[ On Christmas Day, Kainé will find a small package at her doorstep. Inside, she will find a snow globe with a cute, Christmas-themed tapir inside, along with... something... and a card with the following text in it:
Ms. Kainé,
Merry Christmas!
I'm not sure if you celebrate it in your world, but where I come from, this time of the year is the time for celebration with friends and family, full of joy and hopes for the future. I'm really grateful I got to meet you here, so I hope you accept this little token of appreciation! I know it's not much, but please remember that you can count on me whenever you need anything!
Sincerely, Noel Vermillion
Now that's all good and well, she might say, but what's the deal with the other thing? That would be Noel's custom, handmade rendition of a yule log cake. The problem? Noel can't cook. No, it's more than that ─ her cooking is absolutely atrocious, and the results are not unlike the worst of poisons. Most people brave enough to try it are left sick for weeks and traumatized for life. The wise thing would be to get rid of this abomination as soon as possible and never speak of its horrors again. But hey, at least the other gift is not deadly, so she got one half of it right! ]
A bundle wrapped in simple brown paper is left at Kainé's door, a simple but neatly written note attached:
Kainé,
I did my best with the flowers, but I know it's not perfect. Either way, I hope you find it useful.
- Ferran
Inside is a sturdy-looking dark cloak embroidered with a few lunar tear-like flowers embroidered along the edge in silver. There are a couple of visible spots where the thread was removed out and redone, but overall it's clear he put careful effort into the work.
sender: Tifa Lockhart, can move to action after if you'd prefer!
[Out of everyone she's yet to tell, Kaine is the first she opens her journal to write to. And whenever she reads the message, there will be a round, black blotch on the page where her quill rests for a long time as she considers how to begin before it transforms into a word, with impeccably neat handwriting.]
When you've got a moment, there's something I wanted to talk to you about. Nothing bad. Actually, the opposite! Exciting news! If you haven't already heard about it...
[Kainé doesn't use her journal as often as she probably could, but finding a message from Tifa is a pleasant and welcome surprise. She finds herself raising an eyebrow at the message for a moment, curious before responding in her own quick, slanted handwriting.]
Exciting news, huh? Can't say I've heard anything, but I'm not really tapped into the gossip around here as much as some people. You want to talk about it here, or is this face-to-face kinda news?
Yeah, that's fine. Let me know when you're ready to go and I can meet you there. Not doing much myself anyway.
[And whenever Tifa does receive that message, she'll be down at the dog park in a jiffy. She'd only just been with the flower pups that day, so when she goes to meet her, she will have Dahlia and Valerian in tow, and a couple of balls in her hands for a game of fetch that she's already started by the time Kaine gets there.]
[She does exactly that, once she and Nier have made their visit to the Harvest, after which she shoos him off and promises she'll get in his way again sometime later. She's alone when she arrives at the dog park, but of course she's not surprised to find that Tifa has brought company along.
She offers a reserved smile and raises a hand in greeting as she approaches, just barely managing not to get sideswiped by Valerian while the dog in question runs a ball back to Tifa.]
Hope you weren't waiting long. Looks like these two were ready to keep you busy, either way.
[Kainé is honestly surprised that Valerian decides to approach her to play rather than his keeper, and her smile turns just a little bit shy as she bends down on one knee to scoop up the ball.]
Looks like it— that's new. Don't spend a lot of time with animals, but I should be able to do this much.
[Probably. Indeed, she tosses the ball and Valerian goes running, and she turns her smile back to Tifa.]
[She can't speak for Kaine, but she's sure that the both of them have been keeping busy since they last saw each other. Properly, that is. Tifa isn't counting the times she's come through the Harvest during one of her shifts.]
What have you been up to?
[Is she buying herself some extra time before breaking the news because she can feel her nerves starting to act up? Maybe.]
[That's not hard to do around here, she's found, although she might be going about it a different way than most.]
There's lots to do here we don't have at home, you know? Odd jobs and that kind of thing, sure, but it's nice to live in a way that might be considered 'normal' somewhere. That sounds stupid, I'm sure.
[But... it's nice. Finding ways to make herself useful, slowly but steadily watching the treehouse she shares with Nier turning into a home.]
Thought I'd learn to fish sometime in the near future, so looking forward to that. I'll still have plenty of time for our sword lessons, though— you're doing great, be a shame to let them slip.
[There's something to be said about the "normalcy" that comes with living here, or the kind that she's gotten used to. It's odd in its own way simply by being a completely different world than her own but looking at it in comparison to a lot of different worlds she's sure are out there, including her own, this could be the "normal" life a lot of people yearn for but can't have.
So, it's far from silly to want to enjoy and take advantage of that, she thinks.]
My sword arm's not going anywhere, though. Never hurts to take breaks now and then either, and fishing's a good skill to have.
[Proud of you, girl!
And Tifa won't let those skills slip! To make sure of it, she's been practicing on her own time.]
Nier's a big fan of it, so... figured I'd ask him to show me how.
[Her smile turns just a touch sheepish, as it so often does when she mentions her companion from back home, despite her best efforts. It's been difficult to stay thorny in this place, especially as more and more people have proven to her that she doesn't have to— Tifa chief among them.
It's a nice change, really, and yet still surreal. Difficult to believe it's been almost a year of living like this now. When this all started, she would never have guessed that it would last so long.]
[There's a knowing grin glued to her face, but it's warm and fond. She cares a great deal about both of them, and tucks this little piece of information away for later... so that she can ask about their fishing escapades another time.
Which is good, because Kaine does a great job of moving the conversation back on its original track. Not that she wouldn't love to hear more about what she's been up to, but... Tifa did call her out here for a reason, and now it's her turn to become sheepish with a flush rising in her cheeks.]
Oh. That. [Pretending she's completely forgotten about it.] I guess there was something. Well...
[Her arms wrap around herself then, and the charms dangling around her neck tumble across her chest when she takes in a deep breath to prepare herself, and breaks the news on an exhale.]
[It takes her just a moment to process, largely because she hasn't been to a whole lot of weddings— there was Fyra's, of course, though her memories of it weren't exactly fond. Otherwise, people were either married or they weren't, she never really thought a lot about how it happened.
Slowly, her smile blooms a little bit wider, still reserved but bearing genuine warmth.]
To Eustace? You guys decided that's what you want, huh?
[She folds her arms in front of her, that smile of hers turning into a genuine smirk as she tips her head to one side.]
Congratulations. He must make you real happy— I know you wouldn't stand for anything less. You deserve this.
[Tifa nods, her teeth biting down on her lip to stifle the urge to smile wider, but no matter how hard she clamps down, she can't. It spreads up through her cheeks, flushing them, and into her eyes as they shimmer with joy. It was important to Tifa that all of the people that mattered to her were in on the happiness too, so that she could share it with them, so having Kaine be the first makes her heart flutter with joy.
So much that she's stepping up to her and wrapping her arms around her, pulling her into a hug.]
Thank you.
[And she holds her there for a beat or two longer before she pulls back and takes Kaine's hands in hers.]
[She returns the embrace easily, with only a little of the stiffness that used to accompany any show of affection— Tifa is one person that Kainé has become incredibly comfortable with over the past year, and the display means more to her than she can say, however simple it might be.
She's smiling when they both pull back, then gives a startled look downwards as Tifa takes both of her hands before looking back up, searching her friend's face.]
You want me to...? I mean, I'd be happy to, but how?
[Not that Tifa really knows what it means to be a bridesmaid either. She simply wants her to be because she means a lot to Tifa, and those who do, she wants them to be at her side through all of it. That's what it means, right?]
[Some apprehension visibly leaves her; her shoulders drop forward and her smile pulls a bit wider as Tifa admits that she, too, is a little lost about how to do all this.]
I definitely think you're right about that.
[She exhales, dropping a hand to rest against her hip.]
Even if I think I might be a strange choice for this kind of thing, if it wasn't obvious, I'm all in. It means a lot that... I mean— thank you. For asking me. I know it's not something anyone offers lightly, and... you've been a great friend to me. I'd be glad to be a part of this.
[Tifa feels her face flush, and she dips her head with a laugh.]
Couldn't imagine the day without you. You were my first friend here... It feels right.
[She can't even imagine her life in Reverein without her now. It's thanks to her that Tifa even thought to learn how to fight with other things besides her fists, and she's well on her way to that, thanks to her too. As far as she knows, she owes Kaine a lot.]
[Color creeps into her face; it's definitely not the first time Tifa has made her blush, and she's sure it won't be the last. Not many people are capable of it, but Tifa manages to do it pretty damn consistently.]
Yeah? Was I?
[They'd both been here right at the start. It makes sense, especially because...]
You were mine, too. You know there's no way in hell I'm gonna miss out on your big day. I'll drag the old man, too.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
December 25th
Ms. Kainé,
Merry Christmas!
I'm not sure if you celebrate it in your world, but where I come from, this time of the year is the time for celebration with friends and family, full of joy and hopes for the future. I'm really grateful I got to meet you here, so I hope you accept this little token of appreciation! I know it's not much, but please remember that you can count on me whenever you need anything!
Sincerely,
Noel Vermillion
Now that's all good and well, she might say, but what's the deal with the other thing? That would be Noel's custom, handmade rendition of a yule log cake. The problem? Noel can't cook. No, it's more than that ─ her cooking is absolutely atrocious, and the results are not unlike the worst of poisons. Most people brave enough to try it are left sick for weeks and traumatized for life. The wise thing would be to get rid of this abomination as soon as possible and never speak of its horrors again. But hey, at least the other gift is not deadly, so she got one half of it right! ]
near the end of the month
Kainé,
I did my best with the flowers, but I know it's not perfect. Either way, I hope you find it useful.
- Ferran
Inside is a sturdy-looking dark cloak embroidered with a few lunar tear-like flowers embroidered along the edge in silver. There are a couple of visible spots where the thread was removed out and redone, but overall it's clear he put careful effort into the work.
sender: Tifa Lockhart, can move to action after if you'd prefer!
When you've got a moment, there's something I wanted to talk to you about. Nothing bad. Actually, the opposite! Exciting news! If you haven't already heard about it...
💖💖💖
Exciting news, huh? Can't say I've heard anything, but I'm not really tapped into the gossip around here as much as some people. You want to talk about it here, or is this face-to-face kinda news?
no subject
no subject
[Okay, it looks hokey written out like that, but...]
no subject
Okay. When's a good time? We could meet by the dog park, if you're at home.
no subject
[Translation, she plans to go find Nier and drag his ass to the Wild Harvest.]
no subject
Yeah, that's fine. Let me know when you're ready to go and I can meet you there. Not doing much myself anyway.
[And whenever Tifa does receive that message, she'll be down at the dog park in a jiffy. She'd only just been with the flower pups that day, so when she goes to meet her, she will have Dahlia and Valerian in tow, and a couple of balls in her hands for a game of fetch that she's already started by the time Kaine gets there.]
no subject
[She does exactly that, once she and Nier have made their visit to the Harvest, after which she shoos him off and promises she'll get in his way again sometime later. She's alone when she arrives at the dog park, but of course she's not surprised to find that Tifa has brought company along.
She offers a reserved smile and raises a hand in greeting as she approaches, just barely managing not to get sideswiped by Valerian while the dog in question runs a ball back to Tifa.]
Hope you weren't waiting long. Looks like these two were ready to keep you busy, either way.
no subject
[And Dahlia is eagerly waiting for Tifa to throw hers as Valerian trots a circle around Kaine before dropping the ball at her feet instead.]
Looks like they're already eager to make a friend out of you.
[A ball dispenser, more like. Valerian barks up at Kaine and sits, his tail tapping against the ground.]
no subject
Looks like it— that's new. Don't spend a lot of time with animals, but I should be able to do this much.
[Probably. Indeed, she tosses the ball and Valerian goes running, and she turns her smile back to Tifa.]
Good to see you, by the way.
no subject
[She can't speak for Kaine, but she's sure that the both of them have been keeping busy since they last saw each other. Properly, that is. Tifa isn't counting the times she's come through the Harvest during one of her shifts.]
What have you been up to?
[Is she buying herself some extra time before breaking the news because she can feel her nerves starting to act up? Maybe.]
no subject
[That's not hard to do around here, she's found, although she might be going about it a different way than most.]
There's lots to do here we don't have at home, you know? Odd jobs and that kind of thing, sure, but it's nice to live in a way that might be considered 'normal' somewhere. That sounds stupid, I'm sure.
[But... it's nice. Finding ways to make herself useful, slowly but steadily watching the treehouse she shares with Nier turning into a home.]
Thought I'd learn to fish sometime in the near future, so looking forward to that. I'll still have plenty of time for our sword lessons, though— you're doing great, be a shame to let them slip.
no subject
[There's something to be said about the "normalcy" that comes with living here, or the kind that she's gotten used to. It's odd in its own way simply by being a completely different world than her own but looking at it in comparison to a lot of different worlds she's sure are out there, including her own, this could be the "normal" life a lot of people yearn for but can't have.
So, it's far from silly to want to enjoy and take advantage of that, she thinks.]
My sword arm's not going anywhere, though. Never hurts to take breaks now and then either, and fishing's a good skill to have.
[Proud of you, girl!
And Tifa won't let those skills slip! To make sure of it, she's been practicing on her own time.]
no subject
[Her smile turns just a touch sheepish, as it so often does when she mentions her companion from back home, despite her best efforts. It's been difficult to stay thorny in this place, especially as more and more people have proven to her that she doesn't have to— Tifa chief among them.
It's a nice change, really, and yet still surreal. Difficult to believe it's been almost a year of living like this now. When this all started, she would never have guessed that it would last so long.]
So, what did you wanna talk to me about?
no subject
Which is good, because Kaine does a great job of moving the conversation back on its original track. Not that she wouldn't love to hear more about what she's been up to, but... Tifa did call her out here for a reason, and now it's her turn to become sheepish with a flush rising in her cheeks.]
Oh. That. [Pretending she's completely forgotten about it.] I guess there was something. Well...
[Her arms wrap around herself then, and the charms dangling around her neck tumble across her chest when she takes in a deep breath to prepare herself, and breaks the news on an exhale.]
I... I'm getting married...
no subject
Slowly, her smile blooms a little bit wider, still reserved but bearing genuine warmth.]
To Eustace? You guys decided that's what you want, huh?
[She folds her arms in front of her, that smile of hers turning into a genuine smirk as she tips her head to one side.]
Congratulations. He must make you real happy— I know you wouldn't stand for anything less. You deserve this.
no subject
So much that she's stepping up to her and wrapping her arms around her, pulling her into a hug.]
Thank you.
[And she holds her there for a beat or two longer before she pulls back and takes Kaine's hands in hers.]
I want you to be a part of it, too.
no subject
She's smiling when they both pull back, then gives a startled look downwards as Tifa takes both of her hands before looking back up, searching her friend's face.]
You want me to...? I mean, I'd be happy to, but how?
no subject
What do you mean, how?
[Not that Tifa really knows what it means to be a bridesmaid either. She simply wants her to be because she means a lot to Tifa, and those who do, she wants them to be at her side through all of it. That's what it means, right?]
no subject
[And, given how small weddings tend to be in her own world...
Well, let's just say she's not familiar with the concept of bridesmaids.]
Sorry, don't have a lot of experience with this kind of thing. Not really strong in the decorating area, either.
no subject
To be honest, I don't really know either.
[She just knows that the bridesmaids that the bride picks are meant to be important to her. The people she calls her closest, most cherished friends.]
... But I think it'll be more fun figuring this all out together, yeah?
no subject
I definitely think you're right about that.
[She exhales, dropping a hand to rest against her hip.]
Even if I think I might be a strange choice for this kind of thing, if it wasn't obvious, I'm all in. It means a lot that... I mean— thank you. For asking me. I know it's not something anyone offers lightly, and... you've been a great friend to me. I'd be glad to be a part of this.
no subject
Couldn't imagine the day without you. You were my first friend here... It feels right.
[She can't even imagine her life in Reverein without her now. It's thanks to her that Tifa even thought to learn how to fight with other things besides her fists, and she's well on her way to that, thanks to her too. As far as she knows, she owes Kaine a lot.]
no subject
Yeah? Was I?
[They'd both been here right at the start. It makes sense, especially because...]
You were mine, too. You know there's no way in hell I'm gonna miss out on your big day. I'll drag the old man, too.
and this one too!
Don't you worry. I've already got that covered...
[Bouncing on the balls of her feet, her hands fold behind her back, and there's a glint of fond mischief in her eyes.]
But keep that a secret.
wrapped! 🎀
[She'd love to see what Tifa has in store for Nier. Her grin pulls to one side, and she taps her own index finger against her own lips.]
I won't tell a damn soul. My lips are sealed.