#they're largely dead structures so they can become brittle and if damaged can't be repaired quickly

[outeremissary]

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Balthazar and Tristian!

I hope all is well in the once-Stolen Lands! The hardest part of moving back to Cheliax away from Mendev is the distance between my old diplomatic allies turned friends. On this day of love and friendship, I extend my most cheerful of celebrations to you two! Please take it easy today, the kingdom can afford one day of a break, Balthazar. I promise it’s not going to all fall apart. You’re lucky Tristian has the patience of a saint. 

Hopefully these gifts will give you an excuse to step off the throne for a little bit! The wine and cheese is local to Cheliax. Of course, I don’t know how it compares to what you guys produce over there, but I hope it at least is palatable enough for a date night! I’ve also sent along some books on ancient arcane rituals that might interest you - Regill would’ve insisted they be thoroughly examined for anything dangerous… which technically you can do. We won’t tell him. It’s wrapped in the fashion magazines last I picked up from Absalom - I hope I didn’t bend their pages doing so! I remember you also being really into that sort of stuff.  

I also sent along some balm I found when I was there for feathers. I can’t believe how soft it’s made mine, I really just had to pass it along to you too! I know what a huge pain it is to care for them, especially with your wings. Hopefully you find it useful! I’d love to come visit sometime - if you have any other world ending cataclysms, I’m just a Sending away!

-Warm regards, Minovae!"

My dear Minovae,

Though this letter falls into your lap a touch late for me to properly wish you well for the holiday, I can certainly send my hopes that you spent it pleasantly with that husband of yours. Though duty never takes a holiday, I must say you more than earned the rest. I can only hope you enjoyed a long and indulgent vacation for the holiday. Perhaps at the spas you have told me so much about, or maybe enjoying that evergreen Chelaxian theater scene (though I confess I can’t imagine Regill sitting through an opera without making his displeasure quite known). Tristian sends regards as well, and is with me insisting on knowing what I put down. He has doubts about some of the books, Minovae- you will have to reassure him when next you write.

As for us, you needn’t have worried. The toil of the realm is ceaseless, it’s true, but I do still know how to enjoy myself. Spending a day like that bent over petitions and tax documents… if that ever happens, I’ll be the first calling for revolution. No, we didn’t do even a little work on the date, I’m happy to say. Tristian even came back to bed after dawn prayer- the closest to sleeping in I think we manage. It was a fairly quiet affair this year (no travel or shows this time around), but the time in was well spent. I’m sorry to have missed your gifts on the day! I do miss the cuisine of the Inner Sea- the wine and cheese would have been an excellent addition to the evening. You speak far too modestly of your gifts. It will be a long while before anything as fine emerges here.

At any rate, between the fine southern vintage and the news of Absalom, you’ve awoken something of a nostalgia in me. You’re in danger of playing host rather than visitor if this continues. I only half jest- I’ve been playing with the idea of some “diplomatic tour” as excuse for a while now. But I suspect you can tear yourself away from your post somewhat easier than I, and we would be happy to have you again even sans cataclysm. Here- I’ve sent some things along that might tantalize you. That pendant should be a lovely complement to your eyes- though it’s been some time, I should think I remember their color well enough. It was crafted by one of the artisans near Lake Silverstep, who sought to capture the silver-blue of the mountains not only in the frame for the gem but that thread-thin chain as well. What a lovely coincidence that hue is also counted among your scales! The music box is Pitaxian and is from both of us- there have always been renowned instrument crafters in the city, but what a delight to see the songs themselves captured, yes? And speaking of the region… a lovely Sarain white. I’ve no local cheese to send to pair it with, sadly. At times like this I wish that Jubilost were still here. Much as he could be an insufferable ass, if you could sit through his scoffing at your ignorance there really was no one better at finding the right local complement for any vintage (Tristian wishes you to know he strongly objects to my word choice, though he cedes Jubilost could be “somewhat overbearing”). At any rate, the vintage is citrusy, a touch dry, and pairs well with something salty but mild. If you’re near enough to Westcrown, I’ve also heard it works splendidly with oysters.

Yours truly,

Balthazar and Tristian

P.S. The balm really is a marvel. You’ll have to tell me where you got it, as I’m already sure I’ll mourn its absence when it’s gone.

(author's note: I wrote the tags before the letter and now I'm too scared of them to change them whatever's happening down there is happening)

#what a coincidence to mention balms I've been reading a lot about wings lately #*pepe silvia voice* have I told you about the wings we need to talk about the wings let's talk about the wings #did you know that most birds have under their tail a preen gland that produces the oil used for preening? #the oil isn't necessary to waterproof the feathers (their interlock takes care of that) but it helps protect and lubricate them #they're largely dead structures so they can become brittle and if damaged can't be repaired quickly #oil from the preen gland helps to increase their longevity and carry them through between molts #“but emi!” I hear you say. “most winged humanoids don't have tails! surely this is an issue. where is their preen gland” #great question from the audience! I too was thinking about that #minovae spends significant time with protective salves and such for her scales I thought. perhaps such a thing is necessary. #it certainly amused me to imagine how difficult this must make their care and how painfully dependent on assistance one must be #for so much of the wingspan is out of reach! #or of course one could give a winged person a preen gland. relocate it. I couldn't settle on a place that felt right. #but then emerged a third solution #for while most birds have a preen gland “most” is not “all” #and the vast majority of the others (including some birds with large wingspans and slow molts like a number of parrots) #instead produce powder down! #powder down being a type of down feather that breaks down into a powder naturally #and when preened through the feathers adheres to them in a slightly waxy sometimes metallic looking coat #powder down can either grow in big patches on the chest and thighs or be scattered throughout the feathers #and as of the time of writing I /believe/ that can include the wings (although I have to imagine not the most A+ source) #isn't that neat? doesn't remove the need for preening of course but it certainly makes life a little easier to produce your own stuff #at any rate I imagine one might find bird dander inconvenient despite its advantageous properties #and between that and the limitations of production prefer to supplement with artificial products anyway! #really my rule of thumb with the wings is “if realism is funny or interesting they work in realistic ways” #“if not they don't or they meet in the middle wherever it gets interesting” #ask me emithing #balthazar lucienne #balthazar and tristian #minovae arangeir #silversiren1101