A Breath of Cinnamon Midwinter Day 1 (Amiee)

[Calix Hearthrow]

Calix smiled; yes downstairs was all set up with decorations but those were for the guests. Calix however had spent the early morning hours while Amiee was sleeping to decorate their living space in the inn. He had a separate little apartment up there; he had converted three rooms of the inn to be their living space. When one walked in through the door they had a common room; set with a small table and some comfy chairs. On the left was a door leading to his room; and on the right one for his adoptive daughter. The common room he had gone above and beyond; on the walls hung garlands of evergreens and holly. The chairs were draped with red fabric and a nice white table cloth had been laid out over the table. Even a small tree decorated with little bobbles; and oddly soft little gold lights twinkled around the branches. It was something he had requested the Lass Aria to do for him; which she happily obliged. It certainly gave the little tree a magical quality to it.



Under the tree some presents lay, one was messily wrapped, obviously from him, and the other two were neatly wrapped with a little tag on each one bearing either Calix’s or Amiee’s name. His was wrapped in plain brown paper, while the other ones were wrapped in a deep brown that seemed to shimmer and tied with a gold ribbon.



The table he had set with some of his finer plates and laid out a large breakfast, specially made for his daughter and himself to enjoy on this midwinters morning. He was just now placing the fresh cinnamon bread among the other items of the table. The table spread included fresh milk, some sausage, eggs, and butter. It would be a good meal for each of them. Once everything was set up he sat down with his coffee to wait for his daughter to wake up.

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Amiee woke up rubbing the sleep out of her eyes the scent of cinnamon and sausage had woven it way under her down awakening her from her dreams. Opening the shutters of her window she let some of the cold air in while looking at some of the businesses nearby had decorated the doors with garlands of evergreen, a few had added holly and a few other things to bring out the colour and make it a happy season.


Looking in the corner of her room was a small box, wrapped as neatly as she could have gotten it. Tied around the brown wrapping as one of her black hair ribbons, it had taken her a while to come up with the present and even then she still wasn't sure that her father would like it since it was a two piece thing. Pushing those thoughts out of her head as she proceeded to get dressed for the day.


Deciding for today to wear simple white breeches with a matching long sleeved button up top. Sitting down on her bed she slowly brushed her hair getting all of the knots out of it since she had used one of hair ribbons to tie around the present she used the other one to tie her hair up. Once she was done she closed her window the cold finally cause to her feel a chill.


Forgoing socks and shoes, her eyes still lingering on the box before she decided to return for it later. Pushing open the door, the scent of the food become more overwhelming, but the decorations and the tree distracted her as her eyes widen staring at the little lights that twinkled. If anything it made the felt more magical like anything could happen.


Smiling brightly she turned to her father running towards him, once she was close enough she threw her arms around him hugging him. Once she was satisfied with the hug, she released her hold on him and say down next to him. "Good Morning."

[Calix Hearthrow]

He smiled as Amiee came out and ran to give him a hug; he scooped her up in his arms and gave her a large bear hug before putting her down.

”Good morning; Happy Midwinter”

He sat back down and motioned for her to dig in. He grabbed himself some food and placed it on his plate. Happy she had woken up before the delicious meal got cold.

”So how did I do on decorating this year?”

Last year’s attempt had been pitiful to say the least, there had been some house plants with maybe a bobble or two, and some colored string hung up. This was only after it was pointed out to him, in a very strong manner, that midwinter needed a bit more cheer. So this year he put effort into it.

”I think you can guess which present is from me; after your done eating we can open them if you’d like.”

[Deleted]

"Happy Midwinter." Giggling softly, as she took a plate grabbing some of the good, spreading a little butter on a small slice of a bread.



"It looks magical this year, but I had wanted to help this year." She said the last part pouting a little since she did want to help. Still looking around it did look much better than last year and it was hard for her to stay sad with the calming and happy atmosphere.



Taking a little nibble of her food, it was even more delicious than normal. She didn't even notice the presents under the tree until Calix mentioned it. Seeing the one wrapped in a plain brown paper and messy, since it did make sense with her father having larger hands than her so small delicate task like present wrapping never turn out that great but it was the thought that counted after all.



"I would love that." Even with the thought of getting presents she wasn't that eager to open them just yet since it was rare to have be up early and having the morning off to relax before heading to work in the inn. Deciding to take her time eating, after pouring some of the milk into a cup, to enjoy the downtime not having to dealing with people who have hangovers or stupid people who think that it was okay to destroy half of their room during the night and either her or someone else have to go clean it up.



"Hm... Do I get a hint on what you got me this year."

[Calix Hearthrow]

Calix sighed and rubbed the back of his head; just couldn’t win with this girl. But he would remember next time that she wanted to help. He continued to eat his food; like his daughter enjoying the time to relax. It was posted that the inn’s normal breakfast would start a little later in the morning. After all it was midwinter and he scheduled it so he would have time to enjoy it with his daughter. He looked up when she asked if she could have a hint to what her gift was this year. He shrugged.

”As to mine no, that would ruin the surprise, as to the others I haven’t a clue what they are. The lass Aria dropped them off when she did the enchantment for the tree.”

Calix finishing his food stood up and picked up the lumpy package along with the neatly wrapped one and brought it over to her.

”Which one do you want to open first?”

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Amiee knew that he wasn't going to tell her but she had prayed that maybe a little slip up on telling her on what the present might be. No can't say that she didn't try to figure out what was inside. Hearing that the other one was from Aria she stared at it wondering what it could because last time they met she threw her at Naa or whatever his name is to see if he was going to eat her.


Pointing to the lumpy package more excited to see what she got this year. "Oh, one second." Putting down her plate she ran back to her room grabbing her present. Walking back out slowly she placed it on an empty spot.


"I got you something. You don't have to open it now if you don't want to." She said as she eyed the box. If Calix decided to open it inside would be two things one was a simple drawing of the both of them not artsy done simple enough to make out from the figures it was the two of them, the other one was a small book that contained Amiee would do stuff coupons an idea she had gotten from one of the Fated that stayed there. 

[Calix Hearthrow]

Calix smiled as Amy handed him her present. He opened hers first; a delighted smile on her face as he looked over the picture. Calix stood taking the picture and put it up on the wall.

”Thank you Amiee, you did such a nice job on this. I’ll have to get it framed.”

He was delighted in the fact Amiee had taken the time to make something for him. Art supplies were not cheap; considering it was more of a noble hobbie then one of their stature. He went back to the table and picked up the brown and gold wrapped gift that was marked with his name.

”I suppose I should open this one as well….though I would hate to tear the paper. I would guess this is expensive stuff. How about you keep the ribbon from this; it would look pretty in your hair.”

He undid the ribbon and handed it over to Amiee. Then carefully pried the paper open without ripping it; he could probably use the paper to wrap Amiees gift for her birthday this year. When he finally did unwrap the paper his eye brows shot up in surprise. Inside was a marble carved statue of Ai; no more than a foot tall. She stood with her arms outstretched and a serene smile on her marbled face. He had a small shrine to Ai in the basement of the inn, a seldom known secret. But his shrine to the goddess that he fallowed was only few candles and a badly carved wooden statue. Only noblemen were able to afford the home shrine statues such as this.

”Now how in the world did the lass know I had a shrine to Ai….”

Really it wasn’t as if he advertised it. He had been so embarrassed when Amiee first found it. He shook his head a bit disturbed but none the less grateful. He looked back at Amiees gift that now hung on the wall and smiled. The drawing was still his favorite.

He motioned for Amiee to open her gifts. When Amiee opened the present from him she would find a large stuffed animal cat. The cat was made out of white rabbit fur, and its eyes were two black buttons sewn on. The nose was made of thread along with the cat like smile on its face.

”Since I said no real cats I hoped this would be a good substitute for now.”

He did feel bad banning the girl from her companion animal; but for the time being it was for her own good. When Amiee did eventually get around to opening the gift left behind from Aria. Immediately after taking off the paper a soft satin material would spill forth from the package. When Amiee held it up she would find it was a gorgeously crafted dress. The neck was a scoop neckline stopping just above the young girl’s cleavage. Short capped sleeves left most of the arms bare. The dress was cut in an empire waist fashion; the material being a soft silky satin overlaid with a gossamer embroidered with small flowers in brown thread. A matching pink satin ribbon was also tied around the upper cut of the dress, just below the breasts. All and all the dress itself was lovely; it even came with matching slippers.


Dress

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Amiee's smile brighten even more happy that he did like the picture and was going to get it framed later. Honestly, she could care less about the other gifts for her because that one moment was heaven on earth for her since she never truly had a father growing up till Calix came in her life and moments like these were very precious to her.


Taking a seat back on the couch she curled one leg under her as she watched to see what present Aria could have gotten her father. Nodding her head at the mentions of the ribbons, planning to only wear them on special occasions like during this week since it would be a waste to wear them every day and the colour fading quickly. Her eyes now once again tune on the present. Seeing a small statue of Ai she did her best to not giggle since Aria hit it on the nose so to speak, but it was good to for Calix now to have the marble statue of Ai.


"So... does the wooden statue of Ai come upstairs now?" Asking a little curious not that she would mind.


Moving to opened the present from her father first, slowly unwrapping it, her eye opened brightly seeing the stuffed cat, not being able to help herself she squealed. Giving the cat a tight hug before moving to hug Calix next. "Thank you I love it." Her smile even brighter now as she hugged the cat even more. "I'm going to name him Snowflake." Honestly nothing in her mind could top this present, well other than a real cat but still it was the most wonderful present. "Thank you."


Placing the Snowflake on her lap not wanting him to go anywhere not that he would, reaching forward she took picked up the gift from Aria wondering what she got her. For all she knew it would be a knife or something that would torment her, the last she could think of was maybe a book or something having heard that she was the champion of Saden still she was a bit hesitance about opening it.


Deciding it was best to open it now in case it was something that was dangerous to her well being at least Calix would be there. Slowly opening it careful not to tear the paper she braced herself only to find her hands touching satin, her eyes widen seeing the lovely pale pink dress. Lifting it up she saw the small flowers embroidered in it, it wasn't what she was expecting from Aria for sure but it was one of the few lovely dresses that she owned. Carefully folding it, placing the matching slippers on top wondering a few things was one how did Aria know her size and two that pink was one of her favourite colours.


Turning to Calix her holding Snowflake in her arms still loving it the most. "Would you help me write a thank you note for Aria." She asked since even with the little that her mother taught her she would still need help to write Aria a short note of thanks.

[Calix Hearthrow]

Calix’s large pudgy cheeks flushed red when Amy teased about the other little statue coming up to the upstairs. He coughed and looked away from his daughter, clearly slightly uncomfortable with the topic.

”I suppose it is time to retire the old statue; we’ll give it a proper burial underneath where we’ll place the new one.”

He grinned when he saw that she enjoyed her present so much; he figured it would be better than a real cat. He watched as she opened the gift from Aria; his eyebrows raising when the expensive garment fell from the box. When Amiee asked if he could help write Aria a thank you note he nodded.

”I’m sure she’ll like that very much; such a lovely dress. You’ll look lovely in it.”

Calix got up and went to go get some paper and ink and handed it to Amiee. He would tell her how to spell things and how to form the letters; but writing it herself would be good. Even if it was messy and the letters ill formed; it was good practice.

[Deleted]

Amiee did her best to hide the giggle seeing her father's face flushed. It was rare and she didn't want to forget the moment either, looking away as she tried to compose herself a smile still on her face. Nodding her head at them retiring the old statue and providing it with a proper burial underneath the new one.


Still cuddling Snowflake as she watched him get the paper and ink. She silently thanked her mother for teaching her how to write her name but since she didn't get a chance to practice since her death.


As she wrote the note she asked for the spelling ninety percent of the words along with help on how to form some of the more difficult letters in the alphabet. Once the notes was done she looked at her horrible handwriting but it was legible to read, handing it to her father to read over making sure everything looked right. "How does it look?"