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[gotyourbach]

un: akapassionata

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un: crow

[grakraka]

I could use some advice, when you're available.
It's nothing dire so don't worry if you're busy at the moment.

[gotyourbach]

ヾ(＾。^*)♪～
I'm never too busy to talk to my friends!
What is it?

un: turntechGodhead: 12/12

[oculusriffs]

hey
what are you doing
you found the piano right

[gotyourbach]

I was just gong for a walk, and yes, I did!! o(〃＾▽＾〃)o I stopped by the inn/tavern place when we first got here, the Fraser Fir? And they let me play the piano there! Everybody who eats there is really nice. They keep leaving me tips even though I said I wasn't doing it for money...

Do you want to come hang out? ༼ つ ◕3◕ ༽つ ♫♪♫ We can play some music together! ٩(ó｡ò۶ ♡)))♬

dec 15th

[blodsvorr]

Where are you? Check in with me as soon as you get this, kid.

[gotyourbach]

[She doesn't answer for a while, which is strange for her. The usually chatty Kaede never lets a message from a friend sit for too long!!

But an hour passes. Then a few more. It's late in the evening when a text finally arrives.]

I think I'm where the Spider Queen is. I can't talk for long... I put the guard to sleep but if I do it too much I think it'll realize what I did.

Is the town ok? I saw somebody put something in the tree. He looked possessed and knocked me out somehow when he noticed me.

12/25

[ryuji]

[After spreading some holiday cheer, the very last of Ryuji's cane stash is spent on probably the most expensive thing. All at once, too. Woodwork Willy quoted him at "a wheelbarrow full of cane," and he thought he was pulling a fast one over on Ryuji when he said it, but lo and behold, he had dipped into town a few days before everything went to hell, and had a comically large sized hunk of candy cane ore ready to trade. Figures, though, he had nothing else to do out in the wild, not being accepted in town because of his stank, he'd have ample time to collect the requisite cash needed for this.

And then... everything just went to hell in a hand basket. Kaede was kidnapped, Ryuji had no idea of what was going on, and he, along with Dave, Dwer, and Willard, were trying their hardest to figure out a way to crack the snow globe around town. He'd completely forgotten what he commissioned back in New Aspen, but on Candlenights Eve, Woodwork Willy sees that familiar streak of blond and approaches him immediately. Ryuji's eyes light up.

So, on the morning that Kaede awakens, wherever she is- out in a bedroll, or staying in a room somewhere, he's packaged up something for her that he figures isn't an easy find around Faerun. A bit primitive, and requires wind up, but it keeps almost perfect time. Outside the box, a wooden ornament that's shaped like a violin (sorry, he tried a piano but that shit just wasn't happening with his lackluster woodworking skills), is hung along the side and dangles down in place of a tag. There's a small note, too.]

Happy Candlenights.

I figured you could use some of the most holiday cheer, considerin' everything that went down. Yeah, everybody knows. It's pretty much what everyone in town's talkin' about, and even though they didn't know your name, it was pretty easy to guess from the descrip.

Anyway, this thing here's called a metrognome and you gotta call it that or else it ain't right. See what I did there? Willy put a tiny metal gnome on the top, just like I asked 'em too. He didn't think it was funny? But it's pretty goddamn hilarious.

Hoping you have a good holiday, Kaede. Keep warm and see you Bach at base.

Yours,
A fellow blondie

[gotyourbach]

[Kaede didn't have a very restful sleep. She's almost gotten used to waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat from nightmares about the Academy, almost accepted it as part of her nightly routine. She'd thought maybe she was tired enough from the whole rescue, the hike back, everything she'd busied herself with all day, that maybe she could have a respite from the nightmares.

Not quite. Just new ones.

But when she wakes up, rolling over with a sigh to see a gift sitting next to her, she almost doesn't understand what it is at first. Even after opening it, it takes her a while to figure out where it could have come from. She doesn't know that many blonds, after all!

Fortunately Akechi recognized the handwriting and was able to point her in the right direction. Then a mad scramble to try to find something to give him in exchange, because she doesn't need to be a woodworker to know that something this mechanically complex (for this weird fantasy time period) couldn't have been cheap. If things had been like normal, she could have gotten him a proper gift. If she'd had more time...

It feels like she'd missed out on a lot, being locked in her cell.]

Sakamoto-kun!!

[She finally does track him down after they've all returned to base, trying to wave him down. Wave him down, then wrap him in a tight hug. She doesn't usually hug boys very often, but with the gift of metro(g)nome, Ryuji's joined that group.]

morning of the 26th

[bu773rfly]

[There's a present for Kaede sitting outside her door! It's wrapped in blue paper....also it says "From Erika" on it so the sender is kind of obvious.

It contains a pair of fuzzy slippers shaped like little penguins with bowties.]

un: mrbellucci

[protegge]

hey so uhh
just a hunch but is your door all fucked up and weird now

[gotyourbach]

It's not my door, it's one of the walls in my room... ━(◯Δ◯∥)━ン It's dark green and says ummmm

Spatial count: 34, 35

Do you think it's another malfunction like when we couldn't get into our rooms? （・□・；）

one day before....dance

[bu773rfly]

Kaede are you awake?

[it is four in the afternoon.]

[gotyourbach]

I don't usually nap this late in the afternoon... (´〜｀*) zzz
What's up??

[Also wait since when is she just "Kaede"???]

its 3/14 b

[oculusriffs]

[and when you give a god of time a time frame, as much as he may complain about the fact, he won't forget it.]

[so at the door to Kaede's room is a small bag of chocolates and a embarrassingly stupid note written in that patented #e00707 ink.]

hey
did i do this right
like the extended valentines day thing but its dudes only for some reason
not to shit on your customs or anything
i guess im just used to consolidating chocolate holidays
anyway
i know exactly jackshit about your story and thats pretty mutual in my direction too
but if ive learned anything over the past four years its that good music is a universal constant
not always a lot of people to share that with you know
so thanks for being all about that thing weve definitely got in common
the piano lessons are pretty damn cool too

happy guysentines day

[gotyourbach]

Dave-kun!!

[They live on the same floor, so instead of texting him like a civilized person, Kaede's just going to head on over and knock on his door like some kind of pre-internet-society barbarian.

If he's not there, then she'll text him.]

Whenever things are calm enough on or after White Day

[despairing_hope]

[No matter what Komaeda tried to do what was 'proper' even if it didn't look like it to observers. He was given Obligation Chocolate, so he would give a White Day gift.

Though, what did you give someone for White Day exactly? A white Ribbon? White Chocolate? Marshmallows?

In the end he simply found sheet music that seemed to be something that could be played on a piano. The pages were white, so it counted, right? And it was for piano, and piano keys had white.

Perfect!]

Akamatsu san?

[He knocked on her door to see if she was there.]

[gotyourbach]

[She sure is! She's actually just putting some sheet music into her backpack when she hears the knock, shrugging her backpack on over her Balance Academy school uniform and opening the door.]

Oh, Komaeda-san! What's up?

[She knows what day it is, but she's pretty sure she told everybody they didn't have to get her anything?? Jeeeeeez.]

3/14 White Day

[napstar]

[ Vista Virs is a wreck and Minato's been spending his time helping with the clean up and consoling the residents to the best of his abilities. Out of the corner of his eye he spots Kaede. There she is! He has a gift for her. Now is a good time to take a break.

Unlike Kaede, he doesn't materialize out of thin air in front of her. His approach is out in the open and clearly visible. He's a bit sweaty thanks to the desert heat as he stops a few feet away. He holds a small white bag out to her that has unfortunately gotten some sand or dirt stuck to it. ]

Ah. Happy White Day.

[ ... He hopes that isn't inappropriate, given the circumstances. ]

[gotyourbach]

[Kaede's exhausted. There's dirt on her face, in her hair, under her short-trimmed fingernails. It feels like an eternity ago that she was able to relax in the Succulent and listen to Stylosa talk about music. As it is, all Kaede can try to do is run errands for the healers, lend a hand through Bardic Inspiration or Message.

It's hard not to feel useless like this, when she can't held physically rebuild anything.

So seeing Minato approaching brings a genuine smile to her face. If she can't do much for the people of the town, at least maybe she can help cheer up her friends? Though the smile quickly turns to confusion at the offer, then a pout.]

Aaah, jeez, Arisato-kun... you didn't have to get me anything, you know!

[She's pouting, but she still takes it... cupping it carefully in both hands. Her cheeks are a little pink as she looks down at the unexpected gesture.]

Umm... thank you.

During the corporate retreat

[napstar]

[ Sometime during the camping trip, Kaede will find a piece of paper neatly folded on her top bunk bed with

To: Akamatsu-senpai
From: bottom bunk mate

written on the outside. Inside is a poem that Minato showed Sayori while he was in the clinic on the moonbase. He brought it with him to the camp show Kaede but ultimately decided that handing it to her in person was awkward so he left it on her bunk bed. It reads:

The sound of rushing wind
The engulfing pain of impact
We haven't met yet
But I can imagine it
The ground is above me
And she's below my feet
And I remember my choice
For soft fur
For a mischievous mate
For the smile she brings to everyone's face
Paddling in the air
Trying to catch me
She doesn't know it
But I'll see her again
I smile at her
And meet the ground

Sorry for the mess
]

text;

[gotyourbach]

[Kaede comes back to the bard cabin, snapping her fingers to Prestidigitize her clothes clean from paint. For a second, it feels almost like a movie, her heart quickening at the sight of a note on her bed. Isn't that like, a theme of an overnight camp? Confessions and stuff like that?

Without any hesitation she climbs up to her bunk and grabs the note. It doesn't take any detective work to know who it's from, even without opening it; there's no one else on the whole moon who calls her senpai. She's not really sure what to think!!

The tone is the absolute opposite of what she expected. Her face falls as soon as she starts reading, heart sinking low into her stomach. Again, it doesn't take any fun trial minigames to figure out what this is about.

She reads it again, feeling tears welling in her eyes. And a third time, wondering why he left it here addressed to her, wondering what he's thinking right now. She has to wipe her eyes quickly, afraid that one of the other bards might come in any second.

What's she supposed to do?]

Hey
Do you have some time to hang out with me?
I can come meet you

8/14 event

[balancenpc]

Kaede is heading down to the Chamber of the Voidfish, and in Lucretia's absence, Lucas has had to tend to the various needs of the Bureau of Balance in her stead. He's not exactly doing the most amazing job of it, simply going on instructions that were left to him- when the SHSL happens upon the scientist arguing back and forth with Johann.

Lucas: We don’t know anything about this, we don’t know anything about this creature and we’re putting all of our faith into it?! What if it, what-- wait, we don’t know its life expectancy, what if it just dies of old age? What would we be then?

Lucas: What if this thing reproduces asexually and-and… y’know, pops out a kid that makes us forget its own existence? Then we’d be sunk! You gotta let me-

Johann: No can do little science dude, I know the big boss is kinda out of town and stuff, but she gave me express orders not to let you do the thing you wanna do. And no offense, I don't like, think you're particularly good at taking care of living creatures, yeah?

Lucas: I’m just gonna go above your head there, Johann, and- and go see the Director about this when she returns, because I’m not gonna rest easy until we know how this thing operates, until we know more about it, because we-- I don’t feel comfortable putting the fate of the entire--

Kaede, Johann, or Lucas doesn't get a chance to respond as the Voidfish screams out one loud, bellowing, gut wrenching sound- as it tapers into a long, steady note. It's the most that it's ever communicated back with anyone on base, and rightly so, Johann is completely thrown off guard.

The next sound comes, a few steps higher in pitch. Johann reaches for his violin, and as the third note blares, the same as the second one, Johann begins playing back.

And this is the result.

The room goes deafeningly quiet as Johann performs this back in a fever pitch, but seems to have no control over his own body when he does so. It lasts like a trance, until he realizes what he's doing and stops playing.

Johann: Whoa, I've like... never seen that happen before.

Lucas: I think... I think we've made it angry?

Johann: I just... uh.

Lucas: Okay, everyone out, we're shutting down Voidfish visits today. It looks like we're putting a lot of stress on it. I'm- er? I'm sorry.

Johann: What just happened?

Try as he might, Johann can't remember the song he just played for the Voidfish, just moments ago. It's almost like it's completely gone from memory.

But you remember it nonetheless.

[gotyourbach]

[All Kaede wanted to do was pester Johann into teaching her some Sick Violin Tricks to impress her friends with, and improve her bard skills. Instead, she gets treated to a howling Voidfish and an incredibly feverish performance. To her eye, it looks like Johann can't control it; like being possessed by the music.]

Wha-- hey!! Miller-san!

[Kaede's hands are firmly on her hips as she moves to stand right in his way. She supports him, she really does, but she is also a bully herself, especially in pursuit of answers.]

You can't make me leave until you explain what's going on! Johann-san, are you okay?!

Wonderland, when she views the recording

[napstar]

[ There's suddenly a knife inside him -- but not him. It's in someone else, behind him and to the left. Kaede. His hands dig into the cheap wooden toy he just won, concentrating on the feeling. The pain doesn't last long, but a moment later he registers her distress -- fear, confusion -- and she's not okay. He's moving, running full speed.

They knew this place was dangerous and they've been very lucky to avoid the worst of it so far, but now something's happening to Kaede and they made an Oath. Kaede got on her knee and made him a promise, and asked for his own promise in return. And though he answered in his typical manner, a nod and a "Yeah," he did take it seriously. Though he's sure she imagined it would be her running to his aid first.

He's out of the park, in Shadowdale, drawing his Evoker out from habit. He sees her walking away from the bakery, apparently uninjured. He slows down as he gets closer, looking all around them. He doesn't see anything or anyone suspicious around, so he goes up to her. ]

Hey.

[gotyourbach]

Huh?

[Even with her Oath letting her know Minato's general location at all times, she still looks surprised to see him. Her face is pale, her hands are shaking, and even if she's not visibly, physically injured, she looks like she's about to break into tears.]

O-Oh... Arisato-kun. [Was he running? She's trying to take all the thoughts in her head and piece them together, but overriding them all is concern for her friend. He has his Evoker drawn, after all.]

Are you okay? What's wrong?

october, sometime during the interlude, at least a week after wonderland

[slieght]

[When Kokichi had first arrived and met Kaede's friend Erika, he'd been introduced to her familiar first. Her familiar which was a ginormous butterfly. A ginormous butterfly which Kaede was all too happy to push closer and closer to him, despite obviously picking up on his fear. Sure, it was just teasing, but there are just some things that Kokichi can't let go of easily.

And so it was time for revenge.

After things had settled down from Wonderland, and people had time to relax and recuperate (because he's not that cruel and understood that Kaede and her roommate both probably needed time to process All Of That), he made his way to her room in the middle of the night. Carefully, as quietly as he could manage - which was hard to judge but he felt pretty confident! - he picked open the lock on their apartment and opened the door. Creeping in, closing the door again behind him, he glances around the den area first. With nobody there and, therefor, Kaede surely asleep, he creeps his way to the bedroom next.

He peeks his head in, looking between the two beds to figure out which is which (pausing on Minato's because...he hasn't met him yet, and for a hot second he thought that was Shuichi), before making his way into the room and then up and onto the wall and ceiling. Just gonna...crawl along that until he's hovering over Kaede's bed, a cloth bag in hand. No big deal.]

[napstar]

[ Maybe it was an errant shift of Kokichi's bag, or a breath breathed too heavily, or perhaps even the initial click of the door unlocking that did it. Either way, Minato's woken up from his slumber, which is the only way he realizes he even fell asleep in the first place. And he didn't even make it through the whole night. God damn it. Insomnia sucks.

He lies around for a little bit but fails to immediately fall back asleep. Figures. He's going to be awake for the rest of the night now. An heavy exaggerated sigh later, he opens his eyes and glances around the room--

................

What is that.

Please start saying cryptic things about death he really doesn't want this to be real right now. ]

Like the start of the interlude or something-

[rockymountaindie]

[ Alex has had a busy few weeks. He meant to ask about this sooner, but you know. Dying takes it out of a person. So, presumably out of nowhere: ]

SHSL
Is that really a thing where you come from?

[gotyourbach]

You mean Super High School Level? (ﾉ)・´ω・(ヾ)?
It's a really big deal where I'm from, yeah...
Why?

candlenights interlude

[korekara]

[ BEEP BEEP. Check your Bracer, Kaede, it's Santa on the line.








Just kidding, it's Honoka. ]

KAEDECHAAAAAANNNNNN
r u in your room rn??
i've got something for u! lmk where you are ok??

[ You can tell she's in a hurry because she didn't even add any kaomojis. Astounding. ]

[gotyourbach]

HONOKA-SAAAAAN!!!
I'm in the music room haha ♪♪(o*゜∇゜)o～♪♪

Wait hang on I'll head back!!
I have something for you, too!!
Meet me there ok???

on the 25th

[ribticklers]

[Kaede will find a tape recorder in front of her door. When played, she can hear a monster song, played on trombone--so something Kaede is guaranteed not to have heard before. It's played simply, such that someone like Kaede would be guaranteed to be able to figure out how to play it herself.]

video;

[gotyourbach]

Oh!

[Truthfully, Kaede almost steps on the tape recorder before realizing it's there; once she actually recognizes it for what it is, she retreats back inside to give it a proper listen.

And then listens again with the delight of a big nerd learning a brand new song. She taps her fingers against the desk, closes her eyes, bobs her head along gently to the melody. Trombone isn't exactly her favorite instrument -- it's not usually the one that's given a solo in an orchestra, after all! -- but every instrument is important to lift the whole concert.

She doesn't have a lot of time, there's still a lot to be done for Candlenights, but she rushes to the music room with a few notes and the tape recorder in hand so she can practice at the piano a few times. Maybe an hour later, Sans gets a call. Whether he answers it immediately or lets it go to voicemail, he'll get a recording of Kaede playing the same song he'd given her, but with a little extra flair to make it distinctively hers.]

25th!

[petsthedog]

[Once Shinjiro actually resigned himself to doing the Gifts Thing, Kaede was one of the easier of his friends to shop for. It helps when you have One Highly Visible Passion, and after some back and forth with Garfield, finally manages to find a wind-up music box that plays songs that just so happen to sound very similar to Beethoven and Chopin and Bach. There are some Faerunian plagiarists out here, clearly -- or there are just some intense planar coincidences going on, at least.

It's wrapped up neatly in sparkly wrapping paper, with a standard holiday card tucked into it that has a cute little rabbit with a santa hat on the front and a very simple "happy candlenights" message on it -- which he meant to leave at Kaede's door and promptly skeddaddle, but fate does not care for the best-laid plans of mice and men.

That is to say, just as he reaches the door, aiming to set the box down .... well, the door itself opens up. And perhaps embarrassingly, Shinjiro's first instinct is to. hide the box behind his back. Can I get an f in chat.]

H-...hey.

[gotyourbach]

Oh!

[Opening her door and finding her way blocked by a certain trenchcoat-wearing boy who most certainly outweighs her is startling to say the least. She blinks at his chin, then takes a step back to allow for more appropriate personal space.]

Aragaki-kun! Are you looking for Minato-kun?

[He's very clearly hiding something. A present for his leader, no doubt! She presses a hand to her heart, clearly touched.]

I'll go get him for you!

25th

[hxppythxughts]

[A messily-wrapped box, with Kaede's name written directly on the colorful paper. There's a handmade card on top, decorated with stickers and doodles of wintry images like snow, gingerbread men, etc. It's not properly signed, but the signature isn't necessary. On one side of the interior:]

Tall green trees in lights twinkling bright,
Sparkling strands of tinsel and snow pure white,
The smell of hot cocoa and apple cider too,
A very merry Candlenights, from Sayori to you!
[And then on the other side:]

Remember when we talked about Candlenights after Maru? I've been thinking about it a lot. It's not the way I imagined, but it seems like people are still having a good time, aren't they? Even though things went the way they did, I'm really happy I get to spend it with you and all the other wonderful people I've met here!

[Inside the box is a rapier care set consisting of light mineral oil and a metal polishing kit, pajama pants in a soft pink with white pattern, and a brooch. The sheet music protected beneath the glass is familiar to Kaede, but it's probably more planar coincidence.]

[gotyourbach]

Sayori-saaaaan!!

[Kaede isn't much for leaving gifts. She's been incredibly busy running around between the moon base and New New Aspen, making sure she's gotten to give her gifts personally. It's exhausting, but seeing the smiles on people's faces makes it all worth it. At least, that's what she tells herself. Her feet are starting to hurt from all this running around!

Close to one of the food tables is where Kaede finally spots Sayori, and she makes a beeline toward the other girl, shrugging off her backpack on the way.]

Sayori-san, I got your present! I love it, it's so thoughtful!! I have something for you, you'll let me give it to you now, right?

[She's already reaching right into her backpack. It's Santa time.]

Morning on the 25th/un: kinghorse; late evening on the 25th

[slieght]

[When Kaede wakes up on the day of the 25th, she'll find a simple paper wrapped gift on the foot of her bed. Because of course Kokichi snuck in to leave it there. There are simple doodles all over the brown paper of her and their friends from home, dressed up for Candlenights, and a card taped to the top.

The card is handmade, folded paper with a Candlenights tree doodled on the front and a picture of her using magic on the inside, along with a message.

This is kind of weird, but Candlenights you're supposed to give friends gifts, right? If you make this weird I will have to send one of my many trained assassins after you, just so you know.

The next few lines are heavily scribbled out, like he kept trying to write something but didn't like how it was coming out or changed his mind, before the message continues.

Thanks for being my friend, even with how I am.

- Oma

The gift itself is a necklace with a music bar in the middle attached to a delicate silver chain. There's a few different bottles of nail polish in various pinks, as well as a pair of leather gloves with furred cuffs. It's a thicker material, meant to help protect her hands some.

There's also a kazoo.

(In the kitchen is a box of cookies and chocolates plus a bag of fancy ground coffee, and a note addressed to Minato. Apparently it's a peace offering for always sneaking in.]


[Much, much later in the evening, Kaede gets a text:

Akamatsu-chan you're friends with Sayori-chan, right???
What kind of stuff does she like?
Clearly she likes poetry but like what else?
I need to get her a present.

[gotyourbach]

You know you can just leave presents outside people's rooms instead of breaking in!!! <(-3-)^#>

Anyway, I have to give you a present, too! Where are you?

[She's wandering around New New Aspen with her backpack full of gifts like a veritable Santa-san, but she can head back to the moon base if necessary!! She is pouting at her bracer, though.]

Sayori-san's, like, a typical girl, idk!
I got her a memory journal so she can doodle and write more poems and write down stuff she likes...
I don't think you can go wrong with anything personalized that has to do with what she likes, after all!!
Maybe you could write her a poem!

present!

[feytality]

[ kaede will find a music note shaped 'happiness' omamori blessed by mia and maya, a piano shaped ornament, and a card from maya wishing her happy candlenights! the card is full of doodles of kaede in various poses, such as: playing the piano, saving the seal with minato in lyrabar, and doing heroic paladin poses. it also details how strong and talented and tough and pretty maya thinks kaede is, and how inspiring she is. the card wishes her happiness and safety. ]

25th.

[protegge]

[Happy Candlenights! Kaede receives: A music box that plays a beautiful tune when opened. More musical note hair clips.]

[gotyourbach]

[Where did he get... Macarena box...

Mista gets a nice warm cloak and a knitted hat from New New Aspen! It might be a dig at his fashion sense, but also she genuinely hopes he'll wear it.]

26th.

[rockymountaindie]

[ A day late, there's a wrapped gift for Kaede. It's a little purple and gold music box, simple in design, which opens to a...horse? You get the feeling this was just kind of put together with whatever animal inside. And whatever song?

This was the only one I could find. I'm so sorry. If Garfield won't let you return it, tell him he can have more of my blood.

- Alex ]

[gotyourbach]

Alex-kun!! That was a joke, right? ヽ ( ꒪д꒪ )ﾉ
Did you give that horrible cat blood for this?!!

Also what kind of monster would return a gift?! I love it! It's so cute!