WHO WANTS PRESENTS?

[knightofratatosk]

Who: Anyone and everyone!
What: Getting unexpected gifts
When: From 6 PM on the 23rd until midnight of the 27th
Where: The central plaza and the fountain
Summary: Hey, that's a rather interesting-looking button at the bottom of that statue. I wonder what happens if I press it?
Rating: No higher than PG-13, I hope.


[Anyone passing through the center of town this evening will have a very hard time missing that large golden Santa statue that has suddenly appeared in the fountain. But... wait, isn't that Bil instead of Santa? Somehow, that isn't exactly a surprise.

But perhaps the most interesting feature of the statue is the large button at its base. Will you press it?]

Comments

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

[hen stops with his hand hovering just over it and pulls away for a moment. Come on Rydia, is Kain ever known for good judgment? EVER? He pauses to look at her and shrug a little. Then he points to the button. He wants to try it.]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[She sighs and shrugs.]

Fine. I might as well be here if you're going to insist on it.

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

[Kain nods resolutely. He's counting on her to back him up with some well-aimed magic if the statue comes to life or anything.]

[He goes forth, presses the button... and out pops a package wrapped in garish wrapping (the pattern of the wrapping paper is like that horrible outfit of 'unarmored Kain'). He stares at the package warily. So far it's not exploding...]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Rydia raises an eyebrow, staring at the package with equal wariness.]

...that's hideous. What's inside?

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

[Kain is almost afraid to find out. He's also almost afraid to contemplate WHY the horrific clashing patterns are almost familiar to him. He shudders a little. Then gets to unwrapping it. The box inside is simple enough-looking, anyway, and once he opens that...]

[...it's a pair of gauntlets. He looks them over intently.]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[She steps in closer, having a better look.]

Those are pretty nice. I'm surprised, I thought there would be something just as hideous as the wrapping paper within.

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

[After a moment of looking them over, Kain suddenly gets an especially angst-filled expression in his face and he puts them back in the box. And then looks extra moody.]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

...Kain?

[Rydia rests a hand on his arm, staring up at him anxiously.]

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

[After a moment, Kain writes a response.]

I can't use them. Not until...

[He knows he shouldn't be so anxious about the idea, and even may have been building up to trying before the crazy things hit them in the past couple months.]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[She gives that arm a gentle squeeze.]

Then this is more incentive...but you don't have to do anything about it now. Not until you're ready. We'll just hold onto them until you are.

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

[Kain nods. When he's ready. He wants to but he's been putting it off, and had it put off by circumstances.]

[He glances to the button, and then presses it once more to test it. Nothing happens.]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Rydia steps forward to press it, likewise just testing. When a small box emerges, she picks it up and opens it...then gasps.]

The Mist Ring!

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

[Kain can't help it, there's a tinge of guilt as he looks at it.]

How did they know to give us these things...

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Rydia stares at the ring for moment, lost in the nostalgia, then slowly slips it on.]

I don't know, but...I'd looked for it in the stores and I could never find it. At least I can see it again.

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

[Kain nods]

I know what that must mean to you.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

It was my mother's....

[She stares thoughtfully at it for a moment longer.]

We should tell Cecil about this. Maybe he'll get something from home, too.

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

[At mention of her mother, Kain looks down and is suddenly very interested in the ground. And he mopes.]

[But he nods about bringing up Cecil.]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[This time, Rydia notices Kain's moping and drops the small box. She comes to stand by the dragoon, wrapping an arm around him and looking up sympathetically. By now, she has forgiven him for Mist, but knows it will be a long time before he can forgive himself...if ever. Still, he has her support and that has to count for something.]

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

[And Kain knows he has her forgiveness not to mention the forgiveness of the Mist Dragon herself. Still... He carries a weighty guilt for it anyway and always will. He is very detached from that time in ways... And he'd only been a soldier doing what he'd been ordered to. That doesn't always mean he can stay guilt free though. He hugs her tightly. The Malnosso must have had some motive in what they'd given them...]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Rydia just holds him for a bit, until the cold begins to sink in despite his proximity to her.Then, she gently eases back.]

Let's go home?

[dragoon-pride.livejournal.com]

[He angsts for a moment, but then squeezes her briefly and nods. Then he takes her hand with the ring on it and kisses it, in apology and respect. It's something he feels he will forever be making amends for. If the most he can do is be there for Rydia and treat her how she deserves... he'll keep hoping that's enough.]