Solo or RP Format Counts as 5 RP growth Points Solo word minimum is 750, RP post minimum is 7
Tis the season for gift giving, a sense of celebration as the year comes to an end. You get all the gifts you expect, and give some out as well. However, a strange, unmarked gift has arrived. You have no idea who sent it, or what it might be. Is it something from an admirer, or possibly a bit more sinister?
[ Your character receives an unexpected gift. Feel free to answer this prompt exploring the thoughts around such thing, the suspicion or confusion, maybe even resolving it with finding out who the gift giver was. Maybe it's someone you know, but it's a surprise. Maybe it's a mistake. The only way to find out is to open the present. ]
Mero dipped the tip of her brush into first the water then the kohl powder before applying it to her eyes. Just a little bit of eyeliner; nothing so ostentatious that others would call her a tart, but enough to make an impression on her guest. She'd already applied a color to her lids that would make the green of her eyes shine, and a light gloss to her lips. Her curls had been undone from their usual braids; each properly tossed and treated with volumizing oils to maximize their appeal. Next was a little elixir she'd picked up from a fellow midwife in training; one to disguise the bags under her eyes from long nights of study and work. So many of the girls in the boarding house prioritized work over their looks, but Mero was different. Mero wanted both to shine and why shouldn't they? She deserved it.
Just like she deserved a nice night with a charming man.
After making sure everything was just so so, Mero tightened the waist of her gown before leaving her room. She'd invited Kuno over for dinner at the boarding house; a dinner they could share in her room, far from prying eyes and have a nice night to catch up. And as she walked to the front door to wait for him she knew what that must look like. So many of the women who stayed here, working as midwives full time, were older women who had given their lives to Chi and shunned men. The looks they gave her as she passed....Well, they only emboldened Mero's stride. She didn't have time to waste wilting or feeling shame. Especially when she hadn't done anything wrong.
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Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2025 7:22 pm
The evening was chilled, but Kuno wasn't concerned. His plans were sure to keep him warm. His stomach was already buzzing with delight as he headed over to the boarding house. A long overdue, private date with Mero! He wasn't exactly sure how ‘private’ a house full of women could be, but it was a risk he was willing to take. After all, he'd showered and combed his hair up and everything. He was feeling mighty sharp!
A gust of wind sent a shiver up his back while the flowers he held seemed to do the same. Any windier, and they might have started losing petals! He missed Bubs’ thick, protective fur… Ah, but it wouldn’t be a problem soon! He knocked on the big door of Mero’s residence, held up the bright flowers, and put on his best smile.
Painted Moose
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Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2025 8:50 am
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"Someone's coming up to the door-" A voice to her right startled Mero and she turned to see two of her fellow boarder's squinting through the thick, frosted glass.
"Who do you think it-?"
"It's not for either of you so get lost". Mero hissed and made hurried shooing motions. The two icelings widened their eyes before turning heel fleeing with a few whispers between them. This was supposed to be special and having an audience would only ruin it. Before she opened the door Mero fluffed up her hair, doing her best to look as fresh faced and cute as possible. When she swung the door wide her smile was genuine; especially when she saw the most handsome man holding a bouquet of flowers. "For me? Kunooo." She crooned and reached for them with glee. "Come on, I'm sure you're half froze and starved. "
Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 10:46 am
Any hint of cold was briefly forgotten as Kuno took in the vision glowing at him from across the threshold. The curls, the eyes, the dress, that smile... "Wow.." It was the jostle of the flowers leaving his hands that got him moving again. "Ah, only half froze," he assured with a laugh. Seeing no one else loitering nearby, he stepped close to let his chilly nose brush against hers playfully and lowered his voice. "I've got some ideas on how to warm back up, if you'd like to help."
Painted Moose
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Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2025 6:22 pm
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"Is that right?" A chill ran up her spine, and it was only partly because of his cold nose. Mero looked up at him from her thick lashes, taking in the sight for a moment before stepping back. She held the flowers in her left arm, gently supporting the bouquet as she tapped the stems with her nails. Those that happened to make it through the trip a little rougher than the rest were restored with a subtle flourish. "Maybe we should take our meals up to my room, then? For more privacy." Mero said with a 'practical' nod of her head.
The hybrid turned on her heel and motioned with a crook of her finger for Kuno to follow. The boarding house wasn't particularly massive, nor was it extravagant and new. It was, however, warm in both presence and functionality. Getting to the dining hall wasn't hard, nor was it difficult to gather up the special meal she'd work on for Kuno, but when chef handed her a box she very nearly passed it up.
"It's for you, miss. I was told to give it to you as soon as I could."
"Kuno? Could you grab it? My hands are full." Both hands were occupied with the tray of food and the vase she'd managed to snatch up for the flowers. A package? She wasn't anything so surely it couldn't be that noteworthy.
Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 6:46 pm
"Exactly what I was thinking," Kuno approved lightly. He opened his coat as they walked now that he was indoors and stretched his arms over his head. Maybe once Mero was done with her schooling, she might want to move somewhere warmer..? He waved at a few passers who tittered with amusement, but he had much more pressing matters at hand.
"I got it." He noticed a strange look on the chef's face as he accepted the package, their eyes meeting briefly before they turned away. What? He turned the package out of curiosity as they walked to Mero's room. He wasn't subtle enough to pick up any hints from the packaging though. "Ooh, I hope it's that little emerald nighty I pointed out to you the last time I was out here," he teased playfully as he pulled the room door open for Mero to go through.
Painted Moose
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:27 am
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Mero rolled her eyes with a huff. "Hardly. I'm not paying for a slip of lace that I'll only wear once or twice a month." Despite her quips, the hybrid's skin was flushed. It had been a pretty little thing, but a salacious one at that and she didn't need the others talking if they swapped linen baskets by mistake.
She sashayed past him into the room, brushing up against Kuno just enough to be a tease, but playing it off as if it were 'unintended'. When she made her way inside she sat the tray down on a little table next to the window, one with two chairs and just the perfect place for her new flowers.
And yet, despite the company of a most charming man and a warm, fresh meal Mero's curiosity got the better of her. She plucked the package out of Kuno's arms and gave it a once over. "Probably just got sent to me by mistake." After all, if it was for her wouldn't it say something? No way of knowing if you don't open it.
At least she knew it wouldn't be an emerald nightdress-
Mero lifted the lid on the box and her eyes widened. Within the confines of the box, seated on a pillow of fine silver silk, was perhaps the most impressive piece of jewelry she'd ever seen. A very large, very impressive necklace bedecked in fine diamonds and in the middle of it all was a heart shaped emerald. Mero had never seen anything this expensive in her entire life; not even in the shop windows of Zidel. A piece like this would have been locked away, but now here it was, in her hands-
But why?
Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2025 6:58 pm
"I dunno. I think it'd be worth it," he crooned back. Gods, if he ever did see Mero wearing something like that... Well, she wouldn't be wearing it for long! He was quick to follow and pull the door shut, drawn into the wake of that teasing brush. As if he needed any more encouragement.
He couldn't help his own curiosity, walking over to look at the food while a good portion of his attention remained on Mero and the package. He saw her reaction first, and immediately let his full attention shift. "Whatchya got there?" Oh, that was pretty. Wait.. was that real?! He let out a low whistle and reached a finger over to poke the center gem. Mero was probably right. It had to be a mistake. Right? "Damn, that's nice. Gotta be a note somewhere with this kind of thing."
Painted Moose
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Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2025 5:13 pm
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Right. There had to be a note and it would point to it's rightful owner. Not that she wouldn't love to have something like this, but it had to be a mistake-
"While no gem can compare to your beauty I hope you'll accept this and know that even though we're apart this solstice you're always in my heart-"Always in my heart? - "-my darling Mero." As she read her name Mero felt her nose curl. "I look forward to the next time our paths cross." She flipped the note over in hopes of finding out who sent it, but no luck. Either someone was playing a very elaborate game with her or her admirer had expensive tastes.
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2025 9:01 pm
Kuno walked over to the table while Mero read the note. Incomparable beauty? Standard. In heart though apart? Couldn't people write anything new? Darling.... Mero? Until next time?! The cover that he had lifted to peek at the plates hovered for a moment before it slipped from his fingers and clattered back down. His cheeks burned with a mix of... dare he acknowledge it... jealousy and insecurity. "That's, um.. somethin' else for a path crossin'," he observed, trying and failing to keep the tension from his voice. So what if Mero had an admirer? That only made sense! But.. would a mere admirer send something like that?
Painted Moose
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Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2025 7:24 am
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The crash gave Mero a jolt and when she turned to Kuno, one hand holding the note and the other the box, her eyes narrowed. Why was he-? Why did he look like that? Maybe he doesn't like the idea of another man giving you gifts. And if they'd had any sort of arrangement she needed to honor she would be more concerned, but they didn't. She knew that, and so did he...right?
She softly closed the lid and sat the box aside atop her nightstand. The note she incinerated with a flick of the wrist and a quick burst of flame. "It's just a little gift from someone who noticed what you've already known." Mero stepped closer to the table and put a hand on the back of the closest chair, not quite brave enough to touch him just yet. "Whatever it is you're thinking don't. It's not something to fuss over. You'll only ruin your appetite."
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2025 7:46 pm
The feeling was like a rock that had been swallowed, just sitting in the pit of his stomach. Kuno let out a weak laugh. "'Little?' Mero, that ain't 'lilttle.' You could probably buy one of those big ol' mansions in town with that thing." His gaze flicked over to Mero, and quickly away again as he rubbed the back of his neck. This was definitely silly of him. Surely. But.. she had made it clear before that money was near the top of her list of qualities in a suitor. He lived plenty comfortably, but not the kind of comfortable that allowed for purchasing a necklace like that! "You're right. You're right. No fuss, yeah? A.. big gift, but just a gift." The tension that remained in his voice and shoulders was contrary to his words and the dismissive wave of his hand. "Couldn't even give it to ya himself, yeah?"
Painted Moose
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Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2025 10:01 am
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[7]
Could I really? Mero supposed if she pawned it to the right person, hoping the necklace couldn't be tracked back to her of course, Mero very well could get out of the boarding house. Or she could always wear the gaudy thing around town in the hopes of catching the eye of whoever sent it to her in the first place. Too bad she wasn't keen on either. The first wouldn't be a very frugal financial move and the second...well, it might eliminate a better suitor from pursuing her.
There was a part of her that felt...some sort of way for Kuno in that moment. He didn't radiate the same sort of light that he did when he'd first arrived and that made her feel...bad? Guilty? No, not that just...some sort of unpleasant thing when really it was all just silly. He knew what she was after, knew that she had many eyes on her, so why would one gift put a strain on what they had?
"If they're too busy for that much then they don't deserve my time or my cooking." She motioned to the trays. "Speaking of we should eat before it gets cold."
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2025 8:31 pm
Despite his torn emotions, Kuno couldn't help the pleased smirk that showed up at Mero's agreement. Maybe Mero was looking for money, but she wasn't going to be simply bought. It made it easier for him to keep the smile in place. After all, what was he going to do? Just leave because someone gave a little competition? Heck no! "Smells too good ta waste!"
While he was able to eventually relax and laugh easily again, that strange feeling in his gut remained for most of the evening, and well on after. What if..?
