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

[fixtures]

Of course.
Nothing could replace time spent with your beloved...

However, I am inclined to agree with you. Were it impossible to spend time together, I would much prefer to hold a letter they had penned, so that I may cherish it for a time to come. Being able to see their handwriting, thinking of the time spent in writing it... it would ease my burdens. Were you to pen a poem for the object of your affections, I am certain they would feel the same.

That is not to say the others are not fine gifts, as well.

[netherese]

Of course not! They are all fine gifts in their own right. Such tokens of esteem should always be appreciated for what they represent, and I would be flattered to receive any of the above with such tender sentiment behind them.

I do rather like the permanence of a letter, as well. I have always been a sentimental sort and tend to save such things as a way of preserving fond memories.

[fixtures]

Hehe. We are alike that way, then. I would treasure such a letter like nothing else.

But the idea of simply holding something your loved one has held is a great comfort. Likely, that is where the traditions of exchanging rings, gloves, and kerchiefs comes from.

Have you ever exchanged such items before?

[netherese]

[That's a much more difficult question to answer than she might think, but he does respond after giving it some thought.]

Once upon a time, I had thought myself quite fortunate to receive just such gifts that I was so certain were tokens of that sort of affection. Mere trinkets, in hindsight, meant to pacify, and there was never anything I was able to offer them in return, despite my efforts.

[Treats for a pet, rather than meaningful gifts for a partner. Time and experience have offered him a great deal of perspective.]

I do, however, believe I may have opportunities for such an exchange in the future. What of yourself? Any such tokens that you've come to treasure over the years?

[fixtures]

[ Well... she can't lie, she feels a bit sad, reading that response from Gale — she knows love is never so simple, and that things don't always go as smoothly as Valentine's Day would have everyone believe. Still, he seems so genuine that it's hard to imagine someone stringing him along like he describes. ]

It is a shame to hear that. It was not my intention to bring up anything unpleasant. Please excuse any thoughtlessness on my part.
Instead, I will hope for you to have more pleasant exchanges in the near future, my dear.

As for me...
Unfortunately, I have no such treasures.
All which was my beloved's is long lost to time.
But...
Long ago, I once gifted them a rose — so I consider roses to be a symbol of my feelings.
They are special to me. I treasure them dearly.

[netherese]

It's quite alright, Giselle. Those things are in the past, and I have good reason to look to the future instead of wishing for what once was, which is a greater gift than I can express. You have done me no harm by asking, and I certainly wouldn't consider you to be thoughtless.

I am sorry to hear that you have nothing to remember them by, and even more sorry that you have lost them. Perhaps I ought to apologize for being thoughtless. Your sentiments regarding roses are lovely, however. They are beloved by many, but it would seem they are especially important to you. A reminder that love can remain even when we are apart from those we once shared it with.

[fixtures]

Oh, not at all.
I do not consider you to be thoughtless either, Gale.
It is a truth I have lived with for a long, long time...

[ So, it's not his fault that he didn't know, she means. ]

Though, I am hopeful that we may yet one day reunite. I have never let go of that hope.
Because you are correct — love remains, even when we are apart.
It is not something so easily forgotten.

[netherese]

Hope is quite a powerful thing. I admire you holding onto it as long as you have, and hope you continue to do so.
I hope that this holiday does not leave you feeling worse for wear. May it be a time to honor their memory, instead. I do thank you for bringing it to my attention, as well. Though I've not celebrated it before, I find myself quite fond of the sentiment.