prismatica | ( video; un: benefic )

[ The woman looking to the camera has probably been through worse. She looks like there's some powdered sugar on her nose, her glasses are askew, and her sweater definitely has some chocolate smudges, but hey... at least her rabbit ears are fine? At the very least, she looks determined, like the utter mess behind her isn't fazing her in the slightest. ]

There are others here who celebrate by making their gifts, aren't there? Whether it be Firialia or Starlight or - anything, really. Since we're all ushered away here... or, well - supposed to be? Is anyone truly braving that icy tundra? - either way, since many of us are here, perhaps it'd be helpful to make gifts together.

I imagine those who have just appeared here may not have much in the way of Chroma to buy anything if they have someone close to them here, and there are some of us who are doubtless better with our hands than finances. The villa I managed to rent is far too big for just two people, so I've no problem having a few over if one wishes not to craft alone.

I'm not stepping out into that snow if I can help it. [ She grimaces. ] It's simply not good weather for a desert-dweller.

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I'll be over in twenty minutes then.

[If that. Hornet simply takes some time to clean her mask and don on her heavier cloak and a scarf. She has no intentions of being outside any longer than she needs to be and travels throughout the villas by flying on her string.

This cold really did not do it for her.

When she lands outside the one that Allumette indicated she gives a quick knock.]

[ Oh. That was quite quick. Allumette remembers she said she'd be over soon but... well, Hornet was kind of small and the snow was tall and...

Well.

She hurries to the door nevertheless, opening it for her and letting her in. The breeze makes her shudder, ears pinning down as she hides behind the door. ]

Ugh - this cold... how anyone can bear it...

[ Thankfully, the inside is much much warmer, nice and toasty and reflecting the golden light from the fixtures and fireplace. ]

[Oh thank the Gods for the warmth. Hornet shakes out her cloak first to get rid of a bit of snow that accumulated on it and then is quick to enter.]

I too, wonder the same.

[She didn't bother hiding the disdain in her voice. Hallownest had places it could be cold, certainly, particularly the farther down you traversed but it was nothing like this.]

Have you been well despite it?

I've not caught anything, no. I send my friend out for the things I need if I need anything - she is better suited to the snow and cold.

[ She waves a hand idly as she moves back to the kitchen, where a cake and several sweets have been set out to cool and dry. ]

She's out skating on the ice as far as I know right now. Everyone seems to be in good spirits.

[Hornet follows, giving a cursory look around before the scent of the sweets distract her.

Adverse as she is to the cold, she does have to admit she appreciates how it has brought her together with her siblings. Living in the same space with them for this short while has been lovely.]

That is good.

[That is... a lot of food. Some of which she doesn't recognize at all.]

What are all these?

Well, this is a cake - it's got chocolate inside so it'll ooze out, and these are truffles, peppermint bark, and sugar cookies.

You can have whatever you'd like. They're not the best - I'm afraid I still have much to learn, but they taste decent!

[ They're a little messy, sometimes misshapen, but the flavor is here. They're sweet, sometimes complex with the depth of the chocolate she uses, but with the fire crackling and the snow falling it's shaking the cold of outside off. ]

You should take more pride in your work. You've made something, and every attempt is a step towards something better.

[She said it matter of fact. Any creation is worthy of lauding, especially when fear immobilizes so many from trying.

That cake sounds extravagant and Hornet is a little reluctant to try it. Not because she doubts Allumette's skill but simply because she isn't sure she'll like sweets in general. She regards one of the smaller items before selecting one of the peppermint barks.

She regards it for a moment before lifting her mask every so slightly and grabbing the sweet with her pedipalps]

[ Oh.

She's briefly surprised, but smiles, actually a little charmed. It reminds her of the Vath and the Gnath, the way they clicked with their... beaks? What were those things, anyway? ]

I didn't know you wore a mask.

[It is very hard to Hornet to describe the taste. It's unlike anything she has ever had before and she finds herself fixated more on just how distinct and strong the flavor is than on whether she enjoys it or not at first. Her diet up until now had largely been the unevolved bugs that were found everywhere in Dirthmouth and whatever edible vegetation she could get from Greenpath.

There are the vaguest memories of trying fruit before Hallownest fell, but that was so long ago she's not certain it actually happened, much less what it tasted like.

After overcoming the initial shock Hornet lets herself savor the treat for a moment and finds she enjoys it.

Finally she nods, looking back up at Allummette]

Many where I come from don on masks--not all, but the majority.

[Then some, like her siblings, had masks that made their physical form. Even she wasn't quite sure how their bodies worked.]

I like it.

[ She lights up, like there's stars in her eyes. ]

You do? Really? - though I...

[ Allumette pauses, something coming to her, quiet and subdued. ]

Most of you wear masks too, huh... is there a reason why?

[Hornet paused to consider that. It would be untrue to say that she had never questioned it, but it had always simply been how Hallownest operated for all her life, and very few texts had ever spoken about it. It wasn't a subject that came up too often as it was simply a given...but she knew there was a purpose; scattered tablets and the murmurings of the strange being hidden within the recesses of Deepnest made that clear.

Hornet could never stay in their little cavern for too long to question them at length about it--too much of that deep nothingness had settled there for her body to withstand it, and it caused her to question how they could.]

All my life it has always been that way, and all the life of my parents. I suppose you could say it more or less serves the same purpose as your clothing--to protect that part of us which is most vulnerable, and a means of decoration.

[She knew there was more to it than that and she had her speculations, but she didn't want to state as fact that which she did not know for certain.]

( video; un: benefic )

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