[ Vash is currently standing outside of Meryls room with a tray in his hands. There's a plate with a sandwich on it, nothing fancy. Meat, lettuce, tomato. But he's the one that made it, and there's a glass of water too. He frowns at it for a moment, fingers tightening around the handles of the tray before he exhales a dramatic sigh and leans his head back so he's staring up at the ceiling.
A moment later he's knocking on the door with the toe of his boot. Let him in. ]
A moment later he's knocking on the door with the toe of his boot. Let him in. ]
[Meryl is, at the moment, sat on the floor of her room. She has a notebook out, filled to the brim with, well, notes. Meticulously, she copies down her words onto makeshift notecards, which are all assembled in various positions. Right now she's dressed down in just a tanktop and some shorts. She isn't expecting company or anything.
Which is why she jumps a little when she hears the knock at the door. She glances up at it, squinting for just a second, before hopping to her feet.]
Just a second.
[She has to tiptoe around her work to get to the door, but eventually she opens it wide. She glances from the tray up to Vash's face, then back down.]
Uh - Vash?
Which is why she jumps a little when she hears the knock at the door. She glances up at it, squinting for just a second, before hopping to her feet.]
Just a second.
[She has to tiptoe around her work to get to the door, but eventually she opens it wide. She glances from the tray up to Vash's face, then back down.]
Uh - Vash?
( anyone that lives in the castle ( or comes and goes, who honestly knows how many people flit in and out of their shared space with how many friends vash has, and how many strays he ends up bringing home ) may or may not have noticed this one trying his hand at things like cooking; he's still very much in the beginner stage, but he's been learning quite a bit about herbs and spices and tea, and when it comes to the thought of giving gifts to certain people in the near future β¦
close to the middle of the month, meryl will find a bundle of sachets tied together to look as presentable as possible in whatever place she happens to frequent the most that isn't her room, because he isn't about to intrude on her personal space. they look pretty basic, but they smell of spices and close to something that may resemble chamomile, or anything that might help her relax when she seems to need it most. there's even a handwritten note attached:
Thank you for looking after Vash.
there's no name attached to it, but is there really anyone else that would thank her personally for looking after their resident typhoon?
please enjoy your ( patent pending ) millions knives tea blend, small one. merry christmas. )
close to the middle of the month, meryl will find a bundle of sachets tied together to look as presentable as possible in whatever place she happens to frequent the most that isn't her room, because he isn't about to intrude on her personal space. they look pretty basic, but they smell of spices and close to something that may resemble chamomile, or anything that might help her relax when she seems to need it most. there's even a handwritten note attached:
Thank you for looking after Vash.
there's no name attached to it, but is there really anyone else that would thank her personally for looking after their resident typhoon?
please enjoy your ( patent pending ) millions knives tea blend, small one. merry christmas. )
[Well, well, well. Just what is she supposed to do with this? It's her first gift since arriving here, unless one counts Naiche's so-called treat. It's also the first of the season, which makes it all the more incredible when she thinks about just who sent it to her.
Yes, tea is for drinking, but for a long moment, all she does with it is stare. She rolls the sachet back and forth within her palm, considering them even as she takes in the scent.
This won't do. She can't have Millions Knives sending her gifts and not return the gesture. And she certainly can't return it in some lame way. She'll need to do far better.
... but first, maybe she'll make some tea. She should probably calm down before she gets too worked up over the gesture, right? Yeah. That sounds good.]
Yes, tea is for drinking, but for a long moment, all she does with it is stare. She rolls the sachet back and forth within her palm, considering them even as she takes in the scent.
This won't do. She can't have Millions Knives sending her gifts and not return the gesture. And she certainly can't return it in some lame way. She'll need to do far better.
... but first, maybe she'll make some tea. She should probably calm down before she gets too worked up over the gesture, right? Yeah. That sounds good.]
I LITERALLY SAID DON'T HAVE A STROKE IT'S R I G H T T H E R E
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scads
- 2023-12-13 16:22 (UTC) - Expand[ One morning, as your character steps out of their home, they are greeted by an owl messenger, bearing a letter. The letter tells them that they have been selected to participate in a gift exchange, and they are to deliver a gift to Samatoki Aohitsugi by the end of the month. The letter says nothing more, and once the letter is read, the owl will fly away. ]
Hey, Meryl. It's Night Sky. I hope you haven't forgotten me. Do you have a few minutes?
Oh - [Meryl stops what she's doing immediately, thank you very much.] Night Sky! It's - um. Been awhile! Are you doing okay?
OK so!
Saw your post, you can help me with my investigazion:
my letter said I should get a gift for Signor Di Feisheng
Do you know him?
Saw your post, you can help me with my investigazion:
my letter said I should get a gift for Signor Di Feisheng
Do you know him?
Hello to you too, Alberto.
I'm not familiar with Di Feisheng. But that's not to say I can't be familiar with him. You want me to try and pry some information out of him?
I'm not familiar with Di Feisheng. But that's not to say I can't be familiar with him. You want me to try and pry some information out of him?
hey... about that uh... "investigative journaling."
hold on
that sounded so condescending
i'm so sorry
shit
uh. anyway. what are your rates?
hold on
that sounded so condescending
i'm so sorry
shit
uh. anyway. what are your rates?
Nice save, big guy.
No rates. Consider it pro bono work so I can prove myself with the bigger stuff later on!
Who are you supposed to be giving a gift to?
No rates. Consider it pro bono work so I can prove myself with the bigger stuff later on!
Who are you supposed to be giving a gift to?
Hi, Grog! I can help you, absolutely. What's the name of your assignment?
Peace and prosperity! I saw your advertisement.
What are your rates for this service, or your starting point for negotiation?
What are your rates for this service, or your starting point for negotiation?
No charge!
I want to bolster my name and good work in the community going forward is all.
Who can I help you with?
I want to bolster my name and good work in the community going forward is all.
Who can I help you with?
Hi! My name is Willow, and I saw your post on the Oraclenet. Can you really find information about people?
Hi, Willow! I think I should be able to track some information down, yeah! Who are you looking for?
[A few days after Christmas - notably after the masquerade - Meryl will find outside her door a small box that, when opened, reveals a storage compartment for some short reed pens with tiny bottles of ink. But not only that - the bottom reveals that it's also a music box; turn the little crank and it plays a cheerful tune.
On top of the box is a card inside a wax-sealed envelope, with Meryl's name scribed in elegant cursive on the front, in both Roman and Persian (Ω ΩΨ±ΩΩ) alphabet. The card's message reads:]
Meryl,
When I was asked to send you a gift, I wasn't sure what to think since we'd never met... but at the ball, you revealed yourself to be a curious woman brimming with joy and yearning for life's pleasures. You also like to take notes - so I hope this present assists your writing while also reminding you to have fun.
I hope to cross paths with you again very soon.
Jasmine
On top of the box is a card inside a wax-sealed envelope, with Meryl's name scribed in elegant cursive on the front, in both Roman and Persian (Ω ΩΨ±ΩΩ) alphabet. The card's message reads:]
Meryl,
When I was asked to send you a gift, I wasn't sure what to think since we'd never met... but at the ball, you revealed yourself to be a curious woman brimming with joy and yearning for life's pleasures. You also like to take notes - so I hope this present assists your writing while also reminding you to have fun.
I hope to cross paths with you again very soon.
Jasmine
Edited (Sorry for the edit, I completely forgot that the masquerade is after Christmas >.>) 2023-12-25 02:44 (UTC)
[Meryl isn't expecting many gifts. She knows that, logically, one is coming to her based off of this strange little festivity. But she definitely doesn't expect it from the beautiful woman who taught her how to dance. Nor does she expect the gift from that woman to be so well-thought out.
The pens and box are beautiful, just as the tune it plays is. She holds it close to her chest for some time, as if afraid that putting it down might cause it to disappear. Eventually it does wind up on her desk, though. She has to use it to write a letter back to Jasmine, after all.]
Jasmine,
I don't think I've ever received a gift as kind and thought out as this one. I'm clearly special for having been assigned you as a gifting partner. I thank you deeply for your kindness, and hope to find you around in the near future as well.
Best,
Meryl Stryfe
The pens and box are beautiful, just as the tune it plays is. She holds it close to her chest for some time, as if afraid that putting it down might cause it to disappear. Eventually it does wind up on her desk, though. She has to use it to write a letter back to Jasmine, after all.]
Jasmine,
I don't think I've ever received a gift as kind and thought out as this one. I'm clearly special for having been assigned you as a gifting partner. I thank you deeply for your kindness, and hope to find you around in the near future as well.
Best,
Meryl Stryfe
[ Meryl will find outside of her door, a purple box with a silvery bow. Amid tissue paper, she'll find a very delicate yet feminine turtleneck. Along with a note: 'We do not know each other very well but this is goodwill that I trust we shall be very good friends going into the new year.' -E.Thelyss ]
[So...Katsuki knows he doesn't have a superb relationship with Meryl, and she's still a damn hothead who needs to pick her battles and watch her temper even more than he himself does sometimes, BUT. He does respect the fact she does her job well, and takes pride in it - he can relate to that, and hates that there are people on the other side who squander what they have, or are in it for the wrong reasons. The fact she opened up a printing and publication studio at the best time, where gathering and distributing information that's not easily traced through the network is just...perfect. Chef's fucking kiss. Katsuki might even hit that up after this holiday nonsense, and after he sleeps for three days straight.
But anyway, the Munchkin Paparazzi is indeed on his list of giftees, and he even put some thought into what to get her, too. On the early morning of Christmas day, the mail mice deliver several wrapped or bagged gifts to Meryl's place of residence, somewhere away from where they could get wet or damaged. The first thing is a gift bag, strings drawn together to keep the bag closed and tissue paper placed over the contents to keep them safe. Once she peels that away, inside will be two very nice bamboo covered notebooks to write whatever she likes in it. Next to that, in a smaller and more slender wrapped box, is a quill pen, topped with a real and very colorful bird feather on a velvet bed. On the top cover is a note, written in very fancy script that is...very clearly not Katsuki's handwriting. He probably asked the seller to write a note with the pen, but it does give a little bit of detail:
The kestrel is among the smallest falcon species in the world. Despite its small size, it is a fierce and skilled predator, able to take down and carry prey larger than itself.
Small, but mighty, a lot like herself. He thought it was a good fit for the little spitfire. Aside from the more well thought out gifts, there's also a wrapped, plastic baggy of to die for linzer cookies in various shapes and with different jam fillings such as raspberry, fig, and apricot. They are almost sinfully good - light and airy, buttery, as with just the right amount of tartness from the jam to not be overbearingly rich, or sweet. Yes, Katsuki made them himself. He is a kid of many talents, and cooking is but one of them (baking too, in this case).
There's no card, or fancy letter, just the basic gift tags that indicate who it's from and who the gifts are intended for. He's not good at writing down his feelings just as much as he's bad at talking about them. Besides, the gift itself should say enough, right?]
But anyway, the Munchkin Paparazzi is indeed on his list of giftees, and he even put some thought into what to get her, too. On the early morning of Christmas day, the mail mice deliver several wrapped or bagged gifts to Meryl's place of residence, somewhere away from where they could get wet or damaged. The first thing is a gift bag, strings drawn together to keep the bag closed and tissue paper placed over the contents to keep them safe. Once she peels that away, inside will be two very nice bamboo covered notebooks to write whatever she likes in it. Next to that, in a smaller and more slender wrapped box, is a quill pen, topped with a real and very colorful bird feather on a velvet bed. On the top cover is a note, written in very fancy script that is...very clearly not Katsuki's handwriting. He probably asked the seller to write a note with the pen, but it does give a little bit of detail:
The kestrel is among the smallest falcon species in the world. Despite its small size, it is a fierce and skilled predator, able to take down and carry prey larger than itself.
Small, but mighty, a lot like herself. He thought it was a good fit for the little spitfire. Aside from the more well thought out gifts, there's also a wrapped, plastic baggy of to die for linzer cookies in various shapes and with different jam fillings such as raspberry, fig, and apricot. They are almost sinfully good - light and airy, buttery, as with just the right amount of tartness from the jam to not be overbearingly rich, or sweet. Yes, Katsuki made them himself. He is a kid of many talents, and cooking is but one of them (baking too, in this case).
There's no card, or fancy letter, just the basic gift tags that indicate who it's from and who the gifts are intended for. He's not good at writing down his feelings just as much as he's bad at talking about them. Besides, the gift itself should say enough, right?]
[This particular mailpiece grows significantly once it's delivered. It's a squishy square wrapped in plain mailing paper (or burlap or whatever the Somnius equivalent is), measuring about a square foot, an inch or two deep. Inside the wrap is a carefully folded [knit blue shawl], ombrΓ© hues matching both the earring she gifted to Livio as well as the dress she'd worn at the ball. It is much more refined than the enclosed letter.]
Meryl,
I don't know that I could come close to matching what you gave me. But I hope you like this anyway.
Christ, now that I'm looking at it, I really hope you don't think I'm calling you a granny or something. It's just that it feels like it's getting colder here than either of us is used to, and you're so small, I figured you would lose body heat fast and oh I sure am not helping my case here.
Merry Christmas, please forget I ever wrote this,
Livio
Meryl,
I don't know that I could come close to matching what you gave me. But I hope you like this anyway.
Christ, now that I'm looking at it, I really hope you don't think I'm calling you a granny or something. It's just that it feels like it's getting colder here than either of us is used to, and you're so small, I figured you would lose body heat fast and oh I sure am not helping my case here.
Merry Christmas, please forget I ever wrote this,
Livio
[ Taped rather haphazardly to Meryl's door, in what is probably the most garrish yellow gorilla tape imaginable is a little white box holding a necklace, and a note behind that. ]
Edited 2023-12-26 04:29 (UTC)
Night Sky would have preferred she make the hike up the forest path with Meryl so they could oooh and aahh at the bioluminescent flora together, but she figured that, one way or another, they'd at least be able to on the way down.
She had made it up to Starlight Cliff just as night settled over the small town below, sitting on a flat bit near the edge of the cliff with one leg tucked to her chest and the other extended outward. Meryl had said she would bring everything, but Night Sky brought a blanket anyway - just in case. It was colder now, and if they wanted to snuggle up, better to have extra to do so with, right? To further emphasize the chill, apparently, the dryad was actually wearing clothes, sweater and pants and all, her boots discarded the second she stopped walking, eyes flashing in the dark when she glanced around for any sign of her date.
She had made it up to Starlight Cliff just as night settled over the small town below, sitting on a flat bit near the edge of the cliff with one leg tucked to her chest and the other extended outward. Meryl had said she would bring everything, but Night Sky brought a blanket anyway - just in case. It was colder now, and if they wanted to snuggle up, better to have extra to do so with, right? To further emphasize the chill, apparently, the dryad was actually wearing clothes, sweater and pants and all, her boots discarded the second she stopped walking, eyes flashing in the dark when she glanced around for any sign of her date.
In hindsight, Meryl probably should have thought twice before jumping at not just the idea of bringing all the food, but also being the one to carry it all. She winds up with three picnic baskets, each weighed down with their own goods. The first is a collection of fruits, meats, and cheeses meant to serve as an appetizer. Easily picked at while they carried on a lighter conversation. The second is weighed down by two separate containers, each containing a chicken breast, some sauteed greens and an equal portion of rice each, all of which is carefully drizzled with a cream sauce. There's also a bottle of wine in here, too. Because of course there is.
Finally, the third basket contains a collection of macarons, handmade by someone with far more talent than Meryl. The wine glasses and all of their cutlery are tucked away in here. It's the lightest of the bunch, but it has to be treated the most carefully.
By some miracle, she makes it up the cliff, finally catching sight of gleaming eyes and wild hair in the distance.
"Night Sky! I'm here! I'm sorry, I'm a little late - "
Finally, the third basket contains a collection of macarons, handmade by someone with far more talent than Meryl. The wine glasses and all of their cutlery are tucked away in here. It's the lightest of the bunch, but it has to be treated the most carefully.
By some miracle, she makes it up the cliff, finally catching sight of gleaming eyes and wild hair in the distance.
"Night Sky! I'm here! I'm sorry, I'm a little late - "
Hey Meryl. Can we talk?
[Jesus christ her heart can't handle this.]
Um.
Yeah.
Is everything okay?
Um.
Yeah.
Is everything okay?
[ In the morning if Meryl steps outside her home, she will find a dried flower wreath hanging on the door, delivered by the mail mice. Attached to the wreath is a tag. ]
To Meryl,
Thank you for helping me find information about Lieutenant Tayrey. Happy Holidays!
- Willow
To Meryl,
Thank you for helping me find information about Lieutenant Tayrey. Happy Holidays!
- Willow
Luz looked and looked and finally found something good for her reporter friend: this nifty notebook for writing up reports along with a stylish hat to go with it!
Luz encloses a note.
Merry Christmas Meryl! I hope this is ok for a budding reporter, or else I've seriously misread what you told me. Anyway, hope to talk to you again soon! -Love Luz
Luz encloses a note.
Merry Christmas Meryl! I hope this is ok for a budding reporter, or else I've seriously misread what you told me. Anyway, hope to talk to you again soon! -Love Luz
hey, meryl. you around to talk?
[Why does this message fill her with fear. For better or for worse, she knows this will be the conclusion to their conversation. It could either go in her favor, or oscillate drastically in the opposite direction.
And here she thought this nebulous in-between was bad.]
I am.
Do you want to meet up in person, or...?
And here she thought this nebulous in-between was bad.]
I am.
Do you want to meet up in person, or...?
( It's so weird right? How there definitely weren't intricately woven together vines trailing from the base of the castle to Meryl's window a few moments ago, and yet suddenly there were. It was also super weird that Night Sky was climbing them up to said window, and hoisting herself into the opening to peer into Meryl's room.
Please don't shoot her. )
Please don't shoot her. )
[Lucky for both of them, Meryl has her gun far from her right now. The castle is secure enough that she doesn't feel a need for it. The second she spots those vines, however, she finds herself on edge. It's just as likely that they're an arbiter of bad things to come as they are just her girlfriend coming through the window.
Which... Also startles her, for that matter.]
Sky?! [She shrinks back at first, before warily taking a step forward.]
That's you, right?
Which... Also startles her, for that matter.]
Sky?! [She shrinks back at first, before warily taking a step forward.]
That's you, right?
Meryl. I need you here. Please. ( Night Sky, perhaps since the first time since they've met, sounds frustrated, angry, and clearly distressed. ) I need to talk to someone.
[Meryl almost immediately picks up her Oracle. Who cares what she was doing before, Night Sky matters more.]
I'm here, Night Sky. What's going on?
[She's already searching for her shoes. To hell with the fact that she's in her pajamas. Obviously Night Sky had seen worse.]
I can be right over. Talk to me until then?
I'm here, Night Sky. What's going on?
[She's already searching for her shoes. To hell with the fact that she's in her pajamas. Obviously Night Sky had seen worse.]
I can be right over. Talk to me until then?
[SURPRISE BITCH it's your dumbass boyfriend!]
Meryl! Hey, lovebug! [sorry he is SO loud. it's the unfiltered excitement.]
Meryl! Hey, lovebug! [sorry he is SO loud. it's the unfiltered excitement.]
[Meryl opens the video...
and almost immediately reels back.]
Livio...! [Said with simultaneous exasperation and adoration.] What's going on?
and almost immediately reels back.]
Livio...! [Said with simultaneous exasperation and adoration.] What's going on?
[when he knocks on the castle door around lunchtime, livio is for once not simply in his ratty old t-shirt, but a tunic fresh from clotilda's! it isn't anything too fancy, but it is a nice material of a familiar deep, dark blue with off-white stitching. and he's got a bouquet of red and pink tulips already in hand.
he shifts back and forth on his feet as he waits, clearly nervous but not shouting or bouncing out of his skin like he did over the oracle. announcing himself to the whole castle would be just a little humiliating, probably.]
he shifts back and forth on his feet as he waits, clearly nervous but not shouting or bouncing out of his skin like he did over the oracle. announcing himself to the whole castle would be just a little humiliating, probably.]
[Meryl practically throws the door open the second Livio knocks. She certainly wasn't pacing frantically the last twenty minutes or so, waiting for his arrival or anything. And her face definitely doesn't bloom into a warm, adoring smile the second she sees him. It isn't lost on her that the last time he dressed up like this was the first time they shared a kiss. Even the memory sends a thrill through her.
He isn't the only one dressed up, of course. Meryl's hunted down a blue dress, and covered it with a white cardigan. Her shoes are little more than a strappy pair of blue flats. Comfortable and cute. Naturally, she's paired it all with their shared earring, as well.]
Hi, Livio. [Her voice is on the softer side, dripping with affection. Already her ears show a faint shade of pink. She's staring just a little too hard at him.]
He isn't the only one dressed up, of course. Meryl's hunted down a blue dress, and covered it with a white cardigan. Her shoes are little more than a strappy pair of blue flats. Comfortable and cute. Naturally, she's paired it all with their shared earring, as well.]
Hi, Livio. [Her voice is on the softer side, dripping with affection. Already her ears show a faint shade of pink. She's staring just a little too hard at him.]
Hey.
Sometime in the next... month? Ish? Red Son is going to need me for something. I'll try and warn you closer to when it happens, but I might be unable to see you for a week or... several. Sorry.
Sometime in the next... month? Ish? Red Son is going to need me for something. I'll try and warn you closer to when it happens, but I might be unable to see you for a week or... several. Sorry.
Sky?
That's... fine and all. I understand.
But.
Are you two going to be okay?
That's... fine and all. I understand.
But.
Are you two going to be okay?
No need to apologize.
I tried to look around too.
And unless you count a bunch of novelty polaroids, I didn't have much luck either.
I tried to look around too.
And unless you count a bunch of novelty polaroids, I didn't have much luck either.
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