Work Text:
“Hi. I’m here about holiday lights?”
“Ah, yes! Thank you for accepting on such short notice! Only at our shopkeepers’ meeting yesterday Mr.Brown was wittering about a resolution condemning improper use of Christmas lights. We weren't planning anything, but he’s so irksome, we agreed to decorate lavishly just to spite him. My friend Tracy recommended you.”
“Yep, I do her place every year. Fun challenge, that, decor themed for Drawing-Aside-the-Veil and her other business both.”
“...For the bookshop window, two Tiffany-style lamps—glowing stacks of books—”
“Oh, they’re perfect!”
“...and some real books between. Do you stock anything Christmassy?”
“Certainly not! I specialise in hard-to-find books for the discerning connoisseur, not impulse buyers. Holiday shoppers are bad enough already!”
“Could get a couple of stands with wintery books here, a nice tree in the middle, block the good stuff from view. Get the folks their last-minute presents, keep the holiday spirit up.”
“That… is actually a good idea. Any thoughts on the stock?”
“Was it Mr.Brown who just exited in some distress? Oh dear, he had to visit just as I nipped over to Nina’s. Here’s your coffee, by the way, six shots of espresso as you like.”
“A guy with an unfortunate moustache? Yep, stopped by to complain about your window display—the books of all things.”
“There is nothing wrong with the books! They’re perfectly acceptable queer romances, not even any nudity on the covers!”
“‘Course there isn’t, it’s winter, everybody’s drawn bundled up in Christmas sweaters and whatnot. Anyhow, that’s what I told him. Followed up with a few pics of the more… risque decorations I’ve done before, might’ve hinted that if he’s not happy with the current display, I’ll have to switch things up. Never seen anyone light out of anywhere as fast as he did.”
“I couldn’t help overhearing, but… My dear fellow, did you actually yell at this garland to GLOW BETTER?”
“There, all done. Let there be light!”
“Oh, you’ve done an excellent job! The lights at Nina’s are just like her latte art!”
“Yep, traced her designs with fairy lights.”
“And the magic hat in Goldstone's window! How does the rabbit appear when you look from the side, but not when you stand right in front of it?”
“A magician never reveals his secrets.”
“I’m wondering about the little statue with the whip and chains at Mrs.Sandwich’s place. It's Krampus, right? What does St.Nicholas’ helper have to do with the seamstresses?”
“Ngk. She asked for it specifically. Could be saint patron of ladies in her profession?”
“May I ask what a holiday lights artist does the other eleven months?”
“More decorations—Valentine’s day is a big one—and then it’s gardening, a small landscaping business.”
“Oh, that’s a thought! Could I book your services for February? Mr.Brown couldn’t possibly object… I could buy you dinner and we could discuss this further?”
“Rather I buy you dinner and we discuss something more fun. Can’t date a customer, y’know.”