saint valentine's

[fixtures]

Username/Display Name: un: headmaid, dn: Giselle
Server Channel: #general
Time: Early evening

Dear fellow guests,

Have you heard of the holiday "Saint Valentine's Day?"

With the turn of the month, the upcoming date is on my mind. Preparations for any formal celebrations of the holiday at the mansion typically begin around this time.

In any case, for those who are unaware, allow me to share the tradition with you: Saint Valentine's Day is a celebrated time of romance, taking place on the 14th day of February — a tradition which dates back many centuries.

Some say the date marks the beginning of birds' mating season, explaining its romantic association, while others connect the day with the assumed date of the execution of Saint Valentine, who, in legend, married young lovers in secret, despite the church's outlawing of the practice. Quite the tragedy...

On this day, it is common for lovers and friends alike to exchange written cards, poems, flowers and sweets as tokens of their affection.

I suppose I am curious which of these gifts you would most prefer to receive. A card filled with heartwarming feelings? The soothing aroma of a bouquet? A satisfying treat?

Or, perhaps, there is something different altogether which would lighten your spirit on Saint Valentine's. Hehe... would you enlighten me?

Best regards,
Giselle

Comments

un: nanami.k

[nonexempt]

The card with my partner's feelings written out appeals the most to me.

[fixtures]

Such a gift suits you. We are of the same mind, hehe.

I should like to hold something they have held, and carry it with me for a long time. That is not so easy to do, with flowers or sweets.

[nonexempt]

Thank you. It suits you as well, for exactly the reason you described. Being able to cherish their heartfelt emotions in some form and be able to refer back to it at a later date, it would really make me happy.

[fixtures]

[ nanami is a man of TASTE.... he gets it. ]

It would soothe my spirit, were I able to refer to it when we were apart. I am glad you understand such a sentiment...

But, did you know that such cards are often hand crafted — decorated with lace, ribbons, and the like?
I suppose you have not had the opportunity to receive one, given our prior discussion of flowers, but I do wonder if you would find such a thing garish, or endearing.

[nonexempt]

[ he gets it!!! ]

A hand-crafted card? In my time, usually cards are bought at shops and given like that. Going further to make one yourself usually requires significant effort and is thought to be an even more sincere expression of feeling.

To answer your question though, while I might typically find something like that off-putting, if it came from someone I cherished I would likely be very fond of it. My aesthetics aren't so inflexible to find something made with care something to be turned off by.

[fixtures]

Then, you are the kind of man who can appreciate anything your lover gives you, so long as there is effort expressed.

There are plenty who do not feel the same way.

[ which is just more proof that nanami would be well liked by others enough to receive flowers, were he living in a courting world... but anyways ]

I assume a written card is also the most likely gift for you to give to another?

[nonexempt]

It is a shame to hear that. The effort involved is part of how romantic the act is in general.

[ MAYBE ONE DAY... HE WILL BE PROPERLY COURTED? maybe? ]

It is. Maybe less lace and ribbons but still, heartfelt words nevertheless.

[fixtures]

Oh, are you not fond of crafts, like drawing? Hehe...

[ just kidding, he absolutely doesn't seem like the type that would fuss around with delicately decorating a card. ]

I jest. It is the contents of the card that matter most, yes.
But personally, I should like such a card to be elegant and beautiful, assuming the necessary materials to do so are available to me.

[nonexempt]

It's not something I'm good at, no.

But I wouldn't be surprised if you were. You seem like someone who would be good at things requiring an elegant touch. I bet any card you would make would be lovely.

[fixtures]

A maid should leave everything she touches more elegant and beautiful than when she came across it.
I appreciate your generous compliment.

Still, I have not fashioned such a card before, despite my experience decorating other things.
You mentioned that these cards are produced by shops, in your time?

[nonexempt]

Understandable. If you had no purpose to, why would you?

But yes, cards can be found in shops in my time. Usually they have clever writing on the front and insides and you can add your own commentary from there. They're fairly plain, no lace or ribbons, but that's the standard.

[fixtures]

I see.
I will have to see if the hotel carries them. I cannot help but be curious...

Are there any other traditions common in your homeland?
Many have mentioned making chocolates — though that is a decadence reserved for the very wealthy, in the 18th century.
It seems to be available here at this hotel in abundance though, hehe.

[nonexempt]

Making chocolates is what I was going to bring up. A usual tradition is for girls to make chocolates for boys on Valentine's day. Of course, it's become less gendered over time. Now it's more the person who has feelings making chocolates for those who they want to receive their feelings instead. Then those actions are reciprocated on White Day in March.

Before you ask, White Day is a holiday about reciprocation. I'm not sure the origins of it, unfortunately, but it's held on March 14th — one month after Valentine's Day. It's a tradition in Japan, for the most part. Because Valentine's Day used to be about girls giving boys gifts, White Day is the reversed where boys give girls gifts instead, mostly to reciprocate the feelings shown to them on Valentine's Day.

As for making chocolate itself, I've never done it but it might be a fun thing to do here if you have the time.

[fixtures]

Oh, I see. What a lovely tradition. It is a shame they do not have it in the countries I have lived in.
In my time, it is not common for men and boys to make sweets, nor be in the kitchen much at all.
Such tasks are the work of wives and servants.
So, how heartwarming it must be, to receive a gift in return on that day...

Though I am surprised to hear that you do not yet know the practice, given the widespread nature of the holiday.
I suppose you did say you did not much experience relationships like those...

[ allegedly...... which she's still not 100% convinced of. ]

So, it would be my pleasure to teach you, if you wish to learn.
Perhaps, then, you may apply this skill in the White Days to come, hehe.
Call upon me as you wish — I have plenty of time, my dear.

[nonexempt]

[ maid-chan please, your faith in his wooing abilities is admirable ]

Huh. I think I do wish to learn, so I would be grateful for your help in making some chocolates. My time is quite open as well so how about I call upon you sometime in the upcoming days and see if you're free then to teach me?