⟪ She hasn't much of a sense of the value of things, but she'd found a necklace in the meagre selection of jewellery at the general store. The pendant has the shape of a ship, sails proud and high, and it had reminded her of his liking for the sea. ⟫
[Not expecting there to be something at the door, he steps forward on exiting the room, sees it just in time to keep from stepping on it, and ends up tumbling sideways in the hallway with a thud. But he sits upright and reads the note, and a hand drifts over his mouth in surprise. It's for him? A gift? He hadn't expected anyone to take notice of the date on his headstone, much less try to do something nice for him. Has she seen his death, then? Or was she able to pull away from that lure to leave an offering there, and instead came straight here? It's a shame he missed her, but the headaches and anxiety and insomnia from the graves and their effects, and his lack of nicotine supply, have combined in ways that haven't made him the most social.
He opens the package and reveals its contents, and thinks he might cry as he lifts the simple cord with its pendant to see it. It's an incredibly kind gesture - the sort he hasn't received in years, for it's simple and charming and suits him well, unlike the expensive dinners and other luxuries his brother had tried to shove at him in attempts to make him smile. Doflamingo had given him things that Doflamingo would have wanted to receive. Melisandre has given something he genuinely treasures.
With a bit of fumbling, he tries to put on the necklace but the clasp is so small in his fingers that he can't quite manage it. He'll have to find someone to help. He'll have to track Melisandre down and thank her, too, withdrawals or not. He'll keep an eye out for her as he goes about the town today. Until then, the necklace will stay safe in his pocket.]
[It's hot and miserable, but at least the gravestones have all disappeared. So, finally, Mary can stop running around being rabid and panicked and come back home without having her unconscious body thrown into bed. Today, despite the brilliant flush to her cheeks, Mary has found a winter scarf which she's bundled herself up in. With a heavy sigh, she flops down on the double-mattress, presumably beside her favorite clown.]
[Rosinante vaguely regrets messing around with makeup earlier. It was fine a few hours ago, when he had woken up and found the graves gone, and decided it marked a time for a new start. Or at least a new look. But now he's melting onto the mattresses and he's pretty sure the colors on his face are, too.
It's so hot that, uncharacteristically for himself, he's opted for a t-shirt. His roommates have already realized by now his skin is covered in scars, and wearing anything heavier just doesn't feel like an option. So when Mary comes in, complaining of heat, with a scarf like that on? C'mon, kid.]
So, you've been on some of the explorations into the more unknown parts of Beacon before, right? Any plans to go out again? I'm not going by myself, but there seemed enough interest at the Town Hall to look into some of the locations I found out about during my dream.
Thought I might check in with some people who have already gone out before. This Night Market presents an interesting opportunity to get supplies for a trip in the cold.
I'm headed out in a week or so with Kuai Liang and Xayah. You'd be welcome along if you want. I've got a map from the cycling shop with a trail that goes to a "Downtown Beacon", somewhere west of here.
I'd be happy to help follow up with your other locations some other time, too. I'm out there a lot. Have a decent handle on navigating the woods.
[ On the morning of the 25th, Rosi might wake to find a package on his doorstep. It reads "To Rosinante, From Aziraphale" and contains a patchwork sweater. He's tried his best to make it look cohesive. ]
[Another gift! How confusing, for he'd already received what he thought was supposed to be the secret game one. Did Eleven somehow assign two people to him?]
Did you make this sweater yourself? It fits! Thank you!
A small bouquet of paper Soldier Kisses that have been coloured a brilliant shade of blue. They’re tied with a sea blue ribbon and the tag ‘For the stalwart.’ attached to it. It comes with a polished red stone - One that, perhaps, Rosinante will recognise though that event with memories and tributes now seems so long ago. The stone now happens to sport a strange symbol carefully etched into it - A swirling circle, with a starburst in the middle.
The stone comes with a note that briefly explains what this is all about: Returning a part of a given gift with this charm is meant to respect and to honour whoever is receiving it; it's also meant to be a protection charm to ward off danger and ill-omens.
[ Happy holidays! There's a little box containing a small palette with various shades of eyeshadow with a small mirror. Even though Midge doesn't celebrate Christmas, she figures the cheer will be needed. There's a note attached: ]
Rosinante, Wasn't sure about your colour palette but this should work well with your natural undertones. Enjoy! -Miriam
[Once he's done staring in shock at what he's discovered - another gift! and such a thoughtful one, from so unexpected a source! - he sends her a text.]
Thank you! I was running low on my other set. These are incredible colors!
I've never paid attention to undertones and I'm not exactly sure what that means. How do you learn about something like that?
[Attached is a picture taken just outside the church. It's a small army of tiny snowmen (no taller than 5-10 inches) or perhaps more accurately snow sigillaria. If you look, each snowman has an initial on its belly to correspond to the people Jason considers himself close to. Written in the snow are the words: Happy Saturnalia & Merry Christmas.
He couldn't find enough gifts for everyone he wanted to, so he sculpted these an sent out a sort of Christmas card instead. Of course, the snowmen are still there in person for the foreseeable future.]
[ANOTHER. GIFT. Well, a card, but still! These people take this holiday seriously - note to self. If he's here another year, he'll be prepared. He could give them things he finds around town over the next few weeks as late gifts but not only is that sort of lame, it would actually make him feel deeply awkward. That non-Earth guy trying so hard to follow Earth customs. But are they expecting anything back anyway? Probably not, since they know he's from elsewhere and that he didn't know about this until it was sprung on him.
Okay, at the very least he can stop having a social crisis and text back once he's sorted out how he feels about all of this.]
Jason! Thank you! I hope you have a Merry Christmas too!
I haven't heard of Saturnalia, what's that holiday about?
[ when he doesn't get an immediate reply and it doesn't occur to day that rosinante might be busy with other things and, you know, have a life of his own, daylight sends a flurry of messages.
( Several days after the effects wear off, when Javert is finally able to set his life back in order, he messages Rosinante. He isn't sure who else to tell. No one else is as preoccupied with defending the town as he is, nor quite as dedicated to fighting the World Eaters.
Dear Rosinante, Hope you've been well! I was wondering if it were possible in your schedule that we can find some time to compare notes on Downtown. I would also make myself available to a more social call if you prefer. Sincerely, Aziraphale.
Letter in Rosinante's mailbox on 01/30; rosi sure is popular isn't he owo!
[ This letter is in an envelope attached to a very well-aged vintage of fine whiskey that Sora got from a certain Concierge in payment for services rendered. ]
Rosinante,
Hi! It's not the ocean, but I'm working on that one. I wanted to say thank you for sitting with me when I first got here? I guess I need to apologize for last week too, but I figured that I'd have to take this one thing at a time or else things would start getting confusing. So, the whiskey is for just the first night thing. Thank you!
I'm sorry about last week! It was a lantern thing, but that doesn't fix anything I said or did. I did some real damage and I said a lot of things that I don't believe in. It's a long story, but maybe we can talk about it later? I know that you only have my word to go on, but that's not what I'm like and it won't happen again.
I'm trying to get into the bar again to try and fix things, but the spirits are REALLY mad at me and keep chasing me out. Which is fair! I broke a promise that I wouldn't make trouble with them again. I'll keep trying to keep back in so I can fix what I broke, though. I'll let you know how that goes.
Anyway, I hope you're doing okay after last week. It was kind of rough! If you need a hand with anything, let me know.
Take care of yourself!
Sora
P.S. Sora's definitely the name I'm using! And in case it wasn't clear yet, I'm using @ langit on the network. I'll let you know if anything changes.
[ daylight already hangs out a lot with rosinante due to them sharing information with one another. that, and day likes to help out in whatever projects rosinante has going on, wanting to be useful. yet under the obviously false pretence of wanting to help rosinante out even more, daylight is spending a lot more time with the guy than ever for the past few days.
all the while, day is so painfully obvious when trying to fish information out of rosinante with how much day talks as the two are together. he's trying to learn what rosinante likes and dislikes, what rosinante's hobbies are outside of projects. if asked about it, daylight simply smiles as he explains that he just wants to get to know his friend better. and he lets his winglets flutter to add to his seemingly sincere reply.
one of the most curious things to happen during the days is during the hour everyone should be resting. at some point, in the invincible, rosinante will notice there's a presence lingering at the door of his room. there's shuffling now and then, like whoever it is is adjusting their footing, but there are no attempts to knock on the door or make their presence known.
if he opts to inspect the outside of his room to see what's going on, all rosinainte will find is the faint scent of aromatic smoke and the butt of a cigarette. and, just turning the corner, something (or someone) wearing a cape made of a starry fabric is hurrying off and out of sight. ]
On Friday, Rosinante encounters a semi-familiar spirit squatting next to him as they watch the races. The Lunch Lady spirit is, for once, not doling out food, but rather relaxing. Occasionally, one of their six arms stretches out so they can munch on a chilly chicken nugget.
One of the spirits bursts into a speck of light, and the spirit heaves a great satisfied sigh before turning to Rosinante. Here, take this: a chilled juice box. Everyone ought to have a bit of a snack while they watch.
At first he'd been a little uneasy with a spirit deciding to come sit right down beside him. Sure, he's met this one before but that doesn't make them buddies or anything.
But maybe the atmosphere of this moment - the lights, the spirits' excitement over their racing - means he should make an effort to be a little less standoffish toward this one, so when he's offered the juice box, he takes it.
"Thanks," he replies, then puzzles over the strange, waxy cardboard container and its attached-but-separate packaged straw. How are you supposed to open this to drink it? The seams are glued pretty solidly shut, but he tries to pry it open that way with a fingernail anyway.
I received a package and letter from our doctor friend. I won't transcribe it word for word, but I wanted to make you all aware of some information that I think needs to be known NOW.
1. Confirmation of the amusement park. The coaster we saw a flier for does exist and does do what we hypothesized it would...it's a "humane method of suicide." If any of you go exploring and happen across the amusement park DO NOT LET ANYONE ON THE COASTER.
2. She thinks it will soon be time to connect to the network. She didn't give a day, but it sounded like it would be soon. I don't know if we're to wait to reveal her presence then or if you all think we should finally call another town hall to inform everyone else about this.
If you're curious about reading the letter for yourself, let me know.
Thanks for the update. Looking forward to her arrival on the network. Should make contacting her a little easier.
I sent in a letter myself just yesterday, asking if she knew anything about what happened to the lanterns a month ago. I figure, if she's the one who made the lanterns or whatever her involvement was, she might be the only one who knows what happened to them.
Especially since it didn't actually stop. Soldat's still has a green crack.
[The next time Rosinante makes his way to the post office, the Postmaster General will excitedly hand him a letter! It's addressed to him! How exciting! There's even a small package attached!!!]
Dear Rosinante
I did indeed invent the lantern technology that keeps us alive, that is correct. I maintain your lanterns, as well—to the best of my ability, though I am not without fault. You yourself can attest to this, unfortunately. I am sorry that I wasn't able to repair your lantern correctly.
But I have good news: I've recently made some significant breakthroughs with my technology. I am not sure how well I will be able to stave off these strange malfunctions, but I may soon be able to repair the minute defects that cause conditions like yours.
I will soon be in touch with the town. Please do tell me more about your friend's condition then, and I'll help however I can.
Best,
Dr. Maridel Solis
[Inside of the package, Rosinante will find a glowing blue rock that fits nicely into the palm of his hand. The attached instructions explain that this is called a hearthstone, and if rubbed between his hands, it will teleport Rosinante (and only Rosinante) to his place of residence from anywhere in Beacon! Cool!
But there's a catch: the stone can only be used once before the charge runs out and it stops glowing. It can be recharged, the instructions say, but it doesn't say how.]
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