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[beshackled]

This is Erichthonios. Apologies for not being available at the moment. Pray leave a message, and I shall respond to your communication as soon as I receive it.

Comments

[breakin_ur_lore]

Hey, Erichthonios.

Remember when you made the bramble patch and we were talking about plants from our worlds? I found something cool here.

[The camera turns on to show a bunch of little pink flowers growing in the dirt.]

[beshackled]

Ah, what unusual centers! Red stamens are not very common.

What are they called?

[breakin_ur_lore]

Mageroyal! They bloom around, you know, magical activity. So there's a few patches at my camp, haha.

[Pause.........]

What's a stamen?

[ .D. ]

[beshackled]

'Tis the part of the flower from which pollen originates.

Have other flora and fauna from your star emerged here? I have noticed some several from my own since we last spoke.

[breakin_ur_lore]

Ohhhh. The middle part. [He doesn’t have any formal schooling in biology (or anything other than magic, frankly), but he more or less knows how flowers work.

A little more serious; ] I saw a spore walker in the forest a while back. We went out and defeated it, since they’re pretty dangerous. I haven’t seen any others, but…I guess they could come in the way we did.

[Thoughtful pause.]

I wonder why, though. I don’t think mageroyal plants have committed any crimes or whatever.

[beshackled]

Indeed. 'Tis certainly interesting. I cannot help but wonder if there is some other purpose to all of this. It feels... familiar.

[Though, come to think of it, Med'an might not know exactly where he is coming from when he says this...]

[breakin_ur_lore]

[He definitely does not know where you are coming from. Sorry, Erich.]

Maybe these things are supposed to…make us feel better? [But the doubting tone of his voice suggests that he’s already aware of how stupid that sounds. After the labyrinth, he’s not sure he can confidently say that their emotional well-being is considered important here.] What sort of ‘familiar’ are you thinking?

video

[coordinatroll]

[ The video opens to Mitama, though just like in her recent post, she's wearing her "disguise". She's here on an important business, after all. ]

Ho, ho, ho! Thank you for joining our Secret Santa event~ It's time to find out what ─ or rather who ─ your assignment as Santa's Little Helper for this year is! Drumroll, please...

[ She makes a pause for a dramatic effect, her hand slipping into a Santa hat she's holding and pulling out a small piece of paper with a name on it. ]

It's none other than... Caitlyn Kiramman, Aldrip's local private investigator!

Remember, you should present your assignee with a gift of your choice until December 25th! Good luck, and remember: your main task is to spread joy, happiness and the spirit of Christmas cheer!

Miss Santa Coordinator, out!

Re: video

[beshackled]

[Erichthonios knows little of the meaning behind the disguise. He supposes it may be a part of the custom... but rather than inundate her with questions, he opts to simply accept the assignment.]

My thanks. Although this custom and all that surrounds it is new to me, I do believe such kindnesses are much needed at this point.

'Twas good of you, to put this all together.

[coordinatroll]

[ She's been explaining everything related to Christmas for almost two weeks now, so she's basically a pro at it by now! ... But it does get a little repetitive, so a break from that is appreciated. ]

Oh, you're welcome~ To be honest, this particular holiday isn't even native to my country, but its themes and message are so universal, it's grown rather popular there, too! And I think we could all use something to bring us together ♪

[beshackled]

That we do.

[Especially given... recent events. The fabric of cohesion between those brought here has begun to fray considerably.

He goes quiet a moment, pondering.]

...I believe I have met Caitlyn Kiramman, though I confess I know little about her. I shall have to think on what to get her.

[coordinatroll]

Certainly! Oh, but please do not concern yourself with it too much~ After all, the very spirit of giving and sharing is far more important than the material possessions we're trading.

[ She wants everyone to have fun, not stress over the details! ]

[beshackled]

...

[Belatedly, the words register, breaking Erichthonios out of his thoughts.]

O-oh. Well... I am sure something will come to me in time.

[Mayhap he could... find something interesting for her to investigate?]

action

[baldrshand]

[Ethlyn has a small parcel tucked into the crook of her arm as she knocks on Erichthonios' door. Mitama had described him as mister politeness himself, which had given Ethlyn one or two ideas to go off of, but it's still a little nervewracking to try and buy a gift for a relative stranger.]

[beshackled]

[It is not often that Erichthonios hears a knock upon the door. But hear it he does, the sound of it breaking him from his thoughts and leading him to rise from his current seat, the task that had been engrossing him left for later.]

One moment!

[He calls from within, hastening to the simple home's entrance.

But a few seconds later, the door opens. He is smiling at first, though when he sees it is someone he does not know, his expression changes to that of open confusion.]

May I help you...? Are you looking for Themis?

[baldrshand]

[Ethlyn recognizes him by sight, as she recognizes most of the Chosen who have been here more than a month or two, but she can't put a name to the face. Maybe she's lucky and this is the man she needs.]

No, I'm looking for Erichthonios. [It takes her a moment to enunciate the long, unfamiliar name.] You wouldn't happen to be him, would you?

[beshackled]

Aye. I am Erichthonios.

[If she made an error in speaking his name, he does not point it out.]

What is it that you need?

[baldrshand]

Wonderful! [She claps her hands together, and the parcel paper crinkles.] I'm Ethlyn--I run the Arztenritter. And I'm also your Secret Santa.

[beshackled]

My Secret...

[The befuddled expression holds for a second longer before it all clicks in his mind.]

O-oh!

So Miss Santa Coordinator put our names into the pool of recipients, too?

voice

[heartofsalvation]

[Not long after his conversation with Yuja, Themis is both nervous and hopeful at once, his stomach twisting into knots. At the very least, he manages to keep it out of his tone... he thinks.]

Erichthonios, are you busy? When you have time, can you return to the inn room for a while? There was something I wished to discuss with you.

[beshackled]

Aye. Apologies, but I have been fascinated by the changes in the octopus we bested. 'Tis shrinking and shrinking, and the marks upon it are fading away at a remarkable pace...

[There is wonder in his tone. Truly, what an amazing thing they have done.

Ah. But Themis was asking him to return...]

Would you like me to bring anything?

[heartofsalvation]

No need! I've just been taking rest while I can, what with the exhausting day I've had.

[The fascination is kind of cute, actually. He'd been curious about it as well, but it's no wonder Erichthonios has stayed to study it -- more than anything, to protect it from anyone who might have wished to finish it off, just in case.]

I'll be here when you get back.

[beshackled]

Pray rest well. You expended far more energy than I today.

[That being said, he was more than willing to shackle anyone who dared approach with vengeance in mind.

After a time, he sends a lengthy holographic video of the now very tiny and untainted creature skittishly scampering back to the water, the maintained proximity of the feed a clear indication of his following it there.]

'Tis so small...

[heartofsalvation]

It's a wonder the rot could grow something like that to such monstrous proportions. Though whether it acted for its own survival or for some other purpose, who knows...

[It's clear the substance has some significant destructive power behind it, but just what it is will have to remain a mystery for another day. He sighs.]

I wager the creature needs its rest, too, you know. If it has been a long day for us, then it has been a very long several months for the octopus.

[beshackled]

Aye... I suppose you are right.

[Would that he could observe it a little longer, or in its natural habitat.

He follows the creature a moment longer, recordings its journey to the water, where it slips into the shallow waves and quickly swims away.

At least he did not attempt to bring it back with him?]

I shall return now. Are you sure you do not want for anything?