[Open] something about lovely weather and sleigh rides together

[makingfriends]

Who: Ventus + you!
When: December 4-24
Where: Christmas Village, Aqures Ixen, places in between.
What: Spreading cheer and doing Christmas things following his letter and otherwise being a generous cinnamon roll. Whether volunteering or visiting, feel free to start your own threads!
Why: BECAUSE IT'S CHRISTMAAAS
Warnings: overzealous use of capslock on the mun's part but otherwise dude it's Christmas


4-6th - Christmas Village - Preparations

[Ven figured it would be a lot of work, but it turns out to be even more than that. He doesn't know much (anything) about the fine points of running any kind of business, but that's where Rae and his friends come in. As empty as the village is when he arrives on the cold morning of the fourth, it doesn't take long at all to procure a small building for their purposes, and from there both Hero and moogle have their work cut out for them.

The first few days are spent setting up as well as making the empty room more cozy for the volunteers; before long, the fireplace is lit and warming the place, and a few armchairs have been donated for those who want to work on their wares in-shop.

The decorations are still pretty lacking, though, and there are a lot more raw materials on hand than actual products. They do get a sign up out front, however, painted in Rae's girly handwriting:]

Holiday Hearts and Crafts
Decor, fashion, and custom orders kupo!

6-8th - Aqures, Balicea, Esdham - Advertising

[Once the basics are done and left to the other volunteers to manage, Ven and Rae head back to the home continent. They take his Chocobo from town to town, making deals with shop owners, buying more materials, attracting more volunteers (not least of all because Ven is generous with his new Christmas Spirit skill), posting flyers, and otherwise getting the word out about their craft shop. Any help is appreciated!]


9-24th - Christmas Village - Keepin' busy

[It's a slow start, but the business soon attracts a steady stream of customers; by the fifteenth, they have a long list of orders and a longer waiting list. Fortunately, Rae and those who assisted in advertising did manage to recruit a number of crafters from both continents in addition to those Ven initially spoke to, so there's a blend of humans, Bangaa, primal moogles, and others about at any given time (as well as Aqures moogles darting in with letters and materials and back out with packages). Orders have centered mostly around jewelry and warm clothing, but there's always a bit of everything in demand.]

Comments

Village - Preparations

[makingfriends]

Ventus | open

[makingfriends]

[Wherever you find Ven, you can be sure he's hard at work getting things ready, either by himself, consulting Rae for her opinion, or working alongside other volunteers. Fun times later! All the while... he's still wearing his warm Time Mage cloak (someone please force him into something more festive c'mon).]

Ventus | open <3

[whereishe]

[Yuna steps up behind Ventus silently. She tosses a bright red jacket over his shoulder and then leans around to peer up into the hood that flops over his view.]

I have something for you.

[She then pulls a warm dark green scarf from her other hand and wraps it around Ven's neck. It looks a little awkward since she's just piling these things onto him. She then holds out her hands where she's holding matching green mittens.]

These are for you. Christmas presents, I thought it'd be better to give them to you early so you can wear it through the winter.

[Yuna doesn't have the Santa job but she's wearing a bright red dress with a Santa hat on. She has white stockings and dark brown boots that end just as they reach her knee. Her arms are bare but her gloves are black and long reaching to her elbow.]

Ventus | open <3

[makingfriends]

[As concentrated as he is on assessing the inside of the shop, Ven jumps slightly when that jacket's suddenly plopped on top of him.]

Whoa!

[But he's quick to grin when Yuna moves into view. He pulls the sleeves over his arms proper and pushes the hood back.]

Heh, this should make Rae happy. [She's commented more than once that he needs to get something more festive to wear since arriving. Accepting the mittens, he slips them on and finds that they're a perfect fit, and then beams up at her.] Thanks, Yunie! I'm warmer already.

[As he straightens the scarf, he notices her dress.]

You look really nice!

Ventus | open <3

[whereishe]

[Yuna laughs and just as she thought it looks very nice on him. She’s secretly glad that it fits because she was more or less guessing when she made it. At his compliment her smile widens slightly. Yuna likes dressing up though it wasn’t the sort of thing she admitted openly. It is however the sort of thing she’d admit to close friends.]

You think so? I really like this dress.

[She also has a jacket that she’s hung up but with all her bouncing around she had been overheating.] Happy Christmas Ven. I hope you like it. [She’s more than a little worried about her presents this year.]

Oh! I have one other thing for you. [She pulls out a brightly wrapped present, its small and the bow is a vibrant white ribbon. When he opens it he’ll find a little star key chain with a heart shaped at its center.] I figured you could attach it to the end of your sword. [If he wants to anyway.] I hope you like it.

[kobatonotdobato]

[Kobato didn't really know much of what to do and she kept travelling around and seeing what there was and that she could do something to do her bit. So helping out she was currently carrying something. Every so often she blew the white bauble from her santas away from her face whenever it decided it wanted to be there.

The next time it happened she couldn't do anything before she found herself tripping over, sending the box flying.]

Watch out, flying box of things!

[makingfriends]

[Ven's at work on the outside of the shop today, taking advantage of the afternoon sun to try and scrape off some of the ice that's layered nearly an inch thick on some of the windows. He hears the warning, but his first reflex is to turn towards the source.]

Huh?

[--and that box hits him square in the chest. On normal footing, he probably would have been alright, but the unexpected collision combined with the snow underfoot puts him flat on his back. On the plus side, he saved the box.]

Ow!

[kobatonotdobato]

[Kobato felt bad as he ran over, hand in front of her mouth and looking rather panicked and quickly checking him over to make sure he was okay.]

I'm sorry! You aren't hurt are you? The snow broke your fall right?

[She moved to circle him for a brief moment, just to make sure there was no blood or anything before she eve noticed the box was safe and sound.]

Well... uh... Thank you for rescuing the box. Even if it did hit you.

Aqures, Balicea, Esdham, etc - Advertising

[makingfriends]

Ventus | also open

[makingfriends]

[Dealing with shopkeepers is mostly Rae's specialty, so Ven finally gets the chance to take it easy and look around for himself a bit here and there. When he's not browsing stores for more supplies or striking up a conversation with a local, you may find him checking out one of the local holiday attractions.]

Village - GET TO WORK

[makingfriends]

Ventus | surprise, also open

[makingfriends]

[Ven's working as diligently as anyone. His focus is sewing, so he's usually occupied with decorations and clothing. He's frequently at work in the shop, but he's never too busy to strike up a conversation or keep someone company. And despite how busy he is, he's always in a good mood.

When he isn't working, he can be found around town, oftentimes just enjoying a walk in the snow, or in one of the restaurants -- or fast asleep in the shop, since he's just decided to crash there instead of taking up a room at the inn.

He makes a trip to Aqures for a couple days after the middle of the month, checking up on his friends and his cats. He's also sure to visit the hospital, not wanting to leave his crystallized friends out of the holidays. Each time he goes, he refreshes the vase of flowers that he's set up for Kairi; this month, it's poinsettias. Ven couldn't tell you why he feels obligated to give her that special treatment, but he doesn't think too much about it. It just feels right, somehow.]

MOAR SURPRISE

[damn_juicebox]

[The shop seems quiet. With the noise of the carolers and tourists walking past, Rukia's entrance probably isn't noticed, particularly if Ventus is concentrating hard on his work. But he'll notice her soon enough, because suddenly!]

Try this one.

[Suddenly a cookie choked with dried cranberries and chunks of white chocolate is crammed into his mouth. Rukia stands back with her hands on her Mrs. Clause hips, staring at him expectantly. It's actually not bad. Maybe it's a little on the crunchy side, but she expanded a little on the basic chocolate chip recipe when she realized the beauty of substitute ingredients.]

[While she waits for his opinion, her gaze drifts down to the project he's working on.]

Oh? What's this going to be?

[He can answer her as soon as his mouth isn't full of surprise cookie.]

good thing he's not allergic

[makingfriends]

[WHAT--

Ven reels back slightly in his chair, surprised more by the sudden presence than the food. But it's a good taste, and recognizably edible, so he doesn't spit it out as he turns to look up at her, following her gaze as he chews and swallows.]

A pillow, eventually. [He just started, so it looks more like two floppy squares stitched partway together. He flips it inside out with his free hand to show where the recipient's initials have been embroidered on one side.

He looks down at the uneaten half of the cookie, making a positive sound.]

It's good! Different. Is that fruit?

Allergic to Christmas?!?!

[damn_juicebox]

Cranberries, they're called. A tart fruit typically gathered during the colder seasons.

[She seems proud of his reaction, glad to see that her baking has been well received. That means she can safely distribute more of these cookies to the children that eventually come to visit.]

[But she's more interested in his work, bending over the fabric as he flips it over to let her see how it's progressing.]

Very impressive. It looks like something a professional would craft, I cannot see any flaws in the stitching.

[Rukia smiles.]

Was it a commission?

Surprise, also open - Aqures

[greenmagick]

[Terra is at the shop when he comes to check on his cats. Both Aqua and Terra bound up as if knowing that Ven is coming. Terra looks up from her work, she's been cultivating flowers for Christmas Town and she's been trying to get them to bloom by the 25th.

They are red, green and white flowers and she's begun to decorate their pots with little bells for the holidays. As Aqua and Terra silently pad towards the front of the store Terra rises and follows.]

Hello?

[She peeks out trying to see who caught the cats interest.]

Ven? I'm glad you are here. [She smiles slightly.] Can I have your opinion of these flowers?? They're for Christmas Town.

Surprise, also open - Aqures

[makingfriends]

[Despite how bundled up Ven is, the cold's managed to tinge his cheeks and nose a light shade of pink by the time he gets to the shop. Even so, he's all smiles when the door opens.]

Hey, Terra!

[Once inside, he smiles down at the cats -- who, despite their happiness to see him, keep a safe distance as he sheds his coat and scarf, since flakes of snow manage to coat the doormat before quickly melting. Once those are hung up and out of the way, he beams at Terra.]

Sure! Is your shop doing okay in this weather?

[Aqua mews, so he bends down to scoop her up.]

Surprise, also open - Aqures

[greenmagick]

[Terra laughs softly and then nods.]

Yes. Tempest and Tinker will return soon and then I’ll be heading back to Christmas Town. I am here to bring an order of flowers there. [It’s easier for her to go and then stay for a while before returning.] We had to raise the price of flowers because of demand but Tempest says we are doing well. We might even be able to hire Tinker on full time.

[It seems as if the holiday cheer has gotten into Terra because she’s much more talkative than usual.]

When are you heading back? Oh! Are you taking Aqua and Terra? I’ve been talking with Tempest about an easier way to transport the cats so that they are comfortable and safe.

Ventus / Rukia / Minato / Ichigo | friendly monster

[makingfriends]

[With less than a week until Christmas, it seems like the days are getting crazier -- more so than Ven ever remembers this time of year being, but then, he didn't have a job in the past, nor anyone to really buy things for since they didn't make a big deal about the gift-giving part back home.

Even so, at the insistence of others -- primarily Rae -- it was agreed that half the volunteers (all volunteers, including certain overachievers) would take one full day off, and then the other half would get the next day. That's how Ven ends up spending an evening in Trano Golsaucia. It's been a while, and the Christmas decorations add a different flair, but it's otherwise the same as he remembers.

It's nice, getting to really relax between bouts of shopping; but when the late evening comes, he heads outside the city. They're still holding fireworks at midnight, and he's found that one of the best views is outside the city limits, especially with the fresh layer of snow on the ground. That said, it's pretty darn cold, but he's bundled up well enough as he heads out to watch from one of the nearby hills.]

[damn_juicebox]

[It's been interesting getting to see this new city. And probably for the best that she knows what to expect when she returns here with Yuki for the upcoming chocobo races. The fireworks were a particularly nice surprise after a long day of shopping for gifts. Getting them back might be a little more difficult; she has more friends than she realized.]

[Calling it a night seems to be in order, and she's about to suggest this to Ventus when she notices him wandering off toward the edge of town. Where's he off to? She heads inside the hotel to request a lantern, since it'll be too dark to navigate safely otherwise, and sets out after her young friend.]

[The snow makes it easy for her to find where he's gone, and she follows the trail of footprints.]

Oi.

[She calls out to him, so she doesn't wind up startling Ventus.]

Are you all right?

[makingfriends]

[He's not startled, but he is surprised to turn and see Rukia there. He gives her a smile, but it quickly turns sheepish. He did kind of take off without telling anyone, huh...]

Oh -- hey! [He nods.] I just came out to watch the lights for a while. Sorry if I worried you.

[damn_juicebox]

Not at all. It's a fine sight to see.

[She lowers her lantern slightly, so she can better examine the night sky overhead.]

Would you rather watch it alone, or do you wish for company?

K'pandolu | open

[unyieldingspirit]

[It's been a good while since she's held a goldsmith's tools, but that doesn't mean she's completely forgotten what she's doing. That said, without the easy access and use of crystals in Eorzea, she's still having to relearn some of the techniques- so she's keeping herself busy. She's not quite encouraging people to approach her while she's working, but she's more open when she's on a break, offering a smile to whoever's nearby as she rests her hands for a little bit- or tries to, at least. If you want to talk shop or suggest something, now's a good opportunity. If you want to volunteer another topic of conversation- well, that's probably a good idea, since she's sunk well into a mindset of work.

That said, it's not the only things she's doing- which is probably for the best, though continual weaving and sewing takes it toll on her hands as well. She's more open to being approached here, since weaving isn't as likely to turn on anyone else- just herself- and she can talk more while she's weaving or sewing.

That said, it's not all work in the village, as she does head out for a few hours here and there- if largely for food and to gather ideas. If you're out and about at the same time, she'll wave, and probably have a few words ready.]

Re: K'pandolu | open

[theendiswherewestartfrom]

Jack had been thinking of getting some things commissioned, and when he saw K'pandolu's note to everyone, he made the trip up to Christmas Village to talk to her. He's seen her around a few times, most recently remembers her from his devious plan to set Johnny D'Amico up on four dates at once.

Besides, it has to be a Hero that handles this; the job involves letting them hold on to one of the few possessions Jack cares about for a few days. He has a cloak pulled tightly around himself because his trademark coat is folded under an arm.

"Afternoon," he comments as he approaches K'pandolu at her weaver's station. "Ah, Captain Jack Harkness, if I've never formally introduced myself," he grins. "You were advertising that you could do some cloth work?"

[unyieldingspirit]

K'pandolu turned her head towards Jack and nodded, eyebrows rising in curiosity as he introduced himself. Captain… of what and where, she wondered? "It's good to have a proper introduction at last," she said warmly, and set to the final stitches for her current piece before rising and holding out a hand for Jack to take, if he wished. "I did indeed. Were you looking to make a request?"