open | another round of cake

[redigere]

WHO: Naminé and YOU
WHERE: Heropa, De Chima
WHEN: December 6th, December 13th, Christmas, and anytime in between
WHAT: Naminé enjoying her birthday and the holidays for the first time.
WARNINGS: None. The first and second prompts are open but also feel free to write a completely new starter!

SWEET SIXTEEN ON SKATES
December 6th

[The entirety of America seems to be busy with preparations for Christmas. Which is fine with Naminé, since it feels more like Christmas than her birthday anyways. After her slow recovery in November and planning that big party for Riku and Kagami, she's looking forward to to having a quiet, relaxed day more than anything else.

A relaxed day, but still a fun day! She's been invited out for a couple hours of ice skating, and while she has no idea how to, the friends she'll be with will make it enjoyable, she's sure.

Half an hour later, she's got her skates on and is waddling to the edge of the rink, a very dubious look on her face. If you don't catch her then, you might find her out of breath and on her butt on the rink, the nth time she's fallen down. She's laughing, but she's also just going to flop back and lay there, tired out.]

BIRTHDAY GIRL NUMBER 2
December 13th

[Xion's birthday, in comparison, should be a big thing! Naminé goes to visit Xion first thing in the morning to deliver her present: a box of Naminé's first attempt at seashell jewelry (1 2 3) and a proposition!]

Happy birthday, Xion! How do you feel about a snow day in De Chima?

[Later they can be found in a De Chima park somewhere, bundled up against the cold. One of the tables has been claimed for the purpose of snacks and hot drinks, but otherwise snow is flying! Naminé is working on making a family of snowmen, herself, but could be persuaded to join a side for a snowball fight, if you ask her nicely...i.e. bribe her with sledding or making snow angels later. They don't mind passersby joining in their fun either! It's a public park, after all.]

A SPECIAL CHARM TO GUIDE YOUR WAY
December 25th, KH Cast only

Good morning. Merry Christmas.

[The morning of Christmas Day, Naminé will greet her friends, wrapped up in blankets in the living room and a sleepy smile hidden behind a steaming mug of tea. Their presents, whenever they decide to open them, are Wayfinders. All throughout late October and November, Naminé had been working with a special glass craftsman to have them custom made.

Sora's Wayfinder was easy to decide on, design-wise. He gets a beautiful deep blue Wayfinder, a heart with a crown on top of it as the middle charm. A message in the box reads: "For Sora, the heart of many friendships."

Riku's Wayfinder is a sunset orange-red, with the middle charm as the Dream Eater symbol with Riku's symbol superimposed onto it. Her message included reads: "For Riku, the protector of dreams."

Kagami's Wayfinder was also easy to decide on, design wise. He gets a seafoam teal Wayfinder, with the middle charm a particular star shape. The message for him reads: "For Kagami, the guardian of promises."

Xion's Wayfinder is a royal purple. It took the most time to finish because of the detail required for the middle charm, which is simply a circle-- but etched with the designs reminiscent of a Station of Awakening platform. The message in her box reads: "For Xion, the creator of potential."

Naminé also had her own Wayfinder made, of course. Hers is light blue, with a simplified version of the sigil she'd designed back in Twilight Town as the middle charm. She'll hold it up between the tips of her fingers to show them afterward.]

Now we're all connected!

WILDCARD
Anytime this month!

[Any other winter themed starter is okay with me! Also Naminé can and will have presents for all levels of CR so please feel free to make a starter of her meeting your character to deliver something!]

Comments

december 6th!

[valuemeal]

[ Hyunsoo is not the type to go skating himself. Partially because half of the time even admitting he's having fun is kind of hard for him, but mostly because he knows he'd suck at it and just fall constantly and kind of look like a moron. Not that he'd immediately think so for other people though.. well, not necessarily, anyway. He's just hard on himself.

So when he passes by and actually spots Naminé to the side of the rink, practically lying there on the ice, he blinks in concern more than anything before making his way over there - making sure he himself isn't standing on ice though. ]

Are you okay?

[ He'll probably deny ever having asked that later, but he does have priorities right now, okay. Tsun or no tsun. ]

[redigere]

Hi Hyunsoo.

[She smiles brightly at him, raising a hand and wiggling her fingers in a weak wave.]

I'm fine! Just really sore. Ice skating is harder than anything I've ever tried before.

[valuemeal]

[ That answer is at least a little relieving, although he's immediately trying to downplay the worry by trying to put on a more neutral facial expression. Hyunsoo, worrying, ever? No way, that's not cool. ]

Yeah, it's pretty hard even for people who usually are around ice skating spots. [ Or.. well, Naminé's world sounded like a weird place judging by what he's heard from people from that place, so it's probably something she hasn't done often. ]

You should have something to hold onto first.

[redigere]

I tried holding onto the railing, but I don't think I was learning properly, doing that.

[All she managed was little scooting motions forward every time she grabbed the railing. Which is a far cry from the graceful gliding some of the other skaters are accomplishing. Naminé sits up, setting a hand against the ache over the small of her back.]

Do you have any skating tips?

[valuemeal]

[ He shakes his head a little. ]

I've never done it before. [ Hyunsoo makes a point of trying to not do things that will just embarrass him - even if he's not very good at following that point when it comes down to it.. ] I thought I'd rather play some kind of sport that didn't make me look stupid.

[ He'll at least admit that as straightforward as he can get. Partially because it's only natural to be embarrassed of falling, and partially because... well, Naminé is still young and a girl, it makes it a little easier. ]

Skates

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

[On a whim, Jacob decided to try skating. His usual forms of outdoor exercise aren't as doable during the winter months, and it's something he's never been able to do while serving aboard space ships and planetary colonies in his own world.

He picks it up quickly, finding his rhythm and balance with the grace of a natural athlete. Jacob is sliding along when he spots Namine on the edge of the rink, and brakes to a halt to greet her.]

Oh. Hey, Namine. Didn't think I'd bump into you here.

[redigere]

[Oh perfect, she can delay going out onto the ice for a bit longer.]

Hello! It's nice to see you again, Jacob. I could say the same. [He doesn't seem like an ice skating type, but he's clearly got it down to an art form.] You make it look so easy.

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

Thanks. It takes some practice, but it's easy once you get into it.

[He hops off the ice, and lowers himself down to sit next to her so he isn't blocking anyone's lane on the rink.]

Is this your first time skating?

[redigere]

Yes, it is. [A lot of the things she's doing this winter are a first time for her, though.] I never realized winter had so many sports before. Skating seemed the safest compared to skiing or snowboarding or even sledding.

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

You'd like sledding, I'm sure. Maybe it would be best to start on a gentler slope if you're worried about safety.

[Jacob can easily picture Namine on a toboggan, shooting down a hill. It's a good image.]

So does your world not have these sports, or have you just not had the chance to try them until now?

catchall for riku

[resipiscent]

dec 6

[resipiscent]

[Riku has figured out skating all right. He can rollerblade, so ice skates weren't too different. He's had a whole winter to practice already, though, so of course it seems like he's a lot further ahead experience-wise. He stops next to where Namine is sitting on the ice, leaning to offer her a hand.]

You gonna make it?

[redigere]

[Using his hand as support, she slowly wobbles back onto her feet.]

We still have an hour with these rental skates to go, so...maybe not!

[resipiscent]

[He hoists her up, careful to hang on in case she stumbles again.]

Well, an hour's long enough to at least figure it out a little. What are you having trouble with?

dec 25

[resipiscent]

[Riku comes downstairs later than Naminé -- not because he slept in but simply because he felt it'd be weird if he were skulking around the living room on Christmas morning by himself. Riku finds her bundled up in a blanket cocoon and settles beside her to hand her her own gift, which seems to be many small things wrapped and held together with ribbons and tape. It's a set of markers, a ruled notebook, a sketchbook, a basic calligraphy set and instructional books for both colouring with markers and calligraphy.]

I figured you'd always need supplies.

[Riku likes useful gifts.]

[redigere]

[Her eyes immediately light up at the sight of the bundle, and there's no denying the excitement in her face despite how teasing her next words are.]

You're so clever, Riku. [And she laughs, squeezes his hands just as tight as the gratitude in her chest.] Thank you so much. It's perfect. I almost want to use them right away!

[resipiscent]

You're welcome to.

[Riku squeezes her fingers back gently, then reaches to lift his own gift, tilting his head.]

Can I open it?

[December 6th]

[renamaer]

[She'd never really been ice skating before indoors - there was that brief trip to the northern glaciers back home, but it hadn't exactly been for fun - so she's pretty excited, though confused about how much she should wear. She's layered pretty well, with matching scarf, hat, and mittens, and one lighter jacket in case it's not as cold. How did they keep the ice from melting though? It was really amazing.

She also brought a nicely wrapped present for Naminé's birthday, of course. Since Kagami had commissioned the jewelry from Estelle for Naminé, she'd had the thought in her mind; she doesn't know the history, but she thought it might still be appreciated.

And besides, it was a pretty cute bag... She also added two handmade charms of beads and semi-precious stones from her workplace - one smaller one for the zipper, and a larger, shinier one wrapped around the shoulder strap.]

I thought it would be a lot colder in here!

[redigere]

I thought so too!

[Naminé absolutely loves her gift, and while she quietly finds it ironic that the star shapes she used to resent are starting to grow on her again, it sort of feels like turning over a new leaf at the same time. She's truly grateful to Estelle for taking the time and effort to get her one of her first presents ever. Hopefully her profuse thanks, hugs, and promises to use it in the new year showed it.

Now, she's struggling to pull on the stiff boots connected to the skates, folded forward like a pretzel in her efforts. Her voice is muffled from the position as she continues.]

But then, it doesn't seem like natural ice, so maybe they don't need to keep it so cold here.

[renamaer]

Yes, there must be something solid underneath it right since it's not a natural structure. I wonder what it could be. [The staff would probably get annoyed by her digging to find out, so she'll just have to ask around afterwards.]

I guess it wouldn't be very fun if they had to keep it that cold anyway... [She's already sure she won't need at least one of her layers, so she'll shrug that off and fold it over her arm until she can find somewhere better to put it, pushing herself up to standing, wobbling in the skates a little bit.]

These are supposed to be pretty tight, right? [Glancing sideways at Naminé:] Do you need any help?

[redigere]

Right, that's what the rental clerk said.

[She sets her skate on the floor, and with a noise of effort, stomps her foot down into the boot. It takes a lot of wiggling but finally it slots in. Naminé sighs in relief.]

There, I think I got it!

[Half the battle is over. She stands up and wobbles along with Estelle.]

Ready to go?

december 13th

[alreadyhuman]

[ Vivi has...well, it can't be said he's bundled up, because he really always looks like that, but he's added a scarf to his ensemble of clothing, at least.

He's going for a walk (snow is much nicer without the imminent threat of freezing to death in the wilderness) when he spots Namine building a snowman in the park. ]

Oh! Hi, Namine!

[ He shuffles over slowly, careful to not trip (that would be embarrassing). He waves enthusiastically.

He at least knows what a snowman is, he's not that fun-deprived. ]

Are you building them to look like someone? Or are they just a snow-family? [ Both of those things appeal to him. ]

[redigere]

Hello, Vivi!

[She waves back just as enthusiastically when she hears him call to her, beaming once he gets closer.]

I hadn't actually decided yet, but I like the idea of making it look like someone. Would you like to join me? I could make a snow-Vivi and you could make a snow-Naminé.

[alreadyhuman]

Oh! That'd be great!

[ He giggles, shuffling over so he can get started. He shapes the snow with careful hands, patting at it gently. He keeps looking over at Namine to try and get the shapes right; while he's doing his best, he'll win points for effort, not sculpture.

He talks while he sculpts, trying to get the smile on the snow-Namine right. He's concentrating very hard. ]

Snow's the best kind of weather. I like other types of weather, too, but you can only build snowmen when it snows.

Is snow your favourite kind of weather too? [ He sounds unabashedly inquisitive, not as timid as he usually is. ]

[redigere]

[Naminé, artist that she is, manages a better job at her sculpting, though she's finding it hard to make the droop of his hat without all the snow falling back down towards gravity. She glances at her friend and smiles.]

This is my first time in the snow, actually. I don't know if it's my favorite kind of weather, yet, but I do like it a lot. Being able to play with it like this is a lot of fun. And there's so many other things to do than making snowmen!