[ On the morning of Hilda's birthday, there won't be any waking up early or accidently jostling her into wakefulness before she's ready to wake up. And when she does, there'll be a mug of her favorite tea waiting on her nightstand sitting on a coaster, one of a set enchanted to keep whatever is placed on them at the perfect temperature for drinking without burning one's mouth. A plate with a few of her favorite pastries from a bakery nearby is next to the tea, along with the teapot itself ready for refills for her breakfast.
A bouquet of anemones from Claire's plants growing in their garden supplemented with more of Cadens' own flowers interspersed between the familiar from Fodlan blooms rests on her desk along with two bundles. The first is a luxurious bathrobe slightly oversized and perfect for lounging in. The second is a matching set of plush slippers with considerable cushion - perfect for wearing around on chilly mornings or while enjoying some of her own spa treatments at home.
Possibly predictably, there's also a couple of envelopes. One contains an ornate piece of parchment embossed and detailed with silvers and golds to look like a very expensive ticket. Curiously, however, it's mostly blank aside from having Hilda's name written on it but as for what it's for? That might require a question or two. The other envelope contains a letter in neat script:
Happy Birthday, Hilda—
Another year in Abraxas, and in some ways it feels like I was writing a birthday message for you like this one far more recently than it really was. A lot's happened since then - some of it not so great, but lately it's been anything but that. You're a bright spot in my life, and one I hope shines forever.
In the past year I've watched you take on a multitude of things and created all sorts of projects to further what you want to build, and that's before getting into everything you've been doing with the Hall. You lead with knowledge and ambition even when you insist you don't (and don't think I can't imagine you wrinkling your brows and protesting this even while reading it) and you've inspired so many others to take part in what you do. They believe in you as much as I do, and there's no limit to what you'll accomplish next when you set your mind to it.
That includes whatever we might come up with next, of course, since I'm counting on there being all sorts for which we might have some lost time to make up for. Again I'm fortunate to call you my best friend and now more, and lucky to get to stand by your side.
Here's to another year and all the things you'll do. I look forward to seeing them all.
—Claude.
PS — If you're wondering what the ticket is for, it's for you to choose exactly what you want it to be for whether that's dinner somewhere, a show in any of the cities, or another weekend getaway. Or anything else since that's why it's blank: you name what you want to use it for and consider your wish granted.
PPS — save your lunch hour for me as I've got a plan to take you out somewhere nicer than our usual cafes.
At the promised time he'll return to the loft in time to find Hilda getting ready with a greeting of a kiss on the cheek before seeking out an actual kiss that's equal parts affection and distraction. The distraction's for one less surprise present he has left: enough time to withdraw a necklace from his pocket and to drape it around her neck to fasten it with a grin at her in the mirror. With it might come with an apology for getting a necklace from another jeweler so as to not have her create her own birthday present, but it's the thought that counts. Right? ]
— on february third
A bouquet of anemones from Claire's plants growing in their garden supplemented with more of Cadens' own flowers interspersed between the familiar from Fodlan blooms rests on her desk along with two bundles. The first is a luxurious bathrobe slightly oversized and perfect for lounging in. The second is a matching set of plush slippers with considerable cushion - perfect for wearing around on chilly mornings or while enjoying some of her own spa treatments at home.
Possibly predictably, there's also a couple of envelopes. One contains an ornate piece of parchment embossed and detailed with silvers and golds to look like a very expensive ticket. Curiously, however, it's mostly blank aside from having Hilda's name written on it but as for what it's for? That might require a question or two. The other envelope contains a letter in neat script: At the promised time he'll return to the loft in time to find Hilda getting ready with a greeting of a kiss on the cheek before seeking out an actual kiss that's equal parts affection and distraction. The distraction's for one less surprise present he has left: enough time to withdraw a necklace from his pocket and to drape it around her neck to fasten it with a grin at her in the mirror. With it might come with an apology for getting a necklace from another jeweler so as to not have her create her own birthday present, but it's the thought that counts. Right? ]