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[nerine]

UN: Monts
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action, later that day

[nerine]

[Monts is, in a word, touched by both Vangeance's gift and his note. The wind chime is simple, and while it could just be her, there was a profoundness to it, true thought and consideration that could only come from him.

Wind chimes make her think of hot summers and dry windy days. The sound it makes brings out images of sitting on the porch with her grandfather, with their own metal chimes singing gently in the evening breeze, enjoying iced drinks and snacks, and if they could get away with it from the sharp eyes of her grandmother, a shot of tequila on ice with lime and salt.

Of course, Vangeance wouldn't know those things about her and it's not like she'll carelessly ramble about the strong meaning she found behind his gift. But what Monts will do is deliver her own gift in person.

She decides to look down the row of cottages to see if she can spot him. Near Parron Cottage, she sees the familiar mask and waves to him. ]

Feliz Navidad! Caught you!

[In her arms, she's carrying a small wooden crate with a lid, protecting it from random snowflakes.]

[laeradr]

[ How many more gifts does he have to distribute? ... three, he thinks? Maybe he'll take a small break. This isn't exactly difficult or exhausting, but the cold is certainly getting to him, and -- ]

... good afternoon, Monts.

[ He'd looked over the moment he caught sight of that wave, and Vangeance is quick to give a nod and a warm smile of recognition. There's the quiet crunch of snow under his boots as he strides over, breath trailing in the air behind him in the cold. ]

I'm afraid I didn't quite hear what you first said.

[ 'Feliz' ... ?

That said, he holds his hands out while nodding towards the crate in her arms. ]

Would you like any help carrying that?

[nerine]

It's just another way to say, "Merry Christmas!" Don't worry about it.

[Monts beams at him when he offers to carry the box.]

Why, yes I would like help.

[She places it in his open hands and pats it on the lid.]

Kindly relieve my gift for you from me. That way you get to open it up and I can see what you think of the present I chose!

[laeradr]

[ Really now, the more he learns about Christmas, the more complicated it seems. Vangeance's smile gains the slightest hint of something both fond and exasperated, but he takes the crate without complaint -- until he realizes it's meant for him. ]

A gift? [ He holds it with care, glancing down at the lid for a moment before giving Monts a warm smile and a deeper nod. ] For Christmas, I presume. Thank you very much, then. I'll accept with gratitude.

[ He's modest, but not so much that he'd refuse a tradition-based gift. Vangeance tilts his head towards the entrance to Parron Cottage, just a few paces away. ]

Would you allow me to repay you with a cup of tea? I was about to make one for myself.

[nerine]

Choosing gifts for people I haven't known as long as a lot more fun than I expected. That's the magic of the holidays, I guess.

[The offer of tea seems to please her as she nods immediately.]

Since you're offering, allow me to indulge myself then! It's a good idea to be inside anyway. I don't think what's in the box likes being in the cold too long.

[laeradr]

Certainly. I'd be happy to have you.

[ A serene smile as he leads the way, unlocking the door and letting her enter first before he follows and closes the door behind them. Parron Cottage is a fairly simply-decorated place, quiet and sparse now that the rowdier two youths have returned to their homes (he hopes). ]

It was certainly an interesting way of spending time. I feel I've come to have a greater understanding of my acquaintances, so I appreciated the opportunity.

[ Vangeance gently places the crate on the kitchen table before striding over to put the kettle on. And then he takes the chance to remove his cloaks, hanging them on a hook in the hallway.

The mask stays on, of course. ]

[nerine]

Christmas is one of those things that seems universal at least 90% of the time. Or so I've been told.

[For someone who was so clearly capable and had what she was assuming very strong magic abilities, Vangeance was such a guarded person maybe even more than herself; that's what Monts thinks to herself anyway as she sits
down and watches him move across the kitchen, preparing the tea.]

It's been so engrained in my life, I honestly would feel like a piece was missing this time of year if I didn't celebrate it in some fashion.

[laeradr]

I suppose the world I come from is simply a strange one. Though I'm sure many feel that way about their own holidays, regardless of culture.

[ Despite his noble lineage, Vangeance has never had any qualms about doing things for himself, and he quietly prepares a teapot's strainer with some loose-leaf tea, setting out two cups afterward. Methodical and neat.

That done, he looks back to Monts. ]

But I'm very glad you're able to enjoy a day so important to you, even in a place like this. Have you done anything special to celebrate? Other than preparing gifts.

[nerine]

I sang some Christmas songs to myself. It's a whole genre unto itself, it's wild really. And the cottage I'm living in has decorations so that helps amplify the spirit of the day.

[She continues to watch him make the tea; the methodical movements reminds her a bit of Oren, although the golem would do things with absolute precision down to the very second when it comes to brewing anything.]

Usually on Christmas Eve, the evening before, I'd attend a religious service with my grandparents. I don't practice myself, but I go with them regardless because it's important and it's one of the few requests I honor.

[laeradr]

[ As the kettle bubbles away on the stovetop, he focuses only on her, listening quietly as she speaks. And he gives a small nod in understanding. ]

They must have been very glad to have your company. And even if you don't abide by the religion, I'm sure it was a meaningful time for you, sharing that time with your family.

[ In truth, matters of family bonding are completely unfamiliar to him. But he can at least imagine the warmth and comfort found in an unofficial tradition like that. Vangeance smiles gently. ]

It's unfortunate you were unable to maintain the tradition this year. So we'll have to do our best to ensure next year will be different

[nerine]

They went through the trouble of raising me after all so it's the least I could do for them.

[She settles into an easy silence as he focuses on his task. In regards to there being next year... Monts doesn't really want to entertain that possibility of being here that long. But she doesn't voice that concern aloud because it seemed so callous when most everyone she's met and befriended has been so accomodating and kind in different ways. And it also felt unsettling to some degree that if she did happen to disappear, she may never meet them again...

As Vangeance makes the tea, she hums "Silver Bells," falling into her own reverie as she listens to the bubbling kettle and the sound of the stovetop turning off.]

[laeradr]

[ He briefly considers saying something about how raising one's grandchild wouldn't be considered 'trouble.' But Monts seems at peace with that quip, moving onto other thoughts, so he leaves her in that easy silence for the moment, turning to tend to the kettle when it begins to whistle.

Especially since her humming makes for peaceful background noise as he begins brewing the tea. The scent of something fragrant and herbal quickly fills the air, and it's not long before he brings over a tray with a pair of cups. ]

I hope it's to your taste.

[ Said as he places one before her with the gentle clink of ceramics. Then a little jar of sugar cubes, though no cream, she might note. ]

To be honest, I'm afraid I wasn't very prepared for guests.

[nerine]

[She picks up her cup to take in its fragrance and let it fill her body before taking a small sip to taste.]

Not bad! Just what I need for weather like this. I don't think you need to be worried about being a good host for guests with tea like this.

[Setting her cup down, she just adds one lump of sugar to stir in.]

Well? Are you going to open up your present?

[laeradr]

[ He'd been waiting a moment to make sure she didn't have any complaints, but laughs gently when she brings up the gift. Not that he'd forgotten it, even for a moment, but it would have been rude to seem too eager to open a present, wouldn't it? ]

I suppose it would be rude to keep you waiting for much longer.

[ And with that, Vangeance gently eases open the lid of the little crate and peeks in. ]

Oh. [ He sounds (very mildly but) pleasantly surprised. ] These are ... ?

[nerine]

Succulents!

[Indeed there are six small potted plants within the wooden crate. Despite their size, they boast an unusual plump texture and their bright smooth color contrast with the grey winter season.]

Aren't they cute? They're drought-resistant plants so they're popular with people who aren't very good at taking care of greenery. Not that I think that you wouldn't be any good at it.

[Monts is unusually, if at least, low-key excited at introducing these to Vangeance.]

I kind of took a while to think of what to get for you. But then my mind wandered and I thought of when you used your magic to help me out from drowning... [She gestures with her hands animatedly as she explains herself.]

... And then it also made me wonder if you even have these types of plants where you're from. I think it'd be obvious that flora and fauna are very different across worlds.

[laeradr]

'Succulents.'

[ The careful way he echoes that unfamiliar word makes it incredibly obvious that, no, he's not well-acquainted with these types of plants.

Vangeance reaches into the crate to carefully pick up the fattest one of the bunch, holding it up to admire it better in the lighting of the room. Tilting his head one way, then the other as he studies the unusual texture of the leaves and their vibrant coloring. And faintly, he smiles to himself, equal parts amused and curious. ]

They're certainly odd-looking plants. I've never seen anything like them in Clover.

[ Finally, that inspection done, he lowers the succulent and gives Monts a proper smile. Warm and genial. ]

Thank you very much, Monts. They're terribly [ cute ] charming. I can't claim to have any true skills as a gardener, but I promise you I'll do my best to take good care of these.

[nerine]

Is there desert or dry regions where you're from? That's kind of what factors into how these plants were cultivated if I recall correctly.

[His reaction to them is enough for her. Not that she expected fireworks and being over the moon for some plants (not from Vangeance anyway), but she can tell that he likes them for their uniqueness.]

Please do! They're for your viewing pleasure after all. We had bigger versions of these plants at the cafe and I've been told by customers looking at them makes them cheer up; I think it has to do with the fact that they're so hardy even in rough conditions.

[laeradr]

There are drier regions at the borders of the Kingdom, towards the north. Though I'm afraid I haven't spent much time in those areas, personally. Most of my missions kept me closer to the Royal Capital, to the east.

[ He gently pulls out the other little plants as he speaks, looking over each one before putting them down in a row on the table. ]

But I'm always glad to learn of new things, so I appreciate these greatly. Especially if they're resilient. [ Vangeance smiles as he runs a finger against the edge of a fat leaf. ] I'd hate to ever have to deliver the bad news to you that I failed to let your gifts flourish.

[nerine]

All they need is just the smallest amount of water and some light. Just find a place where you can check on them easily and you'll be ready to go as a plant dad.

[Monts has a way of saying embarrassing things without batting an eye... Still, she beams at him.]

Merry Christmas, William.

[laeradr]

[ 'Plant dad' ............. That sure earns a raised eyebrow from behind his mask. But how could he possibly be weirded out at all when faced with that bright smile and the warm holiday greeting?

So Vangeance blinks, then laughs softly. And responds, as gracious and gentle as ever: ]

Merry Christmas, Monts. I hope the day treats you kindly, and that you're still able to create some fond memories of it.

[ Especially if the holiday has a special meaning for her. ]