El Nysa IC Inbox

[panzersoldat]

●●●●○ THESA

Reinhardt Wilhelm @crusader08 (61), Earth

CONTACT

IGNORE

I WAS A: knight. Upholding justice and defending the weak I'M SKILLED IN: Fighting, drinking, wrestling, and woodworking I'M LOOKING FOR: Fellow knights, friends, those who have justice in their hearts. ALSO, I'M: very very very large.

Comments

before the end of the month.

[webdesigned]

( Peter has done a bit of gift giving, though most of it he doesn't own up to. leaves at doorsteps and skedaddles before they spot him (and is he ever good at skedaddling). he thinks about doing that with Reinhardt, but then he remembers the fact that the big old german guy had managed to give him something without hiding it on his doorstep and leaving it nameless, so he figures he can do the same too. maybe.

doesn't mean he doesn't seem kind of sheepish when Reinhardt opens the door. Peter decides to get it over with quickly, extending the box suddenly before he even manages a hello. )

Merry Christmas. Or whatever. If you don't do Christmas. It's just that Merry Whatever doesn't sound as good. ( wow... he's ashamed of himself right now. he grimaces, shaking his head. ) Just take it. Please?

Re: before the end of the month.

[panzersoldat]

[ The young man looks so nervous when he opens that door and he laughs a little. Laughs and gently places a large hand on Peter's shoulder. ] I do Christmas, Peter. Don't you worry. But you really didn't have to... [ But he's not going to embarrass the boy by not taking it from him. ] Thank you.

Do you want to come in while I open it? I have mulled wine and extra cookies.

[ He's trying not to shake the gift to figure out what's inside. What if it's breakable? ]

[webdesigned]

( he's already a little relieved by the fact Reinhardt took the box to begin with. Peter would obviously be more relieved if he could make like a banana and split, it just seems like Reinhardt would rather know it was from him.

and probably, once he opens it to find a handmade fish finder, he'll be able to guess anyway. unless he takes all awkward stray teenagers fishing. in that case it might have been a mystery. )

Sure. Mulled wine, huh? Is that a german tradition or just a Reinhardt tradition? ( he's 19 and has no culture so he might not like wine of any variety much. cookies, though, he can do, and Peter obligingly steps through the door. ) You can... open it later, if you want to. I know I didn't have to, just... wanted to, you've done a lot for me. ( ugh, feelings, so many of them... shameful. where are those cookies, Rein, just let him eat those and stop talking. )

[panzersoldat]

[ No. It's only Peter really. Peter is the only teen he takes fishing. And he will deeply adore that fish finder. It's going to help him so much in the future. But for now he's more than happy to leave the gift sit so he can entertain the young man. It's not often he has guests in his little place and he wants to make sure Peter knows that he is always welcome. ]

Mulled wine is very much a German thing. We call it Glühwein. It means Glow Wine because it's warm and gives you a happy glow when you drink it on a cold day. [ So what if Peter is below some American drinking age. He's perfectly legal in Germany. He can have all the adult beverages he wants around Reinhardt. ] It's this way.

[ He'll lead to his kitchen, ducking under the doorway so he doesn't want to knock his head. There's he's got a nice spiced wine. It makes the entire kitchen smell of rich cinnamon and clove and red wine with hints of citrus. It mixes well with the heady smell of gingerbread in the little men he's made.

He happily plates up fresh cookies and gets a mug for the wine for Peter, seeming far too happy to have guests. ] Here. I know it's not the best, but it's been a while since I've been able to use a kitchen. Oh, and don't eat the bone shaped ones. Those are doggy treats.

[webdesigned]

( his auntie would surely not approve, though if Peter is perfectly honest, mulled wine with Reinhardt isn't the first alcohol he's had in his life. it's not even the first alcohol he's had since landing on Natha... nor the first alcohol he's had from even before then. i said he was 19 year old boy, not that he was a smart or even particularly good one. he's technically the first and definitely not the last, most of the time. )

Glow wine. That sounds pretty good, actually. I guess I'll try it? ( it certainly smelled amazing, enough to make him willing to take a chance on it. as for the cookies, even though Reinhardt doesn't give them glowing recommendations, Peter highly doubts they'll be bad. nothing Reinhardt has made has ever been bad.
even some bread that got a little stale had been good to eat, his confidence in the cookies are still very high.

Peter laughs at the mention of dog treats. it's good to know, because, ) I probably would have eaten them. They're adorable. I'm man enough to admit I like to eat adorable things. ( he'll take the gingerbread guy instead, though, with that knowledge. ) So how is the season treating you? Does it feel like Christmas still, even here?

[panzersoldat]

[ Well, then Reinhardt just won't tell Peter's aunt that he gave the boy alcohol. It's just spiced wine too. Nothing really strong. It's just warm and delicious. Just like the cookies. Which Reinhardt is positively beaming at watching Peter pick up. He really does hope he did a good job with the food. Cooking with different ingredients than what he's used to has been an experience. ]

You think so. I have met these two wonderful dogs. And I know if I meet them again, it wouldn't be right not to give them treats. They're edible by people standards...sort of. If you like peanut butter. [ Peanut butter he had made from scratch. Extra creamy because he had gotten to smash a thing with another thing. ] But now I know your secret and I hope you are prepared for New Years and the pig you will be getting from me. If I can figrue out marzipan here.

[ There is a small smile and Reinhardt pours them both drinks. It's a little sad in a way. ] It does and it doesn't. In Germany, we take this time of year very seriously. I miss it. I miss the markets and the calendar with the chocolates behind each door. I miss Krampusnacht. And if I'm being honest, this is the first Christmas I've been alone. Back when I was young, I had my fellow Crusaders. And then my new unit. And then just me and Brigitte and her family. [ This is the very first year he's been truly alone and that's probably why he's so eager to be making treats to hand out to everyone he meets. Makes it a little less lonely. ] How about you? Have you been good enough for Santa this year?

[webdesigned]

I do like peanut butter, though I think there's probably something shameful about eating dog treats. Even if they are safe for humans.

( he will stick to his gingerbread man for now. the guy looks so cheerful and smells delicious, so it's definitely a safer bet than something made for a dog. Peter doesn't know too much about interacting with dogs, he's never had a pet a day in his life, yet he finds it pretty endearing Reinhardt had taken the time to make treats for some puppy friends. he really is an adorable grandpa, isn't he...

at this point he should protest that Reinhardt doesn't have to get him anything, or cook him anything, or probably another handful of protests that he knows will fall on deaf ears. Peter doesn't bother. it's endearing and comforting to know they won't do him any good, in a weird way. ) I am prepared, officially. I'm not sure I've ever had marzipan, that's like, almond candy, isn't it?

( he's disappointing the New York food scene for not knowing in particular, isn't he... sorry, NYC. his expression grows more serious at the mention of being alone for Christmas. Peter would have to admit the same, if it weren't for Cheryl and Juvia, though the idea of Rein on his own is pretty heartbreaking. ) It might not be what you're used to, but you don't have to be alone. If you want, my roommates and I will probably have a dinner, and none of us can cook. ( they'd welcome him if he wanted to stop by... and just think, Reinhardt, that'd be three grandbabies to feed.

as for being good enough for Santa, Peter squints. ) Good is a relative term, right? So, yes? ( he's half joking, half not. turns out, Peter doesn't believe he's that good... despite the fact he sacrifices his entire existence for others, most of the time. )

[panzersoldat]

[ He really is. He just never really gets a chance to be that for anyone. He's never gotten to have that kind of family. He's missed a lot of those things. Being a hero means sacrificing for the good of all. So now, now he's going to live to the fullest and thus, he's embraced this young man in a way that seems a little to familiar.

He'd stop if Peter demanded it, but right now, he's just very happy that there's this nice young man to bake cookies and give gifts to. ]

It is. It's exactly that. In Germany, we make little Glückschwein with it. Pigs are good luck and if you eat pig then you will have a lot of good luck in the coming year.

[ He seems to honestly believe in that tradition. Just like he honestly still believes in the concept of Santa. He's glad the young man didn't tease him or say he was too old for the Jolly Old Elf. Instead, he's getting invited to Christmas dinner.

A Christmas dinner with a young man and his roommates. One that he would happily cook for them. ] None of you can cook? Consider me your guest then and consider your dinner made. I'll make sure it's all good food that brings the joy of the holiday to your house. [ Hopefully the grandbabies like German food. ]

And good. Because Santa will be visiting you as well. He might not have much this year, but the good boys and girls aren't forgotten here. I promise you that.

possibly wrap here?

[webdesigned]

( heroism requiring sacrifice is honestly something peter knows all too well. he is actually not quite that good at sacrificing things, yet he sure tries to cut things out of his life for the good of all just the same. he could stand to learn a lot from Reinhardt, though, that would require being a bit more honest. and as much as he admires the older knight, that sort of honesty doesn't come easily. he'd never told his aunt nor his uncle about what he was or what he could do, and Reinhardt's warm presence reminds him of them more than anything.

it might be why he is so accepting of the broad affection. Peter can't quite help himself.

he's never heard of the tradition that pork brought luck, however, ) I can use all the luck I can get, and if all I have to do is eat Christmas ham, then I should have a stellar year. ( because he is going to inhale any pork put in front of him... just watch him. ) We'd love to have you, Reinhardt. It's a time for spending time with friends, right?

( Peter nods, glad the old bear had agreed. he will rest a little easier on Christmas Day now knowing that Reinhardt won't be spending the holiday alone. not because of the gifts or the dinner, but because good men shouldn't be forgotten, either. it would be horrible to think of someone so kind without company on Christmas.

though, speaking of good men... ) Hey. I'm a good man now. I turned 19 a couple months ago. ( because clearly, that's all it takes to be a man!!! he'd protest the idea that Reinhardt needs to get him anything, but he knows it would fall on deaf ears. he's starting to like the fact Reinhardt will stubbornly look out for him, whether he needs it — whether he's old enough to take care of himself (and he is!) or not. it's something Peter could get a little too used to if he let himself... maybe he already has. )

works for me

[panzersoldat]

I will make you all the best ham then. I'll go and hunt the boar myself! Just you wait! [ He looks forward to this now. He really is excited for the celebration to come. He'll be sure to be the perfect guest and not embarrass Peter in front of his roommates and friends.

He still laughs though and reaches over to give Peter a hearty pat on the back. ] 19!! Right, right. I apologize. You are indeed a good man. I won't forget this! But remember, men can still accept help and they can still be visited by Santa. And I suppose I'll have a man to help watch my back too. I'm fortunate.

[ He's already bagging up cookies for him ] And I want you to take this once you're ready to go. For your roomates. Try not to eat them all before they get some. [ Peter is going to get a grandpa hair ruffle, man or not. ]