed you speak English? Unless of course there's a translation charm cast in this shop that I have no idea about, which is useful but will probably make me look like a giant idiot if that's the case, but I was wondering if you could help me? If you have the time?" Judging by the way his children (Gia hoped they were his children at least) were familiar with the place, he should be familiar with it too. He dressed nice and looked smart, not serial-killer-ish at all. Maybe she'd get that book sooner than she thought.

Of course she spoke English. Iago often lectured his children in English, which they were proficient in, even if they refused to speak it. It was partly because he didn’t like the idea of chastising them in front of everyone in such a manor, and partly because he wanted them to maintain the skill. After all, if they were going to attend Hogwarts in a few years, they’d need to speak, write, and understand the language. Their Grandmother Rina of course was being her usual self and not respecting his wishes at all, buying them children's books in Italian and French. She insisted that being multilingual was a good skill for them to have. Unfortunately the only French that his son seemed to be picking up was naughty words from his uncle. Perry was taking to it well, calling it her ‘secret language’ for telling Lara things. As though most of the family didn’t already speak it. But let the girl have her innocence a little while longer.

“I do speak English.” he replied, the welsh accent he couldn’t quite get rid of despite years in London coming through as he didn’t bother trying to stifle it. He smiled when she asked for his assistance and was about to decline, as he really had to get his own shopping done, and Elsewhere. But hadn’t Gabriella mentioned at one point that her and her step daughter would read together? Back four years ago… before the fire. Books would be a good gift for the both of them, if not a little predictable. And he had no idea what to get a teenage girl anyways. But that gave him an idea. “Actually I just might be able to… My uncle owns this shop. But… only if you’ll help me out as well.” great. That definitely sounded creepy. He waved one of the store workers off, replying in italian to him that he could help the young woman, it really was no bother. “I have never been a thirteen year old girl, and as such, I have absolutely no idea what to get my sister’s step daughter.”

There. Definitely less like he was trying to get somewhere less polite with her. “I’m at a complete loss.” he offered, a little helplessly himself. There. They were both in a similar state of admitting the need for aid now. That always helped put people at ease, right? He really wasn’t used to doing this without flirting. But he could definitely make out Silvano’s father watching from the loft. Probably had that knowing smirk on his face too. Iago had a type. No, he was going to behave like the perfect gentleman and slightly out of his element young, single father. Now on the other hand if she were interested… Iago didn’t dare let his mind follow that train of thought.