“That’s the last of them, Acadian.” I pushed out my lower lip and blew several blond strays from my face. “Hearts Day is only two days away and I need to get these presents out for the next Black Horse Courier run to make sure they’re delivered in time. The Imperial City, Chorrol, Bruma, even as far away as Anvil and Skyrim. I can deliver the ones here in Bravil by hand."

The paladin sighed. “I don’t think I want to see any more chocolate or red ribbons for a long time. You know I feel everything that you do – including your upset stomach.”

I licked my fingers and quietly burped. “Well, we had to sample everystuff didn’t we?”

“If you say so, my bowgirl." I felt him cringe at my 'everystuff' Buffyism, but he knew better than to critique it. "Will you hold out one or your presents so I can capture its image?”

“Of course, my paladin, but not looking like this.” Summoning a handkerchief, I dispelled any chocolate smudges from my face and hands. I then lifted my fist and under its resultant shroud of invisibility exchanged smock for silk. As my hands reappeared in front of me, I quickly ran a comb through my hair. “Delphine and Kud-Ei, can you come over here please? Oh, and bring the summoned ghost you’re playing cards with.” I turned and held out one of my presents.

Happy Hearts Day!

*

Maxical

Ooh! I love chocolate candy! Thank you, dearest Buffy! Happy Hearts Day to you and Acadian too!

*

This post has been edited by mALX: Feb 17 2013, 05:07 PM

What a wonderful little snippet and a beautiful picture! Loving Buffy's new hairstyle.

Aravi will be on the look out for a courier bearing chocolate. Good to know that if there is a missing piece, it's just Buffy making sure everything tasted good! Anymore than that, and Aravi will know to chew out a Nord.

Happy Hearts Day to Buffy!

This post has been edited by King Coin: Feb 14 2013, 03:40 PM

What a lovely and thoughtful treat! Jerric’s world is full of lonely hearts at the moment, and Buffy’s gifts will surely bring warm smiles all around.

I love the adorable and very Buffy story behind that beautiful Heart’s Day picture!



And lol, KC. Of course there are a LOT of Nords who work for courier services!






This post has been edited by Grits: Feb 14 2013, 05:33 PM

Kayla will be expecting her chocolate! XD Happy Heart's Day, Buffy and Acadian!!

Just love the ghost! He must be losing badly... or is that not Delphine's neck he is eyeing?

Happy Heart's Day, Buffy and Acadian!

Lothran was happy that Buffy thought of him this day and sends his warmest regards and his coldest picture

(First one from imgur btw)

Happy Heart Day, dear Buffy!

This post has been edited by mirocu: Feb 14 2013, 08:35 PM

Thank you dear friends. Sun’s Dawn the 16th (today) is the real Hearts Day so happy wishes again!

mALX- Delphine told Buffy that Maxical loves chocolate. Wonderful to hear that the Diva of Destruction was right!

KC- Thank you! I’m glad you like the hairstyle. It’s longer in the back than it looks from the front. Aravi certainly won’t have to worry about chocolate melting in Skyrim!

Grits- I’m so glad that the chocolates and warm wishes will help bring smiles to Jerric and friends.

Liz- Buffy wasn’t quite sure, so she sent two packages for Kayla; one to Anvil and one to Skyrim.

Destri- That ghost is a mess! Loves tea, but has a real dribbling problem with it! Warmest regards to Lord Rugrat and that beautiful new bride of his.

mirocu- I’m so glad that you and dear Lothran dropped by! What a fabulous snowy shot of Lothie, Wolfie and Aetherius!

16 Sun’s Dawn


Dearest Buffy,


Warmest Wishes for a Happy Hearts Day.

Your thoughtful gifts were received and thoroughly enjoyed today. Jerric helped himself to a sample from each box. After repeating his taste test several times he declared them all equally delicious.

I confess it was I who suggested that your chocolate might pair well with a glass of Surilie Brothers tawny port. Our Nord friend followed my advice, and then tried a piece with Blackguard’s Ale, Mellow Mushroom Mead, a Colovian lager of uncertain provenance, one leg of mutton, and a distilled beverage whose name cannot be accurately rendered in our tongue as only an Argonian can hiss while spitting.

Lildereth painted a picture of the aftermath. I have enclosed it for your amusement. [Jerric Requesting a Belly Rub.]

Before Jerric succumbed to his Sanguinite tendencies he brewed a small thank-you gift. I have enclosed it with the poem that he quilled himself. (Forgive me, but I took the liberty of testing it. I assure you it is quite safe.) I will not repeat the Hearts Day scenario he described that might require an elixir of warming. Suffice it to say that the Nord admires you.

In closing I wish to thank you, Buffy, for your thoughtful gifts but more for your gracious friendship. I speak not only for myself when I say that on this day as ever you warm the hearts of us all.


Fond Regards,

Darnand Penoit

Jerric’s Poem, accompanying a vial of Resist Frost Potion:

Redwort is Red

Entoloma is Blue

Together they make A nice potion for You.


From Your Friend,

Jerric

From Kayla:

"Boofy!

Currently I am balls-deep in vampires, so excuse the harsh language and unreadable bits. I'm a bit on edge. There's a *^# --=)...

The chocolate you sent was a ray of sunshine in my darkened world. When I am finished with my quest of vengeance, I will try to make a trip to +/,>, and see if I can't teach you a bit about hands-on combat fighting. Maybe you can show me some illusion magick as well?

!-*~~ of my love,

Kayla"

My friends, Acadian has ‘suggested’ that I favor black ink on my quill as he believes it to be easier on the eyes. By ‘suggest’, I mean he has replaced most of my ink pots, save enough to quill my signature. Grumpy old paladin! I mean who made him my editor? Do any of you know what it is like to have him 'nitpick' your hard work while he professes that it is for your own growth? Oh, I acquiesced, but you can better believe I shot him a tersely clipped 'Fine!'

I did enjoy a cozy morning curled up by a warmly crackling hearth, sipping tea and tending to my letters. I was delighted to hear that all the packages I sent found the tummies of my friends.

*

Dear Darnand,

Thank you for the wonderfully thoughtful letter and clever poem from our Polar bear Poet of Potions. Since Lildereth painted that picture, I take it she is well. I’m ever so glad that, in his chocolate frenzy, Jerric didn’t accidentally pop the small wood elf into his mouth! I know the way to a Nord’s heart is through his stomach, but I’m sure Lildereth would never forgive me.

I’m glad the packages found you. I was careful not to underestimate our large Nordic friend and, hopefully, sent enough for all. What a wonderful idea to pair chocolate with wine! I’ll certainly have to try that.

I shall save and cherish the elixir of warming until, once again, I see your warm smile and those of the wonderful friends that travel with you.

Love, Buffy

*

Friend Kayla,

Ugh – vampires! They give me cramps when I get near them. Not fun, so I truly sympathize.

I’m so pleased that the chocolates found you and brightened up your day a bit! I understand pairing them with wine works better than vengeance. Hee!

I’d be happy to try and teach you some illusion spells – I’m sure your Altmeri instincts in that regard would overrule your Nordic upbringing to render you a skilled wizard. Not to mention how much an illusionist can save while shopping. On the melee fighting. . . well, once I got mad at Daenlin when I was young and punched him in the chest. He had to escort this crying elf to the chapel so my bruised thumb could be healed. He later told me to not to wrap my fingers around my thumb when I make a fist. I’m probably hopeless?

Stay safe and spill some vampire blood for me, sister.

Love, Boofy Buffy

Dear Lothran,

Kyne found me at the University working on my memoires. It’s hard to believe that our white dove has been dutifully carrying letters between us for over two years!

I’m so pleased that your winter passed well. I fondly remember my first visit to see you in Bruma. I was ill-prepared for the weather, but fondly remember us riding together, and the magic of snowflakes dancing in your white hair. I hope your mare, Aetherius, remains well? She’s a beautiful paint, and well-suited for your Nordic winters.

Yes, Elsweyr is a wonderful land. I had no idea the complexities of Khajiit and their culture. And I fell in love with the subtle beauty of that province’s deserts, jungles and beautiful sea coasts. With some wardrobe adaptations, Superian and I learned how to survive and even travel during the frequent sandstorms that sweep across the Anequina.

It is delightfully warm here now as I sit among the flowers of the alchemy gardens. As you well know, I cannot stay in one place too long and, hopefully, this spring will find Superian and I visiting Anvil as well. I confess that when our paths last crossed there, you quite spoiled me. Crab and Tamikas for dinner, watching the sunset from the lighthouse, and gentle surf on our feet during walks along the beach. And how festive it was when you and I delivered the boar we had hunted for a guild cook out!

Be well and safe, my friend, until our paths can cross again. Fly now, Kyne. Carry this to Lothran.

Love, Buffy

*




*

This post has been edited by mALX: Mar 28 2013, 08:19 PM

Hee! Maxical, just remember this:

Kyne = white dove = good.
Jak = black raven = bad. Don't trust any messages from this courier service!

Love, Buffy

*




*

Odin begs to differ

This post has been edited by mirocu: Mar 28 2013, 10:28 PM

Oops, forgot about your avi! Jak is definitely a baddie. He's a vampire who can take the form of a big black bird in Maxical's story. He's caused Maxical plenty of grief (and the rest of us a few gigglesnorts).

Happy Easter, dear Buffy!

This post has been edited by mirocu: Apr 1 2013, 08:06 AM

Aww, thank you! I hope Lothie's day was filled with chocolate bunnies!