Chaldean Chronicles: Cadence of the Lostgrail

Damn this blasted cold! Even if he descended from the Sun, he despised the winter months for how bone chillingly cold it got... But he had to admit, the sight of snow glittering under the sun was beautiful. In his hands, Eno carried a medium sized box that he'd wrapped with golden paper and a red bow, cc and he handled the package with care as he opens the door to the cabin. "Ah- Won-ok? Are you here?" He called softly. He'd asked him to meet him here specifically so they could exchange presents.

@squire | Sa, Wo, PF, XB, Ot

Currently, Won-ok was kicking at a space heater, his own gifts set aside in a bag. “Yo.” He turned around, still wearing his winter cap in the steadily warming cabin. He grabbed the bag and held it up. “Happy holidays!”

@Lyn(Arj/HP/Marg/En/Sieg)

"Happy Holidays, Cha Won-ok!" He says with a big smile, closing the door behind him to give the master candidate a hug. "I know it's not Christmas yet, but with the way the Lostbelts are going I wanted to do it a bit early." He was still freezing, but the fire would start warming him up as he grinned. "Okay, I'll go first." He says as he offers him the box.

@squire | Sa, Wo, PF, XB, Ot

Won-ok fell into the hug easily, squeezing Enokida hard before pulling away. “That’s okay. I wanted to do it early too. I’m a pretty impatient guy.” He set the bag aside, and accepted the gift box into both arms. "Okay." He cleared his throat, and stood there for a moment. "I'm... uh. Opening it now." He settled onto the ground, cross legged. Won-ok realized that it's been a while since he actually received a gift. Or anything of that sort. It's like every bit of etiquette related to it had been thrown out the window. Avoiding Enokida's gaze, just for a bit, he unwrapped and opened the box.

@Lyn(Arj/HP/Marg/En/Sieg)

Enokida himself hadn't really ever taken part of Christmas, really just him and his twin sister, but he was more than happy to plop himself down in seiza in front of Won-ok. The paper crinkled as he began to pull it off, revealing inside...

10:24 AM

A piece of long, cloth like paper. "This is a Kamifuda: a special Ofuda tag that holds the essence of a spirit rather than just the protection. I... Went out and found you a Yokuzume: A Bird Yokai which is said to bring bad luck, since I know you utilize it yourself. It's sealed inside, and the papers are enriched in holy rites: So it conducts Magecraft really well. If you talk to it, I'm sure the Yokai would become you familiar..." He seemed nervous, as if unsure of the gift.

@squire | Sa, Wo, PF, XB, Ot

Won-ok, at this, point, knew what an Ofuda tag was, having seen them hang around Enokida most of the time. He held it with care, stroking a finger down the text written on it. "The night sparrows...? I've heard about them. The grannies in the compound..." And this, he also realized, will be the first reference he'll make to his father's side of the family, "Like to talk." He moved the box aside, setting the Kamifuda down on his lap. His mouth pressed in a thin line. He flushed. "I heard they can be really hard to find. ...Either way, you went out and caught one for me, so um..." Hands braced on his knees, he met Enokida's eyes and smiled. "Thank you. I'll use it well. I'll even treat the sparrow well, if it decides to come out." And as if to prove his point, he nodded in greeting to yokai within the Kamifuda. "Hello, I'm Cha Won-ok. It's nice to meet you." (edited)

@Lyn(Arj/HP/Marg/En/Sieg)

Won-ok, at this, point, knew what an Ofuda tag was, having seen them hang around Enokida most of the time. He held it with care...

@Won-ok Cha (@squire | Sa, Wo, PF, XB, Ot) - jump He waved his hand. "Yes, the Night Sparrows. They represent terribly bad luck, but they can be benevolent when all is said and done. Much like yourself, I think." When he mentioned the compound, Enokida's eyebrow did raise in curiosity, but he didn't press it further. That was Won-ok's story to tell. "Ah, it was no trouble. Hard to find, but it was worth the effort for one who means as much to me as you do." He said with a smile as he nods. "I know you will- I trust you completely with it." The Ofuda tag sits, but briefly... There was the sound of birds.

He huffed a laugh, scratching at his jaw. "Is that so?" He tucked the tag away, safely, recording the sound of birds away for later. Looks like they said hello back. "Okay..." Won-ok pulled the bag near them closer. "I think it's my turn." Out of it, he procured two packages. One thinner than the other. They both used the same kind of wrapping paper, shiny foil stamped with Christmas trees. "Hm..." He offered both forward, tapping on the thin one. "I think you should open this one first."

@Lyn(Arj/HP/Marg/En/Sieg)

He huffed a laugh, scratching at his jaw. "Is that so?" He tucked the tag away, safely, recording the sound of birds away for...

@Won-ok Cha (@squire | Sa, Wo, PF, XB, Ot) - jump Enokida blinks softly before taking the thin one. "Arigato, Won-ok-kun." He says with a warm smile before gently opening the wrapping paper, careful to pull at the tape so it would come off neat and clean. "Truthfully, I've never shared a Christmas with anyone but my sister. Since we're so connected, I never actually could hide my gift from here and vice versa. The thrill of not knowing is exhilarating!"

“I used to celebrate it a bunch myself.” And it’s weird. How often he felt like bad luck was tossed his way, over and over again, but he was, in a sense, privileged compared everyone else. In terms of various experiences, at least. “I’ve had a lot of people to celebrate it with… my mom… my neighbors… my friends in school…” They all might as well be gone now, but… The fact they had been there in the first place, was enough. Despite it, Won-ok didn’t sound particularly sad. “I hope the surprise is worth it, hyung.” He cleared his throat again, as the wrapping was pulled away to reveal… A Korean language learning book. “Since we’re meant to… uh. Learn together.” “I thought this would help.” “It’s not much by itself, which is why you have a second one.” Which was set between them, waiting it’s turn. “Merry Christmas in Korean… is usually just Merry Christmas with an accent. Your Korean lesson of the day.”

@Lyn(Arj/HP/Marg/En/Sieg)

He sits quietly for a second before quickly opening it. "Maeu Gamsahabnida Cha Won-ok." He says softly and quietly with a large smile. "I love this." He says softly as he runs a finger down the spine. "I'm sure we will have a great time learning together."

@squire | Sa, Wo, PF, XB, Ot

He pulled at his hair with one hand, waving with the other. “I’m sure we will. I hope you’re ready for your teacher. I heard he can be a real hard ass.” A snort of laughter, and he rubbed at his face in embarrassment. “…Gwaenchayo. I’m looking forward to my Japanese lessons, as well.” “I’m glad you love it.” Gently, he pushed forward the next one. It as a little heavier. “I hope you like this one as well.” He folded his hands in his lap. There was an edge of sudden eagerness.

@Lyn(Arj/HP/Marg/En/Sieg)

"Hah, the same to you! I've heard your teacher loves surprise quizzes." He laughs, smiling as she adjusts his position a little bit. "... I feel a bit outclassed, Cha Won-ok, I only prepared a single gift!" ... A joke entirely, by his smile as he picks up the slightly heavier gift and looks it over. After a few seconds he carefully begins opening it. "... Cha Won-ok, I'm glad to be spending this holiday with you."

@squire | Sa, Wo, PF, XB, Ot

"I better be prepared then." It was a simple necklace. A fine chain, with a single crystalline scale. He pointed down at it. "The journey to get this was kind of crazy." He tapped on his knee with the other hand, expression contemplative. As Enokida held it, he'll feel it was imbued with a handful of enchantments. "Saraitda. It means live. That's what I've been calling it." "Your second gift to me, I think... is staying alive, maybe?" "I'm glad to spend this holiday with you too. And I'd like to spend it with you again next year. And the year after that. And the year after... Are you catching on?" He laughed. "This should help with that, I hope." "After what you told me, about your dream... I thought... I'll definitely make it harder for her to mess with you."

@Lyn(Arj/HP/Marg/En/Sieg)

"I better be prepared then." It was a simple necklace. A fine chain, with a single crystalline scale. He pointed down at it. ...

@Won-ok Cha (@squire | Sa, Wo, PF, XB, Ot) - jump His eyes remained on the necklace, his mind going completely blank. Saraitda... Or, in English, Live. His finger falls on the scale as he traces his finger along it. He could sense the enchantments, but didn't quite know what to say. "Staying alive.." his eyes began to water slightly. Were these tears? He'd never cried, so this was foreign, new to him as they fell to splatter against the shimmering scale. How did he respond to something like this? "... Yeah, I'm catching on." He says as he wipes at his eyes with his sleeve before lunging across the space to embrace the tall, lanky Korean boy with a fierce embrace, one that he wouldn't let go for a long time. "This... This means the world to me, Won-ok. Thank you." He chokes out, his eyes gushing tears as he grips him tightly. This was what it was like to be cared for. This... This truly meant the entire world to Enokida.

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@felice | 🥜/🧓/👮🏻/🤺/💳 so you can read @Thicc|Fie/Ali/Ayu/Miyu/Nag/Mel you too

His eyes remained on the necklace, his mind going completely blank. Saraitda... Or, in English, Live. His finger falls on the s...

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(@Lyn(Arj/HP/Marg/En/Sieg)) - jump Won-ok clutched at him in return, arms looping around Enokida’s shoulders. He felt so overwhelmed suddenly, his heart shaking in his chest. He almost thought it was a cough. Chin settling on Enokida’s shoulder, he stayed silent, mouth trembling. He could feel Enokida’s tears soaking into his shirt. He didn’t mind. “Hey,” Slowly, he tried to shift them, hands going up to Enokida’s face. “Hey,” He repeated. He thumbed way Enokida’s tears, and dropped his hands. “Come on. If you cry…” It was too late, really, because his voice was already growing thick, his eyes wet, “I just might too.” He laughed. A tear dripped down his nose. How gross! “Thank you too. Just stay. Right here.” “And don’t go off getting tortured by sun gods.”

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