#the obaasan was pretty sad to hear she'd be leaving soon coz the 'ijin with the free flowing purse' was good for business

[housedeaubemarle]

FFXIV Write 2024 #29: [Extra Credit] - Souvenirs

For @escherstrange-ffxiv and her wonderful boys whom I am very fond of <3

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Dearest Joshua and Izzy, I couldn’t wait to give you these, so I included them with all the other things I sent home. The Hingans call these padded coats ‘hanten’, and they are wonderfully warm, being lined with good cotton. These particular ones were handsewn by a talented tailor whom I chanced to find in Hingashi. When I said I was from Ishgard, she immediately picked up a hanten to recommend to me, which made me laugh – our reputation for ice, snow and dragons precedes us.  The patterned one is meant for Izzy. The Hingans call it ‘yabane’, meant to represent the fletchings on an arrow. It is considered a symbol of good luck and determination – once an arrow is loosed, it aims straight for its target without diversion. The black jacket is for Joshua; I imagined you would look very well in it, with its silver threads sewn into the cotton. There are five different patterns sewn with the silver, all meant to bring good luck and strength. I hope they will serve in the coming moons as the winds grow colder.  I send to you too a box of beautiful sweet delights I’d never seen in my life till now. Its name is ‘kohakutou’ – my hosts say it translates to ‘amber sugar’. I was served some with my tea a few suns ago, and I was enchanted. They look wonderfully like crystals of all colours, and the artisans here do a lovely job of infusing such sweetness that doesn’t overpower the tongue. Please share them amongst those who visit the community centre; I will be sure to bring home more if they are popular.   I’m learning much here in Doma, and I am humbled each day by all that I do not know; it’s a good feeling, unexpectedly. Eddy continues to be a favourite at our inn, and I’m just beginning to be concerned that I may have to hire a new lady’s maid in Ishgard, despite all of Eddy’s blushing protests. As for myself, I have a newfound love for the horses of the Steppe (though I’ve not forgotten the Apkallu of La Noscea, Izzy; one day I'll get to see them in person and be charmed all over again). I fear my hosts may be getting tired of my requests to return to the Steppe to visit the Noykin for more opportunities to ride. I find the horses are only slightly slower than Chocobos when they gallop, and their gaits require getting used to, but they are magnificent creatures all the same. My first sight of their herd roaming the plains under the vast blue sky is something I will never forget. I daren’t imagine trying to bring them to Aldenard, as they are very much a part of their tribe as the Xaela themselves, and it would take far more negotiation and discussion than I could afford at present – but I hold out some flame of hope in my heart.  Regardless of all my excitement, I confess to missing you all (I know I haven't even been away a moon - I am a spoiled creature). I am due to return in about two sennights, if all goes well. I hope you are keeping well, and that your days go smoothly. I’ve given Rem an earful for keeping news from me, so I hope to hear of you and from you if time should allow. Please also let me know if I may do anything or bring anything back for you from the East. Till I next see you, Halone bless and keep you all. Your cousin, Oudine. P.S. I think of how Wil might behave around the falcons here and it makes me smile. Please give him my love; I hope he enjoys the kohakutou too.