#🎕 letters

[garden-of-omegas]

⚜ FIRST MEETING [ARCANA - PRAKRAN ROYALS] ⚜

┌── ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ••✎•• ──────────

characters: nafizah | nazali | navra | nahara | nasmira | natiqa summary: the details of your first meeting with your future mate. warnings: rating: sfw a/n: this took a surprisingly long time to make, mostly because i was vacationing in italy for a short bit in the middle, but here it is! the last of the arcana first meetings! i have no idea why i chose to do this to myself, but i will admit that i have come to adore this batch of characters as i've written them. looking forward to writing more about them in the future.

~🎕

└── ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ••✎•• ──────────

≿━━━━༺❀ nafizah ❀༻━━━━≾

✿ you were a travelling magician, having just arrived in prakra for the first time in your young life. you were researching the terrains and ecosystems of the world with your familiar, a baby alligator named ameena.

✿ you were a silly teen, as was nafizah. all of her siblings hadn't even been born yet, and you were still a fledgling magician just starting your journey.

✿ you were surveying a little pond in the middle of the prakran capital when ameena happened to find a friend, a small turtle that she took a liking to immediately. and no sooner than you managed to get acquainted with him, the prettiest girl you'd ever seen came running, looking for your new friend. nafizah barely noticed you over her relief at finding daarude.

✿ nafizah offered to show you around prakra in thanks for finding daarude. you gladly took up her offer, and you two spent time together for your whole stay. and even after you left, you continued to exchange letters together.

✿ nafizah liked that you didn't mind her sometimes odd behaviour, and that you adored daarude as much as she did. not to mention all your fun ideas that never ended in her boredom. she almost asked you to stay, but couldn't possibly chain down your spirit. you were certain that nafizah was the prettiest person you'd ever met, especially when you managed to get her to pay attention to you. to some extent, her attention was addicting, and you were heartbroken to leave and never feel it again.

≿━━━━༺❀ nazali ❀༻━━━━≾

✿ you were travelling with your new familiar, a spiny mouse named ayman, as a newly minted magician. you'd just started on your long journey, still searching for your own touch with magic and trying to form a bond with ayman.

✿ you were in your late teens, about 18? and nazali was around the same age, still an apprenticing doctor working with older and more experienced people in the field.

✿ you'd gotten your leg hurt while foraging in an ancient forest, and ayman had scampered off a while ago leaving you to try and treat it yourself. you were failing miserably, when ayman came back with help; nazali. upon seeing your injury they started immediately treating you, way better than you could ever hope to have on your own.

✿ nazali helps you get back to civilization, where they take you under their wing for a time. you kept insisting that you were fine, and then subsequently getting more hurt, so nazali was most reluctant to let you eventually leave.

✿ nazali at first just thought you kind of unfortunate, getting hurt like that, but after spending some time with you they became very confused on how you survived on your own. they spent most of their time worried about you. you thought of nazali as your personal guardian angel, appearing out of nothing to help you. even if their nagging sometimes got to you, you couldn't help but appreciate all the worry they showed you. especially the next time you got hurt without them there.

≿━━━━༺❀ navra ❀༻━━━━≾

✿ you were travelling around, setting up booths in different cities to offer your services as a magician and relationship expert, alongside your familiar, a hare named olya. at the time you happened to be doing that in prakra.

✿ you were rather young, barely an adult. navra was a few years younger, still learning about her powers and the world. sometimes even far too curious for her own good.

✿ you were running your booth, giving love readings to people and handing out some charms, when navra stopped at your booth out of curiosity. you weren't aware of her status, and proceeded to tease her while doing her reading, leading to you getting extremely flustered when one of her guards found her and called for her.

✿ navra kept finding your booth during your stay in prakra, no matter where you decided to set up that day. you were absolutely embarrassed still, which navra found extremely endearing and was probably the thing bringing her back.

✿ navra found you to be charming, and cute, and so absolutely delightful while flustered. not to mention her curiosity over your craft and all the little charms you kept around. she really just wanted to spend all her time learning everything about you. you originally thought her to be just cute, someone to flirt with playfully, and after the revelation of her status, you wanted to bury yourself into the ground. but she was still just so charming, and maybe you didn't mind her showing up every day.

≿━━━━༺❀ nahara ❀༻━━━━≾

✿ you were a travelling magician, seeing the sights of the world with your familiar, an alpine marmot named mardi who'd just recently joined your company. you were at the borders of prakra at the time, not even looking to go into the country properly.

✿ you were well into your twenties, a respectable adult by anyone's standards, and nahara, while a few years younger, was already considered respectable in her own right.

✿ you were passing by the border to prakra, whistling a soft tune while mardi explores the nature around you. your whistling seemed to have attracted the border patrol, lead by a beautiful blonde, nahara. they didn't bother you for long, only coming to check the strange noises, but you were already absolutely enamored by the strong woman.

✿ you decided to stop by prakra after all, wanting to see nahara again. every once in a while you'd come across her during your touring, and while originally you'd just admire her from afar eventually she started chatting with you.

✿ nahara thought that you were strange, and far too carefree for a traveller. but your strangeness was refreshing, and seeing you around always managed to brighten up her day, especially once she managed to get the courage to actually talk to you. you thought nahara to be the most beautiful omega and woman, so strong and bright. her presence alone would've been enough to bring you to your knees if you'd been any less weak willed. you wondered how she didn't constantly have someone hounding for her undivided attention.

≿━━━━༺❀ nasmira ❀༻━━━━≾

✿ you were travelling with your familiar, a porcupine named saad, foraging for living to find your ways as a magician. you were staying on the grounds that would eventually become the wildlife refuge and resort.

✿ you were technically still a child, a small fourteen year old with lots of unexplored feelings. nasmira was a fourteen year old with a lot of explored feelings and grand ideas.

✿ you were camping in the woods, setting up your dinner with saad eagerly waiting by your side. nasmira, lured by the smell of the spices and herbs, wanders to your campsite from the rest of her family who are there to see the natural hotsprings. initially bit put off by the sudden visitor, you eventually decide to invite her to eat with you.

✿ she spent the rest of the day with you, until her family finally found the two of you and they left the area. you didn't get to see her much after that, not for a long time at least, but the both of you had fond memories of that day for years to come.

✿ you were a little prickly for nasmira's usual tastes, but after you invited her to sit down she could see that you weren't such a bad person after all. just someone who had all sorts of spikes on the outside, that she was glad to overlook. nasmira was... well, she was bubbly, she was smart, she was a lot of things. and also a lot, especially for someone so used to solitude. but you liked her quite a bit still, even if at the time you thought that you couldn't possibly spend more than a couple of hours with her.

≿━━━━༺❀ natiqa ❀༻━━━━≾

✿ you were running your shop in vesuvia, having settled down a few years prior after meeting asra and company. you still travelled on occasion with your familiar, an armadillo named neymar, but for the most part you were busy upkeeping the shop.

✿ you were well into your twenties, an established member of the vesuvian city-nation. natiqa was just a few years younger than you, not yet in her role as the ambassador and wouldn't be for a few years.

✿ you were asked to help with some of the magical defences at the palace, where natiqa was visiting her sister with some of her other siblings. it was only by change that she happened upon you working, and decided that you were a prime target for a prank. it didn't end up working, but seeing the look on her face made the extra shield spell worth it.

✿ natiqa became determined to prank you in some way during her stay, and would almost constantly follow you around looking for an opportunity. eventually you just started talking to her to pass the time, and by the time she had to leave you were pretty good friends.

✿ natiqa was instantly intrigued by you, especially once she discovered how easily frightened you were in actuality. just because she couldn't manage to traditionally prank you, didn't mean that she couldn't find amusement in your reactions to them. to you, natiqa was... a lot. you enjoyed your peace, and natiqa was the furthest thing from that. but you couldn't not admit how fun it was watching her confuse and befuddle everyone else in the palace, even if you had to constantly keep extra shields around you.

[victoriahazelnut]

☕Daily Productivity Log☕ 36/100

🎕2021-10-14🎕

🌸 8:45AM: Wake up and do morning routine.☀️

🐇 9:10AM: Morning Workout (20 min abs, 10 min glutes)

🌸 9:40AM: Checking Emails and Notifications.💌

🐇 10:00AM: Reading.📕

🌸 11:00AM: Breakfast: Banana Cinnamon Oatmeal and a Thick Vanilla Protein Shake. 🍌

♛ Nutritional Info: 285 kcal, Protein = 26g, Carbs = 34g, Fat = 7g

🌸 12:00PM: Afternoon walk with dog and a walk to the convenient store. 🏪 (I always wonder if the cashiers think I'm strange for only ever buying milk, eggs, and gum.)

🐇 1:30PM: Writing a letter to my past self. ✉️

🌸 2:00PM: Lunch: Garlicky Ham and Spinach Egg Roll-up with Beef Jerky and Green Tea. ☕

♛ Nutritional Info: 253 kcal kcal, Protein = 36g, Carbs = 7g, Fat = 9g.

🌸 3:00PM-3:45PM: Movie Time (The Upside - 2017)🎬

🐇 4:00PM: Writing. 📝

🌸 5:00PM-6:00PM: Dinner: Curried Chicken with Spinach. 🍛

♛ Nutritional Info: 120 kcal, Protein = 30g, Carbs = 2g, Fat = 1g

🌸 7:00PM: Evening Workout (20 min run) and a quick shower afterwards. 🧼

🐇 8:15PM: Evening Snack: Apple Slices, Lactose Free Greek Yogurt and Green Tea. ☕

♛ Nutritional Info: 150 kcal, Protein = 14g, Carbs = 22g, Fat = 1g

🐇 9:00PM: Sims 4. 🏡

🌸 10:00PM: Late night walk with dog. 🌃

🐇 10:30PM: Meal Planning and Watching Project Runway with my (middle) sister. 👗

🌸 11:45PM-12:30PM: Reading and bedtime routine.🌙

[petragreengrass]

self para - January 1, 1979

Death doesn’t discriminate. It takes and it takes and it takes. But we keep living anyway.

December 31, 1998

Petra looked up from her morning coffee as there was a great flutter of feathers at the window. The paper was already delivered, so who... The eagle owl was familiar enough by now that her question was answered instantly, not just to her but to her elder daughter beside her, who had apparently mirrored her gaze.

“Tori! Your boyfriend’s written again!” Daphne yelled.

“He’s not my boyfriend!” Astoria’s words were partially muffled by the bathroom door until it crashed open and her feet thundered down the stairs. The teenager was in her bathrobe, half of her hair still up in curlers. She held her arm out and clicked her tongue, but the owl just blinked at her indignantly. She was sighed deeply and stomped the rest of the way down the stairs. 

She gave the owl one of the treats they kept by the window and then untied the thick letter from its leg. Slightly concerned something might be wrong, Astoria tore into the envelope then and there and started skimming. Her face fell as she read.

Daphne had snuck up behind her to read over her shoulder. “’My Darling’? Salazar, he even writes like a ponce.” At the sight of her sister’s glare, she pretended to faint against Astoria’s back, a hand on her forehead. “I mean, like a romantic, of course. But whether Draco can even get it up without muttering ‘Potter’ under his breath is yet to be se-en!” 

Her voice rose as Astoria threw her sister off her back. “Mum! Make her stop!” Astoria stomped her foot.

Petra quickly disappeared the smile that had spread across her face, watching her daughters. “Daphne, that’s enough. Astoria, what’s the long face for?”

Astoria sighed deeply. “He can’t make it to the party tonight. He’s gone south to spend the New Year with his mother at their sea home. And he says that owls take days to get there and back, so I should just bring Artemis to the train with me.” She gestured to the owl that was still sitting on the sill.

Petra got up from her seat and cupped her youngest daughter’s face in her hands. She kissed her forehead. “You can survive a few days without hearing from him. And you’re not going to spend this party moping, alright?” She raised a stern eyebrow at her. “Go finish your hair, love.” 

▸ 🎕 ┈┈┈┈ 🎕 ┈┈┈┈ 🎕 ◂

The party was a rousing success in spite of Astoria moping in a corner for most of it. All there living family and friends were there, back together and undivided by the lines of war for the first time in half a decade. And yet, those that were missing were felt by all of them. It was the same at every party, she found. There was always someone looking for someone who had fallen, or even just lost in thought imagining someone that was lost long ago. As flutes of champagne were passed out in anticipation of the clock striking midnight, Petra found her husband and slipped into his arms. One of her own arms slipped under his suit coat to hold him tight. “We made it. The four of us made it. That’s the important thing.” They shared a short peck of a kiss at midnight for luck and then pressed their foreheads together, mourning and celebrating together.

▸ 🎕 ┈┈┈┈ 🎕 ┈┈┈┈ 🎕 ◂

January 1st, 1979

Petra rolled over in bed with a groan. She hated the sort of hangovers champagne always gave her. Any sparkling wine, really, but she associated it most with champagne. Her head felt like it had a boulder sitting atop it, and her entire body felt strange, light and achy. “Fuck. Thad, who let us get this wasted in front of the girls?” She didn’t bother waiting for a response, not having really spoken loudly enough to wake him up anyway. She still felt strangely light as she sat up. Maybe she was still drunk? She frowned as she found that her slippers were not by the side of the bed as they normally were. “Did the house elves get into the drink too? Rowena above...”

She shook her head and made her way to the bathroom, looking to brush her teeth and then shower. She froze at the sight of herself in the mirror. Not a grey hair on her head, barely a wrinkle on her face. Desperately, she stripped out of her pajamas and just stared at her own body. Her quidditch body, muscles covered by just enough fat to power them and not an ounce more. She rubbed a hand over her stomach, firm and free of stretch marks and the scar where Astoria had been pulled from her. She looked to her left, and found her quidditch bag, filled with overnight things. She remembered these days. She lived in her little flat in Tutshill within walking distance of the pitch most of the year, only coming to the manor when Thaddeus needed her on his arm for some event. But what was she doing back here? Surely she hadn’t imagined her girls?

“Thaddeus?” She poked her head out. “Thad, wake up. Something’s happened. I think I’m going mad.”

[alwaysgcld]

@jupiterdrcps | early in the morning, possibly in the middle of the night, ben leaves two packages at sofia’s door with a bouquet of violets and primroses laid on top. the smaller of the boxes is a plain white box with sofia’s favorite dessert in it. the second box contains a book, three bookmarks tucked into the front cover of said book, a cd, and a star constellation lamp. a card is slipped underneath the ribbon of the second present.

Sofia, 

After Winter Fest, I thought long and hard on how I could repay you for your wonderful gifts. Especially for such an important day like today. Not quite sure I hit the mark with this, still I hope I’m close enough to replicate the joy you gave me. 

Truthfully the cryptozoology was something I just happened to come across while I was in search for the perfect bookmarks. A lucky find truly since it doesn’t feel right to give bookmarks as a present on their own. I thought you might especially like something with a Stephen King theme to it. The lamp isn’t exactly as spectacular as an actual star, but I thought you might appreciate being able to view the stars from the comfort of your bed on the nights you can’t venture outside to do so. And it even has a setting with your favorite color, which I thought you might like the most. Now the final present is probably the most random of the bunch: the Carbon Leaf cd. I’m not even sure if this is the kind of music you may like, but I recently was going through my cd collection when I came across this particular one and while I was listening to it it reminded me of you. Especially the second and sixth song. I hope it is to your taste, otherwise I owe you one you do actually like.

You said that you were lucky to have me in your life, I just hope you know that I feel the same way about having you in mine. And I truly do mean that, Sofia. You are one of the most thoughtful, kind people I know. You see the world in a way most people don’t and it’s something I admire about you. You are a very dear friend to me and I’ll always be here for you.

I hope your day goes well and that this coming year brings lots of happiness and love into your life. You deserve all of that and more.

Happy birthday!

Sincerely, Ben

[alwaysgcld]

@dcwdrops

Early morning, a box and card is dropped off at Iris’ grandmother’s house. Instead of the heart shaped box, it’s a gold box that has a label of fine italian truffles.

Iris, 

I know it means the world to your grandmother that you’re taking time to fix her old house up and sorting through things for her. I also know that isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do. Hopefully this brightens your day, even if it’s just a little bit. If you need any help, let me know.

- Dr. Park

A whole assortment of boxes was left at the Mercer’s home in the early morning, each one addressed to one of the family members. For Jillian, there is the heart shaped box full of chocolate truffles along with a box of her favorite dessert that Ben has ever made her, all of which is for her and only her which he made note with sticky notes on the boxes. Along with them is a little stuffed bunny, which is the same color as brioche even if the picture isn’t, and a bag of dried strawberries for Brioche.

Jillian,

To my favorite Mercer: May you receive all the love and happiness you deserve. Could you please pass that along to Brioche? Thank you. Seriously though, you do deserve all the happiness and love in the world. Nothing less. Don’t accept anything less. You are worth so much more than the bare minimum, even if you might not think so. Feel free to rub the whole favorite Mercer thing in Stanley’s face.

Sincerely, Ben

Early morning, several boxes are left on the doorstep of Lizzie and Art’s farm. In the heart shaped box addressed to Lizzie is a mix of homemade truffles and her favorite candy. Along with that is a small box with three sets of earrings.

Lizzie, 

Roses are red, Violets are blue. Sugar is sweet, And so are you!

Cheesiness aside, I’m really thankful that you ended up in the Valley and that we got a chance to meet. You are a remarkably vivacious person, and one of the best pool partners I’ve had the fortune of playing with. Happy Valentine’s day!

Sincerely, Ben

[alwaysgcld]

@silvcrlining​

Along with the box of homemade truffles and her favorite cookies, Ben leaves a bag of bird seeds for Fitz at Elaine’s door sometime in the afternoon.

Elaine,

Letting people in is a hard thing to do, but when you let the right people in, they can make your world shine brighter. And you deserve that and much more. Happy Valentine’s day.

Take care,  Ben

Early morning, way before the Valentine’s dance was even being set up, Ben leaves the box filled with homemade truffles & their favorite candy on Finley’s doorstep along with a thin, plain package with a photo album inside.

Finley,

I recall you saying you hated Valentine’s day, which I can understand. I still wanted to get you a little something, even if it’s just to save myself from hearing you complain about everyone else in town getting something and you didn’t. Jokes aside, I cherish our friendship and am lucky you saw me out with Iseul by chance and decided to be my friend. Okay, no more joking. Here’s to making more memories together in the future. If you show up to the dance at the saloon tonight, save me a dance.

Sincerely, Ben

At some point of the day, Ben leaves a box full of homemade truffles and their favorite candy, which hopefully Sloane would be kind enough to provide, at Jemma’s doorstep.

Jemma,

Consider this a sort of late welcome to Stardew Valley. And a small token of gratitude for making the saloon feel a bit less stuffy with your high spirits. As long as you don’t tell Gus I said that, I won’t tell him about the glasses you broke.

- Ben

[alwaysgcld]

@qvietlight / @mateomoreno

The heart shaped box and card addressed to Archie is left on the kitchen counter for her to find in the morning. It is filled with homemade truffles. Along with the box is a mug and a separate letter which is from his cousin Robin, Archie and her podcast number one fan. The letter only touches on how much That’s the Spirit! means to her and her favorite episodes, ending with a note of thanks for Archie for being so authentic and inspiring her.

Archie,

Once again, thank you for reaching out to me about Henry and for looking out for him in general. Don’t worry, I kept my word on not telling him about that. This is just a small token of gratitude. The truffles are vegan, and I hope you enjoy them.

- Ben

Around the same time as when Archie’s gift is dropped off, a heart shaped box full of homemade truffles and his favorite cookies is left outside Henry’s bedroom door. A few seconds later, Ben came back to gather the card and original second gift he had placed with the box before it could be seen, mumbling something to himself in another language. Later in the day he returns, slipping the new card under the door along with a CD. [separate post for mixtape coming later x]

Henry, 

There’s so much I want to say to you but everything becomes a jumbled mess when I try to actually put it into words. It’s especially hard put into words how much you mean to me, so I took a page from your back and made you a playlist. Hopefully it does a better job of expressing how I feel than I can myself.

With love, Ben

Matty’s gift is left in front of his apartment’s door. The heart shaped box is filled with homemade truffles and his favorite candy. Tucked in with the card is a photo of Iseul cuddling with Colin the koala that Matty got her. Along with the box and card is a stuff animal.

Matty,

There’s a lot to admire about you, Matty. I know you might not believe it, but it’s true. You have a big heart. I know that can lead to getting it broken more than most, but it’s not something you should be ashamed of. Nor should you feel ashamed with how freely you show your feelings. Actually, that’s something I kind of envy about you. The right people will treat you with care.

Take care, Doc

[alwaysgcld]

@jupiterdrcps​

The box and card for Arden would be passed along by their father who received one of his own. It has a small selection of homemade truffles but is mostly filled with her childhood favorite cookies.

Arden,

Your father said these were your favorite when you were younger, I hope that you still like them. Welcome to Stardew Valley!

- Dr. Ben Park

Early morning, Ben left the box and card addressed to Kiran outside his door. Two additional packages were delivered to his mother, one for her and the other to Amee. In Kiran's is homemade truffles and his favorite candy. Inside the envelope with the card is a silver ring with the word ‘worthy’ inscribed on the inside.

Kiran

Don’t be afraid to open your heart to others. It’s scary, I know, but you are worthy of love, You deserve happiness. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’m here for you. Always.

Sincerely, Ben

Everyone in the Flores household received a box filled with homemade truffles and their favorite candy. Gabe received an extra box with his favorite dessert in it and Thalia received a stuff animal. Within the card is two matching necklaces for Gabe and Thalia with their respective birth month flowers on the front with a G & T engraved on the back.

Gabe,

No doubt today is going to be your busiest day, like it always is. Thank you for all the hard work you put in spreading love and joy through our community with your flowers. Not just today, but everyday. You put so much effort in it I wanted to make sure to return the gesture with something just as beautiful, hence the necklaces. I know how much Thalia means to you, so this felt like the best way to honor the two of you in. I hope you like them.

Take care, Ben

Two boxes are left on Malia’s doorstep. The smaller, heart shaped box is filled with homemade truffles and her favorite candy and has the card attached to it. The second box is wrapped in plain brown paper and contains a spa day set with a candle of her favorite scent, a tube of dead sea bath salt, a lavender bath bomb, a lavender soap bar, a lavender body butter, & a perfume with her favorite scent.

Malia,

Thank you. For everything you do with helping around the clinic and taking such amazing care of your patients. We’ve talked about this before, how we didn’t go into these jobs for the thanks. But with all that has happened in the last few months, I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you and let you know your hard work does not go unnoticed. You have such a big heart, even if you don’t show it as readily as others. Remember to take a moment for yourself, you deserves as much care as you show everyone else. Most importantly, thank you for being my friend. It’s hard to put into words how much our friendship means to me.

Sincerely, Ben

Ben gives Sofia two heart shaped boxes, one for her and the other for her father. Each is filled with homemade truffles and their preferred candy. In the card attached to hers is a pin.

Sofia,

You are a wonderful person, and I am so thankful to have you as a friend. I imagine the last few weeks have been tough on you, and I want you to know if you ever need anything I am here for you. But most importantly I hope you don’t let any the events that have happen make you lose faith in yourself. And on the days that it feels particularly difficult to do that, just know that I believe in you.

Take care, Ben

[alwaysgcld]

@jvmino

Early morning a box filled with homemade truffles and Anya’s favorite candy is left on her doorstep with a card attached.

Anya, 

You’re one of the sweetest people I know and the valley is truly lucky to have such a vivacious person like you here to brighten everyone’s day. May your day be filled with love and laughter.

Take care, Ben

Early morning several items are left at the doorstep of Art and Lizzie’s farm. The one addressed to Art is filled with homemade truffles and his favorite candy with a card attached. Also with the box is a six pack of hard apple cider.

Art, 

When we first met, I could tell you were a truly kind person. And I still believe that. I hope you enjoy your treats.

Take care, Ben

At some point Ben gives the mayor two boxes full of homemade truffles, one is addressed to Sasha and has a her favorite candy in there as well. In the card attached to it is a guitar pick.

Sasha,

You’re a remarkable woman and I am so glad that we got the chance to meet. I thought you might like this jade guitar pick. It produces a crisp and beautiful sound when you use it. I hope it brings you luck as well. 

Happy Valentine’s day.

Sincerely, Ben

[alwaysgcld]

@sloanepearson

Early afternoon, Ben presents Adria with a heart shaped box full with homemade truffles and her favorite cookies with a card attached to it. Along with this is another plain wrapped box that contains a blanket and candle.

Adria,

You are one of my dearest friends, and I am so immensely lucky and thankful to have you apart of my life. While I wish the circumstances that led you to moving here had been better ones, I am genuinely glad to have you here. It’s hard to put into words exactly, but I know the Pelican Town feels even more like home with you here. I hope that one day it feels like that to you too. At the very least, I hope the blanket and candle help make your office a little more homey.

With Love, Benny

Early morning, Ben leaves a heart shaped box that contains a pouch with a tigers eye dice set in it along with a small bag with a variety of homemade truffles at the Roxas’ household. There is a card attached to it address to Dakota .

Dakota,

This may be out of the blue, but after everything that happened with the mines, I wanted to take today as an opprotunity to give an overdue welcome to the valley. I wasn’t sure if you liked chocolate so I included something that I thought you might like, and at the very least it could be useful for that Dungeons & Dragons game you’re planning on starting.

- Doctor Ben Park

At whatever point of the day that Ben sees Sloane, he presents fae with a heart shaped box half filled with homemade truffles and the other half with faer favorite cookies. In the card attached to it there is a necklace along with several coupons. One for free use of his apartment (shower, kitchen, laundry, etc.) when needed, which can be redeemed repeatedly. The rest are a mix of things like a hug, a day with Iseul, movie night, homemade meal, drinks at the saloon, stargazing, a day in Zuzu city, and of course, anything you want (within reason).

Sloane,

Taking this day as an opportunity to remind you that I adore you and am thankful to have you as a friend. I’ll spare you anymore mushy feelings since your birthday was not too long ago and I went into depth during then. Speaking of your birthday, these coupons were actually supposed to be apart of your gift but I mispaced them until recently. Cheesy, I know, but I thought you might get a kick out of it. The necklace is because I heard garnet activates and strengthens the survival instinct. Here’s hoping that’s true. Kidding! Mostly. It strengthens the survival instinct, bringing courage and hope. Crystals and gems aren’t exactly my area of expertise, but it felt like the right thing to get you. 

Sincerly, Benny

[alwaysgcld]

@silvcrlining | at a time ben is sure elaine is still asleep he leaves two packages outside their door, with a bouquet of violets and primroses left on top of them. the smaller box is filled with a mix of chocolate amaretti and orange ricotta cookies. the larger box contains a leather tool belt, boxing gloves, and a jewelry box he made by hand. within the jewelry box is a necklace. a card is slipped under the ribbon of the larger box.

Elaine, 

Sorry for not giving this to you in person, I just thought you might prefer to open everything without me standing around to watch. The last thing I want to do is make you uncomfortable.

I hope you find everything to your liking, especially the jewelry box and necklace. My woodwork is not nearly as remarkable as yours, but you put so much care and attention in your work I wanted to honor it in a way. The necklace was a lucky find, it’s a vintage opal lavalier from the 1950s. It reminded me of you with it's subtle elegance.

You are an extraordinary person, Elaine, and we are extremely lucky to have you here in Stardew Valley. I hope with this new year we can become better friends. 

Wishing you a day filled with happiness and a year filled with joy. 

Happy birthday!

Sincerely, Ben

[alwaysgcld]

@jvmino​ | two packages are left on art’s doorstep early morning. the first package is a small white box filled with italian rainbow cookies. the second package contains a winter jacket, a sweatshirt, and a retro tackle box that doubles as a seat. a card is slipped under the string of the second box.

Art,

Happy birthday!

I know it’s not much, not even sure if you’re still interested in trying out fishing, but I hope you enjoy everything. Most importantly, I hope you have a wonderful day. 

Ben

[alwaysgcld]

@sloanepearson |  sometime early morning, ben gives sloane three packages with a bouquet of snowdrops with white & pink carnations on ontop of it. a card is slipped underneath the ribbon of the thinniest wrapped gift. within that first gift is a framed antique astronomy print of the constellation draco. in the medium sized box wrapped in stripes is a wooden box that ben made and a brand new deck of tarot cards. in the final and largest box is a sweater, a blanket, and a succulent planter (six succulents included).

Sloane,

Fair warning, this will be heading into a mushy feeling area at some point. I’d say sorry, except I’m not sorry for taking this day to remind you about how much I care and our friendship means to me.

I sincerely hope you enjoy all your gifts. And the design of this card! It was an incredible find if I do say so myself. I’d say it ties with the Draco star chart for the best find. Apparently that chart is from the 1880s, taken from a disbound book. You said it was your favorite constellation back during the camping trip, so I didn’t hesitate to get it for you.

The sweater and blanket are of course to help keep you warm in your van. I know I brought you a blanket back from New York, but this winter seems to be the chillest one we’ve had yet so I thought it best to get you another one. If you find yourself in need of any more blankets or sweaters, I’ll lend you some of mine. Or you’re always more than welcome to stay with Iseul and I. Iseul makes an excellent personal heater during the cold nights.

Now the tarot deck was a spur of the moment kind of purchase. The design and color scheme made me think of you, so I just had to get it for you. I hope you enjoy them along with the wooden box I put them in. Then there is the fun ferris wheel planter. I just thought you might get a kick out of the novel design.

When I was buying the flowers, they made me remember our conversation about the Death Tarot card. Once upon a time, snowdrops had a sort of reputation of being a “bad omen” that would forewarn someone's death just like how most media tries to portray the death card. Now they are widely known to symbolize rebirth and hope. Of course the prospect of sharing the symbolism of rebirth is enough to put one and one together, but I think the same could be said about hope for the two. Snowdrops might be an excellent choice of imagery for the death card with those similarities. No matter what happens to you, never lose hope.

I can’t say that there are any fun tidbits to offer about the carnations though other than the meaning each color holds. White carnations represent good luck, which I wish you an abundance of this year. While pink carnations represent gratitude, which brings me to the part where I express just how immensely thankful I am to have you in my life. I mean it, you are an amazing person and I am so lucky to be able to call you my friend. You have no idea how much comfort our little talks and cups of tea together have brought me. I hope you find as much joy in them as I do.

May this year bring lots of happiness and warmth your way, starting with today. 

Happy birthday, Sloane!

Sincerely, Benny

[alwaysgcld]

@dcwdrops | early morning on january 15th because he would never miss or be late with any of his friend’s birthdays, ben leaves three packages and a bouquet of snowdrops with white & light red carnations with mrs. mercer to pass along to jillian when she got up. there is a card slipped underneath the ribbon of the smallest gift. within the card is a necklace with a charm of a snowdrop engraved on it. the smallest box contains a dried willow wreath and several balls filled with hay and dried strawberries for brioche. the next box contains two sweaters. lastly, the largest box contains a framed vinyl record that has the lyrics of time after time written on it and has the songs information written in on the center of it (cyndi lauper, time after time, 1983).

Jillian,

Happy birthday! I sincerely hope you enjoy your gifts. There’s few treats for Brioche included. I would say I hope you don’t mind that I did that but knowing how much you adore him, I have no doubt that is going to end up being your favorite part.

Typically I’d just sign off with a quick wish for your day to be full of joy and that the year treats you well. After how the past year went though, I hope you don’t mind me taking this opportunity to go a bit more in depth than I have in the previous three years. 

A good place to start would be the flowers. I've never really dived into the meaning behind them in the previous years other than saying they were the birth flowers for January. Obviously that is the main reason I got them for you the first time around. Since then, a deeper meaning has formed with giving them to you, one that I've never mentioned before because I was never sure how you might take it. Truthfully, I'm still not sure of that, but considering how one of your gifts ties into it I have to go through with it regardless of that.

The necklace enclosed in this card has a snowdrop engraved on it as I'm sure you noticed. It's a beautiful flower. Funnily enough during the Victorian era though, snowdrops were bad luck. Sometimes even said to symbolize death which is a stark contrast to what they symbolize nowadays, which is hope and rebirth. Part of the reason I associate them with you beyond them being the January flower is because of that striking difference in meaning. It reminded me of how you seemed to perceive yourself versus how those around you do. I know that coming back to Stardew Valley felt more like a step back rather than one forward, that you barely had an ounce of hope for your future. I'm not sure if you still feel that way, I hope you don't. With the necklace I just wanted you to have something to serve as a permanent reminder that there is always hope. That you are constantly changing and that who you are today is not who you will be tomorrow or in a month, a year, etcetera.  You're not the same person you were when you first came back to Stardew. 

Carnations are a bit more tricky to explain since there's a few different colors and each one holds their own meaning. The white carnation I've given you every year symbolizes good luck. Something I wish sincerely for you this year as usual. This year I did include a new color: red. Specifically light red, and yes that distinction really does matter. Light red carnations symbolize admiration. You’ve come such a long way, and sometimes I worry that you might overlook that progress or dismiss it. We tend to be our worst critics and dismiss our achievements after all. The thing is, it doesn't matter how small or how long it takes, it's still progress.  I am so proud of you, Jillian.

I hope that today is full of joy for you. And that this year is kinder to you than the past few years have been. That the rinascita di Jillian is a smoother journey from now on.

Sincerely, Ben

P.S. To make up for subjecting you to a long and sappy letter, the second round is also on me tonight at the saloon. The first one is already on me since it is your birthday.

[alwaysgcld]

@jupiterdrcps | kiran receives two boxes from ben. in the biggest one there are several bags of kiran’s favorite snacks and a mini hand/wrist foam roller. the second box has a color mixing recipe book, a multi-media sketchbook, and a kintsugi heart art print (instead of the blue botanical design in the heart imagine this instead with the gold lines on it). tucked into the card he also given are a few ‘coupons’ that are similar to the ones ben made for his bus fundraiser basket that guarantee ‘a homemade meal’, ‘a day with iseul’, ‘drinks at the stardrop saloon’, ‘a day in zuzu’. there are at least two of each except for the last one, which is a singular ‘anything you want (within reason)’. 

Kiran,  I know it’s not much but I hope you like everything. Especially the art print, it made me think of you. Happy Winter Star, and a early happy New Years. I hope this year treats you well. Ben

[alwaysgcld]

@silvcrlining | Ben presents the box to Finley when he sees them on their birthday, card, and a single red chrysanthemum slipped underneath the string. The items in the box are as follow: a customized leather camera strap with Finley’s initials engraved on either end (F on one, M on the other) along with coordinates of Stardew Valley. a gps smartwatch, and two hats (1 | 2). He suggests to them to wait on reading the card when they are alone: “Don’t want to bring the mood down with the heart to heart thing.”

Dear Finley, 

Just in case you try to read this as soon as I turn my back...

Warning: mushy territory incoming. Proceed with caution.

Happy birthday! I hope the day is as good as you wished it to be, and that you had plenty of amazing gifts given to you. That you don’t mind that I went a little overboard with the gifts. The hats alone didn’t feel enough, and I wasn’t sure what else you would like so I went two different directions.

The watch has a gps built into it. It also tracks your heart rate, activity, and stress. Plus it can plan out a running route for and is super durable. I saw it and thought of you, so I hope you like it. Or at least find it useful.

As for the camera strap... Well, I got that for you not too long after our conversation in the saloon back in June. I’d like for you to stay here for as long as you can since you make Pelican Town so much brighter. But I know that feeling you are or were having, probably better than anyone here. The feeling that you might have to go off somewhere else to lose yourself. Or find yourself. If you do end up leaving one day, I thought you might like a little something to remind you of your time here. That you have people here rooting for you.

I’m not sure how big of a flower person you are so I didn’t get too wild with them for you. Still, I thought you might enjoy this little tidbit about your birth month flower. Chrysanthemums are the flower for November. I thought the red one suited you the most, since it symbolizes love and deep passion. I mean it in the sense of I wish for you to find that for yourself. No matter wherever life takes you. And for you to hold for yourself. Don’t lose sight of the things that make life worthwhile.

You are a great person, Finley. I’m truly thankful to have you as a friend. And don’t worry, we never have to discuss the mushy feeling bits on here.

I owe you a happy birthday round at the saloon, let me know when you are ready to cash it in.

Sincerely, Ben