openhanded | crosschecks inbox.

[ on the morning of the 23rd, you receive a package, wrapped neatly in glossy white paper and gold ribbon, with a photo attached to it. It’s a picture of Teddy, your resident Prime Minister, giving puppy dog eyes at the camera and holding up a sign that reads “I ♥ HEROES”. the message on the back of the photo says: ]

Dear Sorey,
I am happy to see that you made it back from Gammon, safe and sound. War is truly a terrible thing, and I can only imagine the horrors you had to go through. I thank you for your service, from the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of Blanc’s citizens. We are truly grateful.

Commander Pinta has informed me of your valiant efforts in the recent battle to protect the Kingdom of Gammon. Gammon is an important ally of the Republic of Blanc, and though a battle is never an enjoyable ordeal, I do hope you enjoyed the sights and celebrations our sister nation has to offer.

But not too much! Gammon is a great place, but Blanc missed you, Sorey! I missed you. I thought it might be nice to send you a little gift, which I hope you’ll enjoy.

Warmest regards,
Thierry Toussant

[ Unwrap the box and you will find:

A small toy cannon. It fires “cannons” the size of ping pong balls.

If your eyes happen to wander over to your window, you notice you’re not alone. Wait a minute, is that… Teddy peeking in, watching eagerly as you unwrap your gift? Was it just your imagination? Whether it is or not, he’s already gone! ]

Your carrier lovingly hacks up a small package that would fit in your hand, as well as a handwritten letter with some sort of armored animal drawn in the corner...

Dear Friend,

We may not know each other very well yet, or maybe at all! I've only seen one battle here, but the amount of bravery and care that people have shown for one another both on and off of the battlefield lets me know I'm part of something special. People have lost their homes and loved ones, and while we can't bring those back, I know that there are people here to believe in. And I'm very lucky to get to fight alongside them.

It's not much, but I hope you enjoy a few snacks that I've made! A full tummy always makes me feel better. Maybe we can share a snack together in person sometimes soon.

Sincerely,

Orihime Inoue & Kou-kun
井上織姫とコウくん

The package is wrapped in pink and blue paper. When unwrapped, your character will find three cute little animal-themed pastries! (You're welcome to decide which three.) They have a sweet bread outer layer and some curious fillings...

Pink Bunny is hopping and happy to see you! It is filled with a sweet carrot cream.
Purrfect Kitty is very pleased and ready to be eaten! It is filled with some sort of chopped meat, reminiscent of a BBQ Pork bun.
Sleeping Froggy knows it's delicious. It's filled with a MYSTERY FLAVOR...which is either a sour green apple or...seaweed?
Friendly Puppy isn't supposed to have chocolate, but it's filled with it anyway. Don't tell anyone!
Cute Chicky is filled with a egg-flavored cream. Yeah, that one actually isn't surprising, although maybe a little morbid when you think about it.

[This package you will receive doesn't come by Carrier. Rather, Vietnam has given strict instructions that this will be treated like every large package, and will be delivered like so. After all, it is one! A letter, and a little box. Wonder what it is? And when do you receive it? Any time between the September 6th to the 15th. And in the case of the newer Heroes, it comes sometime on the 8th or after (hint hint).]

COMRADE,

No matter our opinions of our situation or this place, we are all the same, brought here from different places. Still, we all have each other. Whatever fate has in store, we will chose. I suppose what cane be important here now are the bonds we create.

To celebrate that let me share a custom. In my world, sometime in the Autumn, is the Mid-Autumn Festival, known to me as Tết Trung Thu. It is said that during this time, the moon will be so round and will shine its brightest. To appreciate the moon, one can ask for blessings from the gods. You can give thanks for the harvest or harmonious unions. You can pray for prosperity and good fortune. But also, it is a time to spend together.

Each year will it would be celebrated on a different day. In the year I left, 2016, it should fall on September 15th. I believe the equivalent date here is Sylvant 15th. So please take this chance to relax. I have included one free pass to a two night stay at the inn I manage, Dragon's Flight and Phoenix Dance, located on Gisela. On these islands, you will be able to see the sky, so very close. I have also included a mooncake of lotus filling. As per custom, you share your mooncake with family and friends to signify unity. I hope it is to your tastes.

May your year be filled with prosperity.

Vietnam

CODED BY TESSISAMESS

[ He will find a nice basket with an envelop attached to it in front of his door. Enjoy! ]

[ Included is a small box of sugar cookies, because sunflowers are bright like Sorey! And a note "I didn't bake these!!" ]

[It's been a couple days since their dungeon adventure, and he's glad that the curse has lifted after dealing with it for 24 hours. Mikleo really hopes that there isn't a repeat of that in future dungeons, good Lords.

At any rate, the seraph has an idea for synthesis with one of the items he's obtained from the excursion. His idea is that the Alchemist's dress he got can be used to give him a boost to his charm magic when used on males, considering the Mistress's power to do that. Unfortunately, it requires him to not only wear the dress, but also to perform mana exchange with someone else while doing so.

After wearing out his baby griffon, Galahad, with play and slipping on both the dress and the necklace he intends to use as his accessory, Mikleo sends a voice message to Sorey. He's the only one the seraph can think of that he feels comfortable doing this with.]

Hey, Sorey? You have a moment?

Sorey? It's Pacifica.

The words from the dungeon--that part where we had to open a bunch of doors--just disappeared on their own. Did yours do the same?

[read: Are you okay?]

[Who knew finding the perfect pair of feathers to make earrings with can be so damn difficult? Mikleo's been more than a little frustrated over the color choice, especially in light of what color Kings primarily wear, now. Does he go with blue and be a romantic sap about it? Maybe red to better go with the gold? Or does he go with the obnoxiously garish rainbow feathers he found in the bottom of the box and knows Sorey will like?

At least the seraph has made earrings of each of them, but...he's going to need an expert's opinion.]

Hey, Sorey? I need to ask a question. If you had to wear one of these colors, which would it be: blue, red, or obnoxious rainbow?

[It's not long before Mikleo hears that Sorey's infection has finally started showing symptoms. He's also not surprised when he's also told that his reckless and selfless partner has been working despite that. It's too typical of him.

When the seraph enters the quarantine, he immediately heads to wherever his partner is. It doesn't take him long to find the brunet, huddled under a blanket. He has no hesitation as he places a gentle hand on Sorey's shoulder to let him know he's there before sitting behind him to hold him close, using the blanket as his shield from the illness. At least this time, Mikleo's hands are also gloved, so he can brush damp, brown hair out of his eyes.]

You're not going to get any better if you keep working yourself to the bone, Sorey.

[ Sometime late on the evening of December 24th, Sorey will receive a mysterious package via his carrier. How does such a tiny birb spit up such a giant thing, who even knows. Seriously, it's huge, and wrapped in gold and silver, it is unclear who the gift came from at first. Upon opening it, Sorey will find two things:

A fairly robust hiker's kit. It's obviously store-bought, by someone who likely doesn't know the first thing about being an explorer, but there looks to be quite a few useful things in here, at least! And it's the thought that counts, right?

As well as a small package of berry-and-millet treats for the hero's slightly-more-feathered friend.

Packaged with these two items is a letter, written in immaculate handwriting. ]

Sorey,

It is customary during this time of year for people to exchange gifts to celebrate the coming of the new year. Do you have a holiday like that where you are from? It seems like quite a few heroes do, as well as the people of Enprise—and as they say, do as others do!

I hope that you will be able to find some use out of this gift. I will admit that I may not have as much experience with this sort of thing as you, but I was assured that something like this was essential for any explorer. I hope that is true.

Happy Holidays from your happy helper,
Lux

[Lux isn't the only one getting a gift from Mikleo. He's just been saving it for the actual day you're supposed to give presents. Anyway, in a box wrapped in blue paper, Sorey gets the following from his tsundere seraph soulmate:

-Assorted baked goods in cute shapes (listen he's really proud of how they turned out)
-Canary treats
-A travel kit for any aspiring archaeologist

There's also one last present that's wrapped in white and silver. Inside Sorey will find something nice and fits him perfectly. It comes with a short note in familiar handwriting.]

You never know when they'll host another ball of some sort. Sorry about the lack of feathers.

Edited 2016-12-27 06:33 (UTC)

crosschecks inbox.

delivery; carrier ID: TEDDY

delivery ➣ id: orihimetron3000

actual mail, between September 6th - 15th

delivery via pegasus express.

delivered by honey dragon mail!

[Voice] 9/22

audio; id: pacifica - 9/24

[Voice] 10/16

[Action] During Quarantine

delivery; id: lux

Cherima Day