distressedude | Appointments Post

[ Kohan would be lying if he tried to deny how nervous he feels, but at least the lack of the usual Malnosso intervention has made the thought of Christmas a lot less daunting this year. And he needs all the courage he can get.

He's waiting at the fork in the road that leads down to House 1, hovering, more than a little hesitant and unsure. But he'd invited Ion out for a walk already, so there was no turning back now. After a few more seconds of standing there and mustering up his courage, he heads down the path towards the house.

Hopefully Ion was already ready to go. ]

[Oh, Ion was definitely ready to go. After passing out gifts to everyone else in House One, he was really feeling the "Christmas" spirit -- and knowing he'd get to spend the rest of the day with Kohan just made everything better. This year would be much better than how things turned out for them this time last year, after all. This year, he'd actually be able to face Kohan to give him his present.]

[He doesn't even give Kohan the chance to come to the door, already coming out as soon as he sees him approaching. He's all bundled up to keep the cold out, and hiding (or rather, trying to hide) a small wrapped package behind his back. And of course, there's a bright smile on his face.]

Hello, Kohan! Merry Christmas.

[ Seeing Ion simultaneously sends a sense of relief and nervousness through Kohan. On the one hand, there's always a comfort he takes in his presence... but on the other, he didn't want today to go quite as poorly as this had in the past.

Confidence. He can do this. ]

Merry Christmas, Ion.

[ He notices that package, but he can be quiet about it for now. ]

So, are you ready to go?

Yes, I am. But first--

[He holds out the gift to Kohan. It's long, thin and probably feels a lot like a book. Also, the wrap job isn't very pretty looking, but hey, he tried! At least the ribbon holding it together looks nice. There's also a candy cane taped to the front -- so festive!!]

I don't know whether you'd like to wait until later to open it or not, but I got this for you.

[ He laughs softly. ]

Thanks, Ion.

[ is it a book ]

I don't have your present right here, so I can wait to open it if you want.

[Ion just shakes his head, motioning for him to go ahead. He's probably just as excited giving a gift as most people would be receiving one.]

No, that's all right. I don't want to keep you in suspense after all. Please, open it!

[And should he open it, he'll find that it's a leather-bound sketchbook with strange letters stitched into the front (Kohan's name in the Fonic alphabet -- not quite picked up by the auto-translators) and intricate designs embossed into the cover. There's also a new set of drawing pens and pencils wrapped in cloth and tied to the side with a string to keep it all together.]

[ Well, with insisting like that, why would he wait!

Sure enough he opens it, having only a little bit of trouble with his gloves. He stares at the cover for a moment, trying to read it (to little avail), before he starts flipping through it. And that is when he realizes what it is, and his look of surprise and confusion turns into a smile. ]

Wow... thanks. Thanks, Ion. This is... really great. [ And he closes it again. ] So, what does it say?

Oh, it's your name! It's written in the Fonic alphabet used on Auldrant.

[He takes a short step closer, a soft blush on his face.]

And there's something else, too... it's on the first page.

[And on the first page of the book, there's a short letter written in Ion's usual flowing script, and a short drawing that looks like it was done by a five year old (i.e. drawn by Ion).]

... Huh.

[ The drawing is going to have to wait because Kohan is going to take a couple moments to trace the lettering. He's going to try to remember it, even if he's going to forget it in three minutes.

And then he opens the book again and reads. He doesn't say anything, just smiles, closes the book, and pulls Ion into a hug. ]

Thank you.

[Watching Kohan trace the letters on the cover brings a small smile to his face, but it grows wider when Kohan pulls him into a hug. He wraps his arms around Kohan, nuzzling his cheek against his shoulder.]

[He stays there for a few moments before pulling back, sneaking his hand around to Kohan's side to grab his hand.]

So, where should we go now?

Come with me.

[ He starts leading Ion down the path, not taking the path that leads to the center of the village but instead following by the river. ]

I'll show you.

All right!

[And with a bright smile on his face, Ion follows alongside Kohan, still holding his hand tightly. He's not sure what to expect right now, but he's not going to hide the fact that he's excited.]

[ They walk along the river for a bit, Kohan doing his best not to shake with nerves. He's mostly trying to just not chicken out, because he really wants to do something special for Ion. Especially now, after Ion got him his gift.

When they reach the outside of the Flame Building, Kohan turns and gives Ion a small tug towards it. ]

This way.

[ Is Ion catching on yet... ]

[Not completely. Or rather, not yet at least.]

[He nods, still following along behind Kohan, his face flushing a bit as he can't help but recall the last time they came to one of the community buildings like this alone.]

Does this have something to do with my present?

Of course.

[ Going inside, and Kohan goes to the elevator. He presses the call button and realizes he's started shaking a bit. ]

I'm... really glad they put in these things. Most of the lower floors are completely occupied... It's not a problem if we go up, is it?

[Yeah, that shaking isn't exactly hard to miss -- his nerves carry in his voice. As they stand and wait for the elevator, Ion takes a step closer to Kohan, intertwining their fingers.]

Of course not. I'm the one following you, aren't I? [With a soft chuckle.] Though it's a good thing they did install these elevators. I wouldn't want to tire myself out walking up all those stairs.

Maybe I'd have to carry you. [ He says it teasingly, trying to dispel his nerves. It doesn't work as well as he'd hoped. Luckily the elevator is here, so they can step inside and Kohan can hit the '6'.

And thus begins the longest elevator ride this side of KH2. ]

[He laughs softly, giving Kohan's hand a gentle squeeze.] Oh, I couldn't possibly ask you to do that. You might hurt your back lifting me up all those steps.

[This is not a crack at Kohan's strength -- Ion just feels it necessary to point out that he is not as light as a bag feathers. ~~...anymore. Now it's closer to two bags of feathers.~~]

Ion, how old do you think I am?

[ And besides, he works out. He could probably bench press at least one and a half Ions. ]

You don't have to be old to hurt yourself lifting something heavy. I'm not as light as I look.

[He's been putting on some weight/muscle lately okay!!]

[ Ion just gets this look.

And then the elevator opens, at which point Kohan scoops Ion up, tosses him over his shoulder sack-of-potatoes style, and makes his way down the hallway.

He is the most mature shut up. ]

[Kohan what is that look]

[Kohan]

[Kohan]

[shfbksfk AND NOW HE IS BEING LIFTED INTO THE AIR]

[wow]

[such muscle]

[very strength]

[And so, he struggles for all of 3 seconds before just accepting his fate, though not before laughing quite a bit. This is ridiculous and completely undignified, but honestly? He doesn't care.]

A-All right, all right! You've proven your point! Put me down!

[He doesn't sound very convincing when he still can't stop giggling.]

Too late. I have lots of stairs to make up for.

[ And this is actually helping diffuse his nerves. Which is a good thing, considering he's almost at the critical point here.

Kohan carries Ion partially down the hall, then into an unoccupied room and closes the door behind the two of them. Even though it's unoccupied, the heat has been turned on so the unit is nice and warm. He doesn't set Ion down until he's standing right outside one of the bedrooms.

Kohan had considered going for romantic decorating, but he hadn't read nearly enough of those books to have any real idea what to do, and what little idea he had all seemed cheesy whenever he considered going through with them. So instead the only decorations are a fresh set of sheets on the bed and a semi-opaque set of curtains hung on the window, enough to let in plenty of sunlight while still offering them privacy. Not that there was much danger given how high up they were, but hey, some residents of Luceti can fly.

Kohan was sure he'd come up with something special to say at this point, but all his words had vanished at the hands of his nervousness. So all he gets out is a warm, if slightly timid, ]

Merry Christmas.

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