#toaseasonsgreetings

[renaisguy]

Dashing, dashing... Off to find someone 'dashing.' The thought really messes with her as she prowls around the courtyard for anyone with a gift in their hands. To label them 'dashing'... Isn't that the same as admitting they're hot? No, no Larcei--chase those thoughts away! It's not someone attractive that she needs to find, but someone vain. She vigorously shakes her head as she continues, searching for some other way to psych herself out of playing into her gift-giver's hand.

She happens upon Forde.

And he doesn't look bad. Not good either, but maybe, kinda, sorta passable-by-her-standards? Enough to get her to stop walking, at least. And more importantly, he has the aura of one who would call themselves dashing. Not haughty enough to use another word, but cool and confident... And she hates him. She decides on the spot that she'd cut a circle around the path he had been walking, shoving her note in his face with a searing blush.

"Don't read into this, but was this you?" The tone of those words is a flying accusation tied down by gratitude and back-minded doubt. A thought lingers in her that wonders if she's wrong about this whole thing--and how catastrophic that would be--even if she kicks it to the sidelines. And there still stands the fact that he got her a gift. A real good one, too. She'll have to express her gratitude, if begrudgingly.

"Y'know, this is a lotta hot air to be blowin' at a gift exchange. Did you think you were makin' a match just because you drew a girl's name!?" She huffs, pulling back with stamping feet. Her arms cross over her chest. The answer is a loud and clear 'no'. Now with this done, she sighs--the next part doesn't come out so easily.

"Well, you're not, but I'm here to say thanks. Despite it all, I think you've knocked me dead with this. What's your name?"

Forde was simply going about his day when a girl he'd never met started yelling at him, and chucked a letter at him. 'To: Larcei. From: Your dashing Winter Envoy'. Hang on a moment...

"Um, sorry, but I'm not Larcei. You must have the wrong person." Never mind the fact he'd already received his gift, and the woman handing them out had been far less rude than-

Oh she was Larcei.

He looked at the note again, now things were sliding into place. She thought he had sent her this note as part of his gift... She thought he was dashing? Her current attitude suggested otherwise, but maybe she was one of those girls who pretended to hate you while secretly adoring you...

He was getting off-topic. Whether or not she thought he was dashing was secondary to the fact she thought he would describe himself as 'A dashing Winter Envoy'. And regardless of whether he would, he hadn't in this case.

"Sorry, you've definitely got the wrong person." He felt bad pointing this out now, after she'd gone through all that sincere stuff at the end. "I didn't even write a note, unless..." Perhaps Lady Rhea had written the note for him, was it lady Rhea who found him dashing?

Wait a second, her name was Larcei. He was being an idiot, he knew the name of his giftee. This girl was unrelated.

"Nope, definitely definitely the wrong person. I appreciate it though." He flashes her the most charming smile he can muster. Yeah, he was pretty dashing, wasn't he?

#swiftscion #toaseasonsgreetings #//he's having a silly day

[starrook]

“Prince Alcryst, a moment?” Rhea asks, jingling a bit as she does so; “I am here on behalf of your winter envoy. Seasons blessings and best of luck should you wish to find and thank him.” The Brodian’s present is a copy of a book titled "Fodlan Fishing guide", and a lucky lure in the shape of a dark blue fish with droopy red eyes. It supposedly carries a blessing that attracts more and rarer fish.

"Y-Yes!" Alcryst straightens up when he's called, only relaxing slightly when he sees the Archbishop in... jinglebells? There's no chance to comment before she hands him his gifts.

Fódlan Fishing Guide. Alcryst's eyes light up once he recognizes the cover. It's a popular book in the library, so much so he's only been able to sign it out once. Even so, knowing it could be borrowed made it hard to justify buying himself a personal copy... now, there's no room for debate. He'll have to show this to Diamant first chance he gets.

The lure looks familiar somehow...

...but Alcryst can't quite place it. (Sorry gifter.) He doubts it'll be so lucky in his hands, but the only way to know is to put it to the test!

"Archbishop Rhea... could you tell me who gave me my gifts? I'd like to thank them..."

#toaseasonsgreetings #answered #aurheatum #my strategy is to ask nicely :D

[aubins]

“Yuri, season’s blessings,” Rhea greets, and carefully hands over their winter envoy’s gift with the gentlest of touches. It is a bouquet of candied roses; Using egg whites and baker's sugar, rose petals have been crystallized into sweet treats and rearranged in their former shape. The bouquet contains twelve flowers, with the twelfth being a real rose that has had its thorn removed.

“Lady Rhea,” they return with an incline of their head. “Aren't you just dashing? Who could've guessed that the archbishop herself would be delivering my present,” Yuri continues dryly, carefully taking the bouquet that she passes over. “But”— a flash of a smile, almost genuine— “season's blessings, Lady Rhea.”

They shift their grip on the bouquet, peering closer at the candied rose petals. Quite a lot of effort to go through for eleven times just for little old him. What had those kids written on the form when they signed him up for this little gift exchange anyhow? Though, from the state of their gift, Yuri can guess.

Flowers are nice— remind them of, well, not easier times, but simpler ones. And they'll make a nice treat to pass around Abyss to stave the kids off until they manage another supply of sugar in Abyss. It's a charming gift. Yuri plucks a petal for themself to try, unable to hide the pleased twitch of their lips.

Goddess. When was the last time they had some sugar?

“Well, thanks for coming all this way, Lady Archbishop,” they say, gaze flicking back to their deliverer. Yuri plucks another petal from their bouquet, offering it out. “Here. One for your efforts. I'm sure there's plenty of gifts left to deliver.”

#aurheatum #toaseasonsgreetings #❛ 𝐈𝐍𝐁𝐎𝐗. i worry that love is violence #cute gift :]

[reddragonprincess]

"My love! Notice anything... New, about me?"

Sain beams, standing before Minerva with pride strewn over his eyes and hands planted firmly on his hips. He looks to some far off direction away from her face, and his chest is puffed out like a rooster. As for the 'new' thing in question, that would be the armor polish glistening on his breastplate. Prior to approaching her, he applied damn near a third of the bottle on his plate-mail and lance-tip. The result is steel that shines so bright it threatens to blind her, and a waxy aroma mixing with the smell of his perfume.

"Take all the time you'd need--really do. I've read the ties that bind us together and reached the only logical conclusion available: that you and I are to be wed!" He runs a hand through his hair and tilts his head, winking at the Macedon. He can't possibly be serious... Can he?

"You were my winter envoy! That mysterious lynx-ess, waiting for her dashing knight to glossen himself up before you pounce!" With measured steps, he approaches. Enough distance closes between them to where Sain can observe the gentle pull on Minerva's face.

She's not scowling, right?

"Well here I am! All yours, my feisty damsel~"

Noticing his arrival from afar, she already knew what to expect from his exuberant attitude and charming smile: he approached the Macedon Princess with a fiery walking, stopping exactly in front of her and eagerly showing off the armour he was wearing as per usual - however, something different was clearly visible.

"Your armour.. is shining differently, doesn't it?" she pondered, index finger at her lips as she squared at him. Yet, as he proceeded with his speech, an anooyed expression appeared on her visage, rising her eyebrows as she was quite skeptical about his intentions. But one thing was for sure: she wasn't his gifter.

"Listen, I'm happy to see that you enjoy your gift so much, but… I'm not the one who gave you this valuable present" she simply stated, trying her best to softening her tone and expression, though finding the whole situation a bit amusing too, despite from the cheesiness of the young man.

"I'm truly sorry to disappoint you" she looked a bit stressed about it, since she knew she didn't handle well the disappointment in the other people, but this time she wanted to act differently as her usual self: she wanted to be brave, like she was in the battlefield.

"But, I can give a gift too, if you wish" and after saying so, she gently got closer to Sain's face, bruising her lips on his cheek, leaving a very soft kiss on the warm skin on him.

"Merry Christmas"

#toaseasonsgreetings #//I love the interactions between these two agdhgshgdf #sorry for lateness ; ;

[delicatevalentine]

When Fergus sets out to find his envoy, he brings with him three tenets: considerate, fashionable, and stinkin' rich. The first two are easy enough to read at a glance. Someone is either polite or rude, chic or out-of-touch. But the final criterion--wealth--can emerge in a plethora of ways. Someone can flaunt their money with extravagant bracelets and corsets that squeeze their midsection. They can blow their money gambling, they can be inebriated so often that they're more wine than blood. Or, it can hide entirely. Having money is not the same as spending money.

Fergus would know.

While making his rounds his eyes land on Hilda, and he digs his heel into the ground. They're classmates, if memory serves. He throws his collection of gifts over his knee to get a better look, then cross-references them with her outfit. There's only so much a student can modify, but she seems to push right up to that rule and bend it with an overbearing presence. Moreover, he's seen her act sort of snooty. Like gold might just be something she can throw at someone to make them dance. Whether she weaves it into a gleaming string is her own prerogative, but her demeanor tells no lies. Plus, she looks fun. She'd go all out for a gift exchange, right? Probably has some ego she'd like to stroke with her sucker of a giftee, too.

"'Scuse me!" he chimes, sauntering his way into conversing distance, "No offense, but you look pretty well off. See all this I'm carryin'?" The corner of his mouth quirks up, scraping for what scraps of confidence it can wear. He'll need all he can if it turns out he's off the mark. "It must've run whoever a whole lot of cash to make it happen... So I'm trying to find 'em and say thanks."

Simple enough, right? She doesn't need any more explanation than that.

He cocks his head at her, throwing his question in an arc, "So, was it you?"

It wasn't every day that Hilda was simply minding her own business -- not a hint of her noble upbringing in sight -- when a student would materialise from the crowd and accuse her of being rich. They were right, of course, but it still felt like a social faux pas.

"Good afternoon to you too!" she said with a hint of indignation.

She now recognised the accuser as a fellow Deer, but not one she was well acquainted with. His arms were laden with gifts which, true to his words, were high in quality, and, if correlation followed the norm, price. Hilda knew opulence when she saw it. But whilst the selection matched her lavish tastes quite nicely, the student stood before her had not been the fates' choice for her giftee.

"Hmm. Not me, I'm afraid." Running a finger along the luxurious material of the saddle, she added, "But if you find whoever it is, let them know I'm always open for gifts, if the urge ever strikes!"

#toaseasonsgreetings #s:fergus #i'm sorry you have the wrong girliepop...

[ashenprofessor]

“Professor Byleth,” Rhea says in her usual calm manner, “it is good to see you participating in the festivities this year. Please do enjoy the present your winter envoy has chosen for you”: saying so she holds up an impressive and hulking set of umbral plate-mail and its matching tower shield. Tucked inside the sword strap of the shield is a folded-up note, which contains a detailed tutorial for repelling attacks. The technique is dubbed "The Shield of Thracia."

Byleth looked up at the appearance of Lady Rhea. They had been wondering when the fruits of the gift exchange would arrive. "Umm... Thank you" The Professor said monotonely as they awkwardly held out their arms to receive the gifts. Byleth had never been good at receiving presents, not having had much practise in their life thus far.

The present itself was also awkward to hold, Lady Rhea looking off-kilter under the weight of the full body suit of armour and shield. "I guess tis is like when people receive new night garments for winterfest" Byleth says teasingly. It was an impressive suit though it looked too bulky and heavy for them to be able to carry out the swift attacks they favoured on the battlefield. "Wearing this, enemies would hear me coming a mile away" They said quietly.

Resting the armour on the ground, Byleth took more interest in the shield and note. The instructions were quite detailed and the former Mercenary was keen to try the technique out. "A wonderfull gift, I will do my best to thank the giver" Byleth told Rhea "In the meantime, I have a shield to master" 'and certain people I'd like to repel' they thought to themsselves.

Grabbing the gifts, Byleth turned and clanked noisily down the corridor. If nothing else, they now had a suit of armour with which to decorate their room .

#toaseasonsgreetings #gift recieved #ashenprofessor #thank you for the gift

[archanear]

"Hello. Professor Hardin, was it?"

They approach with a businesslike stride, identifying the imposing man as one of the participants in the gift exchange. Coming to a stop, Chad produces the small wooden box, carefully opening it to show a glint of the compass inside, careful not to overexpose it lest someone with similarly quick fingers as them snag it.

"I wanted to ask if you were my gifter for the seasonal exchange. You see, I'd like to convey my thanks adequately..." They pause, only a flicker of brown eyes betraying their unruly nerves, before they bow.

"Apologies if not. I'll not bother you further."

hardin inspects the gift as carefully as he can with the limited look he gets at it. he was unfamiliar with the recipient of the gift he'd procured, and so there was a possibility what he'd procured was passed to the one before him.

ah... but upon closer inspection, no, the gift isn't familiar. he shakes his head.

"i was not the one who gave you such a gift. my apologies for any confusion."

#⁺ . ✕ ◞ in character ⋅ #⁺ . ✕ ◞ answered ⋅ #toaseasonsgreetings

[enarmor]

“Sir Sain,” Rhea says, “season’s blessings! I can tell your winter envoy has put much thought and effort into your gift, and so I pray you may find and thank them.” The gift in question is a bottle of polish, with a label: ‘Master Lynx’s polish for melee metel. Armour and weapon polish to make you shine on the battlefield. Aldrestia Rose scented.’ Attached is a note written in chicken scratch with the words 'Merry festivities. I hope this gift helps grab you a girl or at least offers you more confidence as you go about your day.'

"Ah, fairest archbishop! You sell yourself short!" Sain greets with a wide-eyed smile, looking past the bottle in Rhea's hands to gaze longingly at her eyes. Where emerald and jolly jade meet, there is static. Static love, static romance--the electrifying current that binds a knight to his lady. He takes a step closer. "Just look at you, dressed in such fineries as you deliver my gift. You, my dear, are the greatest gift of all. My heart soars to see you!"

He giggles, but presses no further. Though Sain aches for the tenderness of love, he is no fool. She's rejected him enough times to kill any true desire to her hand. As they stand, she is his employer, and he is her handful of a knight. He plucks the bottle from her fingers.

And smoothing it over, can't help looking impressed! The glint in his eyes only grows as he smooths over the label of the polish, as well as the hastily-written note. "Ah, though I'd wager fate has something else in store. Get this, Rhea beloved: my mistress fancies herself a lynx." This is far from the truth, but when has Sain ever huddled close to it in the first place? "Hidden beneath a veil of secrecy, she delivers her enchantment to me! I can picture it now, she's stalking me like prey, ready for me to become her ideal man-thing." And he seems not at all concerned. In fact, the idea (the one he put in his own head, yes) that a woman would be interested enough to hunt him provides lift to his shoulders. He feels suspended in air, as if an angel's wings would carry him to his one-and-only. "All I need to do is put this on, and then we'll leap into one another's hands!"

The bottle flourishes in his hand before entering a palmed grip. He thanks Rhea with a wink, and turns around--fire in his footsteps. "And I'm off! Don't stop me, dear, this is destiny!"

#IC #ASKBOX #AURHEATUM #toaseasonsgreetings #//polar opposite to larcei's ask btw #//he IS trying to find a match with this #//and though i'm 99% sure i know who this is. sain definitely has the wrong idea #//this is like a warning

[pryings]

“Hello there, Knoll,” Rhea greets the mage, jingling as she does so, “you always seem to be working so hard for the library here I hope Garreg Mach’s festivities can in some way pay that debt back.” She holds out a book to him, placing it on a table before taking her leave. “That was from your winter envoy. Best of luck if you intend to find them!” The gift seems to be an ordinary thin tome, however, upon opening it, almost all the pages within are completely empty. Wedged between the front cover and the first page is an introduction in lieu of a table of contents or any identifying information about the writer. 'This is the Book of Truth. If in the presence of someone who is lying or contrary to you, the truth behind their words will instead find themselves revealed here, filling up a page where it was once blank. The spell runs out once all your pages are filled and you hold twenty truths before you, major or minor. Beware, for who you stand near may very well determine how fast this book fills up!' The first page appears to already have some writing on it. An inspection of the ink does indeed prove to hold a remnant of magic behind in it. It reads: 'Things are not fine and they are not okay. He is lonely and sad.' An addendum, written in ink with no trace of magic and in a different handwriting style that resembles more a textbook in its penmanship, reads below it: 'Disregard this. I was testing the book around someone else first.'

knoll is certainly impressed by such a gift. he takes it carefully from the archbishop with a small smile, appreciative, before flipping it open and inspecting it. it's a strange thing, and he can feel the magic within. something interesting, that's what it is.

something he's never seen before, and that is truly the greatest gift of all. whoever this is went a bit above and beyond, though the nature of the holiday game obscures their identity, naturally. he will need to start thinking... he doesn't know very many people, so perhaps this is someone who knows him already, knows his proclivity toward the unknown, or perhaps someone guessed based upon his general attitude.

either way, he's grateful.

the item is something he's curious to test out. are there ethical concerns with testing it? he isn't sure. ethics cannot be allowed to stand in the way of satisfying curiosity, though.

"thank you, lady rhea. since i can't thank the one who procured this gift for me, i'll thank you as the one who delivered it."

#⁺ . ✕ ◞ in character ⋅ #toaseasonsgreetings #⁺ . ✕ ◞ answered ⋅

[nothosword]

“Season's blessings to you,” Sitri greets Fergus with a smile. “The name is Lilian, I am here to deliver the gifts from your mysterious envoy.” This last is perhaps self-evident, given the assortment of items in her arms: An expertly crafted double sided whetstone, perfect for polishing weapons; a luxurious new saddle, made of leather and aged wood with fine detailing from local artisans; and a six cup tea set of porcelain - white with blue and gold edging and flowers, matching saucers and teapot.

Lilian can barely get her name out when Fergus swoops in to take his multitude of gifts from her hands. "Woah, let me help with all that!" he offers, bending at the knee to match her height. Watching the way she had been walking at him, he suspected that this would be how things would proceed.

"Someone decided to spoil me, huh?" For all that he tries to appear nonserious, Fergus is secretly admiring his envoy's efforts. The whetstone turns in his hand after he takes it, its artisan nature quick to be appraised; the saddle he inspects like a stretched-canvas painting, imagining his mount doing the same; and the tea cups are what get him. They create pause. He stops fidgeting with everything to just... Stare.

"Not bad," Fergus muses, but he means so much more. The set is like something out of a princess story, like something off the shelf of a noble dining hall. It brings to mind quieter days of sipping tea with his mother, back before he embarked on his quest and he could still be taught useless skills like courtroom dancing.

She would have loved to see him open something like this.

With a smirk, he fights the instinct to get nostalgic. This all may have been enough to make a serious impression on him, but the blonde has an image to uphold. Cool and nonchalant--a sea breeze blowing through a bustling town. "Lilian, yeah? I appreciate carrying for me. 'Course, if I had known my guy was getting me so much..." a chuckle rises in his chest. This thin-looking girl has been lugging around heavy gifts all afternoon. Fergus wonders how her back is doing. "...I would've offered to help. But I guess that's not how things are supposed to work, right?"

After finishing with the rest of his laughter, he gets serious. For all he has received today, he only has so many clues to guess his gifter with. "Hmm, now let's see... Someone spent a pretty penny on me, no doubt. They've got great taste, and I think I'm right in assuming some heart to put into this." A small silence follows, testing the woman's reaction. Even the slightest twinge could tip him off.

"But man, wonder who that could be! Guess I better start huntin' around."

For her efforts, Lilian receives a wink and whatever wave Fergus can muster with his hands full. "Catch ya' later, Lil'. Maybe you can be the first to try out this new tea set."

#IC #ASKBOX #DIVINECREST #toaseasonsgreetings #//i actually do not have any time to go guessing before work but i have some. Ideas #//in any case THANK YOU FOR ALL THIS!!! VERY CUTE GIFT OMG

[laslow]

"Professor Laslow,” Rhea smiles, handing him a box; “it seems your winter envoy has been both attentive and thorough this year. Season’s blessings to you both.” Inside the box: Most prominently, peppermint tea, a small box of assorted chocolates, and the dancing slippers that were crossed out on the list (in a light blue shade), tucked beneath the two other gifts, as if acknowledging the recipient's embarrassment but wishing to get him the item he desired anyway.

The enticing smell of peppermint reaches him far before the Pope--

Naga freaking dragon, that's the Pope.

Is he finally getting kicked out? Look, he didn't know that striking lady he met out shopping was a priest's daughter! Laslow swallows, tamping down on his nerves before pivoting around to face Rhea, a slightly nervous smile in place.

"Lady Rhea! What an honor to see your lovely face." Graciously, he takes the box from her hands. "Oho, have you been peeking?"

What is he thinking, teasing the Pope?

"Heh, merely a jest, Your Holiness! Season's blessings upon you." He flips open the lid of the box, eager for a distraction. A fresh wave of peppermint wafts up. He's already planning on drinking a cup after training drills.

The chocolates also call his name. It's the really good stuff, too, and he can practically feel the way it melts on his tongue. Then the chocolates shift, revealing a pair of dancing slippers.

Lips part in a silent gasp of surprise. He didn't think anyone would buy them; well-made slippers are not cheap. Heat creeps up the back of his neck and he reaches for them, the satin soft against his fingertips.

"Thank you for bringing my gifts."

#support: rhea #toaseasonsgreetings #HE'S SO STUPID. #i'm in fine form today! [asks]

[renaisguy]

“Hello there,” the archbishop greets Forde warmly, shaking his hand, “I come on behalf of your winter envoy. Please if you will wait but one moment.” She pulls his gift out from a bag before leaving it with him - it is a thick deck of Elyosian playing cards. Each face card depicts one of the storied Emblems. One tender-hearted queen might look a little familiar…

“Thank you!” Forde salutes the archbishop before she leaves (saluting isn’t right, he knows, but leaving her without some formal gesture would be wrong).

Once alone, he looks through the cards. They’re an incredible gift, he thinks as he looks through them. Playing cards are just nice, aren’t they? A great way to spend an afternoon with friends, free from worry. And the art is simply incredible, with such a confident style Forde could only dream of.

He sorts through the cards to see all the art, but hesitates when he sees the queen of diamonds. A lady who looks just like Eirika… no, she was Eirika. Forde smiles as he continues looking through, what a lovely surprise. Reaching the king of spades, he recognises the man as a knight he’s fought with.

So the gifter was someone at this academy, who drew the face cards based on the people they’d met here? That explanation didn’t feel right to him, but what else could it be? He’d have to ask around…

#Aurheatum #toaseasonsgreetings #//of course I have already decided what card corresponds to each emblem

[starrook]

"Hello, Prince Alcryst?" Forde gives a small wave, and holds up his playing cards. "A little birdie told me these were Elyosian cards, so unless I'm missing someone that means they're from you." A beaming smile. "They're absolutely beautiful, thank you so much! I couldn't ask for a better gift!"

Alcryst doesn't recognize the man, but he recognizes the playing cards in his hands. "Yes, that's me... I suppose since I'm the only participant from Elyos, you had an easy time figuring it out, right?" And when so many people seemed to be having fun figuring out their own recipients... Alcryst holds back an apology. "That makes you Sir Forde then."

The knight's gracious words and blinding smile, like so many others still cast a shadow over Alcryst's wretched heart and mind. But knowing that he's the one that made Forde so happy keeps him standing tall, proud even. Alcryst did well, didn't he? "Because you said that you wanted something that wasn't strictly for battle, I thought you might enjoy playing games. I was kind of nervous handing this in... so I'm really glad you liked it...!"

#renaisguy #answered #thank you!! #toaseasonsgreetings

[swiftscion]

Sitri approaches Larcei with a smile. “I am Lilian, here to deliver the gift from your envoy. Season's blessings, Princess Larcei.” In her hands there's a medium sized box. The note atop the wrapping paper reads, "To: Larcei. From: Your dashing Winter Envoy." Inside the box is a brand-new set of black leather sheath straps. Tucked neatly under the practical gift are a pair of silver dangly earrings--a bar about two inches long. Understated, yet they add a touch of elegance to any outfit. 

"Yo!" she greets with a wave, but soon finds herself quirking a brow. That formality on Sitri's lips is like a left shoe on a right foot: it isn't right. She dismisses it with a second, sheepish wave. "We've already met before. No need for that princess crap."

The gift soon takes her attention. It comes in two parts, which suggests that the whole breadth of her wishlist was taken into account. So far, so good. The straps are what captivate her first--the battle-loving thing she is. Of note is that while their make is superb, they aren't ornate. The sender's arse clearly hasn't been cushioned by a throne. After returning them to the box, she lets the earrings dangle between her fingers.

"Woah, check these out... I haven't changed my old ones in years..." They are held against the lobe of her ear as a point of comparison for the still-spectating Sitri. The eagerness in her eyes asks if they look any good.

Things take a turn when she reaches for the note. She scans it, and that word--dashing--makes her twitch. It can't be, it can't possibly be? ...Can it? Thoughts of him pop into her head. Her cheeks burn. He would use a word like that, but he couldn't possibly have returned just to give her this...!

"Er, th-thanks," Larcei coughs. Her face stains redder when she remembers she is still standing in front of Sitri. Straps and earrings fall back into the box and are swiftly shut away. They're damn good gifts, but the note, she still carries. Someone at this academy needs to be knocked down a peg, someone--crusaders by damned--dashing. The trick is scoping out who, without stroking their ego.

"You sure went through a lot to get this to me... I'll find whoever's responsible for this on my own."

#IC #ASKBOX #DIVINECREST #toaseasonsgreetings #//vengeful children when they grow up to be ruminating adults #//thank you to REDACTED for reminding her that life ain't sunshine and rainbows #//sending a mortar strike at your inbox as we speak

[reddragonprincess]

“Season's blessings, Princess Minerva. My name is Lilian, and I have come to deliver the gift from your winter's envoy.” So saying, Sitri holds out the gift in question. At first glance, it's a pleasant red box with white ribbon tied perfectly in the middle of the parcel; Inside lies a neatly-folded white cloth headband with the outlines of red gladiolus painstakingly hand-embroidered onto the fabric.

Minerva greeted the elegant woman with a warm smile, already knowing what to expect, but obviously wondering who is brave enouhg to pick the perfect gift for her.

"Thank you, Miss Lilian, please, let me have a look at it.." and she picked the package from her pale hands, observing it for a while before actually doing something: it was a small package, but with a very delicate touch, with the white ribbon on top of it. With a slow gesture, she untied the ribbon to reveal a very luxurious white cloth headband decorated with a reddish embroidery - of much of her taste actually, despite the great expectations Minerva was putting into that gift.

"This is… very cute" she couldn't say much as she was a bit embarassed at first, but truly glad she happened to get such incredibly useful gift. And she did have some clues about the gifter behind this.

#toaseasonsgreetings #same here sorry for lateness BUT #Altena is that you? :pleading_face:

[delicatevalentine]

“Season’s blessings, La - Ah, Hilda.” With a smile, Sitri holds out a small wicker basket. A collection of small goodies nestles among the straw filling: Pretty blue hair clips, three different shades of pink lip stain, a gold bracelet studded with sparkly rhinestones, and a pair of wrist-length black gloves with a bow along the hem. Tied with a piece of string to the basket's handle is a note. Misspelled words have been crossed out, then attempted again in shaky handwriting. "Hilda, I hope these are pretty enofh enoh enough for you. From, your Winter In Envoy.”

"And to you!" Hilda said, barely concealing her impatience as she eagerly accepted the basket. She loved gifts! Having been raised with just enough manners to wait until Sitri had moved on with her sack of presents, she gave a cheerful wave before delving into the straw.

Each item extracted made her smile grow a little further. She sensed from the assortment that her gifter wasn't quite sure of the latest trends, so had spread their chances broad. Fortunately for them, it had worked perfectly: she tested each item as it came out of the wrapping and found them all to her liking.

The note was endearing, and should have provided a clue to her secret benefactor, but she continued to draw a blank on their identity. If any of her nearest and dearest struggled with spelling, she had never cared to notice. Rather than approaching anyone in particular, she fastened the bracelet, pulled on the gloves, selected a lip colour and snapped in a hair clip, hoping her gifter would come forwards themself.

#THANK U WHOEVER U ARE!!!! #hilda is useless and so am i <3 #toaseasonsgreetings