Solo or RP Format Counts as 5 RP growth Points Solo word minimum is 750, RP post minimum is 7
Tis the season for gift giving, a sense of celebration as the year comes to an end. You get all the gifts you expect, and give some out as well. However, a strange, unmarked gift has arrived. You have no idea who sent it, or what it might be. Is it something from an admirer, or possibly a bit more sinister?
[ Your character receives an unexpected gift. Feel free to answer this prompt exploring the thoughts around such thing, the suspicion or confusion, maybe even resolving it with finding out who the gift giver was. Maybe it's someone you know, but it's a surprise. Maybe it's a mistake. The only way to find out is to open the present. ]
It was rare that all four of their children were out - either with friends or family - and Aurick was about to take full advantage of it. He'd slipped out of the bakery a few hours early to make it home before his wife and surprise her with a romantic dinner. He supposed he could have grabbed a few tickets to a show in town, but he was far too selfish to share her. It had been so long since he'd gotten to spend time with Harika, his wife, and not Harika, the mother and designer extraordinaire, that he'd dove into work.
Flower petals lined the candle lit foyer and led the way into the kitchen, which had been appropriately decorated for an intimate evening. Aurick didn't quite have her knack for design, but he hoped the meal would make up for it. Aurick had prepped a light, seasonal salad with chicken and fresh berries that paired well with the seasoned vegetable dish he'd created. All of which had been displayed on pretty little plates with pretty little napkins by his large, calloused hands.
He just hoped making the tarts into hearts wasn't too much.
Sabra Knight
Posted: Sat May 31, 2025 2:42 pm
Painted Moose
The Belrean streets were abuzz as usual. Harika smiled and nodded her greetings to familiar neighbors as she walked around the corner that led towards home. There was part of her that was abuzz to just enjoy a peaceful evening at home since it seemed that most if not all of her children would be out until later if not staying overnight elsewhere, and another part of her was simply ready to crash after another busy day. It was nearing the season for another play to release in the entertainment district and Harika was once more in charge of designing most of the costumes, the hybrid woman having spent more of her time in her workshop and at the theater than anywhere else as of late. So needless to say she was more than eager to retire slightly earlier than usual and hang up the last of the dresses before making the walk back to the little townhouse that her family had worked on together over the years.
Still, not even she had been expecting any type of surprises today. Harika let out a little gasp of awe as she opened the door, her skirts swishing about her ankles as she looked this way and that as she spotted the candle lit foyer and the flickering lights that continued down the hallway. I'm in the correct house, right? She joked silently to herself before daring to call out. "Aurick?" Harika's voice echoed quietly through the halls as she took another step forward and closed the door behind her. What was all this?
[Harika 1]
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Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 8:13 am
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Oh! How had he not heard the door?! Aurick quickly dried off his hands and stuff the towel into a far corner, even going as far as to move a jar of flour in front of it. "I'm in the kitchen, love," He called out. Aurick untied his apron and lifted it over his head before setting it to the side as well. Bits of flour clung to his trousers and even after batting them away the stain seemed to cling, which...only complimented the bit of tart juice that had apparently latched onto his sleeve.
For the most part he looked put together and Aurick just hoped that counted.
The baker walked around the decorated table and pulled out a chair, waiting with a smile for his lover to come by. "I hope you've brought an appetite."
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 9:32 am
Painted Moose
"Looks like you've been busy." Harika smiled at Aurick, her gaze bright with happiness at the sight of everything. "I'm not missing a special day, am I?" She teased as she crossed over and settled in the chair, the hybrid managing to sneak in a thankful kiss on his cheek before doing so. Everything smelled delicious and she could easily look over the hints of mess here and there. He had worked so hard so why nitpick at him?
"It is strange though since I found these today as well." She shifted, moving so that she could reach into her satchel and tug out small wrapped boxes. "Did you also order something to be dropped off here?" They were a mystery to her but Harika had picked them up since they were nestled by their front porch this morning. She simply had forgotten about opening them until now since she had such a hectic time working today.
[Harika 2]
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Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 9:48 am
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Aurick, ever careful not to get her wardrobe caught in the chair legs, scooted Harika up to the table. "No, just felt like you could use the break." His smiled warmed at her kiss and before he pulled back he couldn't resist putting one on the top of her head. Now that she was settled he set about getting the main course together on plates, as well as pouring out two glasses of crisp water and an equally chilled wine.
"Hmm? No, I didn't order anything." He sat her plate down in front of her, and took a moment to look at the boxes. "Maybe they're something you forgot about ordering?" Aurick went back for the drinks and only when he was sure she had everything she needed did he take his seat. "Sort of small for supplies, though."
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 3:27 pm
Painted Moose
"Truly?" Harika chuckled softly at the idea of taking a break. "I can't say no, especially since you've worked so hard on this." The sight of everything and just seeing Aurick in general made her stomach flutter with butterflies, even after all these years spent together. Harika was content just watching him work as he prepared everything and poured the drinks, the hybrid resting her head on her hands as her bright gaze kept following him.
But then there was more confusion as Aurick didn't order the boxes. "You didn't?" Harika pursed her lips thoughtfully as she desperately tried to gather any memories about ordering anything through the haze of exhaustion. She did tend to forget things when she was caught up in a flurry of work. Perhaps it was something small she had ordered at a nearby boutique? "Very small." Agreed Harika as she looked back at the boxes. "Do we dare open them to just check out what's inside?" She finally asked, a hint of a mischievous smile crossing her lips as she looked towards her companion.
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Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2025 3:55 pm
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"Of course. What am I here for if not to remind you to sit down and relax once in a while?" Now with everything settled and nice, he too could sit back to relax. Or rather, he might have been able to, if it wasn't for the mystery of this box.
"No, honest." He took a drink from his water glass as he considered and when he looked up his puzzled expression turned into a smile. "You might as well open one; I know it's killing you." Even if there wasn't a devilish look on her face he knew the puzzle would drive her mad. "I doubt it's anything harmful, but maybe open it away from your face just in case?"
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2025 11:34 am
Painted Moose
Harika took a long look at the box before nodding. "Alright, fine." She smiled towards Aurick and took a long sip of wine before going to remove the ribbon that tied the box together. "It's away from the face and here we go..." She slowly opened the lid, angling the box away from them both, and promptly blinked in surprise as she noticed the little earthenware jar nestled inside of some soft material. The symbol was familiar, right? Harika frowned thoughtfully as she pulled the jar out of the box and titled it this way and that.
"Oh!" The realization of what it was made her laugh softly. "I guess the spa I visited decided to send me a gift. Inali and I got trapped there during that really bad storm and helped out the owner a bit." Though the idea behind the jar made her cheeks flush as she peeked back towards Aurick sheepishly. "Looks like they thought I should get some massage oils with this one. Do you think the other box has lotion or something to match?" That would be a nice way to relax, if Aurick wanted to try some of that later together.
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Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2025 5:26 pm
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[5]
"Well that was nice of - OH." At first Aurick had just been impressed that the spa would have sent his wife a gift - after all, some establishments never got beyond a 'thank you'- but then..."You do work long hours; maybe they thought you could...use a little relaxation." But if they just wanted her to unwind they wouldn't have sent them here. They might have offered to have her come back, but this implied....
Curiosity getting the better of him, Aurick reached for the second box and gently tugged the ribbon free. What he found inside was two little vials, each filled with a nearly translucent green vial and a note of- "Instructions?" Aurick pinched his eyebrows and read. "Drink immediately before-" Aurick paused on the word, his eyebrows raising, "-activities to heighten sensitivity. Half bottle for one day; full bottle for two....What kind of spa did you go to?"
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 6:54 am
Painted Moose
"A very interesting one." Harika's cheeks blazed as she listened to Aurick reading the little slip. Out of all things! "But mostly a typical day spa...I just happened to help the owner out with some wardrobe issues while we were stuck there during that huge storm. She heard I couldn't leave the city often because of my projects and maybe thought sending a care package until next time was a good option?" Maybe Harika had rambled a bit too much while drinking some wine and relaxing, but this was definitely something. She had mentioned the idea of loving a large family, but didn't give too many details other than that she had a loving partner and....well, hmm. Harika could have probably melted into the floor by this point. Talking about a surprising gift!
"But we can't let dinner get cold!" She quickly diverted from the topic to focus on what Aurick had prepared. "We should enjoy this and then maybe we can look over those vials more closely if we have enough time for privacy." Harika nodded slowly even as the flush lingered on her cheeks. "I learned some massage techniques too as a thank you for making this wonderful treat for us tonight."
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 8:16 am
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[6]
"A care package," Aurick muttered as he ran a hand through his hair. The carefully coiffed style fell when he lowered it, settling into a more tousled look. He lifted the package, looking for any sort of official note or seal, but when he found none he set it off to the side. Still within sight - because he was still trying to process someone sending something like that - but away from the dinner table.
"We should have enough time, as long as we don't take the whole vial. We could save some for another night." He lifted his wine glass and saluted her with a smile before taking a sip. If they didn't have the kids to worry about tomorrow he might have been tempted to take the whole thing, but Aurick wouldn't want to traumatize them.
A massage from his charming lover sounded divine, though. Even if it wasn't a private one he would have gone for it. At a certain age a man learned to appreciate not feeling the weight of his years.
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 9:21 am
Painted Moose
The tips of Harika's ears were still warm as she nodded. "Certain things I guess work better at home and not in a more public venue." She acknowledged even as she agreed with Aurick. Her mind was still spiraling from the surprise gift, the oils a nice option to help her use the massage lessons that she had received while the other vials still made her face flame.
"I suppose good timing for a romantic dinner though." Harika joked lightly as she looked around at the little spread once more. "It really looks delicious, Aurick. Thank you for preparing all of this." She managed a smile towards him as she reached to take another sip of wine, the hybrid feeling more amused now that she thought about things. It was a bit embarrassing for someone else to send that to them, but at the same time she was fully comfortable with Aurick so....well, it would be an option for them to enjoy later for certain.
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 11:08 am
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[7]
"You're welcome. I know projects can get stressful, but taking some time to have a meal every once in a while is important too." With the way their lives diverted at times it was hard to make time for just them. Even when they weren't working they were living their lives as parents, which could be just as taxing as being at work. A labor of love, but that didn't leave much room for self care.
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 12:41 pm
Painted Moose
fin
"Mmhmm." Harika agreed as she decided to start on the salad, the hybrid only stopping to casually add an afterthought. "Nothing stopping us from taking some time to enjoy other things every once in a while as well." She managed with a playful grin, Harika going back to her salad as if she hadn't said anything out of the ordinary while enjoying the rest of their dinner together. Truly, she was blessed and she did not want to ever forget that. Nor would she let Aurick off the hook for once again being so sweet to her, most definitely not.
