[closed] December Catch All

[nastyboy]

Who: Team Femblemtroika
What: It's already been a year since these idiots have been here. What chaos will they reap?
When: All of December
Where: /vague handwavy noises

Comments

In which Dimitri remembers dates

[nastyboy]

[So, Dimitri has recently been made aware of the dates, and how the seasons are turning back to the comforting chill of fall and winter. Remembering that... Reminds him of how much has changed for him.]

[And the people who have helped bring about that change.]

[He has to show his appreciation, of course.]

Grant, backdated AGES ago holy shit what the fuck november

[nastyboy]

Grant has probably seen Chip running around already with their new jacket - a little big, certainly, but so that they can grow into it a bit more. It's easy to guess who it's from, with that particular shade of blue, and the fur attached to its hood.

Of course... It's not that long after that Dimitri makes his way over to Grant, when he can, clearing his throat awkwardly.

"Grant... It has been a year, now, since our meeting." Dimitri might not have even realized it was a year - those initial few months were quite a struggle for him. The first month especially, actually, before he had been introduced to Kent. "And... I wanted to celebrate that. So, well... I got this for you."

With that, he holds up... Well, arguably it is a type of scarf. It's just a scarf so large that it could practically be called a shawl, and comfortably cover both Grant's neck, lower face, and some of his shoulders without any issue.

This is saying something, with how large of a man that Grant is.

And there, clumsily but determinedly stitched in one little corner... Is the Blaiddyd crest, in pretty golden thread.

Claude, vaguely in November

[nastyboy]

When Dimitri finds Claude, it's with bandages on his fingers, and something cradled gently in his palms. "There you are, Claude," he says, brightening up. Don't mind how he looks a little more tired than usual. It's fine. He's fine. This is probably okay.

Or, at least, Dimitri won't bring it up right now. There are more important things to think about, such as going over to Claude.

"It... has been around a year, since you first arrived into Johto," he starts, "and when we met one another in Cherrygrove. I know that I did not make it - easy, back then, for you, when all you wanted to do was help me. Despite how you would have been well within your right to leave me, to find happiness on your own in this strange new land... You stayed. You helped me. I wish to be the same kind of person who can help you in turn... To be a shoulder you can lean on, or a body you can hide behind, when the world is overwhelming.

"I would do a great deal more if I could, to show how much I appreciate and adore you, but, for now...."

He holds his hands out and shows a tiny wooden fawn carved out from a warm colored wood, with just enough of a hold in its back for a small bit of leather to slide through as a necklace.

"I hope this mere token is something you will like."

Felix, later in november

[nastyboy]

Finding Felix is easy. Their schedules are fairly easy to follow, honestly, which is one of the nice things about Felix: he's consistent with his schedule if he's able to be.

It's just one day, as they're about to head out for the usual training, that Dimitri ducks away to get something from one of the other rooms.

"Felix, it has been... Something of a year since you arrived here," Dimitri says, hiding the items behind his back. "Even though so much has happened since then, I can still somehow manage to recall the days that you arrived... Both in Johto in general, and then when you arrived in Violet City. If I am honest, your arrival... changed a good deal in me. I felt as though I had been knocked off balance, but in a way that was not necessarily bad. You gave me so much to think about... and now we are here together like this.

"I am glad for that. That I can still have you in my life... It feels as though I still have a chance to do something right, and true. So... I wished to give you this."

This being a leather guitar strap, dyed in the brilliant teal that was so known to be from the Fraldarius region... and, engraved and inked along it, the crests of Fraldarius and Blaiddyd merged together.



...The strap just also happens to be wrapped around a Bellsprout plushie, looking up at Felix with blank button eyes.

Backdated to late Nov.; CW: discussion of NSFW topics

[bestswordmaster]

After Claude's plan for Halloween ended up a bust, Felix has decided that beating around the bush is pointless and they should just hash things out with Dimitri up front. So he invites the other three to tea one evening, bringing the electric kettle and steadily dwindling box of teas that were birthday gifts from Grant and Felicity. He makes Dimitri a cup of chamomile without asking; Claude and Grant can fend for themselves, apparently, as Felix makes himself a cup of spiced tea and sits back in his chair.

"Dimitri, we know you want to sleep with us, so why won't you?"

[nastyboy]

It is rare that Felix decides to, well, host a group event. Normally, he truly does live up to his lone wolf designation, and does not like to deal with such things. Dimitri is torn between curiosity and uncertainty. It must be quite a big deal, for Felix to arrange such a matter. So of course he goes along with it, settling down in his seat. There's a murmured thanks to Felix when he's handed the chamomile tea...

And then a jolt that spills hot tea across his thumb when he's asked that.

"What?" he says, voice hitting a peculiar pitch from shock and maybe some faint pain.

fordward-dated to around 12/26 presumably

[woofdad]

[Grant has not talked about his birthday basically at all but HERE'S WHEN IT IS so if anyone wants threads having to do with that, they go here o/]

A WEEK LATER IN THE REAL WORLDS

[nastyboy]

If Dimitri could give Grant the world, then he most certainly would. However, that is something of a tall task, and, anyway, he doesn't think Grant wants the world. He seems perfectly happy to just have all of them.

So Dimitri tries to keep that in mind when he surprises Grant the morning of his birthday with another achingly sweet kiss to his hand - a regular constant for many months now - before offering his birthday presents.

One of them is a large white t-shirt with blocky plaid lettering that says LOVER BOY, because Dimitri thinks that is a very sincere assessment of Grant, actually.

The next is a clay coffee mug, with most of the upper half covered in a pretty blue. Written in the clay and in pretty glittering gold is... Is that the kind of heart and combined initials that someone would draw on a tree? Is that DAB+GA written in the heart? Saints, Dimitri.

Also, there are just... so many comfortable blankets, that seem strangely warmer than any other blanket even when left unattended. For his breeding business, you see!

Finally....

There is a giant, thick, rainbow scarf that will absolutely be oversized, even on Grant. But it is so comfy and warm. Dimitri excitedly talks about how he knows it is not the Pride holiday, but he saw it in the Christmas market in Goldenrod, and thought it was very fun!

jinx has some Emotions and she's not enjoying it at all, thanks.

[fortuna_tenax]

a. december 1st - regarding razor

( it's an unassuming morning, when she wakes up to find pup curled up against her- she and razor tend to share their spaces, even if they have separate rooms. more often than not, pokemon come and go and snuggle as they please, so if the lycanroc she practically helped raise is with her, it's just a normal day.

except

pup is whining.

jinx sits up abruptly, letting allium fall from her shoulder with a cranky mewl and pauses- something's not right. there's a ring sitting beside pup, and a few more of razor's pokemon are there too- all standing stiffly and shuffling quietly, whining quietly. blue holds up the poncho jinx bought razor for his birthday. if the rest of the house is disturbed when she scrambles out of bed and runs to check, she doesn't notice for once- nor will she notice anyone when they later find her curled up in her bed with razor's pokemon, shoulders shaking in quiet sobs. )

b. december 7th onward - suddenly, sylvain

( oh.

huh.

sylvain is back, and he doesn't remember anything- word spreads fast, and while she sits in the living room with pearl curled up in her lap, she can't help but frown. it's hard not to see what's happening- a rush of emotions that seem to sweep through the next few days, and if sylvain sees her clearly lingering in the back before leaving for her room or to tend to amalthea outside, despite the cold. she has to remind herself to unclench her jaw, to breathe evenly. it's fine. she's fine.

if she jolts a bit when approached, mind your business. )

c. december 12th onward - behold! byleth

( okay. so. there's yet another arrival. great! awesome. she didn't talk much to byleth much before hand, and she kind of regrets it but now there is yet another strange man here, and it's just. okay! okay.

okay.

fun fact: jinx loves food and cooking. this will never change. from showing dedue how to make apple roses to making cookies with chip, to bringing dinner home now and then over the month, food and comfort go hand in hand as far as she's concerned. so really, no one should be surprised that she stress bakes. maybe its the rosemary focaccia bread, maybe it's the chai pumpkin cake that entices you out, or maybe it's the rosemary focaccia bread. the rose apple tart? who knows! the fact of the matter is, she hasn't left the kitchen in five hours and there's not a lot of room left on the counter.

at some point she pauses, looking down at her latest creation and then back up at the sudden arrival. )

... Want some?

d. quiet moments

( thankfully jinx doesn't spend the entire week stress cooking. but eventually, things get stifling- hard to breathe with so many people around, so much noise. she wanted to flee the winter to sevii with razor, but... ... what's worse? the cold? or being truly alone?

the answer is found, but jinx isn't. unless you look up while you're outside, where she's sitting on the roof despite the snow around her, staring up at the sky. her breath still shows in foggy puffs, fingers clutching at the cloth of her coat sleeves. )

slllliiiiides in here for C

[perfectteatime]

[ Any of his students could tell you, Byleth is... interesting when it comes to food. The man is a bottomless pit, and when there's food to be had, he just seems to materialize out of thin air. Which he does, peeking his head in the doorway, drawn in by the wonderful scents.

He had halfway expected to see maybe Ashe or Dedue, but this person- ah. One of the kids he has yet to meet. She makes her offer, and it brings a soft smile to his face, something that's barely noticeable. ]

If you wouldn't mind, I'd love some. It smells quite divine.

You must be- [ He cards through the names he had been told. ] Jinx, right?

D

[bestswordmaster]

[Felix has certainly been distracted ever since Sylvain returned, but not so distracted that he doesn't notice how distant and quiet Felicity has been lately. Honestly, both Felix and Sylvain have felt like the house is a little overwhelming, too.

So when he realizes one day that he hasn't seen her all day, he and his team search for her around the house and the gardens until Eisner spots her up on the roof. He has the Flygon drop him off up on top of the house and makes sure to make some noise when he approaches her, just in case she has headphones in or something; he doesn't want to startle her.]

There you are.

c

[donoteattheweeds]

[Someone has clearly been on quite the baking spree; the countertops are nearly entirely dominated by the results, the house filled with the scent of spices and baked bread. When Dedue enters, he expects to see Ashe in the midst of some kind of anxiety-induced baking fugue, but instead-- Jinx.]

Ah. Hello, Jinx.

[He looks over her creations; she's quite the skilled pâtissier. If she continues at this pace, though, she'll soon run out of space to put her desserts. He is offered a piece of his choice, and he decides that he'll take her up on it.]

Yes. I would like a piece of the apple tart, though it seems a shame to ruin it. It is quite beautifully made.

[She's better at making apple roses than he is. He's dexterous enough, but her small hands are better suited for such delicate work.]

Shall I make tea? I recently acquired a rose hip blend that you may find appealing.

a - ignore how late i am to everythign

[nastyboy]

[The sounds of distress are something that Dimitri is acutely aware of, in many different varieties. It overwhelmed him when he was younger, thinking of all the people that were perishing around him to leave him as the sole survivor. It haunted at his footsteps, when he had to fight in his first proper battle, and then never left, settling around his shoulders heavily during his school days until finally fastening around his neck like a noose.]

[Surviving for five years meant having to constantly be aware of his surroundings. Of when things were wrong, or painful.]

[So when he hears the sound of scrambling footsteps early in the morning, Dimitri's heart leaps into his mouth, and he's out of his bed and onto his feet in no time. He grabs a practice spear from besides his bed, and hurries out, just in case. Just in case.]

[There is no break in. No physical injury.]

[Just something that is, in some ways, worse, and Dimitri places his weapon to lean against the wall in the hallway outside.]

Jinx...?

12/18

[fortuna_tenax]

( so. delibirds. she was given a card, and now she's got to figure out how to do a thing she's never done before because obviously bad guy schools don't do secret santas. there's just one problem, something she failed to consider...

she has no goddamn clue who this is. when someone walks by, she looks up. )

Hey, do you know a 'Thace'?

ten million god damnn years later

[nastyboy]

[Dimitri pauses, carrying a few boxes full of various little wood figurines.]

Thace? Yes, he is Steven's beloved, and helps him with the fight club. We have watched one of those animes with them before, with iceskating involved. It was quite enjoyable...

Ah, but you likely don't wish to hear about that.

Dimitri's birthday

[nastyboy]

[Guess who forgot it was his birthday. Guess who is going to cry at it being remembered again. Why are all these men so bad at remembering their own birthdays.]

[bestswordmaster]

On the evening of the 20th, Felix tells Dimitri to join him out in the garden after dinner, without explaining why. When Dimitri arrives, Felix is sitting in the grass tuning his guitar, which is slung over his shoulder with the leather strap Dimitri gave him. There's a sheet of paper sitting in front of him, which he's looking over until he notices Dimitri's approach. He looks up.

"There you are. Sit down."

[fortuna_tenax]

( good morning dad, firs thing she's doing after breakfast- .... llllllllunch- is holding out a wrapped bundle. within... is something particularly cozy, actually! even if he's not a pidove man, she thought he might appreciate the cute art and the soft fabric. ... she's kinda looking away a bit shyly, though. )

[donoteattheweeds]

During the day on the 20th, Dedue finds time when Dimitri isn't busy to pull him aside. He has, of course, never forgotten to present His Highness with something for his birthday, even those times when he hadn't been able to get him much.

"Your Highness, if I may have a moment of your time?"

He fetches a box of moderate size, meticulously wrapped and adorned with ribbon and bow, as is only appropriate for a birthday gift. Inside of it is a tea set, with Rattata and Raticate as the motif-- and ones that look remarkably similar to the rats that Dimitri holds so dear.

Finally here for his birthday!

[freckledarcher]

Ashe thought about what he could give Dimitri for his birthday. He's done so much for him back home then here that he wanted to pick up something that he would enjoy. Then there was that wonderful gift he received for his birthday that pushed his decision in his gifts. After breakfast, he placed a large gift bag in the chair that Dimitri normally sits in the living room. Inside the bag is a blanket that the cashier told him was good to help with sensory and touch. A small beginning sewing kit with beginning patterns, since he remembered Mercedes telling him about Dimitri going to her for lesson, and a mug with Rattata and Raticate patterns on it. He left a note attached to the bag that read: Happy Birthday Dimitri! From Ashe

He really hoped he liked it.

Femblemtroika Gifts

[nastyboy]

[For listing, and maybe even playing out]

Dimitri's Gifts

[nastyboy]

Of course Dimitri is hype about Christmas. It's been a year, and it was the first holiday that he was really... cognizant for. Not only that, but, to him, it always felt like the start of something better for him...

Also, meeting Santa and being told he was Very Good was nice too.

Now that he's had a proper year to prepare himself, Dimitri has absolutely gotten so many gifts ready and waiting. Everyone is going to have a gift. Everyone.

No exceptions.

Grant: His present is in one of those adorable wicker baskets, that can probably be also viewed as a part of the gift, because eggs never really stop around Grant. There is also a VERY soft shinx-patterned blanket inside, in which lay a couple of things. One of them is a box with a small necklace in it. Attached a silver chain is a wooden pendant - circular, save for a triangle cut towards the top where the necklace chain connects in the corners. There is also another egg carrier, for on the go hatching and carrying (not unlike what Dimitri got last Christmas from Santa), along with two Everstones, a Soothe Bell on a blue collar, and the TM Dreameater!

Chip: So, to start with: there's some Espcheep Pikachu gloves where Chip can raise the 'ears' from fingers. Dimitri felt this was very important. He also got them their own miniature drum kit, for when they want to smack things really hard and just feel a lot of emotions! Fitted for Child Size. Or, you know. Preteen. Plus, a couple of TMs - Rain Dance, Electric Terrain, and Reflect.

Claude: For Claude... Well, there was a reason that Dimitri gave him a little antler-less deer not that long ago, on their anniversary of Claude arriving to Johto. That would be because his Christmas gift is a wooden chessboard, with carefully handcrafted pieces... that are all individual Pokemon. The chessboard isn't fancy in its plain squares and even plainer 'frame', but it does the job. The "white" team is many deer-type Pokemon, while "black" would be various cats.

Pawns are Deerling/Litleo. Rooks are Summer Sawsbuck/Shinx. Bishops are Autumn Sawsbuck/Luxio. Knights are Spring Sawsbuck/Luxray. The Queens are a Stantler and a female Pyroar, and the Kings are Xerneas and Solgaleo. Those last two, Dimitri had to look up artistic representations of, because Legendaries, u kno.

Felix: On the one hand, most of Felix's gifts are practical, because they're held items. One for each type of Pokemon type, in fact - All of them. Dimitri knows that power isn't everything... But sometimes you just need to add a little boost in a particular battle.

The most important thing, however... would be a video he makes sure to send to Felix's gear on Christmas morning. It is apparently a compilation of Dimitri practicing on his drums, different clips snipped together, before the end result that goes off without a hitch. And, with Felix listening carefully... He should realize that it's the same song he sang to Dimitri on his birthday. Did this take so much practicing? Absolutely. Dimitri wouldn't have it any other way, however.

At the end of the video, Dimitri gets up from his drum set, wobbles over close to the camera, and smiles brightly. "I love you, Felix, and always will."

Jinx: The thing every person gets to someone else they know is an artist, which is a sketchbook, first of all. But he's also gotten her a cute detachable hood-scarf-combination thing that is themed after Sylveon. The scarf parts can even function as mittens, or something, to tuck her hands away in when it's cold! He also got her a cookbook with a heavy curry base to it. May as well drag everyone else into this particular meal, and all.

Ashe: Dimitri kind of feels he went all out on Ashe's birthday, so this was a little harder... But he did his best with a Beartic-shaped shaved ice machine, and a series of knight themed books! Well, samurai. Which he thinks are like knights. No, he does not know about the heavy homoeroticism-to-actual-romance that shows up in the later books.

Annette: What to choose for Annette? Clearly a cute dress based off of a Barboach, and a Jigglypuff-themed speaker for outdoors. Doesn't even need to be connected to any wires!

Dedue: Guess who got Terrarium DIY kits? It's Dedue. Plus, of course, Sunny Day, Rain Dance, and Grassy Terrain TMs. And to return the birthday favor... some nice solid mugs, just for Dedue. He remembered how much Dedue seemed to like them, after all, at least when he was sick. Dimitri gets it. Musg are sturdy.

Sylvain: Once upon a time, Dimitri got some jokingly themed socks... So it's only fair he returns the favor by getting Sylvain some patterned socks of his own: Ponyta, Mudbray, and Blitzle. There's also a small wood-carved Rapidash, its bottom platform carved with the phrase We will always be here for you, no matter what. - Dimitri

He will also happily just keep putting food towards Sylvain periodically throughout the day. Food time. Eat time. C'mon, buddy, it's a festival, basically, keep eating. If asked why he is suddenly so invested in Sylvain's stomach, Dimitri will admit that he just wants to give Sylvain the end-of-war celebration he doesn't feel he could give him.

Byleth: What to get someone as important as the Professor? So many things. Lots of good solid things for someone just starting out. An Everstone, a couple of every type of Potion, all sorts of cure items, one of Elshot's most colorful and longest feathers (is it taller than Byleth, actually?), and....

A super rod.

Actually, five super rods.

Dimitri is confident he will go through every single one.

Felix's gifts

[bestswordmaster]

Felix has mixed feelings about Christmas. Last year's Christmas traditions led to some great things, but also to some not-so-great things, and Felix has always been iffy on holidays as it is.

Still, he's learned that giving gifts is a much easier way to express his appreciation for people than telling them with words, so most people receive a gift delivered either to their door inside the house or via Seteth the Hawlucha.

For the boyfriends, though, the gifts are a little different.

Claude: Felix is going to take Claude on a date in Blackthorn: a sleigh ride through the snow, giving them plenty of opportunity to snuggle together under warm blankets and watch the pretty scenery go by. And Claude even gets to keep the biggest, warmest, fluffiest blanket of them all: a huge fleece one patterned with Arcanines in honor of Remis. (This is, of course, also a great opportunity for them to take selfies together. And for Felix to take some nice pictures of Claude in the snow.) Afterward, he'll take Claude to the hot springs.

Dimitri: Felix is taking Dimitri on a date to Blackthorn, too, to go skiing and snowboarding! He'll challenge Dimitri to take on the steepest and most hardcore slopes with him, after which they'll go to the hot springs together too. Finally, Dimitri's material gift is a quill made from the tailfeather of a Sensu Oricorio, purple at the bottom and blooming into a rich teal at the top, and a bottle of Blaiddyd blue ink - because Felix knows he enjoys writing letters to friends.

Sylvain: So, when Felix defeated the elite team at the last of Johto's gyms, he received a reusable ticket for the S.S. Anne. He has yet to use it - until now. He buys another (regular) ticket so that he and Sylvain can go on a three-week paid vacation on a fancy cruise ship, which conveniently can depart from either of the towns where the gang has a house. At some point on that cruise, Felix will also give Sylvain an egg containing a shiny Galarian Farfetch'd with its Hidden Ability and the following moves: Peck | Sand Attack | Detect | Brave Bird + Focus Energy // Quick Attack. He will explain how to evolve it into a bird knight with a lance!

Dedue's gifts

[donoteattheweeds]

Christmas Gifts for the Femblemtroikas

Everyone is getting a Christmas sweater. Everyone. You do not have a choice. "But Dedue," you might ask, "how did you knit all of these sweaters?" and the answer to that is that he knits when he can't sleep.

The entire household will also get a very impressive Yule dinner containing everyone's favorite dishes, which is probably a joint gift from himself and Ashe to everyone.

Dimitri: His sweater is royal blue, of course, and has a motif of jolly Rattata and Raticate in grey and white. Each rat has been modeled after one of Dimitri's beloved rodents, and has the appropriate accessories to identify them. One or two of them are even hiding in odd places on the sweater, like climbing up over his shoulder or hiding in the cuff of the sleeve.

He'll also receive a set of little rat-sized gloves and mittens for the Rat Squad. One set has the specially coated fabric that allows you to interact with touch screens so that Gremlin can still play with the Gear and keep his little fingers warm.

Felix: Even Felix gets a sweater, whether he likes it or not. This one is as close to Fraldarius blue as he could get in a yarn color, with festive Doublades wrapped with garland. Sword sweater for the sword man.

He also gets a caretaking kit for bladed Pokemon like Doublades, which includes oil, whetstones, and polishing cloths to keep them shiny and healthy. It all comes in a leather case that Dedue had embossed with the Fraldarius crest. He also gets a very thick, heavy throw blanket, since he's so often cold in the house.

Claude: Claude's sweater is, as is only appropriate, done in the Golden Deer house's signature yellow, and has an interesting motif of three unusually stacked Sawsbuck.

Additionally, Dedue has found a pepper plant that he thinks will bear fruit that would match Claude's preferences, since he has little experience with Almyran varieties. There's a bow tied around the clay pot, because how the hell do you gift wrap a plant. Claude also receives a similar blanket as Felix, though in his signature yellow, because he's another one of those constantly cold people.

Ashe: His sweater is Piplup themed, of course, and bears a striking resemblance to Ky. Said Piplup is holding up strings of lights as though stringing them up all around the sweater.

He will also receive a sturdy kitchen apron, which Dedue had taken the time to embroider with violets along the edges and the pockets.

Byleth: Since Byleth arrived in December, Dedue was a little bit concerned with how he'd be able to knit a whole goddamn sweater in time to give it to him. Instead of a full-sized sweater, he instead gets an Espurr-sized sweater for Breakfast, upon which is a near identical likeness to Breakfast, unnerving stare and all. Said eyes have been knit with metallic yarn, so god help anyone who comes across Breakfast wearing this thing in the dead of night.

Sylvain: As Sylvain was another of the December arrivals, Dedue was really feeling the time crunch with this one. Sylvain's sweater is Ponyta-themed and predominantly in shades of black and red, but... didn't quite make it to full sweater length. It's a crop sweater, it's fine.

He also will receive an equestrian grooming kit, containing such necessities as coat brushes, a curry comb, hoof pick, etc.

Annette: Her sweater is adorned with festive Alcremie holding candy canes and other holiday sweets. She'll also get a set of pastry cookbooks that go into the science behind cooking and baking, which he hopes she'll find interesting and informative.

Grant: His sweater has a herd of Swinub and Piloswine on it, both front and back, bedecked in Christmas hats and garland. Like a sweater-based Where's Waldo game, within the herd are several Pokemon that have characteristics of their group-- a very tiny Swinub for Chip, a Piloswine that's missing one eye and appears to be eating mistletoe for Dimitri, etc. Have fun trying to find them all.

Dedue will also give Grant a pair of sturdy gardening gloves, a wide-brimmed hat, and a kneeling pad so that he'll be well prepared to garden come spring.

Chip: Their sweater has a Salandit, Torterra, and Piloswine sitting together with cups of hot chocolate, surrounded by garland and Christmas lights. It's like their 1 am hot chocolate nights that Chip can wear whenever they like.

They'll also get a wide-mouthed mug with a Santa Pikachu on it that's perfect for piling up lots of toppings onto hot chocolate, and a set of flavored hot chocolate mixes so that they can try all kinds of different cocoas.

Jinx: Her sweater has a Galarian Rapidash and Clefable on it, wrapped up in multicolored Christmas lights. The Rapidash also has several little roses in its mane. The predominant colors are, of course, pink, purple, and white.

In addition to the sweater, Jinx will also receive a box of rosewater-flavored Turkish delight. Each sugar-dusted square also is carefully adorned with a candied violet.

Sylvain's gifts!

[sonofagautier]

Sylvain doesn't honestly know what Christmas is, but he's quick enough to catch on that it's something of a big deal. Something, something, Santa, and reindeer, and presents- that's the important part: presents.

Some are a little easier than others. Some just seem to fall into place.

Felix: This is just the kind that works out. It's not long into his stay here in Olivine that Sylvain begins to grow restless. He's someone easily bored, and while everything is very new, there's downtime in a world at peace. Swaths of unbroken time that give him opportunities to think, and that is dangerous. So he ends up taking up a job at the ranch north of the city. It's familiar work he can do, and it keeps him occupied and around Pokémon that resemble familiar, beloved creatures.

What's odd though is that something follows him too and from work on his days to the ranch. At first, he's not sure what it is. Every time he tries to catch a glimpse, it darts off. Even on days off, sometimes he feels watched. An animal, err- Pokémon, he's quite sure. Whatever it is, Sylvain knows it's not a coincidence. Thankfully, he's used to strays. Garreg Mach has made him a sap for them. So he begins leaving food for his hidden company. It's gone by the time he turns back around usually. Something quick and small then.

Eventually, Sylvain gets his first glimpse of it after a week or so. A dog-like creature, black-furred, red underbelly, and bands of white on its back and legs. Its ears are nicked in various places, rough patches on its legs too. He thinks there are more, but it darts away again upon realizing Sylvain has spotted it.

"Scrappy, huh?" he says to its feeling shape.

The next time he sees it, it's watching him from the edge of the city, eyes forward and fixed. An almost-scowl is added to its features. Sylvain treats it as he might a skittish, but curious cat despite its appearance. He's simply quiet and patient. Allows it to come near the food he leaves without moving much. It eats, it scowls at him, pauses, then darts off again.

"You remind me of someone I know."

This goes on for another week. Each time, the houndour (he's figured out how to check with his gear), lingers longer and longer. At some point, it even sniffs at Sylvain's shoes. Emboldened, Sylvain offers a hand to sniff the next day. There's a tentative moment where he thinks it might bite him, hackles raised and teeth bared at the movement. But when Sylvain doesn't budge, doesn't react, it settles down again. Finally, it allows him a few careful pets along the chest and shoulders.

By the end of the day, Sylvain finds himself with a houndour curled up beside him, dozing lightly.

And by the time Christmas comes around, he's managed to coax it into a pokeball, and given it a name. This, with a beaming smile, he hands to Felix.

"Ciarán," he says, "it was like finding an old friend all over again."

[Houndour ♂ lvl. 20 || " Ciarán "
Serious; Likes to Fight]

Byleth: Something Sylvain has noted with his arrival is the distinct lack of personal items this world seems to give them back. And he finds it particularly odd to see Byleth without his journal. So he decides to rectify that by giving him a new one! It even has a clasp and divot to hold a writing utensil. Or an owl feather. Or whatever Byleth's (newly beating) heart desires. Yes, there is even a calendar in the back to help keep track of student birthdays. Sylvain marked in all the ones he could remember, which includes all of the Blue Lions, most of the Golden Deer, and one or two staff members. The first page has a note tucked into it that reads: "I know first hand you're good at remembering dates, but it never hurts to have a little reminder, huh?"

Claude: This one he also stumbles upon. It's a coin he purchases. But there's something special about it, or so the shopkeeper informs him so, but doesn't elaborate. To Sylvain, it looks normal, but beautiful. The face is decorated by a brilliant golden stag, the antlers weaving intricate patterns to the very rim. The back is also decorated, where the forks of the stag's antlers seem to continue on to make a forest of branches that a hunter stalks through.

He's tracing his thumb over the details when he feels some of the metal shift. Barely, but that's peculiar for a coin. So he begins to fiddle with it. Until figuring out the entire thing is a series of small puzzles that eventually opens up the coin itself. A hidden compartment, however small, seems useful and the entire concept of a puzzle coin fascinates him. Enough so that he can think of one particular Deer who might like it too. It is left for Claude without instruction beyond a coyly written note of: "you'll figure it out."

Dimitri: What in the Flames do you get a king as a present? Normally, formal gifts from Gautier involve the finest stock of horses in all of Faerghus, perhaps even all of Fodlan. There’s nothing as swift, sure-footed, and sturdy as a Gautier warhorse. Unfortunately, they’re not in Fodlan anymore.

Sylvain has to settle for something else, and ironically it’s another Gautier specialty. Cheese.

Making cheese isn’t terribly hard, though the much firmer ones take months and months to properly cure. As it stands, he doesn’t have that kind of time, so settles for a softer type. It’s actually very similar to the Gautier cheese in both texture and taste, but only one of those Dimitri might appreciate. It is left in the fridge for Dimitri with a small tag attached. Wrapped in colorful muslin after being properly dried and pressed into a small wheel, the note on the tag is simply Dimitri’s name in elegant scrawl, and signed from S.J.G. He doesn’t think it needs much more explaining.

Dedue: Someone with a proper palette, damn- Sylvain’s a little more hard pressed for this one. The softer cheeses never seemed to be a hit with him at Garreg Mach, but he’s somewhat in luck. Dedue is far more patient than most of Sylvain’s friends, so he thinks this might work out better.

A gift of a few small satchels is left for Dedue. Inside are wrapped blocks of very particular and handmade cheeses. A note is tucked into the decorated muslin of each explaining them.

“This one is from a recipe I learned from a Srengi lady that passed through our territory once. It’s called ‘paneer’ I think. It goes in curry and spicy sauces usually. Typically, you want to keep it moist and use it soon.

“The other two are variants on the same idea: They’ll take awhile to properly cure, but are crumbly and delicious. Usually added as a topping to give sharp flavor. I can’t confirm this, but maybe you can. When I was growing up, one of the cooks at Gautier estate said this type of cheese was popular in Duscur.”

Ashe: There’s a theme here and it’s cheese because Sylvain unfortunately did not practice his cooking skills despite his friends’ best efforts. This is what he can do. For Ashe though, this cheese is a little different. It’s wrapped well in a bowl, and is whipped into a fluffy batter, almost like thick icing.

“Mascarpone, for sweets and desserts and cakes. Or you can eat it plain too, I won’t judge. It’s sweet and easy to spread between layers of cakes and breads.”

Annette: Oh Annie- this one is easy. There’s a box of fancy sweets left for her, and a small scheduling journal to help with organization. It’s a well protected leather one in case there’s any clumsy misfortunes too. A note inside reads: ”Remember to schedule breaks too."

Grant: Here is where he starts to struggle. Sylvain can’t rightly leave anyone out on gifts for something he’s thinking is a big holiday. It lines up somewhat with the general end of winter festivities in Faerghus, and to leave someone out of such celebration is a pointed, and unkind gesture. Even if they’re simply neighbors in passing.

Does Grant like cheese? He has no idea. So that’s out. Tea? But tea is so varied, what if he doesn’t like Sylvain’s choices? Damn. Well, what he does know is Grant seems to be a designated parent. And while it was an export into Fodlan, Sylvain does recall some of the older staff at Garreg Mach liking coffee to help deal with busy schedules. So Grant is left a small gift of a few different coffee blends, and tag signed S.J.G. as well.

Chip + Jinx: Sylvain’s been trying not to be some kind of replacement for the Sylvain they knew, so engaging is... difficult. But like an overgrown child, Sylvain knows the best chocolates, and he’s willing to hunt them down at a market until he finds them. None of the nonsense either. Two packages are left for either them containing an assortment of delicious chocolate truffles, with various sweet or fruity fillings. Ruby, white, dark, milk and matcha chocolates are all present in different shells too. Each one seems to be individually wrapped and decorated like various Pokémon Sylvain doesn’t know, but they’re cute regardless.