Letter and a Package?!

[damn_juicebox]

[This letter is sent along with a small package on Tuesday evening. What's inside? A Santa hat and a couple of bells, a sprig of pine, and a bundle of mistletoe.]

Season's Greetings!

I am writing to you from the Santa Village. Yuki and I boarded an ocean ship this morning so we could get a look at the village for ourselves. Work has only just begun, so I regret that there isn't much here at the moment, but there is certainly a great deal of promise. I'm certain your Moogle companions have already told you of what they hope the place becomes and how we can help. I would encourage you to do so. Even if there is much work to be completed, the village has an aura of peace and good will. I would like to ask those in charge if we might use it, and expand upon it, as a place of refuge should we be able to evacuate those who are currently threatened by the expansion of the Calamity. I do not know if my suggestion will be taken under consideration, but this is my hope.

In the meantime, I believe I will transfer my belongings here for the month and stay at the inn, possibly a house if I am able as I would like access to a kitchen. As I will be assisting with appearances as 'Mrs. Clause,' I believe the role would be greatly strengthened if I were able to bake seasonal cookies and treats. If you have any recipes, please send them to me. I would be exceptionally grateful, and the sooner I can practice, the quicker I can produce satisfactory results.

Please consider doing what you are able for this cause as well. Knowing what's coming, I believe that spreading joy and peace to the denizens of this world will help to strengthen and unite them. I hope to see you here soon, even if only for a couple of days. Whatever you can contribute would be greatly welcomed.

Sincerely,
~Rukia Kuchiki (Temporary Mrs. Clause)

Comments

[damn_juicebox]

[Rukia smiles warmly when she reads the letter. That was honestly very sweet, especially since they still know little about one another.]

K'pandolu,

Thank you. I will try this recipe on the morrow. Following instructions written on paper is so much different than receiving directions from a person beside you. I have much practicing to do.

While I practice the art of cookie baking, perhaps you can tell me more of this world you come from. I would be interested in knowing how the traditions of this one compare. I know little of the traditions practiced personally, but Soul Society has adopted the hanging of mistletoe and gift-giving, along with a few other things to celebrate the passing of the winter season.

~Rukia

[unyieldingspirit]

Rukia,

Perhaps so- but I have faith you will produce some marvellous confections!

Certainly. In Eorzea, this winter's festival is also called the Starlight Celebration- but the circumstances it arose from were different. There have been no small number of battles in Eorzea's history, of course, but this battle left particularly deep wounds, and most notably in the city-state of Ishgard, where many children were now homeless and alone. Officially, the knights were not supposed to take any action- but many could not stand this, and so smuggled children in under their red coats to give them food and a bed inside their company's walls.

In time, the battles ended, and the practice was forgotten- until those children, then become adults, gathered together to pay tribute to those who had helped them. They gave out presents to the children of the realm, passing on the kindness shown to them to others- and so it continues to this day. Though the celebrants have taken to doing a little more- bringing snow to the southern city-states, for example… It's somewhat strange to see amongst the sands of Thanalan, you see.

Soul Society?

- K'pandolu

[damn_juicebox]

K'pandolu,

That's a lovely legend. It is impressive to have so many similarities, even if the origins of the traditions vary so much. I'm impressed that they would go to such lengths to transport snow. Is it difficult?

My apologies for not explaining adequately. Soul Society is where I'm from, as a soul reaper. It is the equivalent of what many others would call 'heaven' though I'm certain there are many differing elements in that regard as well.

Thank you for your faith. I shall endeavor not to disappoint.

~Rukia

[unyieldingspirit]

Rukia,

I believe they had to forge special cores for the snowmen around which the snow fell. I couldn't tell you the specifics of making them, unfortunately, but I would imagine reforging them would be no simple task.

'Heaven'… You mean the afterlife? [The Eorzean equivalent would be Thal's halls, though with what little she knows about aether and the Lifestream she wouldn't be able to say if there is consciousness after death.]

I'm sure I won't be! Perhaps you would let me sample some of them, to be sure.

- K'pandolu

[damn_juicebox]

K'pandolu,

Interesting. I suppose snow would be highly valued in a climate where it would not regularly fall. I would not mind seeing this myself someday, if ever we are able to visit each other's worlds.

Yes, the afterlife is another correct way to name the Soul Society. I don't often discuss it in detail, if only because I've found that the living are not particularly fond of being reminded of their mortality. It's understandable. Nonetheless, some may take peace in knowing that their existence does not end after the body expires.

You are more than welcome to sample anything I make. I would welcome the critique as well.

~Rukia

[unyieldingspirit]

Rukia,

It was as much about the progress as the snow, I think. Certainly the celebrants gave me the impression retrieving them was a matter of some urgency.

It's strange to think about. For now, we have this life, don't we? But it is something of a relief to know that.

Excellent! It may be a little while before I arrive in the Village, but I look forward to it very much!

- K'pandolu