[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

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?"

[theendiswherewestartfrom]

Jack graciously takes her hand to shake it. "I've been trying to make my way around to everyone," Jack admits. "But sometimes people just pass in the night, even though we're all in this together."

"I was," Jack unfolds the greatcoat that came with him from home, dark blue wool with Captain's bars on the shoulders. "I've had this the whole time I've been here. But, funny enough, the best jobs I've got, ones that've come the most naturally to me, are Paladin and Dark Knight." Jack shakes his head. "Never figured myself for a sword-swinger, back home."

"But, you see the dilemma," Jack grins. "Doesn't exactly work with plate mail." He shoots that grin up at K'pandolu. "Could you make me something similar, that would? Sleeveless, something that could fit under the shoulder guards?"

[unyieldingspirit]

"With the number of Heroes, it doesn't seem such a surprise," K'pandolu said, by way of agreement.

She let out a soft sound, reaching out to touch the material. The wool was a familiar texture under her fingers, and she rubbed a little bit of it between her fingers, part of her mind already occupied with what she'd need to replicate it. "Nor I," she said softly, and looked up at him, ears twitched up. "It's curious, what we've ended up here. Wouldn't you agree?"

She nodded, offering him a smile. "I should certainly be able to manage that. I take it you would like it in the same texture and colour?"

[theendiswherewestartfrom]

The comment makes Jack laugh. "You know? I first showed up here? How to bow and arrow in my hands. What? Technology has improved just a little bit since Agincourt...."

Hmm, not that she'd get the joke, Jack glances at her ears and tilts his head to the side. "In regards to the order, oh yeah. As close as you can manage to this would be great." But. There is clearly another question on his mind.

"If it's none of my business, feel free to tell me to shove off. But, I've traveled a lot, and I've only ever encountered one species that is even remotely close to your appearance. So, where do you come from? And what would you call your people?"

[unyieldingspirit]

"Agincourt?" She gives him a puzzled smile, head tilted. She can guess at what he means a little, considering the disparity between Eorzean materials and some of the Garlean fabrics she's seen, but any joke passes her over.

"I'll do my best to ensure satisfaction, then." She smiled, but her expression faltered a little at his next words. Were they that different in all the worlds…?

He'd asked for an answer, though, and she didn't see a reason to refuse. "I came from the lands of Eorzea. My family and I… we're miqo'te, of the Hipparion tribe. And you?"