video; un: BlossomingTide | Holiday questions

[withermarked]

Type: Video
Sender ID: BlossomingTide (Faulkner)
To: Public
Subject: Holidays and Gifts
Warnings: Vague reference to coming from a world with The Horrors

[ Anyone who happens to remember his first post to the network might notice Faulkner looks a little... better? Not all that different: the same freckles, big blue eyes, youthful face and blonde curls—albeit grown out a bit more. But he looks less gaunt, haunted and sleep deprived.

The background also looks like some kind of house instead of his somewhat shabbier Corsair apartment. It doesn't seem especially furnished yet from what can be seen.

He starts this off with a cheerful grin and a little wave. ]

Can someone explain the upcomin' holiday a bit more? Or—holidays? Seems like I hear a lot about Winterstide and Christmas. Seems like a lot of you share that one, even from all different worlds. I have to wonder if the lore behind it is the same everywhere...?

[ He pauses with a faint chuckle. ]

But uh, that's not the important part just now. The other thing I've gathered is on a lot of people's mind is gifts. So for someone who didn't grow up with all this, help a guy out?

What sorts of thing are traditional for... different kinds of people in your life? What people are you meant to get 'em for? Seems awfully trusting if it's anyone you aren't close with already.

[ But then, people here do just seem more trusting than he's used to. And as much as there's magic everywhere, it seems like it probably takes a little more effort to make something dangerous than just drawing a sigil in the wrapping. ]

Comments

un: starshower, video

[starshower]

I've only heard little bits about "Christmas" — we don't have that where I'm from, but this'll be my third Winterstide here. From what I understand and have heard from others, it's pretty similar?

[If he has more questions about Winterstide itself, then she can at least answer those, but as for the gifts—]

But the point is to just show people that you care about that you're thinking of them. You might be worrying more about tradition and less about what you're feeling about the people around you. Have you had a bad experience with gift-giving before?

[Seems a logical conclusion to come to, but there is only patience in her voice, no judgment. She just hopes that she hasn't misunderstood what he's trying to say!]

[withermarked]

A bad experience? No, not as such. I mean, I'm not hung up on light birthday years and I've never accepted somethin' foolish—

[ A pause, because he's not sure if she asked that because of the trust bit. ]

We certainly have some occasions with gifts where I'm from. But it's generally considered less than polite to offer one to someone you aren't very close with, and more than stupid to accept as much. Still gettin' used to what sort of things are common sense or courtesy here.

[starshower]

[Ah, that's good. She does give a visible sigh of relief.]

Honestly, in my experience, I don't think it matters. I've had customers bring us gifts at the bar, and I've given things out to people that I've never met before, and never met a person who said no. I think most around here are just excited to get something, even if it's small.

But why not get the people you're close with something?

[withermarked]

[ Well, that first part gets a startled snort. These people would not survive a day where he's from... but maybe that says more about his world than it does about them. ]

Well that sure is... different.

[ Is what he actually says out loud. ]

But yes, I'm plannin' to at least do that. Which is why I wondered about advice.

[ Another pause, this one a little more sheepish seeming. ]

If I'm perfectly honest I didn't have nearly so many close people back home in any case.

[starshower]

It can be a little overwhelming, can't it? For a long time, I didn't have people, either. Was just me and myself I was looking out for. Then, all of a sudden, a handful of friends fell right into my lap.

[Was more complicated than that, but for the sake of the conversation—]

Why don't you start by telling me about these people and we can go from there? Little hard to give any advice if we know nothing about 'em.

[withermarked]

A little, yes.

[ Possibly more than a little, but probably best to keep this light. ]

Fair point, I can do that.

[ But he'll split this into two messages, and make the second part private. Probably better for talking about people and considering gift plans. ]

Well. Never had a boyfriend before livin' here, so maybe that's as good as any place to start. D'you happen to know Hawks..?

[starshower]

[Good call. Don't want to spoil the gifts otherwise!

But Tifa has to think back through all of the customers she's seen come and go through the bar.]

No, can't say I have. He might've come through Seventh Heaven, but not anyone by that name. What's he like?

[withermarked]

If you have seen him around you'd probably remember the big red wings.

[ A little pause. ]

Well, he's an actual superhero back home. For a livin'. Like from comics. So... strong and brave an' all that. And also very sweet and kind. But uh, suppose none of that's much help for this.

[ Look, sometimes he just has to gush about finding someone wildly out of his league. ] He's also kind of a bird?

[starshower]

[She'll let him gush. If anything, she thinks that he should gush some more, as Tifa listens eagerly.]

A bird, huh?

[She's definitely imagining one of the birdfolk.]

I'm personally a fan of more practical gifts, so something like a nice feather oil would go a long way. There are a lot of 'em around Latrommi, and even Astares, where there's a big population of birdfolk, if you're looking for some.

But judging by the way you talk about him, sounds like something more sentimental might be the way to go?

[withermarked]

[ He laughs and looks a touch sheepish. ]

You're not wrong that I'd like to be sentimental. He spoils me all the time after all... brings me chocolate or somethin' every time I see him.

[ Which he's learning is a very easy way to win him over. ]

But practical still might be good. He doesn't really get having things just to have 'em. And he did just have to grow all his feathers back in...

[ That suggestion is definitely going on the list. ]

[starshower]

No harm in doing a little bit of both, yeah? While I can't really help with sentimental too much...

[Only because she doesn't know the exact nature of their relationship...]

Why not make him something? Some food or dessert? A friend of mine used to take me out sailing to an island I've never been to before and cooked for me. It was probably the best gift I could have asked for.

[He spoiled her rotten that day. That, and she knows the way to any person's heart is through the stomach. It's why she loves what she does for a living.]

[withermarked]

That sounds very sweet. An' it's not a bad idea, but I do already cook for him now and then. Well... a lot for a while there when he was uh, injured pretty bad.

[ But then to keep the mood light he'll give a little huff. ]

Man wouldn't stay in bed without bein' bribed with snacks about it.

[starshower]

Hmmm. Well, is there something that you've never made for him before? Like a cake, or a new favourite dish? I've got a few ideas and recipes, if you need 'em.

[withermarked]

There's a thought... he does have a birthday comin' up. But he mostly eats meat? Wouldn't mind more ideas for what to do with that.

[ A little pause. ]

Just got a job cookin' at the Lounge anyway so I really ought to pick up more recipes.