mogmelodies | Letter and a Package?!

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Letter and a Package?!

[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)

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No. We're given a great deal of liberty to conduct ourselves as we please, with the only requirement that we report to Esdham once a month.

[She's not sure how she feels about that. The job seems a little too easy, but she knows it could be a lot harder and far more dangerous if the capital were ever to be attacked.]

In truth, I feel a little overpaid, so I put most of my funds into research projects and other situations that could improve society.

[Like Mognet. His praise of her cookie prompts another pleased grin from her.]

What about you? What are your plans in this world, anyway? There's certainly no shortage of things to do.

[Noming the rest of the cookie while she's talking, he moves on to the third jar.]

Ahh, that's good. Wouldn't it be upsetting if a group from the military walked into town asking a bunch of things?

[He's not thinking deeply about it or asking to critique the military. It's just his thought, falling freely from his mouth (while it's not occupied with cookies).

Having taken a new cookie, he pauses thoughtfully with it near his lips at her question.]

Plans for this world? I want this world to be saved so that we can brake this cycle-thing and all go home properly.

[He's tired of this world, amazing as it is. Seeing the doppelganger of Fukutomi-san and learning the meaning behind it hadn't helped.]

You understand the delicate balance of the situation, then.

[Rukia nods with a smile, pleased.]

Correct. When first establishing contact with a new nation, it tends to leave a sour taste in the mouth if one arrives with troops. A few token soldiers out of uniform would not be amiss, however.

[She's eager to speak more of Mysidia, but she's honestly surprised at his answer.]

You're homesick?

[Perhaps she misjudged him. Manami seemed like the adventurous exploring type, from the impressions she's garnered so far.]

...I see. I wasn't aware of that. Forgive me if I've seemed callous.

[Manami, on the other hand, has little interest in talking about Mysidia... Well, okay, the glowing tree thing is still pretty cool.

He shakes his head, this time swallowing his mouthful before answering. She wasn't callous.]

I don't know when you got here, but do you know about the doppelgangers? It's... all messed up. [He sighs, moving on to the next jar. Unusually serious, he continues,] I'm not the type who can get this kind of thing, but... people we know have come to this world before, and faced what we are facing, and got stuck. And this cycle of Heroes coming to save the world and getting stuck doing it keeps repeating. ... I want to go home. [After whispering that he looks up with a bright smile, trying to dispel the gloom that had been on his face before.]

Here, I can't go riding my bike freely! There's lots of places with bad roads, or no roads at all! And a lot of the mountains are far away! It's been really hard to go riding. I've had fun with my Jobs- there's been lots of times I've felt really alive, you know? But nothing compares to taking the peak!

[Rukia doesn't respond to his cheer this time. She watches him quietly, studies the smile he wears. It's a mask, isn't it? He's putting on a cheerful front so other people don't worry about him. She's dealt with someone like that before, someone she considers to be a very dear friend. She glances away for a moment, trying to decide on the right words to say.]

...It's all right if you're homesick, you know. And it's all right to feel sad. It's natural, and you've been here for a long time.

[She leans on the countertop with one hand cradling her cheek, the other hand nudging the next cookie jar in line toward Manami.]

When was the last time you visited the Crystal of Fire?

[He polishes off the one in his hand and takes her silent offer to open the next jar.

He supposes it's true. It's natural to feel this way. It's just... a little itchy when there is nothing you can do about it when you do want to do something about it.

At the question he blinks at her blankly for a moment then smiles self-effacingly while bringing the next cookie to his mouth.]

Um, never?

Make the effort to pay the crystal a visit. Then put your hand on it.

[She holds up her palm as if demonstrating.]

When I was feeling frustrated over my situation, a friend showed me how to do this. Touching the crystal produces strong feelings and memories of our homes. It strengthened my resolve significantly.

[Rukia folds her arms with a smile.]

I think it might prove helpful for you too.

Ohh? I didn't know it could do that.

[He eats the cookies whole while thinking about that for a moment.

It didn't make the homesickness stronger? Isn't that kinda wierd? With a smile he shrugs.]

I suppose anything is worth a try. Thanks for the idea, Rukia-san!

[He doesn't know if he'll do it or not, but it's an idea.]

[She inclines her head. It's possible that it might cause homesickness for others, but for Rukia, it was a reminder of everything she was fighting to protect while she remained in this world. It had helped, and she was grateful to the man who showed it to her. If she can share that experience with someone else, it feels like she's passing on that kindness.]

I hope it helps. I wish I could offer you more. If you wish to speak of your home, I would be glad to listen?

[When it comes to talking about home, there is one topic that is his specialty.]

Haha, well, you don't have bikes where you're from, so you really should know more about that! And about how biking up mountains is the best!

[He will unreservedly talk your ear off about this, Rukia. While eating through all your cookies.]

Oh, that's right!

[She drops her palm into her fist.]

Did you bring the bike with you? I should like to see it.

[If he can even ride it through all of this snow.]

Yes!!

[Some cookie crumbs fly out of his mouth at that exclamation, but ignoring that he leans towards her more in excitement.]

There's no way I would leave my bike behind! Ahh, not that I knew that there would be so much snow here too. But if the paths are clear enough I bike a bit! It's with me today! Heh, even though I ended up having to walk it half the way.

You wanna see it now? Let's go see it now!

Hmmm... All right.

[She can use a break. Besides, she wants to see what this bicycle is and how it is used before she can start nagging at him to be mindful of the ice and snow. She moves the freshly-baked cookies to a rack to cool, then slips her apron off of her head and grabs her coat, allowing Manami to lead the way.]

Good~!

[Manami grabs a couple cookies for the road and munches on them as he eagerly leads the way to his bike. Ta-da! Look at it sparkle~]

See? Isn't it great? With this, when I climb the mountains, I can really feel alive, you know? So, do you have them where you're from?

Ahhhh, so this is what they're called!

[She leans forward, admiring the vehicle. She has indeed seen them before, and marveled at how something so narrow could remain upright for easy transportation. It seems like this kind of contraption would fall over, and frequently at that, but somehow it carries the rider safely and swiftly. Rukia looks at Manami and nods.]

Yes. Not in the Soul Society, but the world of the living has them in abundance. Many students use them as transportation to school.

[Rukia steps forward, a curled finger to her chin as she walks around the bicycle to examine it curiously from every angle. It's obviously well cared for, given how it sparkles and shines.]

Ahh~ This is way better than those kinds of bikes! It's lighter, and completely built to go fast! But then, you can only go as fast as your body lets you, too~ Putting everything you have into beating your opponent- I can never get tired of road racing!

So you don't have them where you're from at all? Ahh~ another person who doesn't know how to ride! It's too bad! Really too bad!

Just because I don't have the knowledge at the moment does not mean I'd be unable to learn.

[How hard can it possibly be? There were so many teenagers who managed it just fine, surely she would catch on quickly. ~~Wrong.~~]

May I try?

[Manami actually hesitates a moment. Last time he lent his bike to someone to learn how to ride, it crashed. He was lucky that time, but there are no spare parts here with which to easily fix any damage.]

Mmm~ I really want you to see how great riding is first-hand too! But out here with the snow and ice is a bad place to learn. If you know somewhere where nothing will get damaged if there's a crash~?

[Rukia thinks hard about this. A place without ice and snow on this continent is hard to find, especially in the middle of winter.]

Perhaps...one of the casinos in Trano Golsaucia?

[Rukia, no.]

Ohhh~! You think they'd let us? The buildings look so big, I bet the hallways are super wide~!

[He's never been in a casino (underage, after all), but it sure sounds like a good idea!]

[Manami, no.]

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Letter and a Package?!

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sorry about that ;;