Meet the mystery returns man [closed]

[saveournpcs]

Date: 17/04/19
Characters: Mystery returns NPC, Chad, Feste, Sadie, Thom, Walter, Russell, tell me if I forgot someone

---

Following this network post by Chad, a number of people is now heading towards the Costa on the High Street, which sits on the corner of the "street with the five lampposts" that leads down to the sea.

They will find everything as normal, and through the window they can see a variety of people having coffee - including one man who is currently studying a newspaper and who may or may not look familiar to someone. Though last time people saw him he had a rather big thing on his face, so recognition may be very hard.

Comments

[saveournpcs]

The man blinks in genuine confusion. "I'm sorry, I'm not quite sure if I understand what you are referring to. Could you ask a bit more plainly?"

[iamnotgod]

There's a much-more-noticeable instance of nervousness on Walter's face - then he brings out the blanket.

"I meant this, specifically - it had been out of my life for a very long time, and yet it looks as though it'd been sealed in something air-tight."

Walter manages to scrounge up some humor in it.

"Sardines isn't supposed to work like this, I think."

[dragoonrouge]

Sadie watches the mystery man like a hawk, "Sardines definitely isn't supposed to work like this, although we've met before haven't we?" She questions the stranger, "Your voice is familiar."

[saveournpcs]

He just seems confused now, eyeing first the blanket and then Sadie.

After a bit of puzzling, an apologetic smile flits across his features. "Oh. I am sorry if it caused you sadness. No other returns will be made."

That's only one half of the mystery figured out, and he'll move onto if he knows Sadie in a moment, but at least it's one.

"I spoke to a gentlemen the other day who complained about the returns as well."

[spaghettimonster]

When Walter and Sadie go in for the real question so much more directly than Russell expects, he blanches and shakes his head from the side.

But the conversation goes on - with more information than he imagined they'd get.

"Wait, you're just coming out and admitting it? I thought you would..." He shakes his head again, not sure what to put into words. Be evasive and annoying like the bomb man, probably. "Isn't it a secret?"

[saveournpcs]

"Why would it be? I did nothing bad. Or did at least not attempt to do so." There's clear pain in this words. Having made people sad with his actions actively hurts him.

[iamnotgod]

"It helps your case more when you ask first," Walter speaks up, gaze casting over the rest of their group; this was a lesson that applied to everyone.

"You can see that there is a possible need, but that doesn't mean there's only one way to go about solving it."

[dragoonrouge]

Sadie nods in agreement with Walter though has the decency to glance apologetically at Russell, the need for answers may have gotten the best of her. Though all this conversation has helped because she is finally able to pinpoint just why the voice is so familiar.

"Oh! You gave me my glasses at Christmas, didn't you? Thank you for those, they've been a big help."

[saveournpcs]

"I did indeed give someone glasses!" He is quite pleased that that, at least, was apparently received well.

"...But I did not ask what you wanted then, either. It seems to not be done when you are gifting." He frowns, looking at everyone around to gauge a wider variety of reactions. "Would you ask someone what they want before gifting them something, or should it be a surprise?"

[iamnotgod]

Walter frowns, though this time it's in consideration rather than anything more negative.

"It depends on how well you know them - some people like surprises, but some really do not.

"When in doubt, err on the side of caution."

[spaghettimonster]

"If I don't ask, or overhear them saying what they want..." Russell trails off, with an awkward glance toward the friends in the group. He's a chronic mediocre gift-giver, rarely guessing at what people might like without a really explicit clue.

"I think it matters if they expect to be getting a gift. My birthday, over the holidays, that's one thing, but if I win a sweepstakes I never entered... it's strange even if it's something I wanted."

[dreamtamer]

Thom had listened to all of this, not really sure if he should say anything when everyone older had had such a very different opinion about the returned items.

"I thought it was a nice thing to do," he offers up. "I like surprises like that."

[saveournpcs]

Mr Helpful nods, and mulls all answers over before tucking them away neatly. "Thank you.

I will consider all of that," he promises, and then turns to Thom. "And I'm glad to have the youth's insight as well."