064 [Mostly Action]

[mountain_sage]

[Well, this is certainly a nice change of scenery. Saleh glances out his window at the snow, but he can't tell if it's the natural weather, or another experiment happening, such as on Halloween. Perhaps some of the residents have been working on the decorations.]

[As he leaves the window, he spots the little elf sitting nicely on his mostly empty bookshelf. Now he knows that wasn't here before. The way it's staring at him is quite unsettling. Cautiously, he approaches the little creature to get a closer look at it. The elf greets him cheerfully, explaining its purpose. It then gives its first request, to give a gift to all of his friends. Saleh remains silent as he considers the idea.]

All of my friends...? Hmm...I suppose I should, come to think of it.

[Now to make a list of his friends. He's spoken with many people, but only few have reached an actual friendship level with him. And even a few other individuals who aren't quite friends, but he speaks with often enough.]

[But what kinds of gifts should he get? He ponders some more, pondering what each of these people would like. Kain and Rydia are the first people that come to mind, having known them the longest. He knows that Kain has a thing for dragons, and Rydia, being his wife, probably likes dragons as well...because she's a summoner. Eleytheria also comes to mind, a wind spirit who mentioned that a dragon is one of his most frequently used forms. And then Silver, who trains a variety of creatures called Pokémon, a species that even include dragon-types. Isaac is another person that comes to mind. Isaac seems to have a fondness for creatures as well, seeing as one of his forged devils resembled a dragon. Leonhardt...there was a time when he had expressed an interest in dragon legends.]

[Well, this is an interesting observation. Everyone Saleh knows seems to be affiliated with dragons in one way or another. That makes his gift idea easy; looks like they're all getting dragons for Christmas. And then there's Zevran. Admittedly Saleh doesn't know Zevran very well, but he might as well make it easy and get him a dragon thing as well.]

[So Saleh heads to the item shop and collects a number of miniature dragon statues. He even picks up some extras in case he missed anyone. Then he wraps each one in a brown sack, and ties a name tag to it with string. Well, the extra ones will have no name tag. Now to deliver his gifts.]

[Kain and Rydia are easy to find, as he knows right where they live, so he takes their gift directly to House 9.]

[Silver (gameverse) is also easy to find, as Saleh had accompanied him home once while searching for Jeb. So he'll head for Community Building 6, and step up to the third floor.]

[The last one on his list whom he knows the residence location is Isaac. He'll bring his gift out into the forest and knock on the entrance. As he waits for an answer, he considers just leaving the gift on the doorstep and walking away.]

[As Saleh goes to deliver his gift to Zevran, he realizes that he only knows his building number. Well, he does know that Zevran doesn't live on the first floor. But any of the rooms above could be his. He sighs as he looks up at Community Building 7, and opts to send a journal message instead.]

Zevran? I have something I'd like to give you. Where would be a suitable place to drop it off?

[Next is Leonhardt. Saleh doesn't know where Leonhardt lives, but he does know that he frequents the Battle Dome. So that will be Saleh's first stop in his search.]

[Finally, Eleytheria. Saleh has no idea where he lives, or where to find him. Since Eley is a wind spirit, Saleh can only guess that he'd spend most of his time out in the woods. But he decides to send a journal message to him as well.]

Eleytheria, are you available? I have a gift for you.

[So Saleh goes to the shop obtains many dragon figurines. The following characters are definitely on his list: Kain Highwind, Rydia Highwind, Eleytheria, Silver (gameverse), Isaac, Zevran, and Leonhardt. However, he does pick up extras in case he missed anyone. So if your character has spoken to and gets along decently with Saleh but isn't on the list, he'll still have a gift for them.]

Comments

[Video]

[winds_voice]

[He'd be right in thinking that Eley spent most of his time in the woods, or in the mountains, but that was usually when he wanted to be left alone. The Spirit had no fixed address and preferred to wander the enclosure and explore as much as he could.

He does however receive Saleh's message. He's surprised actually to hear that someone had bought him a gift. He rarely received offerings from people at home anymore.

He'll be replying with a video post, a strangely familiar little elf sitting behind him on a low tree branch and apparently trying to get his attention. Though Eley seems to be finding him more of a nuisance than anything and is trying his best to ignore him.]

Saleh... You say you have a gift for me? That is... unexpected. I am available however, if this small creature will leave me alone. Where would be a good place to meet you?

[Video]

[mountain_sage]

...Small creature? What does it look like?

[Could it be the same elf that's been sitting on his shelf?]

Hmm...how about at the fountain plaza?

[Video]

[winds_voice]

[Eley glances back... the elf waves at him but the Spirit soon turns his attention back to the journal.]

A small man with a tall pointed hat. Its eyes are always staring... it seems almost unreal.

[He nods to his suggestion.]

I will be there shortly.

[Video] - [Action]

[mountain_sage]

Oh, one of those? I've had one appear in my place as well. It has explained its purpose, yes?

I will see you there.

[Saleh will head for the fountain plaza and wait with his gift in hand.]

[Video] - [Action]

[winds_voice]

It mentioned someone known as 'Santa' and that it was to determine whether I am naughty or nice. I find the whole thing confusing if I am honest so I am trying my best to ignore it.

All right, I will head there now.

[Sure enough, the Wind Spirit soon finds his way to the plaza and spots Saleh standing by the fountain with something in his hand. Eley approaches him, looking rather curiously at what he might be holding.]

It is good to see you again... Saleh.

[mistlegacy]

[At House 9, Rydia's busy in the kitchen. Her own elf requested a number of pies to make and give to various people, so she's at work on that and will raise her voice upon hearing a knock at the door.]

Come in! I'm in the kitchen.

[mountain_sage]

[Saleh enters the house, instantly drawn by the smell of all the baking. He makes his way into the kitchen.]

Rydia? Hello. What are you making?

[mistlegacy]

[Rydia glances up from checking the oven, though her latest one needs a little more time. Still, its scent fills the air.]

Apple pie, at the moment, though I've also got cherry and strawberry ones cooling. I think I'll do pumpkin next.

Want one to take home? They're all for gifting, so you're not taking anything from me.

[mountain_sage]

[Wow, he's impressed with all those pies you're making.]

Hmm...why not? The scent is quite tempting. So you are gifting as well?

[He brings out the little sack.]

I came because I am passing out gifts as well. This one is for you. I also have one for Kain, if he's around.

[Action]

[eyesofstrength]

[Saleh would be correct, Leonhardt spends far too much time in the Battle Dome, pretty much most of the day. Amusingly, he lives almost right next door to the Battle Dome though.

He's currently in the middle of a simulation though, so he won't be found in the lobby, but looking in the viewing room it can be seen what room he's in easily enough. He appears to be fighting an enormous six winged monstrosity from the back of what appears to be a black mechanical dragon, and winning.]

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

[Well, he's not in the lobby, so Saleh checks the observation room to see if he's in any of the simulations. It doesn't take long to find him, and Saleh is quite surprised at the monstrosity. A monster from Leonhardt's world, he assumes. Since Leonhardt seems to have the upper hand, Saleh will wait patiently for him to finish.]

[Action]

[eyesofstrength]

[The story behind the creature is quite an interesting one if Saleh wishes to ask. It's not exactly a monster, though it is from Leonhardt's world.

But in time he'll finish it off and the simulation will end. Saleh will be able to note that Leonhardt stays in the room, but makes a duplicate of himself that is walking into the lobby. A great way to hold on to the room so no one else can grab it since he plans on doing another simulation.]

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

[Saleh remembers being told about Leonhardt's shadows, but it's still interesting to see it in action. As the shadow enter the lobby, Saleh approaches it carefully, not sure which was the real Leonhardt.]

Leonhardt...? ...It is you, isn't it?

[Action]

[tsunsandsteals]

Eh? [Silver goes to the door when he hears the knock] Who is it?

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

[Saleh calls through the door.]

It's me, Saleh. Are you busy?

[Action]

[tsunsandsteals]

No, not at the moment.

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

Very well. I have something for you.

[Voice]

[antivanleather]

[Oh. This man. Zev's voice is muzzy and horribly bored when he responds to the message.]

Is it wine, a woman, or a very sexy sword?

[Voice]

[mountain_sage]

Not exactly...but I could probably add wine to it.

[He'd prefer to get a sword, but he doesn't know what type to get. And what makes a sword sexy?]

[Voice]

[antivanleather]

No need.

[There's a faint rustle of fabric, Zev's opted to bundle up and hide from the cold today.]

Keep it. I've no need of it.

[Voice]

[mountain_sage]

Hmm. Very well.

[He'll try again the next time he runs into him]

[relictusdeus]

[At last, Isaac has invested his time into boring a fine peephole through the solid, bolted double doors barring entry to his home as another safety measure. And after peering through the hole, there's a lengthy pause reserved for a roll of his eyes and careful consideration as to whether he should waste his breath, as he saw it.]

Now I wonder who that might be...

[But there's a hard click and a thin segment of the door suddenly slides to the side with a hiss, revealing his pale, critical eyes. The item in Saleh's hands is an immediate source of curiosity and suspicion.]

...As if I did not already know. [He mutters.]

[mountain_sage]

[Saleh's actually surprised that his knock had been heard. He adjusts the grip on his little package as he holds it out, getting straight to the point.]

Isaac...good morning. In keeping of this...holiday spirit, I'd like you to have this.

[relictusdeus]

[There is another thoughtful pause before he takes in a slow breath and summons his patience.]

So you live. [He heaves a sigh.] How unfortunate. ...Quite like a roach, aren't you?

[mountain_sage]

[...This again?]

Are you honestly that surprised? Do you really desire my death that much?

[Regardless, he still holds the gift in his hands.]