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[recollecters]

Welcome back, users. Looks like we were able to bring you back online and tracked again...here's hoping the layers are settled now, but the readings are off the chart. We're doing our best to stabilize the city for December while we track some of the magical sources we're picking up. It may take us some time though, so please bear with us! We may be working through the holidays, too, if this keeps up. But it's okay. You opened the doors and new routes for us to check. Stay positive, users. December is a special time of the year. What's your favorite holiday tradition? You'd be surprised how thoughts shape things here. Please take care. Joanne Wiseman Technician 2nd class Retrspec Incorporated Characters' display names are the same as whatever they chose last month and are permanently locked in! Newbies may pick a new name for their first use on Retrospec, but whatever they pick will also become permanent. Please feel free to use this post as a network mingle. Every toplevel can be considered a new post, and threadjacking is permitted. No NPC response will be given. As a friendly reminder, you may also claim one of this month's freebie by submitting a thread from this mod post. This thread must be 10 comments from you and submitted before AC closes.

Comments

un: Rean Schwarzer

[motiv8]

I think the best part is watching people open their gifts. Or the feeling right before they do, when you're excited to see how they'll react.

Although... it just occurred to me I'm probably going to miss making cookies with my mother and sister this year. That's a little sad. I'm sure I can ask them to send me some, but it's not really the same.

un: lucille

[interlucere]

right? I'm much happier seeing someone else enjoy something I got them instead of getting something myself

coincidentally is there anything you want Santa Claus to bring you for Christmas? a little elf wants to know :)

[motiv8]

It's the season of giving, after all!

Hm... I'm never any good at actually coming up with Christmas lists, even for family. If you insist, then just... something small you see and think "oh, he'd like that." That's enough for me.

But the same goes to you, you know. Anything in particular?

un: BIG DECK ENERGY

[jurai]

Look at this wholesome response...you're melting my heart, Rean

I used to do a little baking myself back home but uh...

heh

[motiv8]

Big words from someone who called me the Grinch, but I'll take it.

Yeah, I recall reading something about that upstream. Want to explain to me how you made your baked goods OOZE?

[jurai]

Your heart grew three sizes before my eyes. Truly a Christmas miracle

..

I wish I knew to be honest

Pops and I could never get em right. Brownies, cookies...nothin'

[motiv8]

If that's what helps you sleep at night I guess

That's... actually almost incredible. I'm no master baker myself, I just followed the recipes and what I was told to do, but even I haven't screwed anything up that badly.

Yet. Watch, I've just doomed myself.

[jurai]

Heh, well...I should probably do that a little more closely

I guess you really can't measure the amount of chocolate chips with your heart.

But hey, you're probably a lot better than you're giving yourself credit for. If no one's complained yet, you're doing something right

[motiv8]

The amount should probably not be "the whole bag." Step one for you.

Does it really count as "no one complaining" if it was because I had my mom and sister sniping at me the whole time?

un: THE DARK LORD MEOW

[maskreant]

i like that part, too. it's really nice to see their smiles or shocked reactions.

it sounds like you just have to make new traditions.

[motiv8]

Right? It's more precious than any gift, if you ask me.

Guess that's true enough. Not that there's too much room to do that in the dorms, but that just means I'll have to get creative.

...Also, I have several questions regarding your display name, but the first and most important is just "why."

[maskreant]

you can always use our place if you want the warm feel of a big house or something.

my response is also a question. why not?

[motiv8]

I don't have an answer to that followup question so I guess you win there

But hey. Do I get to know the actual NAME of the dark lord meow before I wander into their den of evil?

[maskreant]

1 point for me.

Akira Kurusu. i'm one of Elliot's roommates.

[ HE HAS SEEN YOU SNOOPIN AROUND HIS FRIEND ]

[motiv8]

Oh! Well, that makes it easier, since Elliot was telling me I should come over anyway.

Nice to meet you, Akira.

un: Elliot Craig 🎻

[fiddlestick]

Aww, that's a really nice answer Rean.

You know how to bake?

[motiv8]

Haha, I wouldn't say I KNOW. I just followed the instructions in Mom's cookbooks and did whatever she or my sister told me to do if it wasn't written down. Seemed to work out well enough. Wouldn't have the slightest idea what I was doing on my own, though

[fiddlestick]

Haha, well knowing how to follow a recipe is a huge part of it! Baking can be pretty unforgiving if you get creative.

So is your sister back home?

[motiv8]

Yeah, so my sister drilled into me. "Baking is a science!"

Yeah. Still living with mom and dad last I checked.

[fiddlestick]

Aha, yep! That old saying. A tasty science.

["Last I checked". He'd question but...well, not like his relationship with his family is always stellar so...]

That's nice. Hey, maybe we can bake sometime.

[fabrefactions]

You always bake some cookies yourself this year, and perhaps send it to them as a surprise?

[motiv8]

That's a really good idea, actually. They'd probably be happy to see I'm still keeping up with things like this.

[or hear from you AT ALL, schwarzer, but okay]

[fabrefactions]

I think it is a rather cost effective way of doing Christmas presents, and shows you did more than just wander into a shop and hope for the best.

[ phone home, you disaster. ]

[motiv8]

Yeah. Gifts that come from the heart are always better, it doesn't matter what they cost. Or didn't cost, as the case may be.

Thank you! That certainly takes some of the stress out of gift hunting this year.

[fabrefactions]

And you can personalise them with flavours and decorations, which is nice.

No problem. I should try something like this as well, although my baking skills are somewhat wanting.