🎕 003 | OPEN | Holiday Shenanigans [and Catch all for December]

[renamaer]

WHO: Estelle and friends
WHERE: Nonah (crammed into her tiny place/around town)
WHEN: Unspecified mid-December weekends
WHAT:
(1) baking frenzy and decorating gingerbread houses
(2) outdoor caroling and indoor hot chocolate
WARNINGS: excessive sugar (literal and metaphorical)


[Semi-Open] Nonah, Estelle's place, Baking Party
[She'd invited just about everyone she was friends with, but since her home wasn't really that big, there was something of a limitation. She kept things neat enough, and hadn't accumulated anything really bulky, so with some creative rearrangement of the furniture, there was still room for a good number of people to fit and move around comfortably without getting too familiar with one another.

Some people had come early to help with preparation, mixing up the dough, rolling it out, and cutting out the stenciled shapes to assemble small gingerbread houses later on. There were other types of cookies as well, but it wasn't easy calculating out the baking times to make sure the batches were all at the same degree of doneness, and there wasn't that much space, so mishaps were pretty much inevitable. But even if the chocolate cookies had somehow gotten a lemon curd filling instead of a buttercream, or the stars and wreaths were lopsided and mutated beyond recognition, she was still pretty happy just spending time with her friends.

With most of the baking done, people should feel free to start assembling and decorating the gingerbread houses. It isn't meant to be a competition at all though perhaps that's somewhat inevitable. Supplies are laid out in the center of the table - a veritable army of neatly lined up bowls containing gumdrops, candy canes, various colorful hard-shelled chocolates, licorice whips, and so on, along with piping bags of icing in various colors - surrounded on all sides by the small rimmed baking trays containing the cooled stenciled cookie pieces for assembling the houses.

Bring your completed house home with you! Her house can't hold this many...]


[Open] Nonah, outside, caroling and hot chocolate
[Apparently dressing up and going caroling outside was a thing that people did for the holidays! Even though she hadn't been familiar with traditional carols before coming here, after almost a full month of listening to the radio at work, she'd picked up the most common songs by now. Since quite a few of her friends were musically gifted, she thought this would be a fun group outing. She'd also made a truly ridiculous number of candy cane reindeer to hand out to the people subjected to their singing, carrying them in a holiday-themed totebag that matched her warmly festive outfit. It wasn't quite snow weather, but it had definitely gotten chilly.

After wearing themselves out with singing and walking in the cold, participants can adjourn back to her place for hot chocolate with plenty of whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate chips, and crushed peppermint candies.]


[[If anyone wants a completely different or more specific/detailed/customized starter, feel free to contact me at rizubee]]

Comments

[baetiful]

[ Petyr is definitely not a part of the singing group. He does not sing. But he was in Nonah on business, and he did happen to be a part of the group that were being serenaded. This is reminiscent of the bards and minstrels back home, so he listens pleasantly and applauds when they are done. And as Estellise hands him the candy cane reindeer, he catches her hand within the warmth of his own. ]

Well sung, sweet lady Estellise.

[ And that hand of hers meets his lips for a formal greeting. ]

It seems you are doing quite a bit for the holidays. I would suggest you bring some of this cheer to Maurtia Falls. My city could certainly use a bit of your brightness.

[renamaer]

[She's blushing a little anyway at the gesture - she really should be used to it after all these years, but Lord Petyr is very charming.]

Ah, thank you very much, Lord Petyr. [She feels a tiny bit embarrassed now at only having such a small token, but what's done is done.] I plan to visit Maurtia Falls during the season, of course, though I'm not sure if I'll have anyone to accompany me for caroling there. [Most of her friends there weren't really the singing-in-public type.]

It's so lovely to see you here in Nonah, though. Are you here for business of some sort?

[baetiful]

I am. I had a meeting with the people in charge of Nonah's imPort training facility. I've a plan to build my own grand scale structure within Maurtia Falls. But, shhh.

[ He brings his index finger to his lips playfully. ]

That's our little secret. [ Petyr shifts the candy into his opposite hand and then offers the arm closest to her. ] Will your friends mind terribly if I borrow you for a moment or so?

[renamaer]

Ah, I see. [Nodding immediately; she was always very discreet, particularly if the situation explicitly called for it. Typical of politics at home as well.]

I don't think they'd mind at all! [She'd already half stepped forward in automatic response to the familiar gesture, but pauses only to exchange a few words with the group before she's taking his arm.

Though...now she's wondering what he wanted to talk to her about, since the business he was here for was supposed to be secret.]

[baetiful]

It's been quite some time since we last saw one another. I hope all has been well, my lady.

[ Petyr starts walking away from the group, bringing Estellise with him toward a little chocolate shop. He figures they can get a little sweet treat while they talk, and it won't be keeping her away from her caroling group for as long as a dinner might. ]

You've made quite a few friends here, haven't you?

[renamaer]

It has been! [Already several months now? Time really went by too quickly.] At first I thought travel through the Porters would make it easier to run into people when it's so quick to get from place to place, but it doesn't seem to work out that way in the end.

[Following him quite willingly wherever he plans to direct her.] Ah, I suppose so? ['Quite a few' was hard to quantify properly when for most of your life 'one' was apparently asking for too much.] There are just so many kind and interesting people to meet here. [Smiling happily up at him:] I hope I can count you among them as well, Lord Petyr.

[baetiful]

Well, interesting is in the eye of the beholder. But you do inspire my kindness, my lady. It honors me greatly that you would consider me a friend because I've thought the same of you.

[ He says with an easy going smile and then walks up to the little glass display case of sweet treats. It ranges from home made chocolates to chocolate covered fruits to sweet cakes and cookies made with their specialized chocolate. ]

I thought we might get a little snack and sit down for a bit. The chocolate covered strawberries are absolutely divine, I can tell you from experience.

[renamaer]

[She finds him incredibly interesting and fun to talk to, in any case.

She's just blushing and flustering all over the place now - internally anyway. But sweets are an incredibly successful distraction, and her eyes fairly light up at the suggestion.]

I've walked by here so many times, but I never actually tried anything here... [Partly because just peering in from the window had overwhelmed her with the number of choices. If he was going to narrow things down for her, that would be exceedingly helpful.]

So do you enjoy sweets [too], Lord Petyr? They must be good if you're willing to make the commute...

[baetiful]

I do enjoy sweets. I've always thought you cannot trust someone who doesn't enjoy them. [ Petyr remarks playfully. ] The only thing I do not quite enjoy is how sticky they make your hands. But as they say, all good things come with a price.

[ Being from a time when things are made from scratch and not in some sort of factory with the addition of this high-fructose corn syrup stuff, Petyr is partial to sweet treats that are a bit less sweet. So he turns to Estellise -- gesturing to the strawberries. ]

Do you like dark chocolate? Or would you prefer the milk or white chocolate ones? We could order a couple of each.

[renamaer]

[Funny story about that actually... She laughs a little at the remark, mostly distracted by the glass display cases for the moment as she studies the options.] That does make them less portable... [Someday she'll go to a restaurant where they offer moist towelettes or something and that'll really blow her mind.]

Ah, it's so hard to choose. Two of each sounds like a good compromise? Or maybe just one each of the milk and white chocolate and a few of the dark? [There's also that really cute one with what is probably a tuxedo pattern, not that she's angling for it or anything, since Lord Petyr was so nice to treat her...]

[baetiful]

[ Petyr appears thoughtful for a moment before he takes to ordering a couple of each. And whether or not he saw Estellise eyeing the tuxedo-patterned strawberry, well....it's one of the ones he gets, so she's in luck! The strawberries all get placed on their own separate small doilies in a box and Petyr pays for them before gesturing to one of the tables. He carries the box over and settles down into one of the seats. ]

And now we can indulge.

[ He takes out one of the dark chocolate strawberries, holding it up as though proposing a toast of sorts. Only this is a far more tasty toast. Petyr waits for Estellise to make her choice so they can tap those treats together and partake. ]

[renamaer]

[She indulges in a moment of internal cooing over how cute the packaging for the strawberries is before she picks out the patterned one with only a hint of hesitation.]

Thank you, Lord Petyr! [She says, politely enthusiastic, her eyes bright with excited anticipation. Though...] Ah, should we toast to something? For the success of your project, maybe?

[baetiful]

It certainly won't hurt. To the success of my project.

[ He smiles, tapping his strawberry to hers before taking a nice bite of it. The sweet and tart flavors mix so well, and he takes a moment to savor the treat before he talks again. ]

I want to build a library in Maurtia Falls. One that rivals all of the libraries you would find in any of the porter cities or even the nation itself. It may seem like an odd fit for a city so steeped in entertainment and crime, but I believe that having something like this would help to educate individuals and help them to pursue different career paths rather than keep on with a criminal lifestyle. It would also greatly aid the children. Especially if we set up the library to hold classes from time to time.

[renamaer]

[She's...having a more difficult than usual time of being polite and not cramming the entire strawberry in her mouth after taking her first bite. Luckily, courtesy and politeness are pretty much ingrained at this point, so she chews and swallows with genteel neatness.

Of course, then he gets started on libraries...] Oh-! Really? [Stay cool, Estellise, stay cool - nope this isn't going to work.] That sounds so wonderful. [The only reason she hasn't actually floated off in her enthusiasm for the idea is because she's carefully considering all the reasons he's laying out.]

Ah, I'm probably somewhat biased, since I grew up reading a lot, so I can't imagine being without books. I don't think it's an odd fit for Maurtia Falls at all. [Except maybe that the librarians needed to be a more sturdy sort... Also she's more than a bit idealistic, so she glosses over the seedier aspects somewhat.] It's such a worthwhile endeavor to provide everyone with an easily accessible means to better themselves.

[baetiful]

I am glad that you think so, my lady. I've always been a firm believer that knowledge is power. Having such a place in one of the porter cities means it will be a simple matter for any arriving imPort to do their research about this world. I know personally it was one of the first places I spent many hours, pouring over books and trying to understand as much as I could about how things worked here.

[ But it certainly makes him respect Estellise all the more to hear that she spent a good deal of time reading. There's nothing more educational than a good book. ]

I think you would be a perfect fit for one of the programs I hope to enact there.

[renamaer]

[Since she did pretty much the same thing when she first arrived, that resonates pretty strongly with her. Though she'd also enjoyed just chatting with any friendly people she ended up meeting.]

While growing up, I didn't really have any way to learn new things other than through books in the library. It wasn't until later on that I was able to see how things worked out in the world [and make lots of mistakes along the way].

[She tilts her head in curiosity, cheeks pinking slightly at the compliment.] Ah, do you? Do you mind if I ask what type of program that is? [She's already primed to agree with just about anything he might suggest at this point.]

[baetiful]

Truly?

[ His expression took on a solemn cast and he reaches out to lightly cover her hand with his own. ]

I would have thought being in such an esteemed position, they would have provided the best education for you, my lady. Were you my daughter, it is what I would have done.

[ Baelish's hand retracts and he reaches out for a second strawberry. Dark chocolate again. He's very much leaving that tuxedo strawberry for Estellise. ]

As for the program, I had wanted something to attract younger readers to the library, and I thought -- what better than to have an hour or so each week, perhaps twice or even thrice a week, where imPorts read to them? I imagine you would resonate very well with the children, Lady Estellise. And I am certain you could inspire them to journey off into their own exploration of literature.

[renamaer]

[She smiles up at him gratefully, clearly deriving some comfort from the brief contact, before following his example, her hand hovering in hesitation over the adorably patterned strawberry before finally picking it up.]

I'm sure if my parents were able, they would feel the same as you, Lord Petyr. [She says it lightly, the wound long since healed over.] I can't say I'm unhappy with how things did turn out, in the end.

[Anyway, on to more important things.] Ah, that sounds very much like what I used to do at home! Maybe it would be possible to coordinate with local schools in Maurtia Falls? [She's already jumping in with both feet...] There are lots of ways to make reading more fun for children in coordination with their schoolwork...

[baetiful]

[ Her light tone is admirable, but Petyr still offers Estellise a look of sympathy. He's not certain what she means by 'if her parents were able, they would feel the same as him.' Does it mean they weren't capable of such emotions? Or does it mean their hands were tied with something else? He doesn't want to come across as prying on this Christmas holiday, but he does make note to find out more about her and her past. ]

It sounds as though you I've met the perfect partner in helping me to see this vision off the ground. Would you mind aiding me in talking to local schools? I am certain I can persuade them, but you have far more of a charm than I, Lady Estellise. I imagine after only a few words from you, they would dare not refuse.

[renamaer]

[She'd totally be willing to answer, if he asked another time, it's not exactly a secret!]

I-! Ah, would that really be helpful to you? [She does want to help, very much.] I don't know that it would be that easy but... [She is pretty stubborn though, and not always inclined to take 'no' for an answer when it's a cause she cares about...]

[baetiful]

It would be extraordinarily helpful, and I have every ounce of faith in you to be persuasive, my lady.

[ He takes one last bite of his final strawberry, wiping his hands clean on a napkin. ]

Well, I suppose I have kept you from your friends long enough. Shall I escort you back to them so that you may continue caroling?

[renamaer]

[She's already slightly lost in thought considering her approach, so his question and gesture take a moment to register.]

Hm... Oh! Um! [But there are still strawberries left in the box? She's just going to look between the box and Baelish with a politely perplexed expression as she stands up from the table. Aren't you going to finish?]

Ah...are you sure you don't want to join us, Lord Petyr?

[baetiful]

[ The box is sealed up and offered into her hands with a warmth crinkling the corners of his eyes. This is his gift to her for the little reindeer treat she gave him earlier. ]

Oh, no no. I fear that my voice would only ruin the songs you are singing. I was not meant to be a bard, sweetling. And besides, I do not know the songs of this world.

[ He rises to his feet and offers his hand to help her do the same. Not out of necessity but because it's the courteous thing to do with a lady of Estellise's standing. ]

[renamaer]

[They are in no way equivalent, but she's been well brought up, so she knows how to accept things graciously. Baelish is getting more homemade treats next time.]

I didn't at first, but I'm finding a lot of the songs for the winter season rather enjoyable. [She's not going to push though, that would be rude after he's been so nice to her.

She takes his hand with a grateful smile, resting her own small fingers very lightly on his.]

Thank you again for the strawberries, Lord Petyr. And for thinking of me for your project. [She's going to give it her all.]

baking party

[redigere]

[Naminé is taking up the corner of the table, the walls and roof of her house already glued together. But she hasn't seemed to start on anything else. Instead, she's tasting all of the candies that have been set out for the trimmings, making little notes on her sketchbook.

And then she's squeezing a bit of frosting onto her finger and tasting it, and someone should really stop her before she gets too sugar-high.]

[renamaer]

[Well, Estelle's not going to stop her, she's too pleased about how much fun she's been having.

Peering over her shoulder:] How are your plans looking? [It's so pretty and detailed!]

[redigere]

Slowly. [She looks up and smiles at her friend, raising the sketchbook up so Estelle can see better.] It's hard to choose which candy should go where. There are so many options!

Have you started yours?

[renamaer]

Ah, I started mine [Gestures to the basic foundation of her house; she even piped some perfectly passable gumdrop flowers with the frosting at the base] but maybe I should pause and plan things out too... [Not that this was a competition or anything.]

[redigere]

Yours looks wonderful so far.

[She sneaks glances at the masterpieces Estelle's roommates are creating, almost a little envious at how freely they're going at it.]

Most of the others seem to decide what will go where as they go, but this is my first one, so I want it to look nice...what other kinds of decorations do people put on gingerbread houses?

[renamaer]

This is my first time making a house like this, but we used to decorate other desserts, like cakes and things. Though I've never seen some of these candies before! [Looking around at all the different candies in their bowls, and then again at the sketchbook.] Hmm...

[Grabbing one of the multicolored twisted peel-off licorice, twined of lots of different flavors stuck together.] Maybe something with this? You could...use it for a bow, or to line a window or door? Maybe?

[Do these even taste good? was it sanitary to eat things you had your hands all over? Who knows...]

[redigere]

[Naminé hums approvingly and writes these suggestions onto her sketchbook.]

Oh! Or we could pull it apart and use them as tinsel for a candy Christmas tree!

[She pulls the dish of malt balls close, tilting her head.]

These ones are very big, though...if they were white, they could've been part of a snowman in the front.

[renamaer]

[If they were white... She glances hurriedly around the table and notices one bowl of powdered sugar - already being utilized for snow in any case - and another of white chocolate bars.]

Um...maybe we could dip them? [This was going to be a pretty big project...] Or maybe just dust them with the sugar? [Brown was definitely not going to work for this, let's be real here.]

[redigere]

I think dusting them with sugar would be easier. Maybe we can melt the chocolate a little bit so it sticks better.

[She searches around for a source of heat, and ends up holding the malt ball over a nearby mug of hot chocolate.]

Do you want a snowman for your gingerbread house too, Estelle?

[renamaer]

I tried to make one out of marshmallows stacked on top of each other. [And a pretzel to hold it all together.] But they're not round, so I'm not sure how it looks...

[You're getting melty chocolate all over your fingers, Naminé...]

[redigere]

That still sounds very cute, and perfect for a gingerbread house.

[Oops. She sticks the malt ball on top of a bigger one, and then sprinkles powdered sugar over it with her free hand while sucking the chocolate off of the other.]

...how's it look?

[renamaer]

[Oh, wow, that actually turned out really well! The chocolate cools pretty quickly and more or less cements the two candies together.]

Ah, it's so small and cute! Maybe if you try rolling it in the sugar instead of just sprinkling it? [Though how to properly decorate it after...]

[redigere]

Okay! Let's see...

[She pulls an empty dish close, repeating the melting process, but this time sticking the malt balls into the dish and siphoning a measure of powdered sugar over it. On a whim, she very carefully touches a finger to the powdered sugar so that the brown sugar coating is revealed under it, creating the eyes and buttons this way.]

There we go! I'll make one for your gingerbread house too!

[renamaer]

Oh, really? [Wow, she would not have thought of that, but it turned out perfectly.] Are you sure I can't help make something for you too?

[Casting around a bit for more ideas, before she remembers the fruit peels from earlier and starts sorting out the pretzels in size order while humming absently.]

[redigere]

Hmm...oh! I know, could you make the eaves of the roof with the frosting? I think you'd have a steadier hand than I do.

[Estelle does all that beautiful calligraphy, after all!]

[renamaer]

[She looks up from her self-appointed task with a smile at the suggestion.] Oh! Yes, I could definitely do that.

[She's been getting a lot better at using these piping bags!] Do you have a design in mind, or should I just be creative?

[redigere]

Draw them on however you'd like! I'll get started on your snowman.

[This is much nicer than competing over gingerbread houses or anything like that. Everyone should help each other to make the best ones they can!

She'll even attempt to cut a tiny bowtie out of black licorice for Estelle's snowman.]

[renamaer]

[She's gotten pretty fancy in the meantime, with elaborate swirls and rosettes that would never exist on a house roof in real life, but look pretty nice on something edible like a gingerbread house. She unrolls some more of the colorful licorice and braids them quickly into strands to hang along the eaves of the roof like holiday lights.]

Hmm, what do you think of this? [Otherwise she's going to eat them.]

[redigere]

That looks amazing. The licorice is a very nice touch.

[Naminé takes an extra strand to eat anyways. Gingerbread architectural planning is hard work.]

Where would you like your snowman to go? I'll put it down for you.

[renamaer]

Oh, please put it right near the window on the right! [Maybe she could simulate bushes or something with the marshmallows later, but she liked that position for it.

She unspools another long twisty strand of licorice for herself and tugs the trailing ends of the braid under the eaves of gingerbread.]

I should get my phone and take pictures... Do you want to pose with it, Naminé?

[redigere]

[Naminé does as asked and carefully sets down the snowman, trying not to disturb his powdered sugar coating. Once she deems her job well done, she perks up and nods.]

Yes, please! It will be a nice picture to put on the fridge.

[She scoots over a little bit so the gingerbread house is visible, and then smiles bright and ready for the camera.]