essenceofdeadlybeasts | [ximilia] ic inbox

[ One of the downsides of relying on supply drops means there's always something that's gone. Or just not enough of it. Alcohol is sure one of these things. One after-mission party and it's nearly gone, the horror.

Hence half-empty bottle of mediocre whiskey turned into a treasure to stash and protect. For an occasion exactly like that - getting to share a drink and get to know a teammate better.

This might not be a prizewinner among brands, but despite that it's one of the more popular drinks on the Ximilia station [ He poured them two glasses, emulating the barkeep he knew always explaining trivia. Only he makes it all up for a joke ] Do ya know why is that so? Because it's the only whiskey left.

[ Ba-dum-tss ]

At least until next supply drop.

[After this little event, for context. Clearly Kaidan is not showing his best judgment right now, and his audio is a little loud]

Hey, Zhao-kun. You know... you know I was thinking, and you should take off those glasses sometime. I bet you have really nice eyes.

[On the evening of the 24th, Clara drops a gift off for Zhao. Inside the wrapped box is a folded paper chimpanzee and a little charm she got from Gyeongje. It's a small, painted clay circle with the shape of a lotus flower etched into it. There's a note beneath both small items.

Here's a little Clara the chimpanzee and a bit of good luck that will hopefully see you safe and happy in the coming year. The charm is from my first mission here. I grabbed an extra since I thought I'd need the extra luck, but it feels more important to share it with people here who are just as far from home and potentially as lonely as I can feel sometimes.

-Clara]

[Happy holidays. Kaidan already said he was getting Zhao a bonsai so that shouldn't be a surprise. Also included is a cookbook with some asari recipes that are safe for humans to eat, a few bottles of different colored nail polish, and a collection of music from Kaidan's world. When you can't decide what to give the guy you like, just give him all the things]

Zhao-kun is good in a fight, his presence a welcoming sight. If he is free and if he agrees maybe I can see him tonight?

[This is the most cheesy and dorky way to ask someone out on a date. You're welcome]

[ The neatly packed large gift, turns out to be a fancy, portable dartboard — slap it to the wall, then it takes it off, wherever there's space —, complete with a set of darts. Each set of three is differently coloured for your convenience. ]

For a casual party, or some real competition. An idle fun, or a challange.
Is the hand quicker than the eye?

~MG

[ Attached is a small box of popular Osakan souvenirs, the Omoshiroi Koibito cookies. ]

Hey. Wouldn’t happen to have put in another order for those energy drinks, have you?

[ With how the mission has ended, it was hard to put up a neutral, let alone content face. Sure they won, and that's something to cling to, but—

No buts. The calendar doesn't lie. Viv-chan even went ahead and stocked them on necessary items. Besides, they all need cheering up. Even those who are incredibly adept at cheering other people up, while hiding their own.

So he sent a message to Zhao. A simple one, time, place, be there. NOT a kitchen because that would end with Zhao making food for them and anyone that walks by, and that's not part of the plan. Not a training room or sunlight room either, again, someone might walk on them. Simulator—

No, it just gotta be Majima's own room. ]

[ one morning on the station, on each orber's door, the following hand-written note (in fancy calligraphy) will be taped:

the orber can choose to attend or simply listen in to the meeting when it occurs, or they may ignore it altogether. ]

[ yet another flyer ends up on every orber's door, evidently by the same culprit as last time, except now it's a more colorful display:

the back of the flyer features more details about the play and its characters, and soon enough, an announcement from rita herself goes public, giving more context about the event, which all can sign up for. ]

[Finn walks up to the box, squinting down into it thoughtfully. Apparently, gift giving was the custom around here. A human custom, as far as Finn could tell. The thought gives him a weird fluttering in his stomach as he focuses on one of the new people he's met -- human or not -- racking his brain for what they might want...]

Never had a food prank, huh? [Finn's grin takes a turn for the devilish, leaning down into the box.] Hehe, that's about to change.

Later...

[This month's supply drop has arrived and with it, a little something special for Zhao. He'll see a box wrapped in whimsically patterned paper, a black bow, and a small glittery gold tag with 'From Finn' printed on it. The wrapping job is too neat to be from Finn himself, clearly created by the ship's replicator based on his gift request.

Inside the box, he will find bag of jellybeans that hide a dark truth. There's no indication of the flavor until they are eaten... bon apple teeth!]

[It should be obvious from the shape of the wrapped present left on Zhao's doorstep that it's a large book of some sort. A "southern cookbook," to be exact - something like this but somehow even more obnoxiously branded. The recipes, at least, are all exactly what you'd expect. A barely legible handwritten note has been tucked inside the front cover.]

Was hoping I could share some of my favorite dishes with a talented cook.
--Clayton

Delivered to Zhao's door without a note, a Christmas stocking.

The contents include:

A dragon travel mug.
Chili infused tequila.
Hot chocolate mix.
Coffee.

[ Little snatches of the past few days were coming to Jake in odd fits and starts now that they were back in the relative calm of station living. It's late in the evening that one such memory comes to mind; a quiet bid for forgiveness in the middle of a quiet forest.

It wasn't something Jake was strictly meant to hear, but that didn't mean it left his head so easily. ]

hey. sorry for the late night text. i know you don't really know me, but i gotta know.

you ever manage to bring those plants back with you?

Post-training

audio; un: alenko

special delivery

[Gift Delivery]

Gift Dellivery

text. un: 10-54

Valentine's Day [oh boy]