CHRISTMAS GIFTS

[thalassino]

Who: ALL OF VATHEON
Where: CENTER PLAZA
When: CHRISTMAS
Style: Whatever works!
Status: OPEN. GO MINGLE. THREADJACK. TEASE AND EXCHANGE GIFTS. IT'S CHRISTMAS.

[And in the center plaza, there is a magnificent tree. And yes, it is decorated with starfish, amongst other sea-themed decorations (there is a starfish at the very top as well. It is a very

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[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide hasn't actually... opened his yet. He's seen other people open their gifts and is perhaps a touch unsure about what his might contain. Everyone seems to be getting something symbolic, or highly personal.]

[So, for quite some time, he simply holds it and watches everyone else with soft eyes and a slight smile.]

[This is an unusual festival, but it is one that seems to make everyone quite happy. That can only be a good thing. Most seem to be remembering their homes and families, the ones they have left behind...]

[A small sigh, followed by a quiet chuckle. No, it is not a day for letting himself dwell. He has a home in Vatheon, and people he loves and treasures with him.]

[Looking down at the box he holds, he begins to open it.]

[behisstrength]

[While the ghosts disappeared when yesterday ended, Motochika is still keeping Mitsuhide within his sight -- which is why Motochika is in the position to come over, stand by Mitsuhide's shoulder, and watch as Mitsuhide discovers what gift awaits him.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[You're so nosy, my Lord.]

[Mitsuhide glances behind briefly, acknowledging his friend with a slight nod and a smile, before turning back to finish unwrapping the box. Within, there are two items wrapped in tissue.]

[He picks up the larger one first and peels away the layers of tissue. Within is a beautifully carved box. It's somewhat familiar. Opening it reveals a lovely comb, decorated with simple designs and the bellflower crest.]

[Mitsuhide stills for a moment, then runs a finger across the item.]

Mother...

[A short, disbelieving sound, before he smiles softly.]

This was my mother's favourite comb...

[behisstrength]

[Especially where you are concerned, Mitsuhide.]

A gift of great sentimental value, returned to your hands...

[Motochika also smiles; the echoes of Mitsuhide's affection are clear in his friend's reaction.]

One with better memories for you to linger on. Vatheon has had a change of heart.

[wavesoakedlegs]

[There is such a thing as privacy, you know. 8|]

[A small nod of the head. Mitsuhide continues to gaze upon the precious item for a few moments longer.]

After the curse that made us children again, I thought about her a lot. Perhaps it responded to that.

[He lifts it out of the box to feel the slight weight of it in his own hands, and turns it over in their grip a few times before putting it back into the box and closing it. Just until he can get it back home.]

[One more item needs to be unwrapped. He doesn't feel nervous after getting the first gift, and wastes little time in pulling the tissue away from this one.]

...

[Vatheon, it...]

[The little item now resting in his hands looks to him to be a carving of some sort, though not from wood or stone. It is colourful and in an artistic style he is completely unfamiliar with, but there is no question about who it depicts.]

[Yup, that one is getting rapidly hidden back in its tissue before Motochika can see it clearly.]

That was... interesting.

[behisstrength]

Perhaps so.

[Motochika raises his eyebrows at Mitsuhide's reaction, but doesn't get a good look at the source.]

You haven't been mistaken for a housewife again, have you?

[He queries, with maybe a little teasing smirk. The last Christmas gifts Mitsuhide received from Vatheon have not been forgotten.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[That earns Motochika a slightly annoyed look. Mitsuhide would rather forget about those particular gifts.]

No, and I won't be again. I am sure Vatheon won't use the same trick twice, in such matters.

[He stashes away the little figure.]

I wish you would not remind me of that time.

[behisstrength]

A comparison was bound to be made. Be glad that no one else is aware of your last gifts.

[He cannot help but be a little amused; Motochika recognises bruised pride when he sees it. But he does relent after a moment or two.]

Don't look so put upon, my friend. I won't mention it again.

[wavesoakedlegs]

[A shake of the head, a sigh, and finally a small chuckle.]

Thank you.

[He stands up straight, stashing the box away in the bag he is carrying with him. There are gifts in there from himself to his friends as well, except for one.]

...we will need to visit the forest later, my Lord. If you don't mind.

[behisstrength]

[Now Motochika's gaze is very curious.]

That's fine, Mitsuhide. Simply tell me when you want to go.

[wavesoakedlegs]

The 'when' should be down to you. We must go there for the sake of your gift, after all.

[He raises an eyebrow and gives Motochika a slightly playful look.]

Not that you have to get it anytime soon, of course. You might want to leave it, for now.

[behisstrength]

[Motochika lifts his chin, playing along by rising to the challenge.]

I've never been one to hesitate. I shall not start now.

[wavesoakedlegs]

[That earns proper laughter, warm and amused.]

That is true enough, Lord Motochika.

[A small tilt of the head.]

Take it when you will, then, and I will be your guide.

[echigo_wargod]

[ this would be the first time Kenshin had seen Mitsuhide in person so no reason to chat in person, right? And thankfully he was back in his usual wear instead of the formal getup. He has a box of his own. ]

So you have found your box as well, Mitsuhide-dono.

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide bows his head in greeting, smiling a little, and gives himself a second to take in Lord Kenshin's appearance again. The differences between this one and the one he knows are indeed astounding.]

Greetings, Lord Kenshin.

[A chuckle.]

Yes.

[He has opened his gift by this point; one of the items within has been tucked firmly away, but he shows the other; a carved wooden box, which when opened revealed a beautiful comb bearing simply designs and a bellflower crest.]

My mother's favourite comb.

[echigo_wargod]

[ Kenshin smiles softly. ]

Quite an exquisite comb. Your mother must have been quite a beautiful woman.