[He had not said anything after a recent announcement on the network, but he had remembered part of his conversation over coffee with the young ex-Nobody, the mention of names, and friendships. Privately, Eraqus hopes this is not overstepping bounds on Thanksgiving.. ]
[A large envelope has been left for Roxas, his name written in unfamiliar bold handwriting. It may have been delivered to Kahve or dropped off at his home by one of Eraqus' apprentices (because he certainly doesn't know either location yet in the city).
[But whatever the where, inside the envelope, Roxas'll find three carefully folded origami birds. Once pulled out and carefully put on display, the paper shapes aren't just birds - three phoenixes, each a different shade of red, with a little mark of mastery printed at the end of the tail. One for the two left behind, and one in memory of an absent friend.]
[Thanksgiving isn't a holiday where he's accustomed to giving or getting presents, so Roxas is surprised when he opens the envelope—but that feeling subsides and is swiftly overtaken by another emotion that's harder to name. Whatever it is, it leaves him feeling a little choked up.
He'll have to stop by the House of Departure and thank the Master for his gift later. These days, they have little enough to be grateful for, so it's important to show appreciation for what they've got. But first, he takes the time to place the phoenixes on the windowsill in his room, where the light will hit them first thing each morning when it breaks through the darkness. The one with the brightest red goes in the middle, its friends close by on either side.
[ A short voicemail has been left; Eraqus sounds slightly pained throughout. ]
My apologies, Roxas, but I'm afraid I will have to defer training with you to a future time; a week or so at most, I hope.
[ Beat. Then, intensely serious:]
The reported monster in the news is a very powerful Heartless. Do not attempt to engage it on your own, and warn your friends to travel together if they absolutely must go out at night.
[The following are under the tree for Roxas should he attend the Christmas party over at Riku's place:
- 1x small christmas card with an Obnoxious Gaudy Christmas Sweater design on the front - 1x wolf origami figure made with Christmas wrapping paper - 1x a small box containing a grey crystal, strung on black and white braided cord. There is a tiny note included, advising that the crystal should be held in the palm of one hand while the bearer focuses on a single happy memory. Doing so will make the crystal glow, matching the holder's eye colour.
[Because he actually dropped by Riku's place to dump presents on you lot, Roxas gets the following:
- A Christmas card with a snowman on it. Besides having a signature, there's something else written above and below the printed message. "To The Thirteenth, now and forever more." "That coat better be put to good use." (Could be worse. The top part could've said "To my son.") - A gift card to one of those clothing stores or something. Now he can't say he got nothing good. - An LED countdown clock. It was on sale. - Julian threw in an ugly sweater for good measure. Because he thought it'd be nice.
A pedometer was also being thrown in, but then it was questioned. You done lucked out there, boy.
[ A small black box, with a tiny white gift tag, has been left for Roxas. The penmanship is likely familiar, though no name is attached.
It's a very small box, easily fitting in the palm of Roxas' hand. When opened, there's a few layers of white tissue paper to push aside before he'll find a rather familiar sigil made of bronze.]
Page 3 of 3