standless | IC INBOX

No, my love, I only meant that we should assure him that we care for him.

In that other world, he said he isn't very good at showing caring emotions. I worry that we come on too strong, sometimes, in our affection for Giorno.

Oh!

...He did appear quite strained at times while I spoke to him there, yes...

But then how best to balance such a letter? [He ponders aloud, frowning at the floor. He loves him a lot!!! But he certainly doesn't want to be overwhelming...]

Perhaps we do as we always do, just softer. Assure him that we care for him, that you care for him, avoid the topic of the other world for now...

[Erina paused in her thought, pursing her lips.]

I do know he has a birthday in less than a fortnight; perhaps we can find him a suitable gift. He did seem to like the cloak I sewed for him.

[how does he make this softer-]

...I know that he is quite fond of wildlife- plant and animal alike...

I could perhaps prepare some sketches to be framed? [That's soft right? That's a softer care?]

I think that would be lovely, Jonathan. As for me, I'm afraid I may have outdone myself with his Christmas cape. Nattenfest cape?

[If she never looked at gold thread again, it would be too soon. Unfortunately their boy had a flair for the dramatic, plant or not.]

Will you help me? After we celebrate your natal day?

From what I have heard, the holiday certainly keeps changing its name, [he mutters, frowning. Well.]

I- Of course I shall! I can start im-

[wait] ...My birthday?

[..............................] OH!

[Erina giggles and pulls on his cheeks playfully.]

Yes, yours!

I thought we might go and get something good for dinner, and then decide on whatever you would like to do. What do you say, Jojo?

Goodness I had managed to completely forget about the date... [Ahhhh his cheek, his cheek...

Rubbing it, he smiles all the same.]

That sounds marvelous, Erina! Though I shall have to consider what may well be occurring throughout this place during that particular date...

[He fears it shall be foggy on his birthday. ...cork birthday...]

My love. It's today.

[Erina chuckled.]

I made sure not to give you your gifts early, as I was tempted to.

[WWWWWWHHH-]

Today!?

[WH-] Have I truly lost track of our calendar so easily!?

I believe you might have! Still, the fog hasn't rolled in yet and might not until this evening. We have time, my love. For you to be uncorked.

Then we must take advantage of it whilst we can!

[A concerning outlook!] ...Though I must think quickly then, I fear, for that time may not last...but what to do then...

[Birthdays are complicated. Jonathan’s birthday is especially complicated. Considering he used up all of his Dad Merch™ opportunities in December, he’s got to start from scratch now and come up with something actually thoughtful. Fortunately, he knows Jonathan better now. Unfortunately, he hates birthdays, and Jonathan’s is very close to his own, which he hates even more than standard birthdays.]

[This . . . is tricky.]

[Ultimately, what he comes up with is arriving to Jonathan and Erina’s home on a neutral day between their birthdays, closer to Jonathan’s than his own, holding a square package awkwardly under each arm and balancing a tray covered in a dome on both hands.]

[He rings the doorbell with his elbow. Nailing it.]

Wear something without sleeves, so that if disaster does strike, it does not take your jacket with it.

[A valid and thoughtful suggestion, in her opinion.]

And if you are cold, well, I shall simply wrap myself around you. Like a fuzzy little scarf.

Are you certain it is not you who would be catching a chill if that were to be necessary? [he chuckles, moving to perhaps hold her close.] I am quite warm at the best of times after all, my dear.

Shh, let me have my fantasy of coming to your aid in your time of need, [she giggles and rests her cheek against him.]

A long-tailed Lancelot, or perhaps Lancelette?

Perhaps better still a fair lady Galahad then? I do worry for the reputation Lancelot obtained, given his unfortunate actions in later tales after all...

Edited 2021-04-30 13:15 (UTC)

[Jonathan and Erina of course had their birthday date while they could- the fog was never too far away from the 4th, tragically enough- but as time goes on from there, he doesn't expect to see anyone else about the matter. For the most part if anything he's been attempting to write a letter that follows Erina's specifications- he needs to not be TOO overbearingly loving, apparently, and well.

That's hard. That's very hard, he might not have known Giorno, any Giorno, that long, but he can't help but be attached just as he feels many others he comes to know for more than a few minutes.

Tragic really. As it is.] Just a moment! [Comes a shout from what could be up the stairs from the door. It's a rather interesting apartment, all in all.]

I-

Oh! Giorno! [Well!] Do come in- I must confess I was not expecting you to visit for some time now- was it a fair walk? I know that it is quite some distance from the house at the lake after all.

[Well there goes not being 'overly doting'.]

Well, my love, you would know best in that regard. A fair lady Galahad, then.

[She looks up at Jonathan and raises an eyebrow.]

What happened to him in the later tales? Lancelot, I mean.

[Ah.]

[Well, Jonathan is a force. He has come to know this even during their short acquaintance. So he’s not surprised, exactly, at the force of affection that gusts over him as soon as the door opens, it does make him blink rapidly for a few seconds. Aaaah.]

[The vines on his back lift to crook into mirroring question marks, like twin cat’s tails.]

Um. [This is the time when he would ordinarily double-check to make sure that Jonathan didn’t mind him coming over — after all, he said he wasn’t expecting him, meaning he might be intruding — but he tries to remember what Erina told him instead. They welcome him. He knows that.]

[So he steps under Jonathan’s enormous arm and into the house. He knows it well enough now that there really isn’t any point in looking around as though to take in the place; it would just seem disingenuous.]

It’s not a bad walk. I’m used to walking, and more used to it here. I just cut through the woods. [Of course he does. Turning to look at Jonathan again, he squares his shoulders.] I know I’m late, but I’ve been working on some things for your birthday, if that’s not an intrusion.

[Between Bavan and the Lake, it's pretty much only grasslands and woods as it is- cutting through is...well. That's the only way to get there, so Jonathan ultimately takes that as an awkward 'no really, it's fine' rather than anything that actually cuts time.

It can't possibly cut time right?

His thoughts catch up to him enough to register Giorno's words after that part, and he jumps.] My birthday!? Not at all- if anything it would be a horrid thing for me to turn you away now more than even before! I can only hope that you did not stress yourself over the matter, [He adds a bit worriedly- having himself fussed back and forth over the letter he (eventually) sent regarding the whole matter of the alternate reality and so on, it's a stress he knows too well.

Giorno doesn't deserve that stress!]

I didn't stress!

[This is bullshit. He absolutely stressed. He almost immediately looks guilty over the lie, which makes it even more transparently a lie. What a mess. Still, he digs in stubbornly, refusing to let himself trip over his own discomfort. Instead, he leans heavily on one of his favorite tools: bluntness.]

I just procrastinated. I don't like my birthday, and I knew if I did something for you, you'd do something for me, since we both know each other's now. Ultimately I decided it was more important to me to do something for you than to avoid awkwardness.

So now I'm here.

[Nailed. It.]

Can we go sit?

[Like father like son, which means he Absolutely Stressed.] You don't enjoy your birthday? [he asks, as timing rather unfortunately made it difficult to ever get that fact despite getting the actual date- Perhaps 'Haruno' also disliked his birthday. He probably should have guessed, if that were the case then.] Would you prefer I not celebrate it then? I can certainly refrain from doing so if it would be more comfortable for you-

Oh- [And yes, sitting- naturally he'll gesture for the living area.] Of course! Shall I put together a pot of tea for us?

Thanks for taking part in the pin up calendar! Your theme is: DECEMBER - NATTENSFEST CHEER / WINTER WARMTH

Ho ho ho! Merry freaking Christmas!

Your Secret Santa recipient this year is Phil Connors ("goodweather" on the network). Please buy, make, or otherwise procure him a nice gift before December 26! You can give this directly, or label it clearly and drop it off at Crowe Clinic C/O Hawkeye Pierce.

(You could also make a gingerbread house for him and kill two birds with one stone. I'm just saying.)

Remember: Saint Nick is watching, and he knows where you live!

Happy Holidays, etcetera, and so forth,
Santa Claus

IC INBOX | RYSLIG

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early april but backdated bc time is fake

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time just doesn't exist, its fine, dw abt it, (I'll leave if it's foggy up to you tho)

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me sweating in unwritten letters again,

the letters are in the ether

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<chimera>

<KrisKringle>

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, JOJO. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 336.66.256.63 * JOJO has joined 336.66.256.63 <JOJO...?>** Technically this message doesn't exist. Jonathan doesn't actually have a laptop. I just needed an Inbox.