Inbox for ryslig

[charmpagne]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, CHARACTER NAME/ALIAS. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 018.07.154.55 *** Sparkling has joined 018.07.154.55 <Sparkling>Hello there! You have reached the inbox of Sparkling Cookie. Unfortunately, I am currently unavailable, but if you leave a message I'll make sure to get back to you real soon!

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sometime in the middle of the march

[pinballs]

[The unknown fate of Sparkling following their mortifying encounter has not rested well on the lieutenant's thoughts. After the fallout of his...incident, he had gone through a thorough shutdown for a few days before eventually returning to what he would consider 'normal' functionality. Except, now, he has a new unfortunate knot in his brain, one that constantly reminds him of the morbid task ahead of him. Feed, or succumb to madness. Hurt, or risk hurting more.

The memories of that night return slowly to him. He replaces the shirt he tore and carefully covers the neck wound with gauze and medical tape. He tries to forget the sight of those mangled fingers on the ground, of Sparkling cowering away from him, his eyes wide with fear. He can't forget the rage and bloodlust he felt roaring in his ears, urging him ever forward until his prey was finally nothing more than flesh, blood, and bone.

He needs to make sure the man is okay. Likely not mentally--he wouldn't expect anyone to recover from a horrific encounter like that, especially not an average citizen. Even if Sparkling doesn't speak to him, Kim will be reassured to see if he's returned to some sort of routine.

The first time they spoke, Sparkling had mentioned that he worked at a casino called the Lucky 38. It is here, on the gambling floor, that Kim finds himself watching Sparkling from afar. The noise of the network drones away in the back of his mind. He focuses on anything else. It's gotten easier to contain as time has gone on--after all, the way he compartmentalizes it away is not unlike the manner in which he deals with his own native thoughts.

He stands at a distance away from the bar as to not disturb Sparkling or be viewed as an immediate threat. His hands are neatly tucked behind his back, though his stance as a whole is rather lax. He's eyeing the vampire, trying to determine his demeanor. Though the crowd around him may drink and gamble, Kim engages in neither of these vices.

His eyes keep being drawn to the bandaged hand.]

cw: brief drug mention

[charmpagne]

[Sparkling really shouldn't be working at all. He'd only recently been feeling bouts of some of the worst pain he'd ever experienced in his life, and if it weren't for some strong medication and the advent of some even stronger drugs, he'd likely still be in bed unable to move right now. Of course he knows better than to come into work blitzed out of his mind, so the best he can do is let the normal painkillers get him through his work shift in the hopes that by the time it all wore off he'd be able to just take something stronger and go straight to bed. It had been working so far, anyway...

But that didn't change the fact that he was still changing. Slowly, but changing nevertheless. His hands by now barely resembled that of a human's, with three out of five fingers having grown over double their length, a thin yellow membrane connecting them inbetween. He was losing dexterity in those fingers by the day, to the point where he found it easier to just do his work with his thumb and index finger on each hand. That worked out well enough, seeing as his right hand only had those fingers, and what parts of the membrane that did grow in were appearing all tattered and ripped.

Sparkling wishes he didn't remember as much about the attack as he did, but it seemed that losing the memories of it would be too much of a kindness. No, he could remember in great detail how he'd attacked someone he'd had only passing familiarity with- friendly though it was- and how that had ended with his paying the price for allowing the hunger to consume him. He knows without a doubt that if Kim hadn't fled the scene when he did, he very well could have devoured him then and there. Things could have been so much worse, but somehow he got off with a warning and a reminder. A reminder that he wouldn't be soon forgetting, even if people kept telling him the Fog would heal him.

What if She chose not to? Would she punish him for resisting the siren song, for holding back when he could have embraced it and come out all the stronger?

He doesn't notice Kim standing among the crowd at first, too focused on his work as he is. He moves from one side of the bar to the other, serving patrons as quickly as he's able without running the risk of dropping more glasses than he already had in the last so many days. Usually, working brings him a brief respite from everything, but he's just...his heart isn't as in it this week and he knows it. He hopes things will improve with time, but there's no way of knowing for sure. Maybe...

Sparkling isn't sure what finally clues him in to being watched. Maybe it's just a sense, or maybe it has something to do with the fact that he's realizing that he can hear Kim's faster than normal heartbeat as it thrums in his ears, exciting that hunting instinct and stimulating his palate whether he likes it or not. He can think of a few reasons why someone might be that worked up at a casino (or a bar besides), but even when confirming it's something else entirely he still has trouble processing what he's seeing.

It's Kim. He's here, just...here, at his workplace. Watching him. Sparkling isn't so judgemental as to assume the monster intends to come back to finish what he'd started, but he still can't fully understand why he'd come to him after everything. What does he plan to do? It isn't as if Sparkling can approach him while on the clock, and he isn't going to call across the floor to him either.

Ah. His hands have begun to shake slightly, claws tapping a nervous staccato against the glass he was cleaning, but he's able to smooth that over relatively quickly. At least here, he knows that Mukuro isn't going to put up with any bullshit. If she sees something breaking out, she'll intervene. He doesn't have to feel like he's in any real danger, here. But still...

He fixes Kim with his gaze, trying to impart to the Troll that he has 100% been noticed, red eyes hard to miss even at a distance. He says nothing, does nothing, just looks back for a long moment or two before he turns back to the people at his bar. There's no outward invitation, but neither is there a call for security.]

After the network blowup

[humblecowboy]

[There are times when one doesn't have to ask if someone is okay; it's easy to know that they aren't. Atem's shadow game being televised as it was hasn't been the hardest thing for Spike and Vicious to stomach; in Spike's eyes, it isn't even cruel.

But they both know a cookie is just a cookie, and a cookie can't be having a great time of it.

So while Vicious is hitting up his plug for some goods and bringing back beer, Spike works on their entry, showing up at Sparkling's door unannounced and giving just a simple knock before yelling;]

Special delivery!

[charmpagne]

[Sparkling had pretty much decided to just try to take it easy, this evening. He has...a lot to think about just now, and while he's taken the time to talk to a few, it doesn't change the fact that he's going to have to decide where he stands on what has been made a very public issue.

And, like. He knows at least that much. To say he was horrified by what he witnessed would be understating it, but that makes his feelings on the people who enacted it even more complicated. Just when he feels like he's dragging himself from beneath the mire of one issue, another drops itself into his lap. Then he feels bad about making this about himself, and the cycle continues...

So when a sudden knock heralds a visitor, Sparkling actually jumps before rising to his feet, looking over in time to hear a (thankfully) familiar voice calling out for him.]

Cowboy?

[It's relief that floods him as he makes his way to the door, taking a bit too long to get it open as he fights to work out a way to grip it without the membranes between his fingers getting in the way. He eventually manages it, stepping back so there's room for Spike to enter.]

Wh- What are you doing here?

March 23th

[swashgrappling]

[Once Tawna gets a good idea that Sparkling lives, the former bandicoot makes a point to drop off a package in his mailbox.

Whenever the other monster is able to actually check his mailbox, he'll find a carefully wrapped package within.

When unwrapped, Sparkling will find an embroidery hoop with the fabric pulled taut. The scene is carefully sewn in colorful thread and beads highlighting specific details. Tawna has sewn in a scene. Sparkling himself stands behind a bar, smiling at a patron seated in front of him. He seems to be in mid-conversation, polishing a glass in his hand. The scene is warm, friendly, an unspoken invitation for someone else to approach the bar.

Another hoop of embroidery can be found in the box as well. A pirate ship on the waves. A heavy cloud cover hanging overhead. The threat of a storm was hinted at by the color of the thread and crashing waves full of beads.]

Thought you might like these, just to spruce up your home a little. You can guess I have a lot of time on my hands.

Take care of yourself, Sparkling.

-Tawna

<Sparkling>

[charmpagne]

[The gifts are completely unexpected, yet genuinely welcomed. It's so...touching that Sparkling doesn't know how best to respond, initially. As if the beautifully crafted scene of the pirate ship at sea wasn't enough, it's the portait of himself that really gets him. It's going to mean so much more soon, when his reflection finally disappears and things like these are the only reminders of how he appears to the public that he has.

While most may accept things like this without bringing too much attention to them, Sparkling feels compelled to thank her, at the very least. It's far from the first act of kindness he's been shown here, but it's the first one that's this physical that he has to call his own.

So, not long after the package has been delivered, Tawna will receive a message to her private inbox:]

Hello Tawna. This is Sparkling. I received your package earlier today, and I just wanted to sincerely thank you for it. The pieces you made are stunning; I had no idea you were such an artist! You captured my likeness so well, I may as well be looking into a mirror. The pirate ship reminds me so much of home. Maybe one of these days I will be able to show you what the soda islands look like. I think you'd like them a lot.

Anyway- I will cherish them both. Thank you so much.

-Sparkling

forward dating to May 3rd!

[leggierissimo]

[It's his first full day of being a Naga again, and Joshua has decided that he needs a drink. Not because of the trauma of undergoing a change again - it had actually been pretty painless this time around, comparatively, and at least he didn't have to regrow his tail. No, the need for a strong drink is spurred on by petty impulse. He might just be a little miffed that he has to re-learn how to use his snake muscles to move after two months of being back on two legs.

At any rate, Sparkling's bar is his new go-to, much for the same reasons that WildKat had been his go-to cafe: the company is good. Luckily, with Sparkling's bar, the drinks are also good, and he's not charged an exorbitant amount of money for them. It's the little things!

Still, it's probably strange for Sparkling when a very Joshua-like Naga comes slithering through the door and up to the bar, seating himself with his tail coiled around the base of the stool.]

[charmpagne]

[When Joshua enters the building, he'll come up on Sparkling not actually facing the door initially, focused on rearranging the bottles on the shelves behind him. He'd been trying to get a system going like the one he had back home with all of his juices, but having so many types of liquor to account for meant that he might need to think about expanding his storage soon...regardless, it's the soft chime of the bell over the door that prompts him to turn just in time to see Joshua- all several long feet of him- come slithering in.]

Joshua? Joshua, is that you?

[Hold the FUCKING phone, he needs to get a better look.

As Sparkling moves to step out from behind the bar for just a moment, Joshua will hear the sound of claws instead of shoes hitting the floorboards. It seems that they've both changed quite a bit since seeing one another last, as Sparkling now sports a pair of much longer clawed feet. He isn't wearing shoes which is a bit to his own chagrin working in a place where food is served, but he's like....a monster, most people can't help that anyway.

Also, he has bat ears now. Two massive ones that swivel with interest as Sparkling looks his friend over.]

It's been so long that I've seen you as a Nephilim, I'd almost forgotten you were originally a Naga.

[There's so much of him, now.]

may 1st

[riproduzione]

[ At the beginning of the month, Sparkling will find that a box has been delivered to his bar. There's some weight to it once picked up, and any movement will cause a clinking to sound from the inside. Once opened, there are five bottles. Three are clear glass, each neatly labelled; the two with the bright yellow liquid are Limoncello, and the bottle with the orange liquid is Arancello. The remaining two bottles are dark green in colouration, one is some sort of Prosecco, and the other a Prosecco Rosato. There's a note inside the box, too, printed on some paper that has the header of Libeccio in bold lettering across the top, with an address in Bavan. ]

Congratulations on the bar, I am sorry that I missed your grand opening. I'll be sure to stop by properly sometime in the future. For the time being, I came into possession of some limoncello (among other things) — and should you ever find yourself in this area of Bavan, the least I can do is make sure you get the full experience of what Italy has to offer.
— Abbacchio.

I know I don't need to reply to this but here I am doing it anyway

[charmpagne]

[The gift of the alcohol is both unexpected and very welcome when Sparkling receives it, and it's immediately stored carefully in his cellar to be used at a later date. He's definitely going to be sampling each one before he uses them with his menu...he has a feeling Vampire would enjoy sharing them with him.

He can't just leave it at that, of course, and will eventually send Abbacchio a message via his laptop.]

Hello Abbacchio, this is Sparkling. I wanted to thank you for the lovely gift you sent me, the drinks looked absolutely divine. I'm looking forward to sampling them.

It seems I am not the only one who has a project to keep me occupied, now! I will be visiting Libeccio as soon as I am able, you can hold me to that. I hope you have been doing well, otherwise. Please don't worry about missing the opening; there will be plenty more opportunities to stop by, after all!

Please take care,

-Sparkling Cookie

<fujinyumi>

[ashibumi]

Hey, Sparkling. I just wanted to apologize for not showing up to my last two shifts. It's not been a great couple of days, but I should have contacted you sooner. I just... wasn't in a good place. But that's no excuse.

I completely understand if you want to look for someone else to take my position. You need someone that shows up when they're supposed to, and I know this probably shows that I'm not reliable. I'm sorry.

<Sparkling>

[charmpagne]

[Oh no TAKUMI...]

Hello Takumi.

I want to reassure you first and foremost that I will not be looking for a replacement for your position. Even if you had shown up to your previous shifts, you would have been met with an empty building. There was an incident, so bar is going to be closed until further notice for repairs. I will make sure to contact you when we're open again.

I've come to expect things to be hectic around this time since many monsters change when the Fog rolls in, and it's been...especially thick this month. I underwent an unplanned change myself, after all. You have nothing to worry about.

<Composing> backdated to 6/1

[leggierissimo]

So, how did it go?

[If you imagine him laying on his stomach on his blanket pile bed, legs bent at the knee and up in the air with ankles crossed while typing this, you are correct!]

<Sparkling>

[charmpagne]

[Joshua happened to message Sparkling at an surprisingly apt time. It's in that sweet spot in the hours before he needs to open for work, the very short amount of time he affords himself to...you know, "relax" in his actual apartment space. Usually he'd be making sure to take his daily blood around this time, but instead he's been gnawing on bones. He's been able to procure them without too much trouble from those who already assured him they wouldn't mind sharing their kills, which is a blessing in itself...it leaves him free to not have to think too hard about what he's chewing on as he sits on his balcony.

At least until his laptop pings, and...ah. He was waiting for this message.]

You know I'm surprised it took you this long to ask.

Backdated to... June 6th

[cratecrasher]

[Bringing all of the produce that he could carry is honestly an impractical thing. Besides, it'll let Sparkling see all the magic in action. On a very nice Monday, since there was something about Mondays that humans here might have mild superstitions about, there's probably less of a crowd just as the vampire suggested.

So in through the door the nymph strides in, before making himself comfortable on one of the stools. Convenient that a "no shoes, no shirt, no service" policy would be flexible for monsters.]

[charmpagne]

[Crash is in early enough that the place is pretty much near empty right now, save for a smattering of humans that sit further across the room at the tables as opposed to the bar itself. They've already been served and are chatting away, paying Crash no mind currently. Sparkling, meanwhile, had been bustling at the wall behind the bar, carefully rearranging a few of the liquor bottles when he hears the sound of the bell above the door chiming.]

Welcome, welcome! Have a seat anywhere, I will be with you in a moment!

[He calls over his shoulder, a bit of a feat now that he's a Pooka, as he snatches a clean towel off the back counter to drape over one arm before he approaches with a clean glass in hand, placing it down on the bar before he actually gets a good look at Crash proper.]

Ah, Crash, there you are! Nothing troubled you on the way over here, I trust?

backdated july 1st after sparklings im dead again post

[soundsurfing]

[Delivered one day to Sparklings apartment, the newly re-dead Vampire will receive a red yarrow plant, contained within a round cheerfully yellow planter pot. There's a note from Beat to go with it.]

"Sorry you died again man that sucks" he definitely didn't mean any pun by that "so hopefully your new plant will help cheer you up again! Red Yarrow! And its super hardy really easy to care for. Just make sure it has a ton of sun and the soil aint soggy.

Check ya round sometime later!"

Beat is so sweet I'm gonna cry

[charmpagne]

[Sparkling hasn't been back at the Bar overly long, but regardless it's most certainly closed today. The reason for it's closing today isn't given, though he knows if his usual customers have questions a simple "I was feeling under the weather" would suffice. While the bar is closed, that doesn't mean he isn't still receiving mail, the little plant easily spotted resting on the outdoor patio steps. He'll make quick work of bringing it in over his balcony, though he has to move slowly to make sure he doesn't drop it as he gets used to having wings again.

The note he reads as he sits on the edge of his bed, the plant cradled in his lap. A short while later, Beat will receive a message because Sparkling is loath to receive gifts of any kind without some sort of thanks.

But first-]

Am I that obvious?

[He knows of course that they would know, since Neku was one of the few who came by when he posted to the network in pain before. He doesn't mind that they know either way, so he hopes that shows through when he continues.]

Thank you, Beat. I needed this today.

action | after the theater event, end of july

[terribibble]

[Fiddleford doesn't often to come out to Amusement Mile, but after the last few months he figures he could use some Amusement. He hasn't had it as bad as some, but it's mid-summer and he's feisty, and he's got the inaugural batch of Snake Handler moonshine to hand over.

He rolls up with it in a wheelbarrow, because he's a consummate professional and that's how moonshine ought to be transported. It's padded with a couple of old quilts and the stuff itself is in many, many jars, not all of them the same size or color but all of them with what is obviously a hand-made label stuck on.]

You got a service entrance you want me to wheel this to?

[charmpagne]

[It's early in Sparkling's "work" day when Fiddleford rolls up with his wheelbarrow, with Sparkling busy getting ready for the evening dinner rush. He's gotten back to his usual routine relatively quickly after escaping the endless sea of stages, and while he never came across his own to have to unpack all of that, there are other issues plaguing him that might actually be bothering him more. The Naga would be hard pressed to not notice the way that the double windows above the main entrance have been locked closed from the inside, and every window of the bar is covered with a dark curtain to prevent any wayward light from the sunset coming through. It seems he prepared for this, at least, but he is going to dearly miss being able to just...go out.

Not that he's had much time to, lately.

He's momentarily lost in thought when Fiddleford arrives, not even realizing that he'd been gazing blankly at the glass he'd been cleaning, marveling in silence at the fact that while it reflects the lights and surroundings, he can't see himself in it at all.]

Ah-? Oh! Fiddleford, welcome!

[He's quick to put the glass away, stepping out from behind the counter with a stretch of his wings, showing off his usual bartending getup for the evening. He gestures to a door to the right wall relative to the bar as he makes his way over to it.]

You can bring it around to this door here, there's a ramp by the stairs.

[One he'd had built not all that long ago, given the realization that not every monster could scale the patio's stairs that easily, short though they may be.]

Forgive me, I'd nearly forgotten- so you've got your batch all ready now, hm?

<Composing> forward dated to 7/25

[leggierissimo]

Hello, Sparkling.

I'd like to organize something for Beat. His birthday is coming up in a few days, and I thought that it might be good for him to receive a few messages from the people he enjoys being around and talking to, to let him know just how much he's appreciated. If there's any day to show him a bit of love, this is it, and I can assure you that it is very much needed, even if he won't admit it.

This isn't an obligation to get him a gift, though I certainly won't stop you if you'd like to. But, sometimes, a message we can go back and reread when our minds are turning against us is a gift worth more than something you can hold in your hands.

His birthday is August 1st, and we'll be hosting a small get-together at the following location:

[When looked up the address is... an old church? Very odd. If investigated, though, the church seems to be undergoing renovations.]

You're welcome to come, if you like, and you're welcome to bring a plus-one. Let me know if you plan on coming, so I can make sure we have enough supplies.

((ooc: PS: Don't tell Tal, the location/gift is a surprise!))

<Sparkling>

[charmpagne]

Good afternoon, Joshua. I had no idea his birthday was coming up so soon! You can expect both Vampire and I to be there.

[WITH a gift because they're not heathens.]

Here is my message to Beat:

'Happy Birthday, Beat. In the grand scheme of things I've only known you for a short while, but you've enriched my life so much that it feels as if I've known you for years. You've gone out of your way time and again to be there for me, and I simply cannot thank you enough for all you've done. You're kind, generous, and full of life. I'm incredibly blessed to call you my friend, and I hope you have many more birthdays to come. Your next visit to the Grapevine will be on the house!

-Sparkling'

I could have waxed poetic, but I figured I would keep it brief. I don't want to overload the card, and all.

A few days after the Bite

[hotpaprika]

[Early morning one day, there will be a basket at the front door of the Grapevine. It's filled with a variety of freshly baked treats and seasonal fruits, and gently nestled among all of it is a letter.]

Dear Grapevine owner,

I am the man who bit you upon my arrival in this Hell. I have been wracked with guilt for days now, and I knew I must extend an apology to my reprehensible behavior. I pride myself in being a gentleman and knowing I attacked an innocent person unprompted is a horrible betrayal of my own values. I am sure you think of me as a madman

And I would like to extend an additional apology to Miss Seras. She was so extraordinarily kind to me and saved my own life, I should not have abused your trust by immediately going after her boss. I pray that she does not blame herself for preventing this, as she had no idea what I was about to attempt.

I shall attempt to explain why I did what I did. I promise you that these are not an excuse for what happened, but simply an insight to what was going through my mind. Last year, I was held hostage by a horrible vampire by the name of Count Dracula. He locked me inside his castle for several months, threatening me if I remotely acted out of line. I watched him and his wife perform horrible acts, once that I will not retell for your sake. I realized that he kept me there so he could turn me into one of his kind, and I had to escape, even though I knew I would likely die should I attempt.

While I did make it out alive, only a short while later was it that Dracula had decided to strike again, this time going after my beloved wife. He had cursed her to become one of his kind when she died, and the pain she experienced chills me to this day. While we had vanquished the Count and his wives in the end, the year still deeply haunts me.

I had been told by a dear friend who has experience in vampire hunting that vampires were soulless by nature, and had not been made aware that there could be vampires that weren't cruel like him. It pains me that I did not think for myself and went on baseless instinct. I assumed the worst instead of asking you like a gentleman, and I do not think I can forgive myself for it.

I have brought you this basket as an apology. I understand if you not want to forgive me, but I hope the treats in here will at least provide you some comfort as you recover from the injury.

I have made the decision to voluntarily ban myself from your establishment in the meanwhile, as I do not want to cause you or your workers any added stress over this whole ordeal. I wish you a speedy recovery and a pleasant day.

-Jonathan Harker

[Well

Someone's wordy]

<Player1> after the return from the wasteland!

[knifemonopoly]

Yo! I didn't see you out in the wasteland, so I'm assuming you weren't transported there...were things more or less all right, last week? How're you doing?

[Now that there's been a bit of time since the apology post...Atem's not going to make the mistake of assuming that just because things have calmed down for the moment things are okay with Sparkling. He wants to check in.]

<Sparkling>

[charmpagne]

Atem...it's good to hear from you. No, I didn't go anywhere, this time.

Things were...chaotic, but surely not as bad as the wasteland. A lot of animals got loose from the zoo...so we've been rounding them back up while the scientists figured out how to get you all back.

I'm fine otherwise. Managing. What happened out there? Please, tell me everything you are able.

Sept 23rd

[swashgrappling]

Hey Sparkling,

looks like I'm going to be the one taking a brief road trip soon. I left some stuff for you in your mailbox, a few projects I finished for you.

If you have the chance, check on Crash. He and I well. We're not together anymore, so he's not taking it well.

Love ya,

-Tawna

[charmpagne]

[Oh, this sure is a sobering message to recieve...and while he's not entirely sure if Tawna will be available or not to reply, he's of course going to answer regardless.]

I'm so sorry Tawna. I know this past month has been hard on both of you.

[Like, if HE didn't handle it well himself, he can only imagine how they fared. Crash was in the middle of all of that, after all...but of course he isn't going to pry. It's not his place to.]

I will pay him a visit, I promise. I hope your trip goes well, but please don't forget to write. You know I am always here if you need someone to talk to.

<DEATH_TORNADO> October 30th | Penultimate Closing of Felfri's Gate!

[cratecrasher]

are you doing okay, friend?

I'm back from... that place

and inviting friends to my house for drinks, snacks, DRINKS...

it should be good for everyone if you can come

<Sparkling>

[charmpagne]

[Oh, Crash...]

I'm doing as well as I can, thank you.

[Which is to say, quite poorly actually.]

I am glad you are back as well. I...do hate to disappoint, but I'm not sure how up to gatherings I'm feeling at the moment.

[Some convincing may be in order.]

<t_sunset> (backdated to very late October, post 27th)

[tequila_sunset]

I get if you don’t want to talk to me again but did you get out of there okay?

<Sparkling>

[charmpagne]

[Oh.

If Sparkling were a different person, he might not have responded at all. But he's reminded of the other times he's seen people he cares about deeply do henious things, unforgivable things, that he ultimately reserved passing judgement on and instead opted to let them explain themselves first.

Everyone has their reasons, and Ryslig in particular twists those into ones that are often ugly and unpleasant.]

No.

I died.

AFTER THAT *DISASTER* OF A POST FROM KAITO

[gobo_projection]

[Reira's been around the block a good long while. Enough that, even if she doesn't Actually know someone, not more than a little bit of initial chatter anyway, she can still figure out who they are.

And especially with. Well. That whole post blasting through her head.

It doesn't come 'day of' of course, but it does at least provide some distraction from whatever nonsense is hitting Bavan at the moment. Reira makes a basket- full of fruits and nuts and things that she knows are nice safe cookie-friendly-options, with an added bonus of some cheese and crackers.

...She thinks crackers are safe at least. There's probably no cracker cookies. Hm.

The sparkling juice is probably the most genius add on, anyway, so it's all bundled up and she heads off to deliver.

....Even if delivering means awkwardly standing at the Grapevine, knocking on the door, and waiting. Theoretically yes, she's allowed in, but emotionally that's a Bar.]

[charmpagne]

[It's a good thing she waits a couple days, because 'day of' is quite awful, for Sparkling. As expected, probably. Like with everything else he's had to deal with here, though, he's working his way through it...just at a much slower clip, now. He's pretty much making it a point to ban himself from the Network for the rest of the month, honestly...

It's at a time where Sparkling is in the empty bar downstairs getting things ready for opening when the sun sets in an hour or two, so when Reira knocks on the door he turns away from his perch to peer towards the blackout curtains over the windows. It takes him just a moment to shuck the towel he'd been wiping things down with across the bar temporarily so he can see who's here, pulling the door inward a moment later.]

We'll be opening in jus-

[He pauses mid-sentence, realizing that he recognizes the monster standing there. And she...has a basket with her? He blinks owlishly, pulling the door open a bit wider.]

Oh! Ah...hello, how can I help you?

<KrisKringle>

[getmeoutofthedraft]

Ho ho ho! Your Secret Santa giftee is GLADION. First name or last? Well, that's a Christmas mystery.

Buy or make Gladion a gift by December 26, or Santa will come down your chimney and box your ears.

If you need more information, contact me C/O Hawkeye Pierce at Crowe Clinic, and I'll delegate him to tell you to do your own research.

sometime in december

[alchepistol]

[ When Sparkling Cookie contacts her with optimal dates and times for tasting/gift exchanges, Saint-Germain is timely both in her response and her arrival. If the Grapevine is open, she'll come on in and make her way to the bar; if not, she'll knock at the door, and announce: ]

It's Saint-Germain.

[charmpagne]

[Don't worry, it's open! At least, the door is unlocked. The bar hasn't officially opened for business, but it will in the next few hours. He expected Saint-Germain's arrival though, which is why he made sure to keep the door open so she could get in. She'll find him standing behind the bar instead of perched as usual, adjusting a few of the menus and other items he has set up along the counter.]

Ah, come in, come in! Have a seat anywhere you would like.

a nattenfest gift!

[offtracks]

[You have received a package! Inside, there is...a neatly-wrapped secondary package, and inside that is some basic agility training equipment for dogs! You will get Poles To Weave Through, Jumpy Hurdle, and Dog Tunnel!

The note reads:]

A happy Nattenfest to you! I believe that these will prove useful in training Cheesecake! As always, please let me know if you would like any help or advice!

- Ingo

[cratecrasher]

Merrrry Nattensfest~

Nattensfest

[waitingforplayer2]

[ Sparkling & Caviar will receive two gifts, both food related. The first is a generous supply of candies, labeled "For Cheesecake! (And also for you two if you'd like!)"

The second is a supply of various cheeses, meats, crackers, and chutneys from local vendors. There are some accompanying notes from the vendors about what drinks might work well prepared with them; but of course these are only ideas. ]

Backdated to Nattensfest

[ronstadt]

[yes. there were already presents at the party. but Ronstadt hasn't ever had this many friends to spoil before! so he's going all out.

In a wooden box painted to look like decorated gingerbread (which can double as trinket storage), Sparkling will find a contraption that comes with instructions... Ronstadt made it at craft night out of sturdy bits of wood and braided yarn in his favorite colors. It is a Book Holder, meant to hang wherever he would like so that he can read before bed if he wants to sleep upside down. There is also a certificate to Wasn't Bound Yesterday since he isn't sure what kind of books he would like.]

Nattensfest

[recuttal]

[Hinata leaves Sparkling a package in the back of the Grapevine, with his name on it; it's wrapped in bright yellow, shimmery fabric, and inside contains a finely crafted wooden comb and brush, the latter of which with hard, high quality bristles. They're probably from the Night Market, so who knows what animal it's from, but it's high-quality at least!]

<WhiteWizard>, after 1/29

[softspokenlandlord]

Sparkling, i'm sorry

i'm so sorry, i was so unkind to you in a way that went too far, i wasn't even angry about the juice, really. i disrespected you and your friend

[Who he is also going to apologize to.]

and i want you to know...that wasn't how i want you to feel like i think of you. it wasn't right.

<Sparkling>

[charmpagne]

[Oh.

Sparkling has taken the time to make his own rounds, going to people he aggressed in the past weeks to apologize for his actions. It didn't matter to him if it was largely out of his hands. It still happened, and he intended to take accountability for it.

What he never expected was an apology in return, especially over something that happened what feels like months ago now. But...it really was at the beginning of the month, wasn't it? Before the city was plunged into chaos.

To be honest, he doesn't know yet that Ryou was responsible. He's been too caught up in his own problems to go looking for a culprit like some others might. But he's been here long enough, and knows enough about the way things work, to have at least an inkling...a suspicion, at any rate.

Fortunately he has the time to talk, since he hasn't yet opened the Grapevine for the evening.]

Hello, Ryou. The apology is very much appreciated.

But is there a reason you said what you did, though, if you don't actually feel that way?